The Schools Index

The Schools Index is an annual publication that lists internationally notable private schools and international schools.^[1][2][3] Published by Carfax Education,^[4][5] it is often considered a global list of the most prestigious schools of the world.^[6][7] In 2025 Time Out (magazine) called the Index "one of the most respected rankings"^[8] and "a prestigious list of the very best private schools in the world".^[9]

The Schools Index

Editor	Fiona McKenzie
Categories	Schools Private schools International schools
Frequency	Annual
Publisher	Carfax Education
Founder	Alexander Nikitich
First issue	2020; 5 years ago (2020) (contract-published by Spear's) 2023; 2 years ago (2023) (on its own)
Country	United Kingdom
Language	English
Website	https://www.schools-index.com/

The index is intended as a resource for parents in choosing schools for their children.^[10] The publication includes information on each school's curriculum and fees. It also provides logistical details such as travel time to local airports.^[11][1]

History

The Schools Index was started in 2020 by Carfax Education and initially contract-published by Spear's. Until 2023 it was also sometimes known as the Spear's Schools Index.^[2][12]

In 2022, the Schools Index incorporated an assessment of how effectively schools managed the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic over the previous two years.^[13]

Selection criteria

The Schools Index lists schools based on factors such as academic performance, facilities, university preparation, and overall educational ethos.^[2][14][15] Additionally, the guide evaluates schools on their ability to prepare pupils for life beyond academia.^[11]

The Schools Index

The Schools Index categorizes schools by region, covering areas such as the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Europe, the U.S., Middle East, China, Southeast Asia, and other regions.^[11][16][17] For 2023, it lists the top 125 schools in these areas in its main list.^[11] A supplementary list of 25 "schools to watch" was introduced in the 2023 edition of the Index, taking the total number of schools included in the Index to 150. The Schools to Watch List is separated into four categories: Ones to Watch, Small Gems, Something Different, and New Schools.^[18]

