Gokkusagi Schools Istanbul vs Istanbul International School

	G Gokkusagi Schools Istanbul Istanbul, Turkey	I Istanbul International School Istanbul, Turkey
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year TRY 21,000 - 52,500	Fees / year TRY 18,150 - 27,650
Age range	Age range 3 - 18 years	Age range 4 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type —
Curriculum	Curriculum IB (PYP), IB (DP), Cambridge (Primary), Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge A Levels	Curriculum Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels
Pupils	Pupils 2,000	Pupils 375
Typical class size	Typical class size 18	Typical class size 16
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language English
Opened	Opened 1997	Opened 1997
Bus service	Bus service No	Bus service No
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location Istanbul, Turkey. Gökkusagi Schools in Istanbul operate across four campuses: Atasehir, Bahcelievler, Bahcesehir, and Beylikduzu. The Atasehir Campus is in the Ataşehir district and has educated students from kindergarten to 12th grade since the 2021-2022 academic year, with international programs delivered entirely in English. The Bahcelievler Campus is in the Bahçelievler district and serves kindergarten through 12th grade with Cambridge Education and IB Primary Years and Diploma Programmes. The Bahcesehir Campus is in Bahçeşehir district, offering education for all levels from kindergarten to 12th with Cambridge and IB programs and 100% English instruction. The Beylikduzu Campus is in Beylikduzu district, delivering kindergarten through 12th grade with 100% English instruction.	Location Two campuses in Üsküdar, Istanbul. Campus A is Turistik Camlıca Cad. No 20, Üsküdar 34692. Campus B is Harman Sok. No 1, Üsküdar 34676.
Stages	Stages Kindergarten; Primary School; Middle School; High School	Stages Early Years; Primary School; Middle School; Cambridge IGCSE; AS/A Levels
School type	School type International School	School type International school offering Cambridge curriculum in Istanbul
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix —	Pupil nationality mix —
Additional learning support	Additional learning support Guidance and Psychological Counseling	Additional learning support —
Country affiliation	Country affiliation Turkey	Country affiliation —
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation —	Religious affiliation —
School day structure	School day structure —	School day structure —
Bus service details	Bus service details —	Bus service details The school bus transport is provided by BURAK TURAN TURİZM. The service uses up-to-date vehicles with tracking and a parent proximity reporting system; contact iletisim@burakturanturizm.com for details.
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Application / registration fees - Registration (enrollment) fee: typically charged as a percentage of the annual tuition; published guidance shows a registration fee equal to 5%–10% of the annual tuition. Tuition fees by year group (Istanbul campuses — published ranges) - Kindergarten (ana sınıfı): 20,000 TL – 100,000 TL per year. - Primary school (ilkokul): 30,000 TL – 50,000 TL per year. - Middle school (ortaokul): 40,000 TL – 60,000 TL per year. - High school (lise): 50,000 TL – 80,000 TL per year. Tuition fees — per term / per grade detail - The school's public pages provide campus-level guidance and broad ranges for Istanbul campuses but do not publish a single, campus-specific per-grade, per-term fee table for Istanbul that is publicly accessible. Parents are asked to request campus-specific fee schedules via the school's information request form. - For a published example of a campus-specific fee table (Ankara campus, 2025–2026), the school lists annual tuition and separate charges for meals, books/stationery and uniform by grade (figures shown here exactly as published for that campus): - Kindergarten: 500.000 TL; Meals 104.860 TL; Books/Stationery 65.000 TL; Uniform 20.000 TL. - Grade 1: 650.000 TL; Meals 104.860 TL; Books/Stationery 65.000 TL; Uniform 20.000 TL. - Grade 2: 600.000 TL; Meals 104.860 TL; Books/Stationery 65.000 TL; Uniform 20.000 TL. - Grade 3: 600.000 TL; Meals 104.860 TL; Books/Stationery 65.000 TL; Uniform 20.000 TL. - Grade 4: 312.541 TL; Meals 104.860 TL; Books/Stationery 65.000 TL; Uniform 20.000 TL. - Grade 5: 650.000 