English medium schools in Dhaka are very prominent today. While there were multiple English medium schools before the year 2000 but almost all of them had few students. Because people of Bangladesh weren’t that aware of the English medium schools, there was a low number of students. The idea of English medium schools was new to us at that time.
Today we know how effective English medium schools are in terms of delivering quality education. There are over 350 English medium schools in Bangladesh and 159 English medium schools and colleges are registered. Parents are more keen on admitting their children to English medium schools so that they can receive international standard education. But then there comes a problem of choices. With so many schools out there where would you admit your child?
With so many choices it’s only natural that parents become confused where to admit their children. We understand your worries and that is why we have created a list of English medium schools in Dhaka. Why Dhaka you might ask. Because most of the English medium schools are situated here. Hopefully, this will be beneficial for you and help you decide the school for your children. So, let’s start our list.
Content Outline
List of Best English Medium Schools in Dhaka
English medium school is a great choice for education. In fact, English medium schools follow the international education board. This means the students of English medium schools receive international standard education. There are so many choices for English medium schools, but parents today struggle between English medium and English versions.
If you want to know more about these two mediums you can read our article entitled “English medium or English version, Which one is best?”. Hopefully, this will clear up all the confusion.
However, a thing to keep in mind, this is not a top 10 list. We are not ranking these schools in any way. We are just mentioning a list of English medium schools in Dhaka. Keeping that in mind, let’s continue our list of the best English medium schools in Dhaka.
Academia
First on our list, we are mentioning one of the most popular English medium schools in Bangladesh right now, Academia. Academia was established back in 2002 in the capital city, Dhaka. It started out with a small number of students and with one branch only. But today it is one of the most well-known English medium schools in the country. The total number of students is around 3000 and it has 8 divisions in Lalmatia, Dhanmondi, Mirpur, Gulshan, Uttara, Wari, Malibag, and Banasree.
Academia follows the curriculum of Edexcel and Cambridge and offers a full playgroup to A-Levels education. The idea of Academia is to provide quality education leading up to O-Levels and A-Levels examinations. The school practices strict discipline and also teaches family values and morality.
Curriculum: Edexcel & Cambridge
Grade: Playgroup to A-Levels
Location: The school has multiple divisions spread out across Dhaka. The following are the locations of 5 campuses:
- Main Campus: House-6/10, Block-F, Satmasjid Road, Lalmatia, Dhaka-1207
- Dhanmondi Campus: House-33, Road-9/A, Dhanmondi R/A, Dhaka–1209
- Mirpur Campus: House–28, Road–2, Block–B, Mirpur Housing Estate, Mirpur–12, Dhaka – 1216
- Uttara Campus: House–88, Gausul Azam Avenue, Sector – 13, Uttara, Dhaka–1230
- Gulshan Campus House – 23, 113 Bir Uttam H.M.A Gaffar Road, Gulshan, Dhaka-1212
Cherry Blossoms Int’l School and College
Cherry Blossoms is one of those schools that were established before 2000. Dr. Shaleha Kader, an educationist, and a philanthropist founded the school in the year 1996. Initially, the school started with a small campus and with a few students. Later on, it shifted to a larger campus with more students and faculty members. The new campus of the school was more updated. It now has all the modern facilities and amenities that you can expect from a good English medium school.
All the classrooms of the new campus now had air-conditioning. The decor was refurbished to look more modern and welcoming for the students. The school now has 45 certified teachers and over 14,000 enrolled students. Cherry Blossoms follows the guidelines of the British Council and has always practiced the Pearson Edexcel curriculum.
Curriculum: Edexcel
Grade: Playgroup to A-Levels
Location: House #19, Road #5, Block-A, Section #10 – Mirpur, Dhaka
Scholastica
Scholastica is one of the well-known private English medium schools of Bangladesh, boasting a strong alumni network. Yasmeen Murshed founded the school in 1977, making it one of the oldest English medium schools in the country. The objective of this school is to provide a balanced and well-rounded education for all the young students.
Scholastica provides quality English medium education but also emphasizes Bangla subjects as well. Finding some students lag behind on Bangla, the school focuses on Bangla and English equally. The school is equipped with all the facilities and equipment that are essential for a modern educational institution. The school grooms young minds to become more curious, knowledgeable, smart, and respectful citizens who will be valuable assets to the community.
Curriculum: Cambridge
Grade: Playgroup to A-Levels
Location: Uttara, Mirpur, Gulshan & Dhanmondi
Aga Khan School
Another old and popular English medium school. Aga Khan was founded back in 1988 under the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), and the Aga Khan Education Service, Bangladesh (AKES,B). It is one of the earliest English medium schools which started off on a small campus in Siddeshwari, Dhaka.