Main List

Schools included in Main List of The Schools Index throughout the years

School	Country	Most Recent Category	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
Benenden School	England	UK Senior Schools	Yes[19]	Yes[20]	Yes[21]
Brighton College	England	UK Senior Schools	Yes[19]	Yes[20]	Yes[21]	Yes[22]
Charterhouse	England	UK Senior Schools	Yes[19]	Yes[20]	Yes[21]	Yes[22]	Yes[23]
Cheltenham Ladies' College	England	UK Senior Schools	Yes[19]	Yes[20]	Yes[21]	Yes[22]	Yes[23]
Concord College	England	UK Senior Schools		Yes[20]
Down House School	England	UK Senior Schools	Yes[19]	Yes[20]		Yes[22]	Yes[23]
Dulwich College	England	UK Senior Schools	Yes[19]	Yes[20]
Eton College	England	UK Senior Schools	Yes[19]	Yes[20]	Yes[21]	Yes[22]	Yes[23]
Fettes College	Scotland	UK Senior Schools	Yes[19]	Yes[20]			Yes[23]
Gordonstoun	Scotland	UK Senior Schools	Yes[19]	Yes[20]	Yes[21]	Yes[22]
Haileybury and Imperial Service College	England	UK Senior Schools	Yes[19]
Harrow School	England	UK Senior Schools	Yes[19]	Yes[20]	Yes[21]	Yes[22]	Yes[23]
The King's School, Canterbury	England	UK Senior Schools	Yes[19]	Yes[20]	Yes[21]	Yes[22]	Yes[23]
Marlborough College	England	UK Senior Schools	Yes[19]	Yes[20]	Yes[21]	Yes[22]	Yes[23]
Millfield School	England	UK Senior Schools	Yes[19]	Yes[20]	Yes[21]	Yes[22]	Yes[23]
Milton Abbey	England	UK Senior Schools				Yes[22]	Yes[23]
Oundle School	England	UK Senior Schools	Yes[19]	Yes[20]	Yes[21]	Yes[22]	Yes[23]
Radley College	England	UK Senior Schools	Yes[19]	Yes[20]
Rugby School	England	UK Senior Schools	Yes[19]	Yes[20]	Yes[21]	Yes[22]	Yes[23]
Sevenoaks School	England	UK Senior Schools	Yes[19]	Yes[20]	Yes[21]	Yes[22]	Yes[23]
Shrewsbury School	England	UK Senior Schools	Yes[19]	Yes[20]
St. Mary's School, Ascot	England	UK Senior Schools	Yes[19]
The Perse School	England	UK Senior Schools		Yes[20]
Tonbridge School	England	UK Senior Schools	Yes[19]	Yes[20]
Uppingham School	England	UK Senior Schools	Yes[19]	Yes[20]	Yes[21]
Wellington College	England	UK Senior Schools	Yes[19]	Yes[20]	Yes[21]	Yes[22]	Yes[23]
Winchester College	England	UK Senior Schools	Yes[19]	Yes[20]	Yes[21]	Yes[22]	Yes[23]
Wycombe Abbey School	England	UK Senior Schools	Yes[19]	Yes[20]	Yes[21]	Yes[22]	Yes[23]
King's College School, Wimbledon	England	London Schools	Yes[24]	Yes[20]
Latymer Upper School	England	London Schools					Yes[23]
North London Collegiate School	England	London Schools	Yes[24]	Yes[20]
St. Paul's School	England	London Schools	Yes[24]	Yes[20]	Yes[21]	Yes[22]	Yes[23]
St. Paul's Girls' School	England	London Schools	Yes[24]	Yes[20]	Yes[21]	Yes[22]	Yes[23]
Westminster School	England	London Schools	Yes[24]	Yes[20]	Yes[21]	Yes[22]	Yes[23]
Ardvreck School	Scotland	UK Prep Schools				Yes[25]
Cothill House	England	UK Prep Schools				Yes[25]	Yes[26]
Cottesmore School	England	UK Prep Schools	Yes[27]	Yes[28]	Yes[29]	Yes[25]
Dragon School	England	UK Prep Schools		Yes[28]	Yes[29]		Yes[26]
Elstree School	England	UK Prep Schools	Yes[27]
Godstowe School	England	UK Prep Schools	Yes[27]
Hanford School	England	UK Prep Schools	Yes[27]	Yes[28]	Yes[29]	Yes[25]
Lambrook School	England	UK Prep Schools	Yes[27]	Yes[28]	Yes[29]
Ludgrove School	England	UK Prep Schools	Yes[27]	Yes[28]	Yes[29]	Yes[25]	Yes[26]
Port Regis School	England	UK Prep Schools	Yes[27]	Yes[28]			Yes[26]
Summer Fields	England	UK Prep Schools	Yes[27]	Yes[28]	Yes[29]	Yes[25]	Yes[26]
Sunningdale School	England	UK Prep Schools	Yes[27]
Windlesham House School	England	UK Prep Schools	Yes[27]
