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International and bilingual schools in Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires has a deep tradition of British-founded and bilingual schools, plus one US-accredited international school. Here is how the main options compare, and how to plan a move around the school calendar.

Updated 8 min readSourced from official announcements

Key facts

  • Most Argentine schools run from late February or March to December, with a two-week winter break in July.
  • Lincoln, founded in 1936, follows a US-style August–June year and offers the IB.
  • Several historic British-founded schools offer the IB Diploma, Cambridge qualifications or both.
  • Many leading schools are in the northern suburbs: Olivos, La Lucila, San Isidro, San Fernando and Nordelta.
  • German and French bilingual schools also operate in the city and suburbs.

For most families, the school decides where to live in Buenos Aires. The city’s private bilingual schools have a long history: several were founded by British, Scottish and Irish communities in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Most teach a full Argentine curriculum alongside English-language programmes such as the International Baccalaureate (IB) or Cambridge qualifications.

This guide covers the schools international families ask about most. We checked each school’s curricula on its own website or a reference source in October 2026. Curricula and fees change, so confirm details directly with each school.

The school calendar: plan the move around it

Argentina is in the southern hemisphere, and most schools follow the calendar year.

Jurisdiction (2026) Start Winter break End
City of Buenos Aires (CABA), primary 25 February 20–31 July 18 December
Buenos Aires province 2 March 20–31 July 22 December
Lincoln (US-style year) August — June

Both jurisdictions set 190 school days for 2026. Most private bilingual schools follow the official calendar of their jurisdiction, with their own adjustments. Lincoln is the main exception: it follows a northern-hemisphere year, which makes it easier for families moving mid-year from Europe, North America or Asia.

A family arriving from the north in August has two choices. It can enter a March-calendar school mid-year, or wait for the new year in late February. Ask each school how it handles mid-year arrivals and whether a place will be held for a February start.

The main schools compared

School Location Main curricula Calendar
Lincoln, The American International School La Lucila (Vicente López) US curriculum, IB; also Argentine diploma August–June
St Andrew’s Scots School Olivos and San Fernando IB, Cambridge, Argentine March–December
Northlands School Olivos and Nordelta IB, Cambridge, Argentine March–December
Colegio Cardenal Newman Boulogne (San Isidro) IB (secondary), Cambridge, Argentine March–December
Washington School Belgrano / Colegiales, CABA IB Diploma, Cambridge, Argentine March–December
Belgrano Day School Belgrano, CABA Cambridge (IGCSE, AS/A level), Argentine March–December
St Brendan’s College CABA Cambridge (IGCSE, AS level), Argentine March–December
St George’s College Quilmes; St George’s North Cambridge, Argentine; boarding at Quilmes March–December
Michael Ham Vicente López and Nordelta Cambridge, Argentine March–December
Goethe-Schule Boulogne (San Isidro) German international Abitur (DIA), Argentine; trilingual March–December
Colegio Pestalozzi CABA IB Diploma, German–Spanish bilingual March–December

For schools other than Lincoln, we show the Argentine March–December year that local bilingual schools normally follow. We could not confirm each school’s calendar individually, so check it before you book flights.

Profiles

Lincoln, The American International School of Buenos Aires

Founded in 1936, Lincoln is in La Lucila, in the northern suburbs. It describes itself as offering three diplomas: a US high school diploma, the IB and an Argentine qualification. Its high school reports that all students take IB courses and that 88% are IB Diploma candidates. It has about 640 students from some 45 nationalities, a much more international mix than most local schools.

Lincoln follows an August–June year and accepts applications throughout the year. It bills tuition in US dollars and charges a one-time capital assessment of US$12,000 for new students from kindergarten to grade 12, half refundable if the child leaves in the first year (2026/27 fee page).

St Andrew’s Scots School

Founded in 1838 by Scottish immigrants, St Andrew’s moved to Olivos in 1947 and now runs a kindergarten and primary campus in San Fernando and intermediate and senior campuses in Olivos. It offers the IB and Cambridge programmes and is co-educational.

