How to choose a school for children in Cyprus: Paphos or Limassol?

Choosing a place to live in Cyprus for families with children

Tatiana Burlakovskaya, the head of Golden Brown Cyprus, shares recommendations on choosing the most suitable place to live in Cyprus for families with children who plan to educate them in local educational institutions. In practice, such buyers tend to consider Paphos and Limassol when selecting real estate.

Paphos offers a more flexible transportation schedule to educational institutions, while in Limassol, you can encounter serious traffic jams in the mornings. The travel time to most schools in Paphos is about 15 minutes by car, making this city more convenient for family needs.

Buying real estate and expectations

Families looking for the opportunity to obtain citizenship are often interested in new real estate projects. Many are willing to temporarily rent housing for a period of two to three years while their new home is being built. Cyprus offers a wide range of educational institutions for foreigners, especially in Paphos and Limassol.

In my opinion, sending a child to a Russian school is only worth it if your stay on the island is temporary, as it will make returning to school in Russia easier. Otherwise, if a long-term stay is planned, it is better to choose an international educational institution.

Educational institutions in Limassol

Limassol is famous for its many schools for foreign student groups. Among them, three Russian schools stand out:

• L.I.T.C. Russian-English Private School
• Pupils of Pythagoras
• Morfosis Private School

In addition, there are several English schools in this city, including:

• American Academy
• Heritage
• Foley's School
• The Logos School of English Education
• Lighthouse School

There are also Greek public schools. Choosing a public educational institution is advisable for families planning to settle in Cyprus or Greece permanently, as English is taught as a second foreign language in these institutions.

Features of Russian schools

Among Russian schools in Limassol, Pupils of Pythagoras School stands out, offering an in-depth study of foreign languages. This educational institution is licensed by the Ministry of Education of Cyprus, and its graduates receive a diploma in both the Cypriot format (in Russian and English) and a certificate from the Russian Federation after taking exams at the Russian embassy in Cyprus.

The festive events dedicated to the 20th anniversary of the "Students of Pythagoras" school highlight its significant role in the region's educational system.

LITC Russian-English Private School Program

LITC Russian-English Private School implements educational programs approved by the Ministry of Education of Russia, combined with intensive English language study starting from the zero grade, where students are taught six to eight hours a week. This program also includes the study of the Greek language, which helps students adapt more quickly to the local culture and community.

Thus, the choice of educational institution depends on the family's preferences, their future plans in Cyprus, and the children's educational goals. The level of rigor in the curriculum and the variety of language programs provide parents with the opportunity to choose the most suitable school for their child.

At the Morfosis educational center, in-depth training in English and Greek is provided in accordance with the standards set by the ministries of education of Russia and Cyprus. After successfully completing the course and passing the exams, students receive a diploma from Cyprus and can also obtain a Russian education diploma if they wish. Most of the teachers at Morfosis speak Russian, which creates a favorable environment for Russian-speaking students.

Recommendations for learning in English

If we're talking about the upcoming training in English, I would recommend paying attention to educational institutions such as:

• American Academy
• Heritage
• Foley's School

All these schools are suitable for Russian children. At the American Academy, the learning process is conducted entirely in English and follows the British national curriculum, which helps students successfully integrate into a new educational environment. Heritage also offers instruction in English, where Russian is taught as an additional subject.

Education in Paphos

The city of Paphos is home to two Russian-speaking schools:

• "Erudite"
• Russian School Paphos

In addition, there are three English-speaking schools here:

• International School of Paphos
• TLC Private School
• British School Aspire

In "Erudite," educational programs developed by the Russian Ministry of Education are used for students from the first to the eleventh grade. Here, children are prepared for exams such as the GIA and the Unified State Exam (USE) in Russian, mathematics, and English, as well as for the IGCSE in Russian.

Russian School Paphos

Russian School Paphos is the only educational institution in Paphos where Russian children receive academic training according to Russian standards. After the second stage (from third to fifth grades) and the third stage (from seventh to ninth grades), students receive diplomas certifying their achievements within the educational system of the Russian Federation.

International School of Paphos

The International School of Paphos is accredited by the Cyprus Ministry of Education and Culture and is recognized by two esteemed British examination organizations — CIE and Edexcel. This educational institution is authorized to conduct exams in the Greek language. According to information provided by the school itself, most ISOP teachers have education and work experience in the UK.

