What's the best international school in Maputo?

AISM (American International School of Mozambique) is generally considered the top choice, offering an IB curriculum with strong academic results and comprehensive extracurriculars. Maputo International School (British curriculum) is also highly regarded. Both have waiting lists, so apply as early as possible.

Can my employer cover school fees?

Many NGO, diplomatic, and corporate expat packages include education allowances covering partial or full international school fees. This is a significant benefit worth negotiating — international school fees ($10,000–$20,000/year per child) represent a major expense for families.

Are there preschool options for young children?

Yes — AISM, MIS, and the French school all have preschool/kindergarten programs. Several smaller private preschools in Polana and Sommerschield cater to the expat community, with fees ranging from $200–$800/month.

What about homeschooling regulations?

Mozambique does not strictly regulate homeschooling for foreign residents. Many expat families outside Maputo homeschool successfully using accredited online platforms. There's no requirement to register your homeschool program with Mozambican authorities, but maintain records for re-enrollment in schools elsewhere.

Can expat children attend local Mozambican schools?

Technically yes, but instruction is in Portuguese and educational standards vary widely. Some expat families enroll children in local schools for cultural immersion, often supplemented with tutoring or online courses in their home curriculum. This works best for younger children who adapt to new languages quickly.

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🇲🇿 Mozambique

Education

5–8 in Maputo

International Schools

English/French/Portuguese

$5,000–$20,000

Annual Fees

Varies by school

IB, American, British

Curriculum

At top schools

Very limited

Outside Maputo

Homeschooling common

Last updated: March 2026

Overview🏙️Maputo 🏝️Vilankulo

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Overview

Education options for expat children in Mozambique are concentrated in Maputo, where several international schools offer curricula in English, French, and Portuguese. Outside Maputo, options are extremely limited. International school fees range from $5,000–$20,000/year, making education one of the significant expat expenses — though many employer packages cover school fees.

Key Takeaways

American International School of Mozambique (AISM): IB curriculum, K–12, English instruction; fees ~$15,000–$20,000/year
Homeschooling: the most common option for expat families outside Maputo
Portuguese: children pick up conversational Portuguese quickly through play and social interaction

International Schools in Maputo

Maputo has a small but established network of international schools catering to the diplomatic, NGO, and corporate expat community. The top schools offer International Baccalaureate (IB), American, or British curricula with instruction in English. Competition for places can be intense, so apply early — especially for popular schools like AISM. Most schools are located in Sommerschield and Polana.

American International School of Mozambique (AISM): IB curriculum, K–12, English instruction; fees ~$15,000–$20,000/year
Maputo International School (MIS): British curriculum, IGCSE/A-Levels; fees ~$10,000–$18,000/year
Lycée Gustave Eiffel (French School): French curriculum, maternelle to terminale; fees ~$5,000–$12,000/year
Escola Portuguesa de Moçambique: Portuguese curriculum, primary to secondary; fees ~$3,000–$8,000/year
Aga Khan School Maputo: local and international curriculum options; moderate fees
School year: typically September to June (Northern Hemisphere calendar) or January to December
Most schools offer bus services, after-school activities, and support for non-English/non-French speakers

Education Outside Maputo

Educational options outside Maputo are severely limited for expat children. There are no international schools of comparable quality in Vilankulo, Inhambane, or other coastal towns. Expat families outside Maputo typically rely on homeschooling, online schooling platforms, or boarding schools in South Africa.

Homeschooling: the most common option for expat families outside Maputo
Online platforms: IXL, Khan Academy, Outschool, and accredited online schools (Laurel Springs, Stanford OHS)
South African boarding schools: a popular option from secondary school age — Johannesburg and Cape Town
Local Mozambican schools: available but quality varies enormously; instruction in Portuguese
Tutors: private tutors available in Maputo from $10–$25/hour for supplementary education
University: Universidade Eduardo Mondlane (UEM) in Maputo is the main public university; some programs in English

Language Learning for Expat Children

One of the unexpected benefits of raising children in Mozambique is the opportunity for multilingual development. Children in international schools pick up Portuguese naturally through local friendships and community life, while maintaining their primary language of instruction. The immersive environment accelerates language acquisition in ways that classroom learning alone cannot match.

Portuguese: children pick up conversational Portuguese quickly through play and social interaction
International school language programs: most offer Portuguese as a second language from early grades
Local language exposure: children may also pick up basic phrases in local languages (Changana in Maputo area)
After-school Portuguese classes: available through schools and private tutors
Language advantage: multilingual children gain cognitive benefits and a unique cultural perspective
Transition support: international schools typically offer ESL/EAL programs for non-English speakers

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