# The Schools Index

The Schools Index is an annual publication that lists internationally notable private schools and international schools. Published by Carfax Education, it is often considered a global list of the most prestigious schools of the world. In 2025 Time Out (magazine) called the Index "one of the most respected rankings" and "a prestigious list of the very best private schools in the world".
The index is intended as a resource for parents in choosing schools for their children. The publication includes information on each school's curriculum and fees. It also provides logistical details such as travel time to local airports.

## 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.
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.

## Selection criteria

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

## 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. For 2023, it lists the top 125 schools in these areas in its main list. 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.

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

## Schools to Watch List

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