The Aga Khan School has multiple branches spread out across many countries. Many divisions of this school exist in Afghanistan, India, Kenya, Kyrgyz Republic, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, UAE, and Uganda. The School has hundreds of teachers and thousands of students.
Curriculum: Cambridge
Grade: Playgroup to A-Levels
Location: The following are the locations of Aga Khan School (Dhaka):
- Primary section: Road-9, Sector-4, Uttara, Dhaka-1230
- Junior section: Road-6, Sector-4, Uttara, Dhaka-1230
- Senior section: Road-6/1, Sector-4, Uttara, Dhaka-1230
BAF Shaheen English Medium College
BAF Shaheen English Medium College is also known as BAF SEMC is another popular English medium school situated in Dhaka Cantonment. It follows the curriculum directed by Cambridge International Examinations, UK under the direct supervision of Bangladesh Air Force. There are a number of educational institutions directed by the Bangladesh Air Force and this school is one of those.
The school was founded in 1992 with only KG to Std IV. Back then it had only 150 students and 7 teachers. But gradually the school increased 1 class each year, today it has 1600 students. In 2019, the name of the school changed from BAF Shaheen English Medium School (BAF SEMS) to BAF Shaheen English Medium College (BAF SEMC).
The school puts much emphasis on discipline. In fact, the motto of the school is “Education Honesty Discipline”. Currently the Chairperson of this school is Air Vice Marshal M Abul Bashar, OSP, ndc, psc AOC, BSR, and the principal is Group Captain Md Rafiul Huq, BPP, afwc, psc.
Curriculum: Cambridge
Grade: Playgroup to A-Levels
Location: Tejgaon, Dhaka Cantonment, Dhaka-1206
Darland International School
Established back in 1994 Darland International School was the 1st English medium school in Mirpur section. The goal of Darland International School is to provide excellent education and bring a noticeable change in the education sector with a modern touch. The school has produced 1700+ graduates so far.
The school has highly-qualified teachers and well-maintained classrooms. The entire school is under CCTV surveillance and monitored all time. Darland follows the Edexcel curriculum. The school has a total of 11 diverse clubs ranging from Language, Drama, Music, Science, Debate, and so on.
Curriculum: Edexcel
Grade: Playgroup to A-Levels
Location: House-5, Road-11/2, Block-B, Section – 10, Mirpur, Dhaka.
Willes Little Flower School
Willies Little Flower School is one of the 3 first English medium schools in Bangladesh. Josephine Willes, a philanthropist founded the school in the year 1956. This is the first school in our list that proves education for all the mediums in Bangladesh i.e English medium, Bangla medium, and English version. For English medium, it follows the curriculum of Edexcel, and for the Bangla medium and English version it follows the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education of Bangladesh.
The school campus is very large and beautifully decorated. There are 400 faculty members and 15,000 students (according to a 2012-13 report). Willes Little Flower Higher Secondary School is the former name of this school.
Curriculum: Edexcel
Grade: Playgroup to A-Levels for English medium
Location: 85, Kakrail Rd, Dhaka-1000
South Breeze School
Principal Zeenath Chowdhury established South Breeze School in 1986. The school currently has 3 campuses located in Dhaka. The main campus was located in Dhanmondi, but later in 2000, it was relocated. In 2004 a new campus was established in Uttara.
This school has been one of the leading English medium schools since 1990 when the first batch of students graduated from the school. It follows the Pearson Edexcel curriculum and the British IGCSE (O-Levels) syllabus. South Breeze School has successfully maintained a positive presence in the annual Daily Star awards ceremony for high-achieving O-Levels and A-Levels students. It also holds the valedictorians ceremony.
Curriculum: Edexcel
Grade: Playgroup to A-Levels for English medium
Location: The following are the location of 3 campuses of the school:
- Dhanmondi Main Campus: House-23, Road-10A, Dhanmondi, Dhaka-1209
- Dhanmondi Infant Section 2: House-74, Road-7A, Dhanmondi, Dhaka-1209
- Uttara Campus: House-51, Road-2 Sector-11, Uttara, Dhaka-1230
American International School of Dhaka
American International School of Dhaka (AISD) is a pre-kindergarten to grade 12 preparatory institute. It was established back in 1972 and follows the IB curriculum. The school is famous for educating students of different nationalities from pre-kindergarten to grade 12. Currently, it has about 500 students with 150 of them of Bangladeshi nationality.
