The Curriculum: Two Different Philosophies
The most fundamental difference between an international school and an Irish national school is the curriculum they follow.
Irish national schools teach the curriculum set by the Department of Education. This includes the primary school curriculum for younger children, followed by the Junior Certificate and Leaving Certificate for secondary students. The vast majority of Irish families are familiar with this well-established system.
International schools like NAIS Dublin follow an internationally recognised framework instead. Our school is Ireland's only school accredited to deliver the
International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum from age 3 all the way through to age 18. Rather than working toward the Leaving Certificate, students graduate with either the
IB Diploma Programme or the
High School Diploma, qualifications recognised by leading universities around the world.
One of our parents put it, “as an Irish mum, I wanted a school that would offer an environment that truly strengthened my boys’ interests, rather than following a more traditional style of learning, which is what I experienced as a child in Ireland. Traditional education can be very good, but we wanted our boys to be part of a more diverse, international community, and we found the IB curriculum could offer what we were looking for.”
Class Sizes and Personalised Learning
Irish national schools vary widely in size, but many operate with class sizes of 25 to 30 students or more, particularly in urban areas. Resources, teacher time, and individual attention are inevitably stretched across a large group.
At NAIS Dublin, class sizes are deliberately kept smaller. Such learning environment can change your child’s entire school experience. When a teacher knows each student as an individual, they can respond to how that child actually learns: their pace, their strengths, the areas where they need more time or a different approach.
The School Community
Irish national schools are typically local schools – they serve the surrounding neighbourhood and reflect its demographic make-up. For many families, that local connection is important.
International schools draw their communities differently. At NAIS Dublin, the student body represents dozens of nationalities, with families from Ireland and from across the world sharing the same classrooms and corridors. The result is a school culture that is genuinely international in character – where diversity is the norm, different perspectives are welcomed, and children grow up understanding the world as a broader place than their immediate neighbourhood.
This is particularly valuable if your child may move internationally during their education, or may wish to study or work abroad as adults.
Learning Beyond Ireland’s Borders
As part of the Nord Anglia Education family of more than 90 schools globally, our students benefit from exceptional opportunities to learn far beyond the classroom. From Grade 4 onwards, students at can take part in international competitions and exploration trips abroad.
These experiences are a powerful and unique part of a Nord Anglia education. Travelling with peers from different countries helps students build independence, confidence, and resilience, while developing genuine camaraderie as they collaborate, problem‑solve, and form friendships with students from around the world.
Qualifications and University Access
The Leaving Certificate is the primary route to Irish universities and is well understood by Irish third-level institutions. It is a rigorous qualification and opens doors within Ireland.
The IB Diploma and High School Diploma offered at NAIS Dublin open a different set of doors, and a wider one. Both qualifications are recognised by universities across Europe, North America, the UK, Asia, and beyond. Students graduating from NAIS Dublin regularly go on to top-tier universities worldwide, with the confidence and academic preparation to compete on a global stage.
One parent recently shared: “Our son has been very happy since he came to Nord Anglia. He has enjoyed his learning and made good friends. I can also see how the school is helping him prepare for the DP and what lies ahead.”
Which Is Right for Your Child?
There is no single right answer. Both systems produce capable, confident young people. The question is which environment best matches your child’s learning style, your family’s circumstances, and your vision for their future.
An international school tends to suit families who are internationally mobile, who value a global curriculum and diverse community, who want small class sizes and personalised attention, or who are looking at university options beyond Ireland. It is also an increasingly attractive option for Dublin-based Irish families who want their children to develop a broader worldview from an early age.
An Irish national school tends to suit families who are rooted in their local community, who value the familiarity of the Irish education system, and for whom the Leaving Certificate pathway is the natural route to further education.
The most important thing is to make the decision with clear information, not assumptions about what international education involves.
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