School advice for family relocating to Dublin

[sarahnovember]

We are an American family relocating to Dublin next summer (already based in Europe). I know the rental situation is a mess, but I'm more concerned with school placement for our three boys in grades 3, 6 (junior) and 2 (senior) next year. We are not religious and I'm curious about the Educate Together curriculum. Are some better than others? Which are considered top locations? Would gladly welcome any other advice on the best private schools (ideally mixed). Many thanks!

The Gaelscoilenna are very popular on both the Northside & Southside. All subject done through Irish & are free. Very high standard of education & the children end up bilingual or trilingual in your case!

I thought the Gaelscoilenna required parents to have a cúpla focal at a minimum, which is extremely unlikely for the OP. Plus they are generally full.

I'd imagine most parents with L. C Gaeilge could string a cúpla focal together. They are generally full though & hard to get into. However my niece is in a gs on the Northside, she has Polish twins in her class that's she's v friendly with. The twins are flying with the Irish despite only speaking Polish at home, they also have perfect English..

Well, yes, but the OP's family is American currently living in Austria, I doubt any of them have leaving cert Irish.

I think it would be very unwise to place your 12 year old in 2nd year. Not from an academic point of view, but socially it would be very difficult for them. They will be by far the youngest in the year, probably younger than many 1st years. I have had 3 go through the secondary system here, and I really advise you against doing that, no matter what the schools might say.

A secondary school place is going to be your biggest challenge. As others have said, St Killians would be my first port of call, but most of the schools mentioned here would have long waiting lists. Colomba's in Rathfarnham has a lot of expat students, it's mixed, mostly boarding. You'd be going against traffic in the morning so the commute wouldn't be too bad. It's a nice school, good pastoral care, but at the higher end of the fees scale.

If you're having trouble finding a primary with places, Castle Park in Dalkey has a lot of expat pupils and usually has places available. Again it's a nice environment.

Don't underestimate the difficulty in finding somewhere to live! If you can access a relocation service through your employer then do, they have ways of finding houses that don't go on the letting websites.

Best of luck with your move.

I didn't realise the op was American! Scratch the Gaelscoils off the list so 😊

Hi, our 6 year old is at St Kilians. Its great for is. Well organised, lots of activities, good aftercare. I was really keen on a mixed, not religious school, a rare thing in South dublin. The down side is the traffic!

@sarahnovember - is it this summer (as in the summer of 2023) or next summer ('24) that you're moving to Ireland?

I was just going through some of my old threads and came across this one and was wondering how things were going for you.

our kids are ages 7, 10 & 12 and we're applying for 3rd class, 6th class and 2nd year in September.

I would also reconsider the class being suggested. I have primary children in South Dublin, both were 8 going into 3rd class, one turned 9 in the November and was still far from eldest in the class. 12 is too young for 2nd year, 1st year would suit better, starting the secondary school cycle - you won’t br holding them back, it’s a different curriculum. They all stay in school later in Austria so the extra year is at the end.