There are a number of private International schools in Athens, plus one in Thessaloniki, teaching the curriculum in English. There are also French and German schools in Athens.

For a list of International schools and colleges see http://www.athensnews.gr/Directory2004/1dir21.htm

On the islands, even on Crete (the largest island with many expats), there are no full time International schools and children must attend a Greek school or be tutored at home.

Greek Schools

School hours are 8.15am to 1.30 or 2.00pm.

If you are considering putting your child in a Greek school you should consider the long term implications as well as the initial worries of settling your child into a new school with a foreign language.

In general, the younger the child, the easier it will be for him/her. Toddlers and small children adapt and absorb a new language quite easily.

Older children, and especially those coming up to their teens, may have a very hard time adjusting. If they are not fluent in Greek they will be placed in a class with younger children to cover the language basics, and they are likely to be kept back throughout their schooling.

Children start nursery school from the age of four and there are also private nurseries which take young babies and children up to five. This is followed by junior school, 'Dimotiko', starting at age six, then high school, which is in two parts, 'Gymnasio' and 'Lykeio'. There are various choices for further education after graduation from Lykeio.

To register your child at a Greek 'Dimotiko' school or nursery, go along to the nearest school. You usually need to show a phone or electricity bill, or some other document with your local address on it to prove that you are living in the area.

11/5/07 submitted by Jane - "I'd just like to say that there is in fact an International school in Rhodes and I read on an education website (cant remember where, sorry) that it was compulsory to send a child to a government approved school i.e. its against the law to home educate - not very democratic!! I was considering home educating my boy."