International schools first founded in Kyiv in the 1990s, but they have recently started to shed their image as havens for expatriate children by attracting a growing number of Ukrainians.

It's a good fit for both parties. The schools need pupils, and many Ukrainian parents are seeking international, foreign-language education for their youngsters.

In many schools, the ratios of the Ukrainian students to international are nearly the same: In Anne de Kiev, a French school, native French speakers total 40 percent of the students, with another 40 percent comprised of Ukrainian children and the final 30 percent from other nationalities.

"25 years ago, international education was focused mainly on expats. But by now, with countries such as Britain looking to invite people from all over the world into their educational systems, schools have had to change to adapt to new demands," noted Phil Billing, executive director of the British International School in the capital. "Ukraine is an quickly developing country and many parents realize the benefits of international education for their children's futures."

The number of students in international schools is growing rapidly in Kyiv. Moreover, according to school directors, despite annual tuition fees starting from around USD 4,500 (for pre-school) to upwards of USD 24,000 (for final-year pupils), the popularity of the schools continued to increase, even during the financial crisis.

Kyiv offers a range of options, with schools teaching in different foreign languages - English, German and French. Many Ukrainian parents are attracted by the fact that teaching is conducted largely or entirely in a foreign language.