Arnold House School	England	London Prep Schools	Yes[24]
Falkner House (Girls Section)	England	London Prep Schools	Yes[24]	Yes[28]	Yes[29]	Yes[25]	Yes[26]
Glendower Preparatory School	England	London Prep Schools	Yes[24]
The Hall	England	London Prep Schools	Yes[24]
Knightsbridge School, London	England	London Prep Schools		Yes[28]	Yes[29]	Yes[25]	Yes[26]
Sussex House School	England	London Prep Schools	Yes[24]	Yes[28]	Yes[29]	Yes[25]	Yes[26]
Thomas's School Battersea	England	London Prep Schools			Yes[29]	Yes[25]	Yes[26]
Whetherby Preparatory School	England	London Prep Schools					Yes[26]
Aiglon College	Switzerland	Swiss Schools	Yes[30]	Yes[31]	Yes[32]	Yes[33]	Yes[34]
Collège Alpin Beau Soleil	Switzerland	Swiss Schools	Yes[30]	Yes[31]	Yes[32]		Yes[34]
Brillantmont International School	Switzerland	Swiss Schools				Yes[33]	Yes[34]
Collège Champittet	Switzerland	Swiss Schools	Yes[30]	Yes[31]	Yes[32]	Yes[33]
Ecole Internationale de Genève	Switzerland	Swiss Schools	Yes[30]	Yes[31]	Yes[32]	Yes[33]	Yes[34]
La Garenne International School	Switzerland	Swiss Schools	Yes[30]	Yes[31]	Yes[32]	Yes[33]	Yes[34]
Inter-community School Zurich	Switzerland	Swiss Schools		Yes[31]	Yes[32]	Yes[33]	Yes[34]
Leysin American School	Switzerland	Swiss Schools					Yes[34]
Lyceum Alpinum Zuoz	Switzerland	Swiss Schools	Yes[30]	Yes[31]	Yes[32]	Yes[33]	Yes[34]
Le Régent International School	Switzerland	Swiss Schools	Yes[30]		Yes[32]	Yes[33]
Institut auf dem Rosenberg	Switzerland	Swiss Schools	Yes[30]	Yes[31]	Yes[32]	Yes[33]	Yes[34]
Institut Le Rosey	Switzerland	Swiss Schools	Yes[30]	Yes[31]	Yes[32]	Yes[33]	Yes[34]
St. George's International School	Switzerland	Swiss Schools	Yes[30]	Yes[31]
Aloha College	Spain	Europe	Yes[35]		Yes[36]		Yes[37]
Amadeus School	Austria	Europe		Yes[38]		Yes[39]
Ermitage International School	France	Europe	Yes[35]	Yes[38]
ICS Milan International School	Italy	Europe	Yes[35]	Yes[38]
International School of Monaco	Monaco	Europe	Yes[35]	Yes[38]	Yes[36]	Yes[39]	Yes[37]
International School of Nice	France	Europe	Yes[35]	Yes[38]			Yes[37]
The International School of Paris	France	Europe			Yes[36]	Yes[39]	Yes[37]
King's College, Soto de Viñuelas	Spain	Europe	Yes[35]	Yes[38]
The English International College	Spain	Europe				Yes[39]
Mougins British International School	France	Europe			Yes[36]	Yes[39]	Yes[37]
Schule Schloss Salem	Germany	Europe	Yes[35]	Yes[38]	Yes[36]		Yes[37]
Sotogrande International School	Spain	Europe		Yes[38]
St. George's British International School	Italy	Europe	Yes[35]	Yes[38]	Yes[36]	Yes[39]	Yes[37]
St. John's International School	Belgium	Europe		Yes[38]
St. Julian's School	Portugal	Europe	Yes[35]	Yes[38]	Yes[36]
Letovo School	Russia	Europe	Yes[35]	Yes[40]	Yes[41]	Yes[42]	Yes[37]
St. Louis School	Italy	Europe			Yes[36]	Yes[39]
St. Peter's International School	Portugal	Europe	Yes[35]	Yes[38]
The British School of Brussels	Belgium	Europe	Yes[35]	Yes[38]	Yes[36]	Yes[39]	Yes[37]
The British School of Milan	Italy	Europe	Yes[35]	Yes[38]	Yes[36]	Yes[39]	Yes[37]
The British School of Paris	France	Europe	Yes[35]	Yes[38]
Vienna International School	Austria	Europe	Yes[35]
Brighton College, Abu Dhabi	UAE	Middle East	Yes[43]	Yes[44]	Yes[45]	Yes[46]
British International School, Riyadh	Saudi Arabia	Middle East	Yes[43]	Yes[44]	Yes[45]
The British School Al Khubairat	UAE	Middle East	Yes[43]	Yes[44]	Yes[45]
British School of Bahrain	Bahrain	Middle East	Yes[43]
British School Muscat	Oman	Middle East	Yes[43]	Yes[44]	Yes[45]	Yes[46]
