International kindergartens, elementary and primary schools in Croatia

International kindergarten in Zagreb
Image by Mala Kuca

UPDATED: 30.04.2023.

In Croatia, there are both public and private schools. International schools in the private sector offer programs in foreign languages including Chinese, English, German, French, Italian, and Spanish.

For parents who have moved to Croatia with their families, enrolling your child in a school that teaches in your native language may be preferable over public schools that only teach in Croatian.

In addition to the wide variety of languages offered by these schools, some offer intensive internationally-recognized curriculums based on technology, sports, and arts.

In this post, we go over all international kindergarten, elementary and primary schools in Split and Zagreb, including what programs they offer and how to find them.

Jump to a school:

The facts are these…

International kindergartens, elementary and primary schools in Croatia

Split

#1 Bravo!

Bravo! is a cultural center that offers foreign language programs for children from 3 years of age and older. Their programs help children to develop their social, physical, intellectual, creative, and emotional skills.

The curriculum covers classes from the alphabet, numbers, shapes, weather, colors, geography, science, and everyday life. They approach children through singing, reading, writing, drawing, storytelling, and rhymes.

Languages

  • English
  • French

Programs

  • CNED program
  • Full day program (English, French)
  • Half day program (English, French)
  • 1 1/2 hrs of French all week (school aged)
  • Evening program (school aged-English)

Contact Information

Address: Križine 4, 21 000 Split – view map
Phone: +385 (0)91 568 0354; +385 (0)97 654 4262
E-mail: mikaela.buzov@gmail.com, hana.duma@gmail.com

Contact the school directly for cost information

Website | Facebook

#2 Fun2Learn

Fun2Learn is a kindergarten and elementary school for early learning of foreign languages. Children learn English, German and Spanish through playing, singing, story-telling, cartoons, toys, and other stimulative games and requisites.

Fun2Learn’s programs promote respect and understanding towards other cultures, nations, languages, and traditions.

Languages

  • English (primary)
  • German
  • Spanish

Programs

  • Playschool – 2-6 years of age
  • Pre-primary – 2-6 years of age
  • Primary – 7-12 years of age
  • English Through Science – 7-12 years of age
  • Primary Plus – 7-12 years of age

Contact Information

Address: Kralja Zvonimira 48, 21 000 Split – view map
Trondheimska 25, 21 000 Split – view map
Phone: +385 (0)95 111 13 33
E-mail: info@fun2learn.hr

Information on costs is available here

Website

Harfa International School

Harfa International School is the first international school in Split. It was opened in September 2020.

Harfa’s curriculum includes language acquisition, science, social studies, mathematics, music, and visual art. They encourage students to learn through various methodologies and different contexts, with a focus on holistic learning, intercultural awareness, and communication.

Languages

  • English
  • Croatian

Programs

  • Primary Years Programme of the International Baccalaureate

Contact Information

Address: Poljudsko šetalište 2, 21 000 Split – view map
Phone: +385 (0)91 9000 444
E-mail: info@posh.hr

Information on costs is available here

WebsiteFacebook

#4 Split International School

Split International School is open for both local and foreign students living in Split. All courses are taught in English. The school’s curriculum follows a globally-recognized and well-respected curricular framework of the International Baccalaureate (IB) Program. This program is taught using the Harkness teaching methodology – a discussion-based and student-driven teaching method that improves learning outcomes.

While the program is taught in English, the school offers additional language support for non-native English speakers to follow the program. In addition to language support, students will also be able to learn Croatian and other foreign languages at Split International School.

The school will also offer a FIRST Robotics program. FIRST Robotics is a global robotics community preparing young people for the future by developing both technical skills and well-rounded life capabilities.

Languages

  • English – Primary language
  • Croatian – Additional language
  • French, German, Spanish

Programs

  • Primary school (1st – 5th grade)
  • Middle school (6th – 8th grade)
  • High school (9th – 12th grade)

Contact Information

Address: Kninska ulica 9, 21204 Dugopolje – view map
Phone:
 +385 (0)91 618 2877
E-mail: admissions@splitinternational.org

For cost information contact the school directly

School offers Flexible Tuition Program and scholarships

Website | Facebook

Zagreb

#1 American International School of Zagreb

American International School of Zagreb – AISZ was founded in 1966. Their new campus at Bundek is the most energy-efficient building in Central and Eastern Europe. The school currently has 274 students of 36 nationalities enrolled. The average class size consists of 18 students and more than 50 mentors are employed.

AISZ employs a licensed doctor of general medicine and a physical trainer for athletics. The school offers a bunch of sports, academic, and cultural activities for its students. It is equipped with 2 libraries, a full-size gym, fitness room, dance studio, music room, 3 art rooms, 2 adventure playgrounds, a football pitch, a handball court, and 4 tennis courts.

