Islamabad - Post Report Question and Answers
What is the availability of international schools? What has been your general experience with them, if any?
There are quite a few international schools, but several are cheaper ones. They offer (understandably) lower quality. - Oct 2023
The International School of Islamabad is very good and the preferred school of choice for every other diplomatic mission. Of course, except for adult EFMs with jobs, US mission personnel can’t take family members. - Jun 2022
N/A No kids allowed at Post - Feb 2019
Had no experience with that, but I know international schools are easily available. - Sep 2015
There is an American International School in Islamabad, but no U.S. staff are allowed to bring families, so the school caters mostly to elite Pakistanis and other expats. Interestingly enough, American International School teaching staff have yellow U.S. Embassy badges and are allowed to use the U.S. Commissary to purchase groceries (not alcohol). This option is not available to other American expats in Pakistan and I'm not certain why the teachers at the AIS retain this privilege. - Feb 2014
U.S.G. personnel is not allowed to bring children. - Dec 2013
This used to be our hook into Pakistani society. Many of the non-military elites went to international schools. From my French and Japanese colleagues (who are allowed to have children), I hear standards have slipped since the US and UK pulled children out. - Mar 2012
There are not many international kids around. We're not allowed to bring families. - Aug 2011
No personal experience. The international school is located far from the diplomatic enclave. My understanding is that the international school has many western teachers and mostly Indian students who are children of diplomats. US and UK do not allow children of diplomats. - May 2011
There are international schools that NGO workers use, but for the US Embassy, families are not allowed. - Jan 2010
No experience with international schools. The UN and the UK have recently repatriated dependents so less of an issue for most. - Oct 2008
