Ljubljana, Slovenia Report of what it's like to live there - 07/18/25
Personal Experiences from Ljubljana, Slovenia
School Name:
Ljubljana International School
Background Information:
1. Are you the parent of a child(ren) attending this school? A teacher at the school? Or both?
I am a parent and a volunteer.
2. What grade or grades do/did your children attend at the school? During what year(s) did they attend the school?
PreK-1
3. What years did you live here?
2023-2026
4. What was your reason for living in the city where the school is located (e.g., government, military, corporate, NGO, retired)?
diplomatic mission
5. Are other schools available to expatriates in this city? Why did you choose this particular school?
After reviewing Danila Kumar, the EU school, and BISL, I decided LIS was the best fit for our daughter. It has an IB curriculum and most of the US Embassy kids would be in attendance. Other schools were also not as responsive to our requests for information over the summer.
Admissions & Welcome:
1. How would you rate the school's support and welcome/integration of new students and their families, and why?
When we arrived, we had all the information we needed to start the school year. We attended the open house for families the week before the first day and met the teacher, as well as other parents and students in the class. I volunteered to be homeroom parent, which allowed me to get to know the other families with students in PreK that year. Had I not volunteered for this position, it would've taken much longer for me to be a part of the school community and I actively chose to stay involved throughout our time here. I think the school could do more to welcome new families, especially those who don't speak English or Slovenian, but there is progress being made in this area.
Administration & School Procedures:
1. How is the overall communication between teachers and parents, and the administration and parents? How is communication facilitated?
Communication has varied over the course of our time due to different administrations. Currently, the administration takes a reactive approach instead of a proactive approach to handling communication issues. The school mostly uses the Toddle app to communicate with parents and consistency of use varies widely across grade levels depending on the teacher. There are also WhatsApp groups for parents of each grade level, run by the homeroom parent with support from the PTO. Again, use by grade level varies widely depending on involvement and interest of the parents in that class. We also get emails about bills, after school activities, etc.
Parents with multiple children at the school have complained that they are receiving too much communication because they get the same messages through Toddle multiple times. Some parents have also expressed a desire for more communication specifically explaining how their child is doing academically, which also varies by grade level and teacher. Members of the advisory board have asked if administration/ownership is interested in hiring a communications coordinator to help streamline things, but this has been denied.
2. Aside from school fees, are there required expenses such as uniforms, laptops/tablets, musical instruments, or field trips that parents are expected to cover? What are the approximate costs?
Parents cover field trips, after school activities, school supplies, etc throughout the year as the events come up.
Academics & Resources:
1. What personal or academic counseling resources are available at this school? Is there a dedicated college counselor at the school? Is he/she familiar with universities worldwide?
There is one counselor who mostly works at the upper campus. I don't know if she does university application work or just social emotional work.
2. Is there before and/or after-school daycare available? What are the costs?
There are after-school activities available for an extra charge at both campuses. There is also extended care at the lower campus until 5pm at the request of US Embassy employees, but this year the program depends on participation of at least 3 students.
3. Does the school have a library? How large is it? How updated are the books? Can students borrow books to read at home?
Both campuses have small libraries. The rooms are physically small and not all of the books the school owns fit in them (the rest are in storage off campus). The upper campus has a part-time librarian who also coordinates service learning and does not have much time to devote to maintaining the library and catalog. Each class in grades 2-5 gets a library skills class once per week. Students can access the library whenever and check out books freely.
I have been the volunteer librarian at the lower campus for the past 2 years since they do not have anyone in that role. I have done a lot of work to solicit donations to add updated titles to the collection since there was no money allotted for library in the budget. I meet with each class in grades PreK-2 once per week so they can check out books. The school does not prioritize the library and I hope it continues to function in the future when I am no longer a volunteer.
4. What are the technology requirements for students? Do they need their own laptops/ipads? How is technology integrated into the classroom and homework?
I am not sure about the upper campus, but in PreK they did not use laptops or ipads at all. This past year in K & 1 they shared a bank of laptops and mostly used them for MAP testing, but also began to have students spend some time on reading and math apps.
There was no homework in PreK or K, but teachers began encouraging reading at home. I think grade 1 had the occasional homework page to complete.
I have heard upper campus parents complain in the past that students were using their devices too much at school and they wished for more learning to happen in textbooks instead.
5. How are information technology resources at the school. Are they up-to-date? Is there a computer lab?
There is no computer lab. There are not enough devices for all students in grades K and 1 to use computers at the same time.
6. Describe the physical education resources at the school. Is there a gym? A swimming pool? Are there playing fields or tennis courts available?
The lower campus has a nice, small gym in the building that is also used for after-school activities and events.The upper campus built a bubble gym outside, which is also rented out in the evenings to outside vendors. The bubble gym is scheduled to come down summer 2026, and there is not a real plan for when it is gone, as far as I know. There is a soccer field and a basketball court at the upper campus, as well.
