How many private schools in Cyprus should we visit before deciding?

For most families, visiting two to four schools is enough. Build a focused shortlist with filters, then visit the options that truly fit.

What is the most important thing to notice on a school visit?

There is no single factor, but the way adults speak to students is a clear signal. Respectful correction is a good sign; shouting or sarcasm is not.

Should my child join every visit or only the final ones?

Younger children can be overwhelmed by too many visits. Many parents visit alone first, then bring the child to the top one or two options.

How can I tell if a school is genuinely inclusive and supportive?

Look for concrete structures: learning support staff, counselling, plans for students with specific needs, and clear parent communication when issues arise.

What if I like a school but the commute looks difficult?

Test the route during rush hour and count the hours per week. A realistic commute often beats a prestigious school that exhausts everyone.

How do I use my visit notes to make a final decision?

Turn your notes into a simple comparison table or use an online comparison tool. Seeing commute, curriculum, language, support, facilities and your impressions side by side makes the best fit clearer.

What to Look For When Visiting a Private School in Cyprus: A Parent Checklist

1. Before you visit: shortlist smart, not wide

Before you book any visits, take half an hour to narrow down your list. Choosing a private school in Cyprus often starts online, but your in-person time is scarce.

Ask yourself:

Which city or area is realistic for a daily commute
How strong your child is in Greek and English
Whether you are likely to stay in Cyprus long term or may move again
Whether your child prefers smaller, quieter environments or larger, busier schools

It usually helps to start with a shortlist that already fits your basics instead of driving to every campus on the island.

Look for an online directory where you can:

Browse private schools in Cyprus in one place
Filter by city or district (Nicosia, Limassol, Larnaca, Paphos)
Filter by curriculum and level
Filter by language of instruction (English / Greek)
Filter by facilities and after school activities

When you arrive, the reception area is often tidy and prepared. Try to look just beyond that.

In reception, notice:

Whether staff look calm and approachable or stressed and impatient
Whether they greet you and your child by name once you introduce yourselves
Whether noticeboards and information for parents look up to date and clear

In corridors and common spaces, notice:

How students speak to each other and to adults
Whether teachers are constantly shouting or mainly guiding calmly
Whether walls show real student work or only printed posters and slogans

You are not looking for perfection. You are trying to see what feels normal here on an average Tuesday morning.

If possible, step into a lesson. If not, observe for a minute through the door or ask to visit while pupils are working.

Pay attention to:

How many students are in the room compared to what you were told
Whether students seem engaged, bored, anxious or overexcited
How the teacher responds when a student makes a mistake
Whether quieter children get attention or fade into the background

Afterwards, write a few notes while the details are still fresh. They will help when you compare schools side by side later. Use the comparison tool.

During the visit, ask specific questions about curriculum and language of instruction. This shapes your child’s future options.

Useful questions include:

Which curriculum do students follow in primary and secondary
Which final exams do most students take
Whether students can graduate with more than one recognised leaving certificate
What is the main language of instruction at each stage
Which additional languages are offered and how many hours per week each one receives

If you want a strong English medium environment, ask which subjects are taught in English and from which year. If keeping written Greek strong matters, ask how the school builds reading and writing, not just speaking.

If you care about specific pathways such as A Levels, the IB Diploma or the Apolytirion, ask where recent graduates have gone and which qualifications they used. See our curriculum guide.

Support is not only for children with a diagnosis. Almost every child will struggle with something at some point.

Questions to ask:

Whether the school has learning support teachers or a special education team
How they support students with dyslexia, ADHD, autism or speech and language difficulties
What help is available for students who are not yet fluent in the main teaching language
Whether individual support plans are used and how parents are involved
Whether there is a school psychologist or counsellor and how students can see them

Listen to the language staff use. Do they sound respectful and practical about children who struggle, or defensive and dismissive?

Every school will say it takes bullying seriously. The real question is what happens when something actually occurs.

You can ask:

How the school defines bullying
What happens when there is repeated unkind behaviour
How students can report problems if they do not feel safe
Whether there are clear steps and timelines for investigating incidents
How parents are informed and involved when there is a concern

While you are walking around, notice:

How teachers speak to students in the playground or corridors
Whether staff seem present during break times or stand together talking
Whether older students look tense, withdrawn, relaxed or lively

You are trying to understand whether problems are handled openly and whether it feels normal to ask for help.

Modern campuses are impressive, but they matter only if they match your child’s interests and needs.

Look at:

Classrooms: are they bright, reasonably sized and well ventilated
Library: is it used, with books that match your child’s age and languages
Science labs and ICT rooms: are they in regular use or just for show
Indoor halls and outdoor pitches: is there space to move, especially for younger children
Music rooms, art rooms and performance spaces

Then ask about activities and programmes:

Which clubs and teams run during the week
How many children usually join
Whether activities are included or paid separately
Whether there are options for children who are not naturally sporty or confident

When you compare schools later, filter by facilities and activities so you only weigh options your child will actually use. Open filters.

A school can be excellent on paper and still be a poor fit if the logistics strain family life.

Check:

Start and finish times for your child’s year group
Whether there is early drop off or after school care if you need it
Whether there is a school bus and how long typical routes take
How long your actual commute will be in rush hour from home or work

Use a map of school locations and test routes at realistic times of day. Saving thirty minutes each way can mean more sleep, calmer homework, or more time to play. Check the map.

Also ask about communication:

How often you receive progress updates and reports
Whether teachers use email, apps, paper notebooks or a mix
How you can contact the school if something urgent happens
How quickly meetings can be arranged if you are worried

As soon as you leave a school, pause and write down your impressions before the next place resets your memory.

Note for yourself:

One thing you liked
One thing that worried you
How your child behaved and what they said afterwards
Any answers that felt vague or that you would like to verify later

When you have visited two or three schools, create a simple comparison table to make the decision clearer. Compare schools side by side.

What to Look For When Visiting a Private School in Cyprus: A Parent Checklist

1. Before you visit: shortlist smart, not wide

2. First impressions: reception and corridors

3. Inside the classroom: learning in real time

4. Curriculum and language: ask for clear answers

5. Learning support and special educational needs

6. Behaviour, bullying and wellbeing

7. Facilities and activities: link them to your actual child

8. Logistics: commute, school day and communication

9. After each visit: take five minutes to debrief

Questions parents ask most

More guides to explore

How to Choose the Right Private School in Cyprus

A-Levels vs IB vs Apolytirion: How to Choose the Right Curriculum in Cyprus

Shortlist schools before you visit