Tangier has the most diverse expat school landscape in Morocco after Casablanca, thanks to its history with France, Spain and Britain. Plan early — top schools have 1–2 year waiting lists.
French network (AEFE)
Lycée Régnault (founded 1909) — flagship French school, maternelle to terminale, French baccalauréat. Around 35,000 MAD/year for primary, 55,000 MAD/year for lycée. Long waiting list — apply 18 months ahead.
École Adrien Berchet & Collège Ibn Khaldoun — additional AEFE-accredited primary and middle school options.
Spanish network
Colegio Ramón y Cajal — Spanish curriculum, infantil to bachillerato, around 25,000–40,000 MAD/year. Dual language Spanish/French.
Instituto Severo Ochoa — Spanish state secondary school, very low fees (under 10,000 MAD/year), competitive entry.
American & British
American School of Tangier (AST) — K to 12, US curriculum + AP, English. Founded 1950, on Rue Christophe Colomb. Around 90,000–140,000 MAD/year. The choice for English-speaking expats.
British International School of Tangier (BIST) — IGCSE and A-Level, English National Curriculum, opened 2017. Fees similar to AST.
Moroccan private (bilingual)
Schools like Groupe Scolaire Al Jabr, Al Khawarizmi and Les Cèdres teach the Moroccan curriculum in Arabic and French (sometimes English). Fees 8,000–25,000 MAD/year. Strong academic results, very international student bodies.
Universities
Tangier has Université Abdelmalek Essaâdi (public, free, French/Arabic) and several private business schools. Many expat families send teenagers to France or Spain for university — Erasmus mobility from Moroccan lycées is well established.
Admissions tips
- Visit in person — schools rarely respond to cold emails.
- Bring originals of school reports translated into French (or Spanish/English depending on the school).
- French AEFE schools prioritise children of French civil servants, then siblings, then everyone else.
- Most schools require an entrance test in maths and the language of instruction.
- The school year runs September to late June; main intake is September.
FAQ
- Which is the best school in Tangier?
- Depends entirely on language and curriculum needs. Lycée Régnault for French, AST for English/American, Colegio Ramón y Cajal for Spanish, Al Jabr for bilingual French/Arabic.
- Are public Moroccan schools an option for expats?
- Legally yes, but instruction is in Arabic and French and the curriculum is heavy on Islamic studies — most expat families opt for international or private bilingual schools.
- Can my child join mid-year?
- Possible at private schools if there's space, almost never at AEFE French schools. Plan around the September intake.
- Do schools provide buses?
- Most international and large private schools run their own bus networks across Tangier — additional 4,000–8,000 MAD/year.