TL; Meals 104.860 TL; Books/Stationery 65.000 TL; Uniform 20.000 TL. - Grade 6: 600.000 TL; Meals 104.860 TL; Books/Stationery 65.000 TL; Uniform 20.000 TL. - Grade 7: 600.000 TL; Meals 104.860 TL; Books/Stationery 65.000 TL; Uniform 20.000 TL. - Grade 8: 336.612 TL; Meals 104.860 TL; Books/Stationery 65.000 TL; Uniform 20.000 TL. - Grade 9: 700.000 TL; Meals 104.860 TL; Books/Stationery 65.000 TL; Uniform 20.000 TL. - Grade 10: 650.000 TL; Meals 104.860 TL; Books/Stationery 65.000 TL; Uniform 20.000 TL. - Grade 11: 650.000 TL; Meals 104.860 TL; Books/Stationery 65.000 TL; Uniform 20.000 TL. - Grade 12: 380.653 TL; Meals 104.860 TL; Books/Stationery 65.000 TL; Uniform 20.000 TL. Billing schedule and payment terms - The school's published information directs parents to request detailed, campus-specific pricing and payment schedules via the information request form rather than publishing a standard public billing schedule; no single, public Istanbul billing calendar (per-term dates or standard installment plan) is posted. - The public pages reference typical discount types such as early (peşin) payment discounts, sibling discounts and academic-bursary discounts, indicating these discount types are used when applicable. Boarding (residential) fees - No boarding or student residence (yurt) option or boarding fees are listed for the Istanbul campuses in the publicly available campus materials; campus pages and the pricing overview focus on day-school services (tuition, meals, transport/service). Other costs and typical additional fees - Meals / cafeteria: published examples and guidance show a separate meal charge; reported meal costs vary (Ankara campus: 104.860 TL per year in the published table; published guidance for kindergartens cites monthly meal ranges of 500 TL–1,500 TL as a general reference). - Books and stationery: shown as a separate annual charge in campus-specific tables (Ankara example: 65.000 TL by grade). - Uniforms: listed as a separate charge in campus-specific tables (Ankara example: 20.000 TL); the school describes uniforms as a standard required item. - Transport / school bus service (servis): described as a chargeable service in campus information; specific Istanbul campus bus fees are not published publicly and are provided on request. - Extracurricular activities, special programmes, external exam fees (Cambridge/IB), school trips and some workshops may generate additional, separate charges; such items are referenced as chargeable extras but detailed fee lines are campus- and activity-specific. Refunds and cancellation - A public, campus-specific refund or fee-cancellation schedule for Istanbul campuses is not posted in the public fee materials; no explicit, detailed refund table or standard refund percentages/dates was located in the published campus fee materials. Fee payment options (methods) - The publicly available information does not list standard, campus-wide payment methods (credit card, bank transfer, etc.) on a single public page; parents are directed to request the campus fee schedule and associated payment terms via the information request process. Practical summary (what these items mean for a parent) - For Istanbul campuses the site publishes tuition ranges by level (kindergarten, primary, middle, high) and describes standard additional charges (meals, books, uniform, transport, extracurriculars). - The school's pricing page instructs parents to request campus- and grade-specific fee schedules and payment terms using the school's information request form; a published, campus-specific Istanbul per-grade, per-term fee table for 2026/27 was not publicly available at the time of review. If you need campus-specific numbers - Campus contact details and campus emails/phone numbers are published for each Istanbul campus (Ataşehir, Bahçelievler, Bahçeşehir, Beylikdüzü). Use the campus contact channel to obtain the precise, campus- and grade-level fee table and the school's official billing schedule and accepted payment methods.	