By curriculum
9 agencies say they recruit for American curriculum schools, including Alliance Recruitment Agency, International Teachers Plus and Totally Teach.
American-curriculum schools overseas use US grade levels, standards-based planning and, in older years, courses such as Advanced Placement. Quality assurance comes from regional accrediting bodies, not from the Department for Education, and teacher expectations differ from those in the British system.
If your background is UK-based, this page explains the bodies you will encounter and what to ask.
Cognia describes its accreditation as performance-based and recognised in more than 100 countries, with an initial two-year accreditation and a six-year continuing term. The Middle States Association says it has members in 117 countries. NEASC's Commission on International Education accredits international and American schools from primary through secondary school, and WASC's Accrediting Commission for Schools says it has served international schools since 1962.
The Council of International Schools is a separate membership community that also runs international accreditation. Schools sometimes hold more than one.
NEASC describes its process as continuous self-reflection plus peer review, and MSA says more than 11,000 volunteers from its accredited schools serve on review teams. As a result, teachers in accredited schools often take part in self-study committees and visit preparation.
Schools differ on whether they want a US state teaching licence, a British qualification such as QTS or PGCE, or a degree in the subject. We found no source that sets a rule for all American schools abroad. Ask the recruiter what the school accepts, and whether the school will help with licensing.
Ask too about the school year. Many American-style schools run to a calendar that differs from the English term pattern, which affects when contracts start and when hiring happens.
Recruitment agency
Says it places teachers, professors and trainers in international schools, universities and training academies in 36+ countries
Recruitment agency · Ottawa, Canada
Places teachers in schools in the Middle East and Asia, many on British or American curricula
Recruitment agency · Hangzhou, China
Specialist bespoke recruitment of international teachers; says it was founded in 2018 and works with over 300 global schools
Recruitment agency · York, United Kingdom
Connects teachers with international schools across Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Africa and the Caribbean
Recruitment agency · London, United Kingdom
Connects qualified teachers with schools in Dubai and the wider Middle East
Recruitment agency
Places teaching staff in international schools across the Middle East
Recruitment agency · Melbourne, Australia
Connects international schools with educators from executive leaders to early childhood specialists
Recruitment agency · Willenhall, United Kingdom
Provides teachers to American, Anglo-American, British and international schools worldwide
Search firm / recruitment fairs · London, United Kingdom
Education recruiter with an international leadership appointments practice
Often yes, since each school sets its own entry criteria. Ask what the school accepts in place of a US licence.
Both are accreditors that serve international schools. Cognia is US-based and serves schools worldwide, while CIS is a membership community that runs international accreditation. Schools may hold either or both.
It varies by body. Cognia reports an initial two-year term followed by a six-year continuing term. Other bodies set their own cycles.