How to Email an International School with Templates and Tips

Email is still the safer choice for anything you'll want in writing later, a fee quote, deposit terms, or a specific promise about learning support. WhatsApp is faster, but it's harder to point back to six weeks on if something was agreed and then forgotten. A clear subject line and a short, well-structured email tend to get faster replies than a long one, mostly because admissions staff can tell within a sentence what you actually need.

First enquiry

Subject: Admissions enquiry: [Year Group], [Month/Year] entry

Dear Admissions Team,

My name is [Name] and I'm enquiring about a place for my [son/daughter], age [X], for [Year Group] starting [Month/Year]. We are currently based in [City/Country] and relocating to / already living in [City].

Could you please advise on current availability, the application process, and any documents required at this stage? We'd also welcome information on your next open day or visit slots.

Thank you for your time. Kind regards, [Name]

Following up on an application

Subject: Following up: [Child's name] application, [Year Group]

Dear [Admissions contact name],

I'm writing to follow up on the application submitted on [date] for [Child's name]. Could you kindly confirm whether all required documents have been received, and provide an update on the timeline for a decision?

Thank you, and please let me know if anything further is needed from us. Kind regards, [Name]

Raising a specific requirement before applying

Subject: Learning support enquiry ahead of application

Dear Admissions Team,

Before applying, we'd like to understand more about the learning support available at your school. Our [son/daughter] [brief description of need, e.g. has a diagnosis of ADHD / receives speech and language support]. Could someone from your learning support or SEN team advise on provision, and whether an assessment is required as part of admissions?

Thank you, we appreciate your guidance. Kind regards, [Name]

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.

Check school profile on doris or school website before you write the email

Admissions staff can tell within a line or two whether you've read the school's own page. Asking something the website already answers clearly, term dates, curriculum, whether they take your child's age group, wastes your first impression on a question that didn't need asking. It also means skipping generic flattery ("we've heard wonderful things about your prestigious school") in favour of one or two specific, real reasons you're considering them. Specific reads as genuine interest. Generic reads as a template.

A few small tips

Put the year group and intended start date directly in the subject line, so the email routes to the right person the first time instead of bouncing between inboxes. Hold off on attaching previous school reports until asked, an unsolicited large attachment can get an email flagged as spam before a human even sees it. And if you're contacting several schools at once, a simple running log, who you emailed, when, and what they said back, saves real confusion two weeks in when three schools have replied with three different timelines.

FAQ

How long should I wait before following up on an email? Five to seven working days is reasonable for a first enquiry. If you're on a tight relocation timeline, say so in the original email and it's fair to follow up a little sooner.

Should I email the general admissions address or try to find a named contact? Start with the general address unless the school's own site names a specific person for your year group. Named contacts usually just forward it internally anyway.

Is it okay to send the same message to several schools? Yes, but adjust the school's name and anything specific to it. An email that's obviously copy-pasted with the wrong school name attached can undo a lot of goodwill fast.

What should I attach to a first enquiry email? Usually nothing yet. Wait until the school actually requests documents, previous reports, passport copies, immunisation records, and send exactly what's asked for.

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.