Fee details Application and Registration Fees - No separate non‑refundable application or registration fee amount is published. Any prior payment made for placement tests is deducted from the annual tuition. Annual Tuition — published amounts by grade (USD) - Early Years (age 4–5): USD 18,150. - Term 1 (50%): USD 9,075.00. Terms 2–4 (each): USD 3,025.00. - Primary School - Grade 1: USD 22,250. - Term 1 (50%): USD 11,125.00. Terms 2–4 (each): USD 3,708.33. - Grade 2: USD 22,250. - Term 1: USD 11,125.00. Terms 2–4 (each): USD 3,708.33. - Grade 3: USD 22,250. - Term 1: USD 11,125.00. Terms 2–4 (each): USD 3,708.33. - Grade 4: USD 22,250. - Term 1: USD 11,125.00. Terms 2–4 (each): USD 3,708.33. - Middle School - Grade 5: USD 22,600. - Term 1: USD 11,300.00. Terms 2–4 (each): USD 3,766.67. - Grade 6: USD 23,400. - Term 1: USD 11,700.00. Terms 2–4 (each): USD 3,900.00. - Grade 7: USD 23,400. - Term 1: USD 11,700.00. Terms 2–4 (each): USD 3,900.00. - Grade 8: USD 23,950. - Term 1: USD 11,975.00. Terms 2–4 (each): USD 3,991.67. - IGCSE - Grade 9: USD 25,500. - Term 1: USD 12,750.00. Terms 2–4 (each): USD 4,250.00. - Grade 10: USD 27,000. - Term 1: USD 13,500.00. Terms 2–4 (each): USD 4,500.00. - AS/A Levels - Grade 11: USD 27,650. - Term 1: USD 13,825.00. Terms 2–4 (each): USD 4,608.33. - Grade 12: USD 27,800. - Term 1: USD 13,900.00. Terms 2–4 (each): USD 4,633.33. (All listed tuition amounts are published in US dollars; each annual figure is quoted as a single amount and the per‑term breakdown above follows the school's four‑installment billing structure.) What those fees cover - Published tuition amounts include tuition, lunch, books and materials, assessment and V.A.T. as part of the package. Billing schedule and payment terms - Standard payment plan: four installments. The first installment equals 50% of the total annual fee; the remaining 50% is split across three subsequent installments. The final installment must be completed by the published deadline. Late payments incur a surcharge of 3% of the delayed amount. - A 5% discount is applied when the annual tuition is paid in full in advance (advance‑payment eligibility and cutoff dates are specified by the school). Sibling discounts are applied as follows: 5% for the second child, 10% for the third child and 15% for the fourth child. Boarding / Accommodation - No boarding provision or boarding fees are published; boarding is not itemized as part of the school fee schedule. Other costs and optional services - School bus: transport is provided by an external bus operator; the bus operator sets bus pricing and parents are asked to contact the transport company for pricing. Bus fees are not included in the published tuition amounts and are quoted separately by the bus operator. - Uniforms: no separate uniform charge is itemized in the published tuition schedule. Books, materials and lunch are included in the published tuition figures. - Cambridge examination registrations: the school requires Grades 5, 8, 10, 11 and 12 to sit Cambridge exams and the school's published tuition includes the minimum number of Cambridge examinations required by the school; additional or external exam charges may apply separately. Refund information - To withdraw, an application must be completed at least 15 days prior to official withdrawal to allow processing. If cancellation of registration occurs before the start of the school year, a refund is made with a deduction of 10% of the published tuition fee. If withdrawal occurs during the school year: 10% of the published tuition fee is deducted; remaining school days are counted and a pro‑rated refund for tuition and lunch is calculated accordingly. Books, educational materials and assessment fees are not refundable. Fee payment methods - Accepted payment methods are wire / bank transfer and credit card. Any additional surcharges charged by the credit card provider are the responsibility of the cardholder. The school publishes bank account details for payments and expects transfers to include the student name and invoice reference when remitting funds. Surcharges and penalties - Late payment surcharge: 3% of the delayed amount. Credit card transaction surcharges (if any) are charged to the payer. Notes on fees not itemized - No distinct registration deposit, refundable deposit, capital levy or a published application fee amount is itemized in the published fee schedule. Placement/assessment payments are acknowledged and any such prior payment is offset against annual fees, but specific placement/test‑fee amounts are not published. Optional services (school bus, select extracurriculars or exam retakes beyond the school's included minimum) may incur additional charges quoted separately.