Brummana High School	Lebanon	Middle East				Yes[46]	Yes[47]
Cranleigh School Abu Dhabi	UAE	Middle East	Yes[43]	Yes[44]	Yes[45]	Yes[46]	Yes[47]
Doha College	Qatar	Middle East	Yes[43]	Yes[44]	Yes[45]	Yes[46]	Yes[47]
Dubai College	UAE	Middle East	Yes[43]	Yes[44]	Yes[45]	Yes[46]	Yes[47]
Jumeirah College	UAE	Middle East	Yes[43]	Yes[44]	Yes[45]
Jumeirah English Speaking School (Arabian Ranches)	UAE	Middle East	Yes[43]	Yes[44]	Yes[45]	Yes[46]
King's Academy	Jordan	Middle East		Yes[44]	Yes[45]	Yes[46]	Yes[47]
Misk School	Saudi Arabia	Middle East	Yes[43]
Nord Anglia International School Dubai	UAE	Middle East	Yes[43]	Yes[44]	Yes[45]
North London Collegiate School Dubai	UAE	Middle East	Yes[43]	Yes[44]	Yes[45]
Repton School Dubai	UAE	Middle East	Yes[43]	Yes[44]	Yes[45]	Yes[46]
St. Christopher's School, Bahrain	Bahrain	Middle East		Yes[44]	Yes[45]	Yes[46]
Swiss International Scientific School in Dubai	UAE	Middle East	Yes[43]	Yes[44]	Yes[45]
Diocesan Boys' School	Hong Kong	China & Hong Kong	Yes[48]
Diocesan Girls' School	Hong Kong	China & Hong Kong	Yes[48]
Dulwich College Beijing	China	China & Hong Kong	Yes[48]	Yes[49]		Yes[50]	Yes[51]
Harrow International School Hong Kong	Hong Kong	China & Hong Kong	Yes[48]	Yes[49]	Yes[52]	Yes[50]	Yes[53]
International School of Beijing	China	China & Hong Kong	Yes[48]	Yes[49]	Yes[52]		Yes[51]
Kellett School	Hong Kong	China & Hong Kong	Yes[48]	Yes[49]	Yes[52]	Yes[50]	Yes[53]
St. Paul's Co-educational College	Hong Kong	China & Hong Kong	Yes[48]
Utahloy International School Guangzhou	China	China & Hong Kong	Yes[48]
Wellington College International Shanghai	China	China & Hong Kong	Yes[48]			Yes[50]	Yes[51]
Wycombe Abbey School Changzhou	China	China & Hong Kong	Yes[48]		Yes[52]	Yes[50]	Yes[51]
The American School of Japan	Japan	South-East Asia	Yes[54]
Epsom College in Malaysia	Malaysia	South-East Asia	Yes[54]
Hwa Chong Institution	Singapore	South-East Asia	Yes[54]
Marlborough College Malaysia	Malaysia	South-East Asia	Yes[54]	Yes[49]	Yes[52]	Yes[50]	Yes[53]
New International School of Thailand	Thailand	South-East Asia	Yes[54]				Yes[53]
North London Collegiate School Jeju	South Korea	South-East Asia	Yes[54]		Yes[52]	Yes[50]
Raffles Institution	Singapore	South-East Asia	Yes[54]
Shrewsbury International School	Thailand	South-East Asia	Yes[54]	Yes[49]	Yes[52]
Tanglin Trust School	Singapore	South-East Asia	Yes[54]	Yes[49]	Yes[52]	Yes[50]	Yes[53]
United World College of South East Asia	Singapore	South-East Asia	Yes[54]	Yes[49]	Yes[52]	Yes[50]	Yes[53]
The Alice Smith School	Malaysia	China & South East Asia		Yes[49]	Yes[52]	Yes[50]	Yes[53]
American International School of Guangzhou	China	China & South East Asia		Yes[49]			Yes[51]
Bangkok Patana School	Thailand	China & South East Asia		Yes[49]	Yes[52]	Yes[50]	Yes[53]
Hong Kong International School	Hong Kong	China & South East Asia		Yes[49]	Yes[52]	Yes[50]	Yes[53]
International School of Tianjin	China	China & South East Asia					Yes[51]
St. Joseph's Institution	Singapore	China & South East Asia			Yes[52]	Yes[50]	Yes[53]
Shanghai High School International Division	China	China & South East Asia					Yes[51]
Seoul International School	South Korea	China & South East Asia		Yes[49]
Shenzhen College of International Education	China	China & South East Asia		Yes[49]	Yes[52]	Yes[50]	Yes[51]
Tianjin International School	China	China & South East Asia					Yes[51]
Western Academy of Beijing	China	China & South East Asia					Yes[51]
