Schools in Georgia for Children: Public, Private & International (2026)

This guide is intended for parents relocating to Georgia with school-age children (approximately 6–18 years old). It explains how the Georgian school system is organised, the main types of schools, whether foreign children may enrol in public schools, the school calendar, and how previous education completed abroad may be recognised.

This guide provides general information only. Before making any decisions, always confirm the current legal requirements with the Ministry of Education, Science and Youth of Georgia and, where relevant, verify that the school is authorised to operate.

For higher education, see our Studying in Georgia guide. For the recognition of foreign educational qualifications, see Recognition of Foreign Diplomas.

How the school system is structured

General schooling in Georgia is referred to as general education and consists of 12 years of study divided into three stages:

• Primary education — Grades I–VI (six years);

• Basic education — Grades VII–IX (three years); and

• Secondary education — Grades X–XII (three years).

Primary and basic education are compulsory. Upon successful completion of the basic level, pupils receive a Basic General Education Certificate. Completion of all twelve years leads to a Full General Education Certificate, which provides the educational qualification required for admission to higher education.

General education may be provided by both public and private schools. Public schools follow the National Curriculum, while private schools operate under Georgian education legislation and may offer the National Curriculum, internationally recognised curricula, or a combination of both, depending on their authorisation.

Children are generally admitted to the first grade at around six years of age. However, admission age requirements and the period of compulsory schooling are governed by legislation and may change over time. Parents should therefore confirm the current rules with the Ministry of Education, Science and Youth of Georgia before applying.

Public general education is financed by the state through a per-pupil voucher system. As a result, tuition is generally not charged by ordinary public schools, although parents may still incur costs for items such as textbooks, uniforms, transport, meals or extracurricular activities.

Types of school: public, private and international

Foreign families generally choose between three broad categories. The table below compares them at a high level; it does not endorse or rank any specific school.

Feature	State (public) schools	Private (national) schools	International schools
Who runs them	The state	Private providers	Private providers
Fees	State-funded (no tuition)	Fee-paying	Fee-paying, often the highest
Main curriculum	Georgian national curriculum	Georgian national curriculum (often with extra languages/subjects)	International or foreign curriculum (e.g. Cambridge, IB, American), sometimes alongside the Georgian National Curriculum
Usual language of instruction	Mainly Georgian	Georgian (sometimes bilingual)	English or another foreign language
Leaving qualification	Georgian general education certificate	Georgian general education certificate	International/foreign qualification (e.g. IGCSE, IB Diploma, US high-school diploma), in some cases also the Georgian Full General Education Certificate
Typical fit for relocating families	Families planning longer-term integration into the Georgian education system	Georgian curriculum with enhanced facilities or additional language options	Families seeking continuity with an international curriculum and an easier transfer to schools abroad

International-school curricula. International and English-medium schools in Georgia—most of which are located in Tbilisi, with others in Batumi and several other cities—commonly offer one of the following educational programmes:

• British — typically based on the English education system and often following Cambridge International or Pearson Edexcel pathways, leading to qualifications such as IGCSEs and A Levels.
• International Baccalaureate (IB) — some schools are authorised IB World Schools, offering the Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP) and/or the Diploma Programme (DP).
• American (US) — an American-style K–12 curriculum leading to a US High School Diploma, with Advanced Placement (AP) courses available at some schools.

Some schools also teach the Georgian National Curriculum alongside an international programme, allowing eligible graduates to obtain both a Georgian qualification and an international one.

As this is a non-commercial guide, we do not recommend or rank individual schools. Instead, create your own shortlist and verify each school’s authorisation, curriculum and qualifications directly with the school and, where appropriate, the National Center for Educational Quality Enhancement (NCEQE).

Can foreign children enrol, and in what language?

Foreign children living in Georgia may enrol in public general education schools. Admission is arranged directly with the school in accordance with the rules established by the Ministry of Education, Science and Youth of Georgia. Applicants are typically required to provide identity documents and evidence of previous education, together with certified translations of foreign-language documents where required.

Because admission requirements may change, always confirm the current document list directly with the school or the Ministry before applying.

Public schools teach mainly in Georgian under the National Curriculum. A limited number of schools provide instruction in Armenian, Azerbaijani or Russian, but Georgian remains a compulsory subject. Families wishing their children to study in English from the outset generally choose private or international schools. In every case, confirm the actual language of instruction directly with the school.