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements —	Boarding arrangements —
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement —	Uniform requirement —
Food options	Food options —	Food options Campus A (Ages 4–12) has an eatery; Campus B (Ages 13–17) has an eatery.
House system	House system —	House system —
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership Gökkuşağı Koleji is governed by a Board of Directors, with Abdulkadir Gayretli serving as Chairman of the Board.	Governance and ownership The school operates on two campuses in Çamlıca, Istanbul. It is approved and inspected by the Turkish Ministry of Education, has Cambridge International School status, is a member of the International Schools Association, and is an approved teacher training centre for the University of Stenden International Teacher Education Programme.
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	Curriculum details The school offers Cambridge International School Program; IB Primary Years Program; IB Diploma Program; CAP Innovative Program; and Dual Foreign Language Education. The Education Model is the 'Living School' that aims to educate internationally conscious individuals who research, inquire, think, communicate, are informed, principled, open-minded, caring, risk takers, balanced, and reflective.	Curriculum details Cambridge International Curriculum is used from Primary through High School. Primary Grades 1–5 are equivalent to Cambridge Years 2–6, and Middle School Grades 6–8 align with Cambridge Years 7–9. Cambridge IGCSE is offered for the 14–16 age range and Cambridge International AS & A Levels for post‑16 study. The Primary curriculum encompasses Environmental Studies, Life Skills, and Expressive Arts, with English and Turkish language development and a Second Language Acquisition program. Cambridge Pathway emphasizes deep subject knowledge, conceptual understanding and higher‑order thinking skills, and multilingual education with IGCSEs available in more than 30 languages. Progression is designed as a coherent spiral across ages 5–19.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio —	Student teacher ratio —
Exam results	Exam results IB Diploma score: 44	Exam results —
Higher education progression	Higher education progression Graduates have been accepted to universities worldwide, including Istanbul Technical University, Yeditepe University, Istanbul Gelisim University, University of Manchester, University of Sussex, Birmingham University, John Moores University, University of Sheffield, University of London, University of Sydney, Western University, University of Alberta, KU Leuven University, Politecnico di Torino, Pavia University, Lasalle University Barcelona, Campbellsville University, University of Georgia, and Wroclaw University. Cambridge Program and IB Diploma Program support higher education progression.	Higher education progression University Guidance and Counselling provides individualised support for university applications and international acceptances. The Cambridge Advantage and Cambridge A Level qualification recognition support admission to universities worldwide; Cambridge qualifications are recognised by over 1,400 universities, including more than 550 in the United States. The school maintains active engagement with universities and government authorities to support recognition and progression to higher education.
Gifted and talented	Gifted and talented —	Gifted and talented —
Academic calendar	Academic calendar —	Academic calendar —
Wellbeing & support	Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning	Social & emotional learning Gökkuşağı Schools develop students' academic, social and emotional wellbeing, with a focus on international-mindedness and belonging to local and global communities. The PYP nurtures independent and collaborative learners, encouraging every student to have voice, choice and ownership in their own learning.	Social & emotional learning The school fosters an understanding of human values such as love, respect, trust, self-esteem and responsibility. The school has a child-centred curriculum that addresses the needs of students in a changing world and facilitates their transfer to international or national schools. The secular curriculum encourages curiosity, reflection and questioning, with an emphasis on sharing knowledge rather than competition. Staff, students and parents are expected to meet each other with respect, acceptance and friendship. The school supports bilingualism and biculturalism, reflected in our approach and in teacher recruitment.