TLC Private School

At the private TLC school, students are taught according to English-language programs that meet British standards. Children can start their education at the age of three in kindergarten and then continue their studies in primary and secondary school. TLC is also registered and accredited by the Cypriot Ministry of Education and Culture.

British School Aspire

The educational process at British School Aspire is also conducted in English.

General education in Cyprus

Education in Cyprus begins in early childhood and covers the age range from 6 to 12 years. This stage is known asprimary schoolis an elementary education program. Upon completion of this level of education, students receive a special certificate calleddiploma.

Next, at the age of 12 to 15, students move on togymnasium (gymnasium), where the focus is on studying core subjects and the humanities. In the final stage, within the age group of 15 to 18 years, students can choose betweenlyceum (lyceum) andprofessional technical college (techniques of scholiThese institutions offer a variety of mandatory courses with the option to choose specific subjects based on students' interests and professional inclinations.

Certificate of completion

Graduates of these educational institutions also receive a certificate.diplomathat opens doors for them to enroll in universities in Cyprus.

Structure of the educational process

It is noteworthy that the educational process on this Mediterranean island is structured not by quarters, as in Russia, but by trimesters. Students are given long breaks, including:

• two-week breaks for Christmas
• two-week breaks for Easter

Summer vacation starts in early June and lasts until September. The class schedule in Cypriot schools has some similarities with the Russian one:

• Classes start at 7:45.
• They end between 15:05 and 16:00.

However, on Wednesdays, students have shorter classes, from 7:45 AM to 1:05 PM.

Class sizes and subjects

The number of students in a class ranges from 15 to 32, depending on the workload of the teachers and many other factors. Russian-speaking schools in Cyprus offer a wide range of subjects, including:

• Russian language and literature
• mathematics
• geography
• biology
• physics
• chemistry
• physical education
• social studies

Additional courses in logic, public speaking, the basics of religious studies, and several other subjects are also available. In some Russian-speaking schools, there is a greater emphasis on the study of information technology and programming languages.

Sports clubs and sections

In Cyprus, all educational institutions have sports sections and creative clubs, which contributes to the overall development of students.

Cost of education

It should be noted that one cannot rely on free educational institutions on the island. Even the most basic courses are truly free only for citizens and permanent residents. Tuition at private schools can range from 8,000 to 18,000 euros per year, and this cost already includes accommodation and meals. Prices vary depending on the specific educational institution.

It is worth noting that education in Russian-speaking schools costs about 3,000 euros per year, while in schools where instruction is conducted in English, fees can range from 4,000 to 8,000 euros. Despite this, quality private schools in Cyprus may be more affordable compared to such institutions in Moscow. For example, the tuition at the Lomonosov School reaches 120,000 to 140,000 rubles per month, while at the New School on Mosfilmovskaya it ranges from 60,000 to 80,000 rubles per month.

Conclusion

In conclusion, I want to emphasize that choosing an educational institution for children in Cyprus is a serious decision that requires careful consideration and analysis. When deciding on a place to live, many family buyers tend to lean towards Paphos and Limassol. Here, they can find the optimal conditions for their children's comfortable education.

Personally, I believe that Paphos stands out particularly due to its calm atmosphere and high quality of educational institutions. It's important to remember that if your family is planning a long-term move, it's worth choosing international schools that will ensure a smooth transition to the new educational system.

On the other hand, Limassol offers more opportunities for education in English, which is an important factor for many Russian-speaking families. Living and studying here is not only a chance to receive a quality education but also an opportunity to integrate into the international community.

Russian schools

As for Russian schools, options like "Pythagoras Students" and others offer unique programs that combine elementsRussianandCypriotEducation. This certainly provides flexibility in education, which is extremely important for children who may return to their homeland.

Advantages of studying in Cyprus:

• Quality education
• International atmosphere
• Opportunities for outdoor activities
• Friendly locals

Furthermore, it is important not to forget about the opportunities for further education and personal growth. Cyprus offers beautiful living conditions — warmth, the friendliness of the locals, an international atmosphere, and plenty of outdoor activities. All these aspects are crucial for the complete development of children, allowing them to gain not only knowledge but also life experience.

I hope that my article has helped you better understand the educational opportunities that Cyprus offers and to determine the best choice for your children. It is important to remember that each case is unique, and only a thoughtful approach to this issue will help you find the best path for your family in beautiful Cyprus.