School Search Services in Relocation
School search services can be an invaluable resource when facing the challenges of relocating with children and finding the right educational fit in a new area.
Whether you’re moving on a tight relocation timeline or need guidance on choosing the best schools, our experts at Total Law are here to support you every step of the way. Call us today at +44 (0) 333 305 9375 to learn how we can assist with your school search needs.
What is a Relocation School Search?
A relocation school search identifies and evaluates great schools for your child when you’re moving to a new area. At Total Law Relocations, we start with a consultation to see what matters most to you and find the best school placements available based on your brief and budget.
We help you find schools with great test scores or regulatory ratings; schools with top reputations, low teacher turnover, parental reviews, schools with children who live near you, and environments where your child is supported, challenged, and comfortable as they adjust, like you, to their new surroundings.
It is important to consider school search alongside housing, as where you live can impact where your children go to school. We can combine the process of house hunting and school placement, or simply work with you to find a school well-suited to your children’s continued education.
Why Is School Search Crucial When Relocating?
Changing schools can be tough for children, as their routines, friendships, and progress can be disrupted. Finding the right solution for them, focused on their key characteristics, is vital.
A strategic school search helps ensure a smoother move for the whole family. That’s why it’s so important to plan carefully. The school your child attends will impact:
- Academic progress: Not all schools follow the same curriculum or pace. Switching mid-year can create gaps if not handled thoughtfully.
- Social development: Being new can be stressful. Finding a school that prioritizes community and inclusion can ease the transition.
- Long-term outcomes: Early academic experiences influence future success. A strong fit can boost your child’s confidence and motivation.
- How their needs are catered for: Selecting schools mindfully is essential to those whose children have high-educational needs, whether it is extra language support, or support with learning difficulties.
Services That Can Help with School Search During Relocation
- School Search Consultants: These professionals help match families with schools based on academic needs, personality fit, and location.
- Relocation Agencies: Many offer educational placement services, especially for international moves.
- Personalized Support: Some firms (like Total Law) offer full-service relocation support including legal help, school placement, and post-enrollment follow-up.
Why Choose Total Law?
- All-in-One Support: From your first questions to post-enrollment help. We go beyond schooling to aid you with school searches, school viewings (both virtually and in person), school registration support, temporary housing assistance, and cultural and language orientation.
- Legal Expertise: We can help ensure that you and your children have the correct visa documentation and that their application goes through error-free.
- Global Reach: We work with schools, embassies, and local authorities around the world, so that we can offer unique, on-the-ground, localized support tailored to you.
- Customized Recommendations: Every family and child is different—our approach reflects that. We create an education profile for your child, understand their key requirements, and ensure our school search is completely customized to both the parents’ and child’s needs. We offer school search support for special educational needs and vulnerable children.
- Time-Saving: Say goodbye to endless Google searches and phone calls. We handle it all from start to finish.
Our experts are ready to help you find the best school for your situation. We ensure bespoke school placements for your children. Get in touch to get started with a school search consultation. Call +44 (0) 333 305 9375 or contact us online.
Understanding Your Schooling Options in a New Country or Region
Different places mean different school systems. Here’s a quick overview of what to look for:
Local vs. International Schools: Local schools are often more affordable and immersive, while international schools offer globally recognized curriculums (like IB or British/American systems). Choosing which option is right for your children depends not only on your budget, but also on various other factors. For example, where you are moving to and the language of the tuition you would prefer.
Most tuition in Asia and much of continental Europe is taught in the prominent local language. If you want your children to be taught in English and attend a public school, you will find more options in English-speaking countries like the UK, Ireland, the US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
If you are moving to a country where English is not spoken widely and you want your children to be taught in English, your options may be more limited, and in some places you may be limited to private and international schools. This typically incurs a cost, whereas public schools are normally government or council-funded for all children, whether they are citizens or expats on visa pathways.
Curriculums, academic calendars, and grading systems can also vary widely from one country to another, particularly in private schools, whereas international schooling is designed to adhere to international standards. It has more of a ‘pick it up, put it down’ simplicity and seamlessness that can be more appealing to expat families.