Special educational needs (SEN)	Special educational needs (SEN) An Inclusion and Special Educational Needs policy ensures compliance with national laws; an Inclusion Policy Unit coordinates implementation; staff receive training and work with an IB Coordinator and a psychological counseling and guidance unit to support inclusive practice. Teachers collaborate with families to identify and meet each student's needs, with education options including mainstream learning or a dedicated support education room with scheduled weekly hours, and language support as needed.	Special educational needs (SEN) All students are evaluated by a School Counselor to demonstrate developmental, emotional and academic readiness for admission. For high school applications, a placement test is used to inform readiness. An offer of a place is not based solely on the entrance test; parents provide the most recent two years of school reports to assist placement. Assessments are conducted by faculty who appreciate that each child progresses at their own pace. Following a child's assessment, entry may be offered, placed on a waiting list, or denied if the school cannot confidently support a child's specific learning needs and development.
English as an additional language	English as an additional language English is taught from Kindergarten with two hours of English daily and two hours of Spanish per week in Kindergarten. An intensive English program conducted by Turkish and foreign teachers develops listening and speaking from first grade. From primary school, students graduate in the European Language Framework at the A2 level and in Cambridge Flyers; English lessons develop reading, writing, speaking and listening, with a goal of reaching B1-B2 in secondary school.	English as an additional language Language is essential for communication; students become fluent readers, writers, confident speakers and thoughtful listeners in at least two languages. Students read with interest and comprehension from literature in a variety of genres, cultures and times, and discuss, analyse and share interpretations. They write with clarity and purpose, carefully considering their intended audience. They confidently listen, speak, read and write in at least two languages as they work across the curriculum. The school supports bilingualism and biculturalism reflected in our approach, curriculum and teacher recruitment.
Mental wellbeing	Mental wellbeing Mental well-being is prioritized; the school provides a safe, affirming environment to build confidence and self-esteem and to ensure students feel cared for, listened to and that they belong. The approach includes collaboration with parents and specialists to support students' emotional health and resilience.	Mental wellbeing Counselors are part of the Istanbul International School staff. The admissions process includes a meeting with a Counselor to discuss developmental and emotional readiness. The school lists Counselor as a role on the team, indicating dedicated student support. Counselors contribute to admissions assessments to help determine readiness and appropriate placement.
Safeguarding	Safeguarding Safeguarding and child protection are addressed in policies; concerns are routed to the designated child protection contact, with safeguarding integrated into inclusion practices and ongoing collaboration with families and health professionals.	Safeguarding —
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview The Beylikduzu campus has physics, chemistry and biology laboratories; an IT laboratory; a STEM workshop; an art workshop; a music and dance academy; archery; an ice rink; a 3D hall; a conference hall; a library; a restaurant; and indoor sports halls. The average class size is 15 students, and the campus has an open area of 3000 m². Cambridge Accreditation Code: TR072.	Facilities overview Two campuses operate at Istanbul International School: Campus A for ages 4–12 and Campus B for ages 13–17. Campus A includes 20 classrooms, an ICT lab, a science lab, an indoor sports gym, a library, an outdoor sports court, a primary outdoor area, an early years playground, a vegetable garden, and a multi-purpose room with an eatery. Campus B includes 12 classrooms, four science labs, an ICT lab, a mathematics lab, a library, recreational outdoor areas, an eatery, an auditorium and a recreational room. The school provides these facilities across its two campuses to support learning in a range of subjects and activities.
Sports facilities	Sports facilities Indoor sports halls; archery; ice rink.	Sports facilities Campus A has an indoor sports gym and an outdoor sports court. Campus B offers recreational outdoor areas.
Academic facilities	Academic facilities Physics, chemistry and biology laboratories; IT laboratory; STEM workshop; art workshop; music and dance academy.	Academic facilities Campus A includes 20 classrooms, an ICT lab, and a science lab, as well as a library. Campus B includes 12 classrooms, four science labs, an ICT lab, a mathematics lab, and a library.
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities CAP Program (Creativity, Activity, Potential) fosters creativity, collaboration and leadership; archery; music and dance; art workshops.	Extra curricular facilities —
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	History Gokkusagi Schools was established in 1997. It pursues a World School vision and aims for excellence in education at national and international levels. The school focuses on developing students' intellectual, social, emotional, and individual talents and offers internationally ambitious programs. Cambridge International School Program, IB Primary Years Program, IB Diploma Program, CAP Innovative Program, and Dual Foreign Language Education are among the international programs offered.	History The story of how an idea, a vision of education, became Istanbul International School.
