Northlands School

Buenos Aires, Argentina

About Northlands School: Northlands School is a coeducational, bilingual IB World School. The school values its Anglo-Argentine roots and respects all cultures, religions and nationalities. With almost 2,000 students, the school has two sites in Zona Norte, Buenos Aires.

School Vision: That the school approach teaching, learning and living in the spirit of the International Baccalaureate, encouraging students to achieve their personal best by uncovering their talents and preparing them to become engaged global citizens, continuing to truly live up to the School motto of Friendship and Service.

Head to the school’s website for further details and information.

ITF Review
(Based on Independent Research)

Would you recommend this school to other teaching families?

Yes – although the salary isn’t as much as you could achieve in other destinations, it does offer full tuition for kids, a generous housing allowance and private health insurance. If you’re looking for bilingual opportunities for your children it’s a great option – but depending on your child’s age be mindful that integration may be challenging to begin with without at least basic Spanish.

Overall compensation package rating

The salary is decent for Latin America and should be enough to support a family (depending on your lifestyle) with some ability for savings. The tax rate is 25%.

Tuition benefits

100% tuition is provided for teacher children (no cap).

Housing

The school provides a generous housing allowance as part of the teaching package.

Flights

Like many schools in this region, flights are included at the beginning and end of placement.

Healthcare

Private health insurance is included in the package.

Adjustment for kids

The school is large (around 2,000 students) and while the majority are Argentinian, the school claims to have at least 50 different nationalities represented at the school.
Like many schools in Latin America, it can be challenging for some kids due to language barriers (if they don’t speak Spanish). Although English is spoken in school, socially the majority of students are likely to use Spanish.

Average class sizes

Class sizes typically average between 20 and 25 students across all age levels.

Teaching experience required

The majority of teachers are local, making obtaining an international position here quite competitive. You’ll need a teaching qualification and at least two years teaching experience.

Curriculum

British and international – offering IGCSE, PYP and DP (no MYP currently).

Retirement/pension benefits

The school offers a private pension scheme as part of the teacher benefits.

School history & stability

The school has a solid history – founded by two English women in 1920. One of the original founders, Winifred Brightman, was the head of the school for 40 years.

Northlands School – Additional Benefits

  • Relocation allowance (start)
  • Language lesson allowance
  • Laptop allowance
  • Lunch provided for teachers

What Teachers are Saying About Northlands School

Based on my experience, the school has a problem recruiting and keeping their teachers.

EX TEACHER, ARGENTINA

I’d say it’s one of the best schools in the country. It’s an excellent work environment with good staff benefits, but the salary could certainly be improved.

CURRENT TEACHER AT NORTHLANDS SCHOOL

The students are Northlands are clever, energetic, respectful and responsible. And they are also loud!

EX-TEACHER AT NORTHLANDS SCHOOL
  • Colourful wooden houses in La Boca district in Buenos Aires, Argentina - a place you can visit if working at Northlands School.
  • Architecture in Buenos Aires, Argentina - black and white image
  • Bustling San Nicolas Street market in Buenos Aires with stalls and crowds

Safety, Adaptability & Cost of Living

  • Safety: Good – Buenos Aires is a large city and safety varies depending on where you live. Both campuses of Northlands are located in the northern suburbs, which is considered one of the safer and more family-friendly areas. Many expat teachers and families choose to live nearby in residential zones such as San Isidro, Martínez, or Vicente López. As with any major Latin American city, a sensible level of awareness is important, but day-to-day life in Olivos and surrounding areas is generally secure and comfortable.
  • Adaptability: High – The northern suburbs are home to a significant expat community, making the transition smoother for new arrivals. While Spanish is key for everyday life, even a basic understanding helps a lot, and you’ll find many locals in this area used to interacting with international families. Olivos and nearby San Isidro offer a suburban feel, with cafés, restaurants, and supermarkets, plus easy access to green spaces and the riverfront. The main challenge is traffic.
  • Cost of Living: Moderate – Housing in Olivos, San Isidro, and other northern suburbs tends to be more expensive than other areas. Domestic help is accessible, and local markets offer excellent fresh produce at reasonable prices. Dining out ranges from affordable neighborhood parrillas (steakhouses) to high-end restaurants. Imported goods and international brands can be costly, while utilities are moderate, with internet and mobile services reliable but sometimes pricier than expected.

General Overview for Teaching Families

Northlands School is a not-for-profit bilingual international school founded in 1920. With campuses in Olivos and Nordelta in the northern suburbs of Buenos Aires, it educates students from early childhood through Grade 12. Over the years, it has become one of Argentina’s most prestigious international schools, combining strong local traditions with a globally recognised curriculum.

The school has around 2,000 students supported by approximately 450 teaching staff. While most students are local, the community includes families from nearly 50 nationalities. Instruction is delivered primarily in English and Spanish, with French also offered. Northlands is academically selective and offers a broad curriculum that includes the Argentine national curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, and the International Baccalaureate (PYP and DP).

The Olivos campus is located in a leafy, residential area just north of the city, while the Nordelta campus offers a more modern suburban setting. Both sites feature extensive facilities, including science labs, libraries, art and music rooms, sports fields, a semi-Olympic swimming pool, and spaces dedicated to performing arts and innovation. A wide range of extracurricular activities are available, such as rugby, hockey, robotics, ballet, theatre and more.

For teachers, Northlands offers the opportunity to work in a well-established, values-driven school with a guiding ethos of “Friendship and Service.” The school maintains a reputation for professional collaboration, bilingual teaching opportunities, and strong support for student development. While overseas hires are limited each year, international teachers can play an important role in reinforcing the school’s bilingual and global outlook.

Buenos Aires is a lively, cosmopolitan city, renowned for its European-inspired architecture, rich cultural life, and vibrant food scene. Teachers living in Olivos, San Isidro, or nearby northern neighborhoods enjoy quieter, family-friendly communities with easy access to parks, the riverfront, and a strong expat network, while still being within reach of the city center.

Are you currently working at Northlands School? We’d love to hear from you. Please get in touch with us to share your experiences, or fill out our teacher survey to help other international educators considering a move to Buenos Aires.

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