How to Contact an International School on WhatsApp (Templates Included)

A growing number of international schools list a WhatsApp number for admissions, and for families juggling time zones mid-relocation, it's often the fastest way to get a real person on the other end. But WhatsApp blurs the line between casual and formal faster than email does, so the tone matters more here, not less. Keep it a notch more formal than a message to a friend, even if the reply comes back with an emoji. Below are templates you can copy, adjust to your situation, and send as they are.

General enquiry

Hello, my name is [Name] and I'm enquiring on behalf of my [son/daughter], age [X]. We're currently based in [City/Country] and considering [City] for [relocation/current residence]. Could you tell me if you have availability for [Year Group] starting [Month/Year], and what the admissions process involves? Thank you.

Requesting a visit or open day slot

Hello, we'd like to arrange a visit, or attend your next open day if one is scheduled. We're interested in [Year Group] for [Month/Year] entry. Could you share available dates and what to bring? Thank you, [Name].

Asking about fees and availability

Hello, could you confirm the current annual tuition fees for [Year Group], along with any registration or capital deposit required to secure a place? We'd also appreciate knowing current waitlist status for [Month/Year] entry. Thank you.

Flagging a specific requirement upfront

Hello, my child has [brief description, e.g. mild dyslexia / requires EAL support] and we'd like to understand what learning support the school provides before applying. Could someone from your learning support team advise? Thank you, [Name].

Check it's actually the school's number

Before you send anything, check the number matches what's listed on the school's own website or its doris profile. Genuine school accounts are usually set up as WhatsApp Business profiles, which show a business name, a short description and sometimes a green verified badge when you open the chat. A number that only appears on a third-party forum or an old social media post is worth double-checking by email first.

How to contact school via doris

Step 1: view school profile 

Step 2: Pick your enquiry and contact school directly 

Step 3: Fill-up your questions, and you'll get the answer from your dashboard in no time. 

note: Some schools on doris have a contact option, while others don’t. If you can’t find contact details, visit the school’s website and check its “Contact Us” or “Admissions” page.

How to get a reply faster

Send during the school's working hours in its own time zone, not yours, a message that lands at 2am local time often sits unread until admissions clears the backlog from the day before it. Keep the first message short enough to read on a phone screen without scrolling, and save the longer, detailed questions for a call or email once contact is established. If nothing comes back within three working days, a short, polite follow-up is completely normal, not pushy, admissions inboxes get busier than most schools let on.

One more thing worth knowing: a slow WhatsApp reply doesn't always mean disinterest on the school's side. Smaller schools sometimes run admissions through one part-time staff member juggling several channels at once. If you've had a good conversation elsewhere (email, a visit), don't read too much into a quiet WhatsApp thread.

FAQ

Is WhatsApp an acceptable first point of contact for schools? Yes. Most international schools that list a WhatsApp number treat it as a standard admissions channel, on the same footing as email.

Should I send voice notes or stick to text? Text for the first message. It's easier for admissions staff to forward, search or file later. Save voice notes for once there's an ongoing conversation and a bit more familiarity.

What if the school only replies in the local language? Reply in English and ask politely whether someone in admissions can continue in English. Most international schools have at least one staff member who can.

How do I even find a school's WhatsApp number? Check the school's own website first. Failing that, search for the school on doris, where contact details are listed directly on the school's profile page.

doris is a free, impartial international school discovery platform designed to help parents find the right international school for their children worldwide. Every school profile includes fees, curriculum, admissions, pupil numbers and more. Parents can compare schools, contact schools directly, access expert parent guides, and connect with a community of parents around the world. Start your search at doris.

This guide was written by Aziza F, part of the doris editorial team. doris sources school data from institutions worldwide and speaks directly with parents navigating the school search process. Fee data reflects published and publicly available information for the 2026 to 2027 academic year and is reviewed annually. External sources: school admissions pages, doris parent community.

Schools are listed for informational purposes only. doris does not rank or promote any school.