Educating your children in Mauritius is simpler than you might fear: the island has AEFE-accredited French schools, renowned English-language international schools and bilingual establishments, with fees well below those of the major expat capitals. Here is the full landscape, the real budgets and the enrolment process.
The three main schooling options
The AEFE-accredited French schools
The continuity choice: the French national curriculum, seamless transitions to and from France, within the network of the Agency for French Education Abroad. The two references: École du Nord (kindergarten to middle school, on the Mapou side, about fifteen minutes from Grand Baie) and Lycée La Bourdonnais (in Curepipe, up to the French baccalaureate).
The English-language international schools
Cambridge curriculum or International Baccalaureate, in schools such as Northfields International School, IPS (International Preparatory School) or Westcoast International Secondary School on the Tamarin side. The internationally minded option, popular with families on the move.
Bilingual, Montessori and alternative schools
Several schools teach in both French and English, ideal for a smooth transition, and alternative pedagogies (Montessori in particular) are well represented for younger children.
The real budgets
| Type of school | Indicative annual fees |
|---|---|
| Mauritian state schools | Free (taught in English) |
| Local private schools | €1,500 to €4,000 |
| French and international schools | €6,000 to €12,000 |
Add the extras: uniform, school transport, activities. Even at the top of the range, you stay far below the fees of Dubai or Singapore, as our Dubai vs Mauritius comparison shows.
Choosing well: our criteria
- The curriculum: French continuity (AEFE) or international outlook (Cambridge, IB)?
- The location: the school draws your morning commute. Families in the North gravitate around the Mapou schools, those in the West around Tamarin and Black River.
- The budget, extras included.
- The waiting list: the best schools fill up early.
The enrolment process
- Contact the school several months ahead: places go fast, especially for kindergarten and the first year of secondary.
- Put together the file: passport, vaccination record, school reports for the last two years.
- Pay the registration fees and plan a visit.
- Prepare for a possible entrance test, especially for the English-language tracks.
Our advice from the field: choose the school BEFORE the home. That is how we work with our families: first the place in class, then the house that goes with it.
Frequently asked questions
Are there accredited French schools in Mauritius?
Yes: the AEFE network is present, notably with École du Nord (kindergarten to middle school) on the Mapou side and Lycée La Bourdonnais near Curepipe. Families settled in the North reach the Mapou schools in about fifteen minutes, with school buses from the main villages.
Where should you live with school-age children?
Two hubs concentrate expat families: the North (Grand Baie, Pereybere, close to the Mapou schools) and the West (Tamarin, Black River, around their international schools). The choice usually follows the target school: it draws your morning commute.
Does the residence permit cover children?
Yes: the permit obtained through a property purchase (from USD 375,000 in an approved scheme), like the Occupation Permits, covers the spouse and dependent children. All the routes are detailed on our residence permit page.
To find the house that goes with the school, browse our listings or tell us about your family project.
