East Asia Regional Council of Schools (EARCOS)
entry by Julie M. Marx, Global Family Expert at Expat Valley
The East Asia Regional Council of Schools (EARCOS) is a non-profit regional association of international schools in East Asia that use English as the primary language of instruction and serve students from pre-K through grade 12. It brings together 150-200 member schools and a large number of associate members, including universities and educational service providers, to promote high-quality, student-centered education. EARCOS advances education through annual leadership and teachers’ conferences, professional development institutes, collaborative research, and student activities such as leadership events, service learning, and Model United Nations. Founded in 1968, it has become a key professional hub for international school leaders, counselors, and teachers across East Asia, fostering shared standards, networking, and regional advocacy. Membership is open to elementary and secondary schools in East Asia, as well as to organizations and individuals that support the Council’s objectives, making it a central node in the global ecosystem of international education associations.
Comparable terms
ECIS (Professional Bodies); AAIE (Professional Bodies); Association of International Schools in Africa (AISA) (Professional Bodies); Central and Eastern European Schools Association (CEESA) (Professional Bodies); Tri-Association (Professional Bodies); Association of American Schools in South America (AASSA) (Professional Bodies)
Why this matters
EARCOS is an important regional body for international schools educating globally mobile families in East Asia, shaping norms of practice, quality, and inclusion. Its conferences and institutes are major professional learning spaces for educators who support third culture kids, cross-cultural students, and neurodiverse learners in international schools. Understanding EARCOS helps global mobility professionals, coaches, and therapists situate school choices, transition programs, and wellbeing support within the wider infrastructure of international education. Recognizing its role also enables practitioners to leverage EARCOS resources and networks when advocating for better provision for globally mobile families.
Cross-references
Transition Program (Education); International School (Education); Inclusive International School (Neurodiversity & Medical Complexity Abroad); SEN/SEND (Education); Learning Support (Neurodiversity & Medical Complexity Abroad); FIGT (Professional Bodies); School Search Consultant (Professional Support Roles); CCT (Cultural Adaptation); Acculturation (Cultural Adaptation). These entries collectively map the ecosystem around EARCOS member schools: EARCOS convenes international schools and their leaders, where transition programs, learning support, and inclusive practice are implemented for TCKs and neurodivergent students, while school search consultants, FIGT, and cross-cultural training practitioners often intersect with this network when supporting globally mobile families.
Sources
East Asia Regional Council of Overseas Schools (EARCOS). International Schools Guangzhou: EARCOS overview.
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