Why the U.S. International Schools Market Is Not One Market 

Understanding regional growth patterns and what they mean for schools and suppliers 

Drawing on insights from Malia Rowe, Field Research Manager, this article explores how regional dynamics are shaping growth and opportunity across the U.S. international schools market. 

Growth in the U.S. international school sector is neither uniform nor predictable. Each major market moves at its own pace, shaped by local demographics, economic conditions, real estate realities, and competitive pressure.  

To understand this sector, you need to look beyond the national trends and focus on distinct regional dynamics. 

Silicon Valley and the Bay Area: Strong Demand and Limited Capacity 

Silicon Valley and the wider Bay Area continue to demonstrate strong demand for international and bilingual education, particularly at early years level. 

One school reported consistent year-on-year application growth, with enrolment increasing from around 815 students toward an expected 840, alongside waiting lists in Chinese preschool, pre-K, and kindergarten. 

However, growth in this region is constrained by: 

• High land values  

• Limited campus space  

• Lengthy permitting processes  

The Bay Area also highlights an important point: strong demand does not guarantee success. A recent campus closure in San Jose, cited by a school leader, shows that even in high-demand markets, schools without clear positioning and sustainable enrolment can struggle. 

Texas: Scale, Population Growth, and Market Expansion 

Texas presents a different growth profile 

Houston, Dallas, Austin, and San Antonio are large and growing metropolitan areas within one of the fastest expanding states in the country. Texas added more residents than any other U.S. state in 2025, supported by both domestic and international migration. 

Key growth drivers include: 

• Expansion in energy, technology, healthcare and finance 

• Corporate relocations and investment 

• Large and growing metropolitan populations 

Houston has long been an established expatriate hub, while Austin has attracted significant technology investment and corporate relocations in recent years. 

These conditions can support both premium fee international schools and mid-market fee international schools making Texas one of the most dynamic regions for expansion 

Atlanta and Georgia: Corporate-Led, Steady Growth 

Atlanta and the broader Georgia market are also expanding, though at a more measured pace. 

Atlanta’s role as a logistics, aviation, and business centre has attracted an increasingly international workforce, and school leaders report healthy enrolment and waiting lists in some year groups.  

Growth in this market appears closely linked to corporate mobility and globally minded local families.  

Gateway Cities: High Demand and High Competition 

The established gateway cities New York, Boston, Chicago, Washington D.C., Los Angeles, and San Francisco continue to carry deep demand pools.  

These markets are supported by: 

• Diplomatic communities 

• Multinational employers 

• Leading universities  

• Concentrations of globally mobile families 

However, these are also highly competitive markets. 

International schools in these cities often compete directly with well-established premium fee independent schools, while high land costs and limited campus availability can restrict expansion opportunities.  

Miami and South Florida: A Growing International Hub 

Miami and the wider South Floria region have gained momentum in recent years. 

Growth has been driven by: 

• Inward migration and wealth relocation 

• Strong connections to Latin America  

• International finance and business activity 

These factors support demand for bilingual, IB, and globally oriented schooling models. While migration flows fluctuate year to year, South Florida remains one of the more internationally connected education markets in the U.S.  

Beyond Major Cites: Niches but Viable markets 

Outside major metropolitan centres, the international schools market become more specialise. 

Smaller cities typically have: 

• Fewer international mobile families 

• Fewer multinational employers 

• A more limited supply of international schools 

Demand in these locations can still be viable but tends to be niche. Schools that succeed there often do so through clear differentiation such as 

• Bilingual programmes 

• Faith based education 

• Specialist or alternative curricula. 

What this Means for Schools and Suppliers 

The U.S. market is not a single unified growth market for international schools 

Demand drivers, real estate conditions, and competitive dynamics vary considerably from city to city. What works in one market may not translate to another.  

For both schools and suppliers, the key takeaway is clear: 

Understanding local market conditions is essential to making effective strategic decisions. 

National trends provide useful context, but city-level insight is what determines success.