IB Schools in Athens: International Baccalaureate Options for Expat Families (2026)

The International Baccalaureate is the qualification of choice for globally mobile families. It is recognised by universities worldwide, structured to support transitions between IB schools in different countries, and designed to develop well-rounded, internationally-minded students. Athens has multiple IB options — one full-continuum school and three Diploma-only schools — making it one of the better-served European cities for IB education outside the major northern European capitals.

What Is the IB?

The International Baccalaureate Organisation (IBO) runs four programmes:

• Primary Years Programme (PYP): Ages 3–12, inquiry-based, no external examination
• Middle Years Programme (MYP): Ages 11–16, interdisciplinary, optional external eAssessment
• Diploma Programme (DP): Ages 16–18, externally examined, leading to the IB Diploma (max 45 points)
• Career-related Programme (CP): Ages 16–18, vocational focus (not offered in Athens as of 2026)

The Diploma Programme is the most widely known and university-relevant of the four. The full continuum (PYP-MYP-DP) is a coherent educational philosophy from age 3 to 18.

International School of Athens (ISA): Full IB Continuum

The International School of Athens is Athens's only IB World School offering all three programmes — PYP, MYP, and DP. It is located in Kifisia, in the northern suburbs, and is the natural choice for families who want the full IB pathway from the earliest age and may relocate to other countries where IB schools will be available.

ISA Primary Years Programme (PYP)

The PYP at ISA runs from Kindergarten through Grade 5 (approximately age 3–11). It is delivered entirely in English and is structured around units of inquiry — transdisciplinary themes connecting subjects and concepts rather than treating them in isolation. Assessment is continuous and portfolio-based rather than examination-based.

ISA Middle Years Programme (MYP)

The MYP covers Grades 6–10 (approximately age 11–16). Students study eight subject groups: language acquisition, language and literature, individuals and societies, sciences, mathematics, arts, physical and health education, and design. At the end of MYP Year 5 (Grade 10), students may sit the MYP eAssessment for an externally-recognised MYP certificate, though ISA students typically continue into the DP as the natural next stage.

ISA IB Diploma Programme (DP)

The IBDP at ISA runs in Grades 11–12 (ages 16–18). Students select six subjects — three at Higher Level (HL) and three at Standard Level (SL) — from the IB's six subject groups, plus Theory of Knowledge (TOK), the 4,000-word Extended Essay, and CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service). The maximum total score is 45 points.

Fees (2026–2027 schedule): ISA has updated its fee schedule; Grades 11–12 tuition is approximately €15,000 per year, with a one-time registration fee of €1,700 and IB examination fees of approximately €1,200 for Grade 12 students. Verify current rates directly with ISA, as the fee schedule has been revised.

St. Catherine's British School: IB Diploma

St. Catherine's uses the IB Diploma as its post-16 qualification. Students follow the British national curriculum and sit IGCSE at Years 10–11 before transitioning into the IB Diploma for Years 12–13. This IGCSE-to-IB-DP pathway is common in British international schools worldwide and is widely accepted.

The IB Diploma at St. Catherine's is delivered in English. The school's Lykovrissi campus accommodates both the secondary and sixth-form students together. Fees for Years 12–13 at St. Catherine's are €16,500 per year.

The advantage of St. Catherine's for families coming from a British curriculum background is curriculum continuity through secondary: the IGCSE years at Years 10–11 are familiar, and the IB Diploma at sixth form adds a recognised international qualification at the end.

Athens College / Psychico College (HAEF): IB Diploma

Athens College and Psychico College (HAEF) offer the IB Diploma at the Psychico campus, accessible to students who have progressed through the HAEF secondary system. HAEF's bilingual (Greek-English) environment adds a distinctive character: students emerging from the HAEF system have typically achieved a high standard in both Greek and English, and some proceed from the Psychico High School into the IB Diploma as an internationally-recognised capstone qualification.

HAEF is widely regarded as one of the most academically demanding school environments in Athens. The IB Diploma at HAEF is a prestigious qualification in the Greek context. For families who plan to remain in Greece and value the social and professional networks associated with HAEF, this is a compelling option — particularly for students who have been in the HAEF system since early secondary.

Contact HAEF directly for current fee and schedule information.

Doukas School: IB Diploma in English

Doukas School (Εκπαιδευτήρια Δούκα), located in Marousi, is a well-regarded Greek private school that offers the IB Diploma in English. The school is primarily a Greek-curriculum institution at primary and lower secondary level, transitioning some students into the IB Diploma for their final two years. It has an IBO authorisation number (001346).

Doukas suits families who want the IB Diploma for university purposes but are based in the Marousi area and whose children have been educated in the Greek private system through lower secondary. It is less commonly chosen by families arriving from outside Greece who require English-medium education throughout secondary.

Fees are not publicly listed; contact the school directly. An application assessment fee of €50 applies.

Comparing Athens IB Schools

School	IB Programmes	Language	Location	Best For
ISA	PYP + MYP + DP (full continuum)	English	Kifisia	Globally mobile families wanting full IB from early age
St. Catherine's	DP only (post IGCSE)	English	Lykovrissi	British-curriculum families adding IB post-16
Athens College / HAEF	DP only	Greek + English	Psychico	Families committed to Greece long-term, bilingual ethos
Doukas School	DP only	English (DP); Greek (lower years)	Marousi	Families in Marousi already in Greek school system

IB Diploma and University Admissions

The IB Diploma is accepted by universities worldwide. Key points for families in Athens:

UK universities: All UK universities accept the IB Diploma via UCAS. Most translate the IB score into A-Level grade equivalents for conditional offer purposes (e.g. 38 IB points = A*AA at A-Level, roughly). UCAS has a published IB-to-UCAS-points conversion table, though universities also make offers directly in IB points.

US universities: US liberal arts universities and research universities value the IB's breadth highly. A score of 35 or above opens most selective US universities; higher scores (38+) are associated with Ivy League applications. The Extended Essay is treated similarly to an AP Research paper.

European universities: Most EU universities accept the IB Diploma for undergraduate entry, often requiring specific HL grades in relevant subjects.

Greek universities: Greek universities operate their own national university entrance examinations (Panelladikes). Expat students at IB schools in Athens who wish to attend a Greek public university must sit the Greek national examinations — the IB Diploma alone does not qualify for Greek state university admission. Private Greek universities may have different policies.

See university admissions from Athens international schools for a fuller treatment of university pathways.

The IB and Relocation

One of the IB's most practical advantages for globally mobile families is transferability. IB schools exist in over 150 countries. A student who has completed two years of the IB MYP at ISA in Athens can transfer to an IB school in Singapore, Dubai, London, or Toronto and continue with minimal curriculum disruption. For families with uncertain tenure in Athens, or those who move frequently, the IB framework offers continuity that national curricula cannot match.

How Global Investments Can Help

Athens's IB schools are concentrated in the northern suburbs — ISA in Kifisia, St. Catherine's in Lykovrissi, Doukas in Marousi. Families targeting the ISA's full IB continuum will find Kifisia, Ekali, and Chalandri the most practical bases. Our team can advise on Athens property suited to each catchment and discuss the Golden Visa residency pathway for families qualifying by investment. Browse listings or contact us to discuss your situation.

This guide is for information purposes only. IB programme authorisations, fees, and university entry requirements are subject to change. Always verify current information with schools and universities. Investment values can fall as well as rise.