By the Education Karnataka Editorial Team · Last updated: November 2026

Quick answer: In India, “international school” is often just part of a school’s name, not an official category. Some international schools follow international curricula such as IB or Cambridge, while many follow CBSE, ICSE or the State Board. To know what a school really offers, check its affiliation on the official board websites.

Key takeaways

• “International” in a name is not an official status.
• Check which board or curriculum the school is affiliated to or authorised for.
• CBSE, CISCE, IB and Cambridge all have official directories you can search.
• Judge a school by its teaching, care and outcomes, not its name.

Three kinds of “international” schools

Type	What it means
International curriculum	Authorised for IB and/or Cambridge programmes
Indian board with an international outlook	Follows CBSE or ICSE, with global exposure through exchanges, languages or projects
Name only	“International” is in the name, but the curriculum is an Indian board

None of these is automatically better or worse. What matters is whether the school delivers what it promises.

How to verify a school’s curriculum

• CBSE: Use the affiliation search on the CBSE website.
• CISCE (ICSE/ISC): Use the school search on the CISCE website.
• IB: Use “Find an IB World School” on the IB website.
• Cambridge: Use the Cambridge International school search.
• State Board: Contact the local Block Education Office.

Questions to ask

1. Which board or curriculum do you follow in each class?
2. Can you share your affiliation or authorisation number?
3. What does “international” mean at your school: curriculum, exchanges, languages, faculty or facilities?
4. How do your students perform in Indian entrance exams or in admissions abroad?

Frequently asked questions

Is an international school always expensive? Not always. Fees depend on the curriculum and facilities. Schools offering IB or Cambridge usually charge more.

Can a CBSE school call itself international? Many do, as a name or to describe their outlook. Check the actual affiliation.

Do international schools teach Indian languages? In Karnataka, schools are generally expected to teach Kannada, and many offer Hindi as well. Ask each school.

Is an international school better for my child? Only if its curriculum and environment suit your child’s needs and plans.

Where can I compare schools in Karnataka? Browse the Education Karnataka directory and check each school’s affiliation on the official websites.

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