Ten years ago, the typical international school student was from an expatriate family. Today, that student is from a local family. The number of expatriate children attending international schools has not decreased, indeed there are many more.

What has changed is the recognition by local families that international schools are a means of advancing to further education at some of the world’s best universities. “Parents of the next generation are looking towards international schools to satisfy the need for critical thinking rather than learning by rote,” says Clive Pierrepont, Director of Communications at Taaleem which owns and manages 13 schools in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. “The parents clearly see international schools as a route through for university opportunities.”

ISC reports that it is this recognition, coupled with increased income, which is making attendance at an international school a real possibility for the wealthier local families. Today 80% of students at international schools are local children.

“There are a number of highly respected, multinational groups of schools driving growth forward”

In a number of cities, this demand from both expat and local families, is outstripping supply. A number of countries are actively encouraging the growth of international schools including China, India, Malaysia, Korea, and the UAE.

Managing Director of ISC Research, Nicholas Brummitt, said, “The international school market has become big business. There are now a number of highly respected, multinational groups of schools driving growth forward.

“Examples of these are Taaleem with schools throughout the UAE and partnerships in other Middle East countries, WCL with schools in the US and Qatar, Nord Anglia with schools in China and Europe, Cognita with schools in the UK, Europe and Asia, Yew Chung Education Foundation with schools in Hong Kong, China and the US, and GEMS with schools in many parts of the world.”