Types of Schools:
- Public (government-funded)
- Private (tuition-based)
- Charter and magnet schools (specialized programs, independently run)
- International schools
Important Criteria to Evaluate When Choosing a School
- Curriculum Fit: Does the school’s approach align with your child’s strengths and learning style?
- Language Support: ESL programs? Bilingual instruction?
- Support Services: Programs for gifted or special needs students?
- Extracurriculars: Arts, music, sports, technology and more.
- Specialist Subjects: Which departments have the best reputations, and do those align with your child’s needs?
- School Culture: Diversity, inclusion, and community values.
- Costs: Is the tuition affordable, or if it is public, what are some of the costs you need to prepare for, like books and a uniform?
We understand that choosing a new school can be daunting, and there are a lot of ifs and buts. At Total Law Relocations we provide clarity, checks and clear communication to help you make the school move you need. Call +44 (0) 333 305 9375 for immediate assistance.
Comparing Schooling Systems in Countries Around the World
| Country | School Age & Structure | Public vs. Private Options | Estimated Annual Cost (USD) | Language of Instruction / English Availability | Quality of Education |
| USA | K–12 (5–18): Elementary, Middle, High | Public schools are free; a wide private network | Public: Free Private: $12k–$35k Intl: $25k–$45k | Public: English Intl: English | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Very strong system; wide variability by state |
| Canada | K–12 (5–18): Elementary, Secondary | Mostly public; moderate private sector | Public: Free Private: $8k–$25k Intl: $15k–$30k | English & French (in some regions) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Excellent public education, high literacy |
| Ireland | Primary (4–12), Secondary (12–18) | Mostly state-funded; some private | Public: Free Private: $5k–$20k | Public: English Intl: English | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Strong literacy and curriculum, globally ranked |
| Spain | Infantil (3–6), Primary, ESO, Bachillerato | Public, semi-private (concertado), private | Public: Free Semi-private: $1k–$3k Private: $6k–$15k | Public: Spanish Intl: English, bilingual schools common | ⭐⭐⭐ National quality improving; regional differences |
| Germany | Grundschule (6–10), then streamed | Free public schools; private & international available | Public: Free Private: $5k–$20k Intl: $15k–$30k | Public: German Intl: English options in urban areas | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Rigorous, structured; strong academic focus |
| Hong Kong | KG (3–6), Primary (6–12), Secondary (12–18) | Gov’t-funded & aided schools; competitive private sector | Public: ~$500 Private: $5k–$20k Intl: $15k–$40k | Cantonese in public; English in intl/private | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ High PISA scores, very competitive |
| Japan | KG (3–6), Elementary (6–12), JHS, HS | Public schools are low-cost; many private options | Public: ~$500–$1k Private: $6k–$15k Intl: $15k–$30k | Public: Japanese Intl: English (expat-focused) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Strong academics, discipline-focused culture |
| China | KG (3–6), Primary (6–12), JHS, SHS | Public varies; many elite private schools | Public: Free–$1k Private: $4k–$15k Intl: $15k–$35k | Public: Mandarin Intl: English available in major cities | ⭐⭐⭐ Academic excellence in STEM, rote-heavy |
| UK | Primary (5–11), Secondary (11–16), A-levels (16–18) | Free public schools; elite private schools | Public: Free Private: $15k–$45k Intl: $20k–$50k | Public: English Intl: English | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Globally respected, world-class private sector |
| Australia | Primary (5–12), Secondary (12–18) | Free public; private/Catholic widely used | Public: $500–$1k Private: $10k–$25k Intl: $20k–$35k | Public: English Intl: English | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Excellent balance of academics & student wellbeing |
Step-by-Step Process for Conducting a School Search During Relocation
- Initial Consultation: We create a profile of your child’s age, academic level, language proficiency, and special needs and discuss your expectations and the educational environment you are seek.
- Research Phase: We identify schools based on curriculum, reputation, and location that match your child’s profile and your brief as closely as possible.
- School Comparisons: We combine the schools we have found to provide a detailed comparative analysis. The goal of this process is to highlight your preferences. We compare key factors like class size, facilities, academic reputation, cost, and parent reviews.