Languages

  • English – basic
  • Croatian – instructional
  • French, German – optional

Programs

  • Lower school (pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, 1st – 5th grade)
  • Middle school (6th – 8th grade)
  • High school (9th – 12th grade)

Contact Information

Address: Ulica Damira Tomljanovića Gavrana 3, 10 020 Zagreb – view map
Phone: +385 (0)1 7999 300
E-mail: aisz@aisz.hr

Information on costs is available here

Website

#2 British International School of Zagreb

The British International School of Zagreb – BISZ began in 2013 as a sister school of Kreativan razvoj private primary school, which has been operating for 24 years.

It is the first school in Croatia to offer a Cambridge Secondary and Advanced qualification, which enables students to enroll in any university in the world. BISZ’s teaching is organized in small classes to encourage students’ creativity and talents.

Extra-curricular activities include table tennis, yoga, basketball, swimming, and soccer. The school provides 3 meals during the day. All students wear school uniforms.

The international environment is made of students representing more than 50 different nationalities. BISZ is located in a valley only 5 kilometers from the city center of Zagreb, surrounded by green areas and sports courts.

Languages

  • English – basic language
  • Croatian, Italian, German – additional languages

Programs

  • Preschool
  • Stage 1 – Years 1 and 2 of the primary school
  • Stage 2 – Years 3, 4, 5 and 6
  • Stage 3 – Years 7, 8 and 9
  • Stage 4 – Years 10 and 11
  • Stage 5 – Years 12 and 13

Contact Information

Address: Dedići 102, 10 000 Zagreb – view map
Phone: +385 (0)1 4611 007

Information on costs is available here

Website

#3 British International School of Zagreb Bright Horizons

The British International School of Zagreb Bright Horizons – IBSZ Bright Horizons is a modern school with large, bright classrooms located at Sveti Duh. It offers international education based on UK educational standards with a challenging learning environment.

School children wear unique uniforms to prevent discrimination based on dissimilarities. The school promotes both modern and traditional values.

Some of the extracurricular activities offered are robotics, theater, music, art, drama, zoo visits, eco trips, chess club, bridge club, and tennis lessons.

IBSZ offers bus transport for their students. They also provide a lunch service and additional nutritious snacks during morning and afternoon breaks.

Languages

  • English – basic language
  • Croatian, Spanish, German – additional languages

Programs

  • Years 1-6
  • Year 7-8

Contact Information

Address: Sveti Duh 122, 10 000 Zagreb – view map
Phone: +385 (0)1 37 45 146
E-mail: info@britishschool-zagreb.hr

Information on costs is available here

Website

#4 Deutsche Internationale Schule Zagreb

Deutsche Internationale Schule Zagreb – DIZS belongs to a network consisting of 140 German international schools. The school’s focus is on the German language and literature, education, meetings, and exchanges.

DIZS collaborates with École Française de Zagreb, and together they form the Eurocampus. They share the school building and implement joint programs.

The school laboratory is the center for activities in the STEM field. They offer computer education from the 3rd grade and every student gets their own laptop. Other available activities include drama workshops, afro-Latino dance, astronomy, rugby, and origami. The school has a small library and a school kitchen.

Languages

  • German – basic language
  • Croatian, English, French – additional languages

Programs

  • Kindergarten
  • Primary school
  • High school (gimnazija)

Contact Information

Address: Fratrovac 36, 10 000 Zagreb – view map
Phone: +385 (0)1 2347 655
E-mail: info@deutscheschule.hr

Information about costs is available here

Website

#5 Ecole Française Internationale de Zagreb

Ecole Française Internationale de Zagreb – FISZ (French International School of Zagreb) was founded in 1996 and offers French education within the Zagreb Eurocampus. Within this international campus, French students are able to interact with students from the German International School and other international schools in Zagreb.

Students have the opportunity to participate in after-school activities from sports, language courses, outings, and trips to recreation, lunches, parties, and evening events.

FISZ is attended by approximately 120 students of 20 different nationalities. Some of the extracurricular activities include comic workshops, English club, German club, tennis, origami, soccer, and basketball.

Languages

  • French – basic language
  • Croatian, English, German – additional languages

Programs

  • Ecole Maternelle (kindergarten) – 3-6 years of age
  • Ecole Elementaire (primary school) – 6-11 years of age
  • Collège – 11-14 years of age
  • Lycée (secondary school) – 14-18 years of age

Contact Information

Address: Fratrovac 36, 10 000 Zagreb – view map
Phone: +385 (0)1 234 77 10
E-mail: info@efz.hr

Information on costs is available here

Website

#6 International Kindergarten Mala kuća

Mala kuća (Small house) is an international kindergarten that offers an English curriculum for children from 1 to 7 years of age. They offer half-day and full-day programs as well as extracurricular activities.