The school year

The Georgian academic year traditionally runs from 15 September to 15 June. Pupils in the 1st and 12th grades usually complete the school year earlier (typically around 20 May). The academic calendar also includes winter and spring (Easter) holidays.

The exact dates are determined for each academic year by the Ministry of Education, Science and Youth of Georgia, and individual schools—particularly international schools following a foreign curriculum—may operate on a different calendar. Before making travel arrangements or planning your relocation, always confirm the current school calendar directly with the school.

Recognition of previous education completed abroad

If your child has already attended school in another country, their previous education may need to be recognised before they can continue their studies in Georgia. Recognition is carried out by the National Center for Educational Quality Enhancement (NCEQE), which assesses foreign educational qualifications and school records in accordance with Georgian legislation.

Where the documents confirming education completed abroad cannot be verified, Georgian legislation allows a pupil to be enrolled in a grade appropriate to their age or, with the consent of a parent or legal representative, in a lower grade.

For detailed guidance on the recognition procedure, including document requirements, apostilles or consular legalisation, and certified translations, see our Recognition of Foreign Educational Qualifications in Georgia guide.

Practical checklist for parents

• Decide whether a public school, private Georgian school, or international school best suits your child’s educational needs and your family’s long-term plans.
• Shortlist schools and verify that they are authorised to operate, as well as the curriculum and leaving qualification they offer.
• Prepare your child’s previous school records and arrange any required certified translations, together with an apostille or consular legalisation, where applicable.
• If recognition of previous education is required, begin the NCEQE recognition procedure as early as possible.
• Confirm the current academic calendar, admission requirements, and document list directly with the school before applying.

What to explore further

• Studying in Georgia — higher education and the transition from school to university.
• Recognition of Foreign Educational Qualifications — recognition procedures, including apostilles, legalisation and certified translations.

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This guide provides general information only and does not constitute legal or educational advice. Admission requirements, compulsory education rules, the academic calendar and other school regulations may change over time. Before making any decisions, always confirm the current requirements directly with the Ministry of Education, Science and Youth of Georgia, the relevant school and, where appropriate, the National Center for Educational Quality Enhancement (NCEQE).

Frequently asked questions

Can foreign children attend public schools in Georgia?

In practice foreign children living in Georgia enrol in state (public) general education schools. Enrolment is handled by the school under rules set by the Ministry of Education, and the documents required are defined by a Ministry order. Documents issued abroad and in another language normally have to be translated into Georgian. Because the exact document list and any residence conditions can change, confirm the current requirements with the Ministry of Education or directly with the school.

What language are Georgian public schools taught in?

State schools follow the national curriculum and teach mainly in Georgian. Some schools teach in another language (for example in areas with large Armenian- or Azerbaijani-speaking communities), but where the language of instruction is not Georgian, Georgian is still a compulsory subject. Families who want an English-medium education usually look at private or international schools instead. Confirm the language of instruction with each individual school.

What is the difference between a private school and an international school in Georgia?

Both are privately run and charge fees. A private school may follow the Georgian national curriculum (sometimes with extra languages or subjects), while an international school typically follows a foreign or international programme — most often the British curriculum, the International Baccalaureate (IB) or a US/American programme — and teaches in English or another foreign language. Some schools combine a foreign programme with the Georgian national curriculum so pupils can graduate with both certificates. Verify what each school actually offers and how it is accredited.

Will my child's previous schooling from abroad be recognised?

Recognition of education received abroad is handled by the National Center for Educational Quality Enhancement (NCEQE). This is the route for having a foreign school record or leaving certificate recognised so a child can continue in the Georgian system or move on to higher education. If prior schooling cannot be verified, the NCEQE notes that a pupil may be enrolled at an age-appropriate level, or in a lower grade with the parent's consent. See our recognition guide and confirm the current procedure with the NCEQE.

When does the school year start in Georgia?

According to the Ministry of Education, the academic year has traditionally run from 15 September to 15 June, with 1st- and 12th-grade pupils finishing earlier (around 20 May), plus winter and spring (Easter) holidays. Exact start, end and holiday dates are set for each year, so confirm the current calendar with the Ministry of Education or the individual school before you plan travel or arrival.

How can I check that a school is properly accredited?

General education is overseen by the Ministry of Education, and quality assurance (authorisation of schools and recognition of qualifications) runs through the NCEQE. Before enrolling — especially at a private or international school — ask the school for its authorisation status and check it against the Ministry of Education and NCEQE rather than relying on marketing claims.