- Organise Campus Tours, School Visits or Virtual Meet & Greets: The next step is for us to organise a meet and greet with teachers and faculty staff, and tour the schools and colleges you prefer. Whether it is a virtual or organised tour in person, it is a chance to ask questions, understand the goals, feel the environment of the school. It allows you to see teacher interactions and student engagement.
- Application and Enrollment Support: Finally, we can help you register, apply and enroll for your chosen school. We can help with the full registration process, gathering documents, prepping for interviews or entrance exams, and tracking deadlines.
Budgeting for School Costs During Relocation
Education can be expensive, especially internationally. Key things to budget for:
- Tuition and fees (if you don’t go for public schools)
- Uniforms, books, supplies
- Transportation or boarding (if applicable)
- Scholarships or financial aid options
Logistics: Location, Commute, and Transportation
- Commute Time: How long will it take to get to school?
- Transport Options: Is there a school bus? Public transit nearby?
- Schedule Compatibility: Does the school day fit with your work hours?
Helping Your Child Adapt to a New School and Culture
Supporting your child through this transition is essential. Tips include:
- Talk about the move early and often.
- Stay involved with the new school—attend events, meet teachers.
- Encourage language practice if you’re moving internationally.
- Look for peer mentorship programs or welcome committees.
- Validate their emotions and give them time to adjust.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Relocating and Choosing a School
- Starting Too Late: Good schools fill up fast.
- Ignoring Curriculum Compatibility: Not every system transfers easily.
- Choosing Based on Hype: What’s great for one family might not be for yours.
- Overlooking Support Needs: Especially important for students with learning differences.
Final Checklist for a Successful School Search
✅ Finalize your budget
✅ Plan for your child’s needs, and find curriculum matches
✅ Create shortlist of schools
✅ Understand how each school fits in with your goals, work commitments and lifestyle
✅ Schedule school visits, virtually or in person for your favourite schools
✅ Map out the transportation and logistics of how your child can get to and from school
✅ Emotionally prepare your child for the move
✅ Purchase uniforms, stationary and recommended books and learning materials
✅ Integrate your child into their new school and community with groups, mentors or specialist learning plans
At Total Law Relocations, we help with smooth schooling transitions, so you can concentrate on other areas of your move. We can also support you and your family with full relocation assistance from start to finish. Call us on +44 (0) 333 305 9375 or get in touch online to speak to an expert.
Relocation and beyond
Frequently Asked Questions
We give you trusted advice and actions during every step of your relocation. Here are some of the questions we hear every day:
It is most common to start your search “by address” finding schools within your destination area code. This might not combine all options, or give you a full overview of the schools available. If you have not chosen where to live, you can try searching “best schools in [your new location]”. You may want to tag ‘private’, ‘public’ or ‘international’ on to your search for more specific search results.
It can be challenging to coordinate and bring all of the information into one place to make a decision. You can use spreadsheets and tables to analyse your findings. The advantage of using a specialist school searching service is the connections, advice and level of information you can receive to make an informed decision. With hundreds of global partnerships Total Law Relocations can help you understand the options, giving you high-level overviews and comparisons without hours of research.
There are many ways to determine the suitability of a school for your child. First, understand their needs and their learning style to quickly highlight how those needs can be met in each educational environment. Understand the background of the school and students, highlighting the interests and the specialist after-school activities offered to see if the culture feels right.
The most important conversations are with school governor’s, students and teachers, so school visits, virtual or in person are the most essential way to understand if a school is right for your child. Come armed with a list of questions you want to ask, and observe carefully to see what they say and do.
Building a comprehensive list of must-haves and nice-to-haves can also help you in searching for the right school for your child. You may wish to focus on the facilities, the academic support available, the class sizes, school culture, headteacher’s reputation and what the parents think. Beyond that, it can be useful to read reviews and brochures.
Public schools are free and funded by taxes, private schools charge tuition, and charter schools are publicly funded but independently run.
Transferring schools is absolutely possible, even mid-year. In fact, many parents do this at some stage during the child’s educational journey. Start planning early, and contact both your current and future schools to coordinate the transition smoothly.
