Valletta - Post Report Question and Answers
What is the availability of international schools? What has been your general experience with them, if any?
I don't have children, so don't have intimate knowledge of the schools. That said, international schools are available and are generally considered high quality for elementary and middle-school-aged children. There were no children from the embassy community in high school when I was there. - May 2023
Two schools, QSI and Verdala. The community has varying opinions on both. QSI is smaller and offers a more intimate experience. Do your research and ask around. - Oct 2018
There are two that American students attend. Verdala International School is the largest with over 400 kids in all grades (K-12 and preschool). QSI has about 125 kids. Some parents that either want the smaller environment or missed the signup cutoff for Verdala send their kids to QSI. Both are quite decent but not stellar. Some parents didn't care for Verdala so they passed their thoughts off to incoming personnel and now a few parents use QSI whereas in the past there were no US Embassy kids there. Again, both are decent if a little different. QSI is an American curriculum. Verbal is IPC and IB. I think the issue lies in that most institutions eventually take on the characteristics of the country. So, Verdala has over the years been somewhat slow to move on issues, they worry about things at the last second, are sometimes disorganized and are generally Maltese in nature about some things. QSI is a little more American which some prefer. While many Embassy kids like Verdala, I often sensed flashes of anti-America sentiment at times. I think it's sometimes just a chip on the shoulder thing since whenever the school really needs something, the US Embassy comes through, not anybody else. The elementary and middle school had no fence or separation from the road. RSO got a huge soft target grant which funded a proper perimeter fence. - Sep 2016
Most go to Verdala International School. We have a elementary-aged child who enjoys school. The classes are small (most under 18) and attention seems good so far. We have not heard the best things about high school, but there are options. The classes do not offer heating or cooling or a cafeteria, which we found a tad poor for the high tuition charges. The children take many fieldtrips, which our daughter loves, and we find to keep the children's interest high. There are quite a few community events also through the school. - Jan 2014
The small one is best. - Feb 2010
No personal experience but, people seem quite satisfied. - Feb 2010
Verdala - the "official" school. QSI - a new one that has attracted some parents due to its individual attention and "success for all" motto. We don't have children, so no personal experience. - Jul 2009
