Education and Schools in Istanbul
Istanbul International Community School
www.iics.k12.tr
Curriculum: International Baccalaureate Curriculum
Age: 4 to 18
Sex: Co-educational
The Istanbul International Community School is the oldest International School in Istanbul, open only to non-Turkish passport holders. Has international staff and follows the IB curriculum from primary school onwards. Serene campus set amongst fields. Its drawback is that it is very far out of town and children spend a good hour or more commuting each way. However there is a primary campus in Rumeli Hisari, above the Bosphorous. Both campuses are on the European side.
British International School
www.bis.k12.tr
Curriculum: British Curriculum with International Baccalaureate option
Age: 3 to 18
Sex: Co-educational
The British International School essentially follows the British system. This is a small school in Zekeriyakoy, which is fairly far out of town. There is however a primary section in town in Etiler. Both Campuses are on the European side.
MEF International
www.mefinternationalschool.com
Curriculum: International Baccalaureate Curriculum
Age: 3 to 18
Sex: Co-educational
MEF International School is in town, in Ortakoy on the European side. The institution offers both the IB and IGCSE programmes.
There is an International French school and a German School in the older part of town.
There are also a number of English-medium preschools around the city on both the European and Asian Sides.
Aside from the tourist areas, most Turks speak very little English. You will find that most of the people that you need to deal with for your daily life - shop assistants, maids, taxi drivers, doorman, tradesman – will not speak any English. It is therefore a good idea to invest the time in learning some basic Turkish. Your stay in Istanbul will be much more comfortable and meaningful.
There are several schools that offer Turkish classes. Many expats however opt for private tutors at home.
Dilmer
www.dilmer.com
The Dilmer School is located near Taksim square in the centre of Istanbul, on the European side. Expats can easily access the school by using public transport, including metro.
EFINST Turkish Centre
www.turkishlesson.com
The EFINST Turkish Centre is located in Levent on the European side. The school is also easily accessible via public transport. It has branches in Zekeriyakoy (near the British School), as well as on the Asian side.
www.iics.k12.tr
Curriculum: International Baccalaureate Curriculum
Age: 4 to 18
Sex: Co-educational
The Istanbul International Community School is the oldest International School in Istanbul, open only to non-Turkish passport holders. Has international staff and follows the IB curriculum from primary school onwards. Serene campus set amongst fields. Its drawback is that it is very far out of town and children spend a good hour or more commuting each way. However there is a primary campus in Rumeli Hisari, above the Bosphorous. Both campuses are on the European side.
British International School
www.bis.k12.tr
Curriculum: British Curriculum with International Baccalaureate option
Age: 3 to 18
Sex: Co-educational
The British International School essentially follows the British system. This is a small school in Zekeriyakoy, which is fairly far out of town. There is however a primary section in town in Etiler. Both Campuses are on the European side.
MEF International
www.mefinternationalschool.com
Curriculum: International Baccalaureate Curriculum
Age: 3 to 18
Sex: Co-educational
MEF International School is in town, in Ortakoy on the European side. The institution offers both the IB and IGCSE programmes.
There is an International French school and a German School in the older part of town.
There are also a number of English-medium preschools around the city on both the European and Asian Sides.
Learning Turkish
Aside from the tourist areas, most Turks speak very little English. You will find that most of the people that you need to deal with for your daily life - shop assistants, maids, taxi drivers, doorman, tradesman – will not speak any English. It is therefore a good idea to invest the time in learning some basic Turkish. Your stay in Istanbul will be much more comfortable and meaningful.
There are several schools that offer Turkish classes. Many expats however opt for private tutors at home.
Recommended Turkish schools
Dilmer
www.dilmer.com
The Dilmer School is located near Taksim square in the centre of Istanbul, on the European side. Expats can easily access the school by using public transport, including metro.
EFINST Turkish Centre
www.turkishlesson.com
The EFINST Turkish Centre is located in Levent on the European side. The school is also easily accessible via public transport. It has branches in Zekeriyakoy (near the British School), as well as on the Asian side.
