GEMS Education Announces €40 Million International School in Limassol

GEMS Education, one of the world's largest private K-12 education providers, is expanding its European footprint with plans to develop a €40 million international school in Limassol, Cyprus. The project, delivered in partnership with CoolSide Development, aims to meet the growing demand for high-quality international education while reinforcing Limassol's position as a regional education and business hub.

The new campus will offer a British curriculum, accommodate nearly 1,900 students, and create more than 100 new jobs once operational.

GEMS Education Partners with CoolSide Development

The new educational complex will be developed through a partnership between CoolSide Development, which will hold the majority ownership stake, and GSM School Management (GSM), the advisory and operational arm of GEMS Education.

Founded in 1959 by Sunny Varkey, GEMS Education operates one of the largest global networks of private schools. Through GSM, the company will oversee the school's academic management, operational strategy, and integration into its international education network.

Construction Planned on Cyprus Church-Owned Land

The international school will be built in the Pyrgos area of Limassol on land owned by the Church of Cyprus. According to the environmental planning submission, construction is expected to begin once all regulatory approvals are secured. The development is scheduled to be completed within 22 months, with the entire project delivered in a single construction phase.

Designed to Meet Growing Demand for International Education

The school has been designed to serve both local families and Limassol's expanding international community. Initially, the campus will offer the British Curriculum for children aged 4 to 14. Additional year groups will be introduced annually until the school provides a complete educational pathway from Foundation Stage 1 (FS1) through Year 13, serving students aged 4 to 18.

The project is expected to support families living across Pyrgos, Parekklisia, Amathounta, and the wider Limassol region.

Capacity for Nearly 1,900 Students

Once fully operational, the campus will accommodate approximately 1,875 students, including:

• 250 students in pre-primary education
• 750 students in primary education
• 875 students in secondary education

The phased expansion model will allow the school to gradually increase enrolment while maintaining educational quality.

Modern Campus with World-Class Facilities

The new campus will occupy a 77,678-square-metre site, with dedicated areas for education, recreation, and community use. The development will include:

• Modern pre-primary, primary, and secondary school buildings
• Administration facilities
• Multi-purpose hall
• Modern theatre
• Olympic-standard indoor swimming pool
• Four outdoor sports courts
• Full-size football pitch
• Underground and surface parking with 169 spaces, including accessible parking
• Public green spaces and community facilities

The majority of the academic buildings will be two-storey structures designed to support a modern learning environment.

Boosting Employment and Regional Growth

Beyond expanding educational opportunities, the project is expected to create more than 100 new jobs, including teaching, administrative, leadership, and operational roles.

Local community leaders have welcomed the investment, noting that the new school will enhance educational access while strengthening the area's long-term economic development. The project also reflects Limassol's growing appeal as a destination for international businesses and expatriate families seeking globally recognised education options.

Supporting Cyprus as an International Education Hub

The agreement between GEMS Education and CoolSide Development currently operates under a non-binding cooperation framework, reflecting both organisations' commitment to bringing world-class education services to Cyprus.

As international investment and population growth continue across Limassol, the new campus is expected to further position the city as one of the leading education destinations in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Key Highlights

Why This Matters

Demand for international schools continues to rise in cities attracting multinational businesses, expatriate professionals, and globally mobile families. Investments such as GEMS Education's new Limassol campus demonstrate how education infrastructure is becoming a strategic driver of economic development. Beyond creating classrooms, projects like this strengthen local employment, attract international talent, and reinforce a city's reputation as a destination for global business and high-quality education.

Editor's Note

International schools have become more than educational institutions—they are often indicators of how a city is evolving. As business, migration, and global careers reshape communities, education providers are increasingly investing where international families choose to live and work. The Limassol project reflects this broader shift, highlighting how schools now play a central role in supporting economic growth, attracting global talent, and building internationally connected communities.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is GEMS Education planning in Cyprus?

GEMS Education plans to develop a €40 million international private school in Limassol in partnership with CoolSide Development.

2. Where will the new school be located?

The campus will be built in the Pyrgos area on land owned by the Church of Cyprus.

3. What curriculum will the school offer?

The school will follow the British Curriculum, initially serving students aged 4 to 14 before expanding to provide education from FS1 through Year 13.

4. How many students will the campus accommodate?

Once fully operational, the school will have capacity for approximately 1,875 students across pre-primary, primary, and secondary education.

5. What facilities will the campus include?

The development will feature modern classrooms, a theatre, an Olympic-standard indoor swimming pool, a football pitch, sports courts, administration buildings, community green spaces, and parking facilities.

6. How many jobs will the project create?

The new campus is expected to generate more than 100 teaching, administrative, and leadership positions.

7. When is the school expected to open?

Construction is expected to take approximately 22 months after all required approvals and permits are obtained.