Northlands School

Northlands was founded in 1920 by two British women and became co-educational in the 1990s. It has campuses in Olivos and Nordelta and states that it offers IB programmes at kindergarten, primary and secondary levels, alongside Cambridge.

Colegio Cardenal Newman

Opened in 1948 by the Irish Christian Brothers in Boulogne, Newman has a strong sporting and rugby tradition. Its secondary school, historically for boys, began a gradual move to co-education in 2021. Secondary pupils take the IB and Cambridge examinations.

Washington School and Belgrano Day School

Both are in the north of the city. Washington School is an IB World School offering the IB Diploma, Cambridge Primary and Cambridge ICE, and is bilingual from age two. Belgrano Day School, founded in 1912, follows the Cambridge pathway to IGCSE and AS/A level together with the Argentine bachillerato. They suit families who want to live in the city rather than the suburbs.

German and French options

The Goethe-Schule in Boulogne is trilingual in German, Spanish and English and prepares students for the German international Abitur. Colegio Pestalozzi in the city is German–Spanish bilingual and offers the IB Diploma. French-speaking families should also contact the Lycée Franco-Argentin Jean Mermoz, the French school in Buenos Aires, and confirm its programmes directly.

Admissions: practical advice

We could not find a published admissions calendar common to all schools, so treat these points as general advice:

  • Start early. Contact schools at least a year ahead for entry in popular years, such as the first year of primary or secondary. Some year groups fill quickly.
  • Expect an assessment. Most schools test English and Spanish, or assess younger children through play. Non-Spanish speakers often get language support, but ask how much.
  • Prepare documents. Schools typically ask for previous school reports, a birth certificate and vaccination records. Argentine schools also need documents to validate foreign studies; the school’s office will guide you.
  • Visit in person. Culture differs widely between schools: some are traditional and sporting, others more academic or international.

Fees

Fees vary widely between schools and can be adjusted during the year in line with inflation. Ask whether fees are set in pesos or dollars, how often they are updated and whether there is a one-off entry or building fee. Lincoln charges tuition in US dollars. We could not find a reliable published comparison of 2026 fees, so ask each school for its current schedule. Our luxury cost of living guide shows how schooling fits into a full family budget.

Choosing a school and a neighbourhood together

The northern corridor, from Belgrano to Nordelta, holds most of these schools. A family that chooses Lincoln, St Andrew’s or Northlands usually lives in Olivos, La Lucila, San Isidro or Nordelta. A family that prefers city life may look at Washington School, Belgrano Day School or Pestalozzi. See our guide to Buenos Aires neighbourhoods for expats.

Schooling and citizenship

Under the Argentina citizenship by investment programme announced on 2 October 2026, children under 18 can be included for US$25,000 each; see how families are treated. The programme’s legal basis is under appeal to the Supreme Court after a June 2026 ruling by the Cámara Nacional Electoral; read our legal status update before you plan. Speak to a qualified adviser about your family’s situation.

Sources

Frequently asked questions

When does the school year start in Argentina?

Most Argentine schools, including most bilingual schools, follow a March to December year. In 2026 the city of Buenos Aires started primary classes on 25 February and ends on 18 December, with a winter break from 20 to 31 July. Lincoln, the American international school, follows a northern-hemisphere year from August to June.

Which schools in Buenos Aires offer the IB Diploma?

Among the schools we checked, Lincoln, St Andrew's Scots School, Northlands, Colegio Cardenal Newman, Washington School and Colegio Pestalozzi offer the IB. Confirm the current programme with each school, as offerings change.

Is there an American school in Buenos Aires?

Yes. Lincoln, The American International School of Buenos Aires, in La Lucila, was founded in 1936. It offers a US curriculum with the IB, follows an August–June year and accepts applications throughout the year.

Are school fees in Buenos Aires paid in dollars or pesos?

It depends on the school. Lincoln bills tuition in US dollars and accepts monthly payment in pesos at the official rate. Ask other schools for their current fee schedule and update policy.

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