YK Pao School	China	China & South East Asia		Yes[49]	Yes[52]	Yes[50]
Cate School	USA	North America	Yes[55]
Choate Rosemary Hall	USA	North America	Yes[55]	Yes[56]	Yes[57]	Yes[58]	Yes[12]
The College Preparatory School	USA	North America	Yes[55]
Deerfield Academy	USA	North America	Yes[55]	Yes[56]	Yes[57]	Yes[58]	Yes[12]
Groton School	USA	North America	Yes[55]		Yes[57]	Yes[58]
Harvard-Westlake School	USA	North America	Yes[55]	Yes[56]	Yes[57]	Yes[58]	Yes[12]
The Hotchkiss School	USA	North America	Yes[55]	Yes[56]	Yes[57]	Yes[58]	Yes[12]
Lakeside School	USA	North America	Yes[55]
Latin School of Chicago	USA	North America	Yes[55]
The Lawrenceville School	USA	North America	Yes[55]	Yes[56]			Yes[12]
Lick-Wilmerding High School	USA	North America	Yes[55]
St. Mark's School of Texas	USA	North America	Yes[55]
St. Paul's School	USA	North America	Yes[55]	Yes[56]			Yes[12]
Philips Exeter Academy	USA	North America	Yes[55]	Yes[56]	Yes[57]	Yes[58]	Yes[12]
Phillips Academy Andover	USA	North America	Yes[55]	Yes[56]	Yes[57]	Yes[58]	Yes[12]
Ransom Everglades School	USA	North America	Yes[55]
Shawnigan Lake School	Canada	North America	Yes[55]
Sidwell Friends School	USA	North America	Yes[55]	Yes[56]	Yes[57]	Yes[58]	Yes[12]
St. Stephen's Episcopal School	USA	North America	Yes[55]
Upper Canada College	Canada	North America	Yes[55]	Yes[40]		Yes[42]	Yes[59]
The Brearley School	USA	New York Schools	Yes[60]	Yes[56]	Yes[57]	Yes[58]	Yes[12]
The Collegiate School	USA	New York Schools	Yes[60]	Yes[56]
The Dalton School	USA	New York Schools	Yes[60]	Yes[56]			Yes[12]
The Spence School	USA	New York Schools	Yes[60]	Yes[56]
Trinity School	USA	New York Schools	Yes[60]	Yes[56]	Yes[57]	Yes[58]	Yes[12]
Horace Mann School	USA	United States		Yes[56]			Yes[12]
American International School of Lagos	Nigeria	Africa	Yes[61]
Bishops Diocesan College	South Africa	Africa	Yes[61]	Yes[40]		Yes[42]	Yes[59]
The British International School, Cairo	Egypt	Africa	Yes[61]
Michaelhouse	South Africa	Africa	Yes[61]	Yes[40]	Yes[41]	Yes[42]
Pembroke House School	Kenya	Africa	Yes[61]	Yes[40]	Yes[41]	Yes[42]	Yes[59]
Geelong Grammar School	Australia	Australasia	Yes[62]	Yes[40]	Yes[41]	Yes[42]	Yes[59]
King's College, Auckland	New Zealand	Australasia	Yes[62]
Pymble Ladies' College	Australia	Australasia	Yes[62]
St. Andrew's College, Christchurch	New Zealand	Australasia	Yes[62]
The King's School, Parramatta	Australia	Australasia	Yes[62]
St. Andrew's Scots School	Argentina	Latin America	Yes[63]
The Edron Academy	Mexico	Latin America	Yes[63]
Graded School	Brazil	Latin America	Yes[63]
The Grange School	Chile	Latin America	Yes[63]
St. Paul's School	Brazil	Latin America	Yes[63]	Yes[40]	Yes[41]	Yes[42]	Yes[59]
Aitchison College	Pakistan	South Asia	Yes[64]	Yes[40]	Yes[41]	Yes[42]	Yes[59]
The British School, New Delhi	India	South Asia	Yes[64]	Yes[40]
The Doon School	India	South Asia	Yes[64]	Yes[40]	Yes[41]	Yes[42]	Yes[59]
S. Thomas' College, Mount Lavinia	Sri Lanka	South Asia	Yes[64]
Welham Girls' School	India	South Asia	Yes[64]
Lakefield College School	Canada	Rest of the World		Yes[40]	Yes[41]	Yes[42]	Yes[59]
Mayo College Girls School	India	Rest of the World			Yes[41]	Yes[42]
Primakov Gymnasium	Russia	Rest of the World				Yes[42]
Scots College	New Zealand	Rest of the World		Yes[40]		Yes[42]
St. George's College	Argentina	Rest of the World		Yes[40]	Yes[41]	Yes[42]	Yes[59]
The Scots College	Australia	Rest of the World		Yes[40]		Yes[42]	Yes[59]
Woodstock School	India	Rest of the World		Yes[40]

