English-medium international schools cluster predictably: capital cities and major business hubs have many, secondary cities a few, and smaller towns often none, which is worth knowing before choosing where in a country to live. Within big cities they concentrate near diplomatic quarters and expat-favored suburbs, and school location drives many families' housing decisions since commutes with children get old fast.
Curriculum options usually include several flavors. The International Baccalaureate is the most portable, running from early years through the diploma and recognized by universities worldwide. British curriculum schools follow IGCSE and A-levels, American schools lead to a US diploma often with AP courses, and many cities also have French, German, Indian and other national-curriculum schools serving their communities, an option worth considering if you may return home mid-education, since curriculum continuity matters more than prestige.
Fees are the sobering part: international schools rank among the biggest line items in any expat family budget, varying widely by school tier and city, with extras like registration, capital levies, buses and trips adding meaningfully on top. If an employer relocation package is in play, negotiate school fees into it explicitly, which is standard practice. Visit shortlisted schools if possible, ask about waiting lists early, since popular ones fill a year ahead, and consult local expat parent groups for the reputations behind the brochures.