Among all the schools on our list, this school has a different way of approaching education. This school recognizes the education curriculum as an evolutionary process. Which is updated as soon as new discoveries are made in education research about teaching students. The lesson planning of AISD follows a “Backward Design” approach.
American International School of Dhaka (AISD) is also an accredited member of the Council for International Schools (CIS) and the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC).
Curriculum: IB curriculum
Grade: Pre-kindergarten to Grade 12
Location: 12 United Nations Rd, Baridhara, Dhaka-1212
Daffodil International School
Dr. Sabur Khan, the chairman of the Daffodil family established Daffodil International School in the year 2009. The school offers good English medium studies and priorities on Bangla subjects as well. It follows both Edexcel and Cambridge University curriculum. Daffodil International School follows a progressive approach with international content, which enables the students to achieve their full potential in today’s fast-paced economy.
The school has over 1000 students and around 100 highly qualified teachers. It has facilities and accommodations such as Laboratory, Healthcare, Karate classes, various clubs, STEM labs, etc.
Curriculum: Edexcel curriculum and Cambridge Curriculum both
Grade: Playgroup to A-Level
Location: The following are the location of 2 campuses of the school:
- Permanent Campus: House-11, Road-14, Dhanmondi, Dhaka-1209
- Uttara Branch: House-3, Shonargaon Janapath, Sector-12, Uttara Model Town, Uttara, Dhaka-1230
A. G. Church School Dhaka
A.G Church School was established in 1984. It is a Christian missionary school that accommodates students from playgroups to A-Levels. The chairman of the School is (Rev) Asa Michael Kain. The school has a spacious library and also has a computer lab.
The school also has various co-curricular activities students can get involved into. Some of these activities are Art & Painting Competitions, School Newsletters, Yearly Magazine, Debating Club, Chess Club, Quiz Competition, and much more.
Curriculum: English Medium
Grade: Playgroup to A Level
Location: 401/1, New Eskaton Road, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Bangladesh International School and College
Bangladesh International School and College which was renamed Bangladesh International School is a private English medium school. The school was established in 1995 and is located in New DOSH, Mohakhali, Dhaka. Bangladesh Army is responsible for the management of this school.
The School has multiple mediums and follows the Edexcel curriculum for the English medium students. The school started its national curriculum for English version classes in 2006. It currently has 2500 students with a faculty of 100. Currently, the principle of BISC is Brig. Gen Gazi Md Solaiman (Retd.)
Curriculum: Edexcel for English medium students
Grade: 1st to 12th grade
Location: New DOHS Mohakhali, Dhaka Cantonment, Dhaka
Mastermind School
Mastermind is a popular English medium school. It was established way back in 1997 and follows the curriculum of both Pearson Edexcel and Cambridge University. The school’s main campus is located in Dhanmondi and there is another branch in Uttara.
The school has over 3200 students and 300 faculty members. It has many clubs such as debate club, sports club, newsletter club, and community service club. Mastermind School won “The Most Versatile School” award in 2011 and in 2015. It was also the champion of the Junior category in 2015 at the Biotechnology Fest hosted in the city of Montessori School in Lucknow, India.
Curriculum: Both Edexcel and Cambridge
Grade: Playgroup to A-Level
Location: House-5, Road-12, Dhanmondi R/A, Dhaka-1209
Methodist English Medium School
Methodist English Medium School is a program of Methodist Church Missionaries. The school was established in 1998. Methodist also has an English version section called Methodist English Version School. It follows the national curriculum of the Bangladesh Secondary and Higher Secondary Board.
The school has a transport facility, cafeteria, ICT lab, student counseling, etc. The classrooms are modern and have air conditioning. The school also has a central library with a rich collection of books.
Curriculum: Edexcel
Grade: Playgroup to A-Level
Location: 250/1, 2nd Colony Mazar Road, Mirpur-1, Dhaka-1218
Conclusion
Education is very important in a child’s life. In fact, it is one of the basic human rights. Today there are hundreds of quality English medium schools in Bangladesh that are equipped to deliver international standard education. The global economy of the entire world is changing and in order to change with it, there’s no alternative to education. Many people might not prefer the new progressive curriculum, but remember what Rabindranath Tagore once said:
“Don’t limit a child with your learning, for she was born in another time”
It is fortunate for us that English medium schools like these exist in Bangladesh. That is able to deliver international standard education and teach children morale and inspire creativity among them.
We hope that our list of English medium schools in Dhaka was helpful for you. If you found this article helpful, let us know in the comment section. Feel free to ask any questions, and we’ll be glad to answer.