7. What is the approximate teacher-to-student ratio in the grades that your child attended?
The school says they are committed to maximum 15:1, but they have not always honored that unless parents complain. A couple grades have been split mid-year when enrollment exceeded what parents were happy with. In PreK, my daughter's class had 15 kids. In K, they started with 8 and ended with 14. PreK-2 will all have assistants this coming year.
8. Are Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) courses available in upper grades? If this is an IB school, is the full diploma required of all students?
The school got its PYP certification in 2024, its MYP certification in 2025, and is awaiting to hear if they get their IBDP certification now. The high school also offers AP courses. As of now, high school students can choose if they want an AP diploma, the IB diploma, or a regular diploma.
9. Are students generally challenged appropriately by the curriculum? Please describe any particular strengths or weaknesses in this area. Do you have any thoughts how the curriculum is applied and implemented at this school?
I believe that students are not adequately challenged up to the standard they would receive in the US at all grade levels. I think that PreK-grade 4 is stronger than MYP or high school, and I believe the lower campus (PreK-2) is stronger than the upper campus. I would not send my child to this school after elementary level. The school would benefit from adopting a common phonics program and a math curriculum across grade levels. I would also like to see more focus on writing at the elementary level. Teachers could use more professional development to help them feel more confident implementing the IB program.
10. Is the amount and type of homework generally appropriate for the age and grade of the students?
It was appropriate for PreK-1.
11. What fine arts electives are available (music, drama, visual arts)?
Students at the lower campus have music and dance weekly, and an art class is supposed to be on the schedule for the upcoming school year. The after-school creative arts program is strong and the teachers are wonderful. Students can sign up for individual or group music lessons (ie. singing, guitar, piano, band).
12. Are the teachers at the school required to speak English as a first language--or at least fluently?
Yes, all speak English, but it's a mix of native and nonnative speakers.
13. What services are available for gifted/advanced students at the school? Please describe your experience with these services, if applicable.
There are none.
14. What services are available for students with learning disabilities at this school? Please describe your experience with these services, if applicable.
The lower campus has a learning support teacher, but I don't think she is qualified to teach special ed the way teachers are in the US. The upper campus also has learning support staff but I can't speak to their qualifications. I would do a lot of research before enrolling a child with a learning disability here and ensure that the school has the resources to adequately meet the child's needs.
15. What services are available for students with physical disabilities at this school? Please describe your experience with these services, if applicable.
There are none. The school has enrolled its first student in a wheelchair at the lower campus this year and I am curious to see how it goes.
16. What services are provided for speakers of English as a second language at this school? Please describe your experience with these services, if applicable.
There is an ELL teacher at the upper campus. I'm not sure how that works there. At the lower campus it is up to the classroom teachers to meet those students' needs. In my opinion, this area could be stronger.
17. What extra-curricular activities (including sports) are available at this school? Have your children participated in these activities? What activities do you feel are missing at the school?
See above for information about creative arts activities. The school has included some sports more casually in after school activities, like swimming, judo, roller blading, etc. There are no opportunities for team or organized sports at the lower campus. The upper campus participates in friendly matches against other schools in basketball and soccer, but I don't know enough to say more. I don't think there are enough students to make more formal sports teams. The school takes kids on annual skiing and swimming trips.
Social & Emotional Well-Being:
1. What is the climate for children with special needs? Is there a general attitude of inclusion for children with special needs?
I think the attitude of inclusion is growing as the school enrolls more students with special needs.
2. What is the climate for LGBT+ kids at this school? Are there resources they can draw upon? Does there appear to be any exclusionary behavior?
I have heard that LIS is generally more inclusive than other International schools here.
3. Do expatriate students socialize with local students at the school? Are both groups successfully integrated into the school culture?
At the lower campus, definitely yes.
4. Are there are any problems with exclusionary behavior, cliques, or bullying at this school? Please describe any problems your children may have experienced in this area.
Not at the lower campus. One issue at the upper campus is the widespread use of bad language, particularly in front of the younger students.
5. What is the climate for students who identify as ethnic, race/racial minorities or religious minorities at this school? Are there resources they can draw upon? Have your children had any experiences in this area?
I have heard that LIS is generally more inclusive than other International schools here.
Overall Impressions:
1. What letter grade (ranging from A, excellent, to F, fail) would you assign to this school based on your overall experience? Would you choose it again?
C. The school has made some improvements from our first year in attendance, but still has a long way to go. I would send my child here again for the lower grades, but not above grade 4 or 5. The school is desperately in need of an energetic and enthusiastic administration who is committed to more than just a couple years.
2. Please describe some of your child's/children's highlights and challenges during their time at this school.
My daughter's friendships are wonderful. The teachers at the lower campus are extremely nurturing and caring. They not only spend time on academics, but also on social skills and overall wellbeing of students. My daughter has not grown much academically, but she has grown impressively in so many other ways. She has also had opportunities to try so many new things, like sleeping away from home.
3. Please tell us anything else you think prospective parents and students should know about this school. Thanks for your contribution!
Do your research and investigate whether LIS is the right place for your child, particularly if they are in upper elementary and beyond or if they have any special needs. There is great potential here and you can help make LIS a better school for those who come after you if you are able!