The kindergarten is equipped with modern facilities, a garden, and a small vineyard. Teachers work with children on music and drama activities, cooperative learning, art activities, role play, multimedia activities, and field trips.

Languages

  • English

Programs

  • Kindergarten – from 1 to 7 years of age

Contact Information

Address: Vrhovec 81, 10 000 Zagreb – view map
Phone: +385 (0)1 390 6669
E-mail: info@kindie.hr

For cost information contact the school directly

Website

#7 Little Star kindergarten

Dječji vrtić zvjezdica (Little Star kindergarten) is a part of the Croatian-American Society in Zagreb. Their teachers are highly-educated with experience teaching in Croatia or abroad. Many of them are native English speakers and speak several languages.

The kindergarten program encourages children to develop their intellectual and social skills from early age. It teaches them about world history, arts, geography, and other fields of general culture. Classes are made up of small groups of 10 children.

Languages

  • English

Programs

  • Kindergarten

Contact Information

Address: Petrova 119, 10 000 Zagreb – view map
Phone: +385 (0)1 2422 356
E-mail: kindergarten@cas.hr

For cost information contact the school directly

Facebook

#8 Kindergarten Horizons

Dječji vrtić Obzori (Kindergarten Horizons) is intended for children who come from international, diplomatic, business, and Croatian communities. Horizons has been a part of a multicultural project whose aim is to work on pedagogically-relevant projects with other European schools since 2012.

Within the project Active in Europe, they collaborate with kindergartners from Slovenia, Greece, Denmark, Germany, Spain, and Hungary. They offer extracurricular activities such as dance, arts and crafts, a Spanish club, theater, zoo trips, and ski school.

Languages

  • English

Programs

  • Kindergarten

Contacct Information

Address: Kraljevečki ogranak 14, 10 000 Zagreb – view map
Phone: +385 (0)1 457 8702

For cost information contact the school directly

Website

#9 Matija Gubec International School

Matija Gubec International School offers education based on lifelong learning and globally relevant concepts. It is the only school in Croatia that works according to the International Baccalaureate, an extensive international program for primary and middle school.

In addition to standard classes, the school offers a wide range of extracurricular activities. Available activities include cheerleading, creative studio, coding, debate club, extra sport, food technology, free climbing, photo group, piano, reading club, chess, and tennis.

Languages

  • English – official
  • English, Croatian, German, French, Italian, Chinese – language acquisition courses

Programs

  • Preschool (PYP0)
  • Primary years (PYP1-PYP4)
  • Middle years (MYP 0-3) – from 11 to 16 years

Contact Information

Address: Davorina Bazjanca 2, 10 000 Zagreb – view map
Phone: +385 (0)1 383 6571
E-mail: ured@os-mgupca-zg.skole.hr

For cost information contact the school directly

Website

#10 The International Baccalaureate at MIOC

MIOC – XV. gimnazija in Zagreb offers The International Baccalaureate program. MIOC is one of the best high schools in Zagreb as well as in Croatia.

The International Baccalaureate program encourages students to be active, compassionate, and lifelong learners. MIOC offers the last 2 years of the IB Middle Years Program. It is aimed at students between the age of 11 and 16.

Languages

  • English
  • Croatian

Programs

  • IB Middle Years Program – 11-16 years of age

Contact Information

Address: Jordanovac 8, 10 000 Zagreb – view map
Phone: +385 (0)1 2328 485
E-mail: xvg@mioc.hr

For cost information contact the school directly

Website

#11 The Learning Tree International Kindergarten

The Learning Tree International Kindergarten was established in 2004. Its staff is experienced professionals in early childhood education and English as a second language.

The kindergarten has a nature-inspired playground and a high-tech security system that guarantees safety. Their program includes early math and science, art and crafts, geography, social studies, blocks and construction, and early literacy. Music and gym classes are offered optionally.

Languages

  • English

Programs

  • Kindergarten

Contact Information

Address: Lovćenska 38, 10 000 Zagreb – view map
Phone: +385 (0)1 464 6566, +385 (0)91 464 6666
E-mail: contact@tltkindergarten.com

For cost information contact the school directly

Website

View our other education posts

Please note: Information provided by Expat in Croatia is only for the purposes of guidance. It does not constitute legal or financial advice in any form. Croatian laws and bureaucratic rules often change, and each personal case is individual, so different rules may apply. For legal advice, contact us to consult with a licensed Croatian lawyer. For financial advice, contact us to consult with a licensed Croatian tax advisor or accountant.

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