Schools to Watch List

Schools included in the Schools to Watch List of The Schools Index

School	Country	Category	2023	2022	2021	2020
British International School, Ho Chi Minh City	Vietnam	Ones to Watch	Yes[18]
Deira International School	UAE	Ones to Watch	Yes[18]
Garden International School	Malaysia	Ones to Watch	Yes[18]
Haileybury	England	Ones to Watch	Yes[18]
Jeddah Prep and Grammar School	Saudi Arabia	Ones to Watch	Yes[18]
Misk School, Riyadh	Saudi Arabia	Ones to Watch	Yes[18]
St. Edward's School	England	Ones to Watch	Yes[18]
St. Leonard's School	Scotland	Ones to Watch	Yes[18]
The British School of Bahrain	Bahrain	Ones to Watch	Yes[18]
The British School of Barcelona	Spain	Ones to Watch	Yes[18]
Brillantmont International School	Switzerland	Small Gems	Yes[18]		In Main List[33]	In Main List[34]
Milton Abbey	England	Small Gems	Yes[18]		In Main List[22]	In Main List[23]
More House School, London	England	Small Gems	Yes[18]
Surval Montreux	Switzerland	Small Gems	Yes[18]
The National Mathematics and Science College	England	Small Gems	Yes[18]
Avenues: The World School (New York)	USA	Something Different	Yes[18]
Bedales School	England	Something Different	Yes[18]
Green School	Indonesia	Something Different	Yes[18]
Rochester Independent College	England	Something Different	Yes[18]
Think Global School	Worldwide	Something Different	Yes[18]
Copperfield International School	Switzerland	New Schools	Yes[18]
Harrow International School Bengaluru	India	New Schools	Yes[18]
Maida Vale School	England	New Schools	Yes[18]
Rugby School Japan	Japan	New Schools	Yes[18]
The Royal Grammar School Guildford, Dubai	UAE	New Schools	Yes[18]