Greengates School

Mexico City, Mexico

About Greengates School: Greengates School is known as one of Mexico’s leading British international schools. It’s part of the Nord Anglia Education group, and has been around for 70 years.

School Mission: To be the most forward-thinking, technology-enabled educators in the world, using its global reach and world-class teachers to create a learning experience like no other.

Visit the school’s website for more details.

ITF Review
(Based on Independent Research)

Would you recommend this school to other teaching families?

Highly recommend – although some of the latest reviews have mentioned a decline in quality of leadership, the package overall suggests it is decent for teaching families. Mexico City itself offers a great lifestyle for families looking to live in Latin America.

Overall compensation package rating

While tax is high (30%) the typical salary for teachers is good for the region and offers the ability to live comfortably and save (subject to your lifestyle).

Tuition benefits

Tuition for two children is covered per teacher at this school (90% discount only).

Housing

A staff accommodation benefit is included as part of your teaching package. It may not be enough to cover all rent costs (depending on your choice of apartment or home).

Flights

Annual flights are provided for teachers and their family.

Healthcare

Private healthcare is provided as part of your teaching package to cover teacher and family.

Adjustment for kids

The school is home to over 1,000 students with a mix of international and local students.

Average class sizes

Class sizes average between 20 and 25 for the majority of age groups, but post 16 students classes are smaller.

Teaching experience required

While the school prefers teachers with a minimum experience of two years, they do accept newly qualified teachers. Recruitment typically starts in December for an August start.

Curriculum

International Primary, IGCSE / GCSE, IB (DP).

Retirement/pension benefits

The school pays into a state pension scheme for teachers.

School history & stability

The school has a solid history – it was first established in 1951.

Greengates School – Additional Benefits

  • Profit sharing scheme
  • Free school lunches
  • Laptop allowance
  • Relocation allowance at beginning and end of contract
  • Christmas bonus
  • Personal leave days
  • 2 hours extra curricular per week
  • Allowance for language lessons

What Teachers are Saying Online About Greengates School

Greengates offers one of the best packages in Mexico City. Most students are hardworking and kind, but we’ve experience poor leadership and management recently. And an overall lack of consistency.

CURRENT TEACHER, GREENGATES SCHOOL

I taught in Mexico pre COVID. We loved it, students were awesome and the social life was phenomenal. But I didn’t save a lot of money so it wasn’t sustainable. I’d recommend it for the experience

EX TEACHER, MEXICO CITY

Mexico City is fabulous although inflation levels can be up and down which makes it a little challenging at times. There are a few good schools like Greengates, where you can make decent money, especially with good experience and higher degrees.

EX INTERNATIONAL TEACHER, MEXICO CITY
Delicious Mexican tacos with sauces and lime, paired with local Mexican beer
Colourful street parade in Mexico showing traditional costumes.
Colourful cityscape with large Mexican flag - what you can expect to see if you visit the country when working at Greengates School.

Safety, Adaptability & Cost of Living

  • Safety: Fair to Moderate – Mexico City is a big city, so different areas can be safer than others. The neighbourhoods popular with expats and close to Greengates School include Lomas de Chapultepec and Polanco. These are generally considered safe. Like all big cities, stay alert when travelling around the city and avoid unfamiliar areas at night.
  • Moderate – Spanish is the primary language in Mexico City. While some locals speak English, learning some basic Spanish will go a long way. Many expat families love the city – with welcoming people, lots to do for kids and a vibrant culture.
  • Cost of Living: Moderate to High – Mexico City offers affordable options for groceries, public transport, and casual dining. But if you’re looking for imported goods, and quality housing in expat-preferred neighbourhoods it can be expensive. According to our research, Greengates School offers a competitive salary package, and most teaching families can live comfortably while enjoying a good quality of life.

General Overview for Teaching Families

Greengates School is one of the most established and respected British international schools in Mexico. Founded in 1951, the school offers a strong academic program based on the English National Curriculum. It also includes the International Baccalaureate Programme. Located in Naucalpan, just outside Mexico City, Greengates has over 1,000 students representing more than 50 nationalities. The school is academically selective and places a strong emphasis on high achievement, with recent IB Diploma results consistently outperforming global averages.

Greengates is part of the Nord Anglia Education group, which provides access to world-class professional development and global learning opportunities through partnerships with institutions such as The Juilliard School, MIT, and King’s College London. Instruction is delivered in English, although Spanish and French are also taught. The faculty includes approximately 120 teachers, who come from the UK, US, and other English-speaking countries.

The school year runs from August to June, and teacher benefits package include a competitive local salary in Mexican pesos, a sterling displacement allowance, housing support or a rent subsidy, major medical insurance, annual return flights, and end-of-contract gratuity. Teachers also receive help with visas, relocation, and settling into life in Mexico City.

Mexico City itself is an amazing place to live as a family. It offers a rich cultural life, world-class cuisine, and a growing expat community. Neighbourhoods such as Lomas de Chapultepec, Polanco, and Condesa offer secure and comfortable living environments within commuting distance of the school (but be prepared for busy traffic). Like any major city, safety varies by area, but most expat families find a good balance of affordability and quality of life in well-established zones.

Do you currently teach at Greengates in Mexico? Please get in touch to share your experience, of fill out our teacher survey to let us know more!

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