Community	Community Graduates have been accepted to universities worldwide, including Yeditepe University, Koç University, University of Manchester, University of Sussex, Campbellsville University, and University of Georgia. Student life includes Cap Events, Artistic Activities, Chess, and Drama. Educational highlights include the Cambridge International School Program, IB Primary Years Program, IB Diploma Program, CAP Innovative Program, and Dual Foreign Language Education.	Community Istanbul International School participates in the International Schools Association (ISA), which promotes international and intercultural understanding. Youth Leadership Encounter (YLE) is hosted by a member school; Istanbul International School will host the YLE in Istanbul for the 2024-25 academic year. The Gallery showcases a vibrant, diverse learning community with content categorized by campus and year level (All, Campus A, Campus B, Early Years, Primary School, Middle School).
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association —	Parent teacher association —
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual CAP Innovative Program nurtures creativity, activity, and potential across 43 branches spanning sports, arts, language, and science. It emphasizes holistic development through project-based experiences and collaborative challenges beyond traditional lessons. Students undertake social responsibility projects as part of CAP, building teamwork and ethical leadership. SAT preparation is offered to support students pursuing admission to world universities.	Academic & intellectual Middle School clubs include Debate Club, Chess Club, and Robotics Club. High School adds J-Tech Club, Model United Nations (MUN), Film Production Club, and Books & Creative Writing Club. These clubs develop critical thinking, public speaking, research, and technical skills through collaborative projects and presentations.
Arts & creative	Arts & creative Artistic Activities are integral to Student Life, with programs such as Music Academy and Dance Academy. The campus supports creative projects in an Art Studio and a Pocket Cinema Hall, and Drama is offered as part of the performing arts program. These offerings foster collaboration, creativity, and expressive performance.	Arts & creative Music Club and Drama Club provide opportunities to perform and study music and theatre. Art Club offers visual arts projects and studio work. Film Production Club, Books & Creative Writing Club, and Craft Club provide filmmaking, storytelling, and hands-on making.
Cultural & language	Cultural & language Dual Foreign Language Education starts in Kindergarten, with English taught for 2 hours daily and Spanish for 2 hours weekly. From primary onward, students progress through the European Language Framework toward A2 in Spanish and B1-B2 in English by secondary, with English instruction delivered by both Turkish and foreign teachers. Cambridge English and related frameworks shape language progression alongside the International Cambridge education and IB pathways.	Cultural & language —
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies CAP Innovative Program offers 43 branches that span sports, arts, language, and science, providing extensive opportunities for student exploration. Cap Events, Artistic Activities, Chess, and Drama are featured elements of Student Life, encouraging club participation and teamwork. Olympic Studies and a wide range of sports facilities support active, competitive, and creative hobbies.	Social & hobbies Role-playing Club and Craft Club provide social, hobby-based activities outside academics. Role-playing Club fosters creativity, teamwork, and collaborative storytelling; Craft Club teaches crochet and beadwork and handmade design. These clubs help students connect with peers and explore interests beyond the classroom.
Community & service	Community & service CAP includes social responsibility projects where students create and implement initiatives that contribute to the community. These projects foster civic engagement, collaboration, and social awareness across age groups. Social Responsibility & Community is highlighted as a key area of education, alongside guidance and counseling resources.	Community & service Community service initiatives are part of the Extracurricular Programme. Students participate in volunteering and charitable activities, contributing to local communities. Participation builds social responsibility, teamwork, and empathy.
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional Personal Development and Career resources support leadership and professional skills development. CAP emphasizes leadership through creativity, collaboration, and responsible action. Guidance and Psychological Counseling are available to help students navigate decisions and plan future paths.	Leadership & professional Model United Nations (MUN) Club and Debate Club build leadership, public speaking, and research skills. Students take on organizing roles, lead discussions, and present positions. J-Tech Club also provides opportunities for project leadership in ICT and robotics.
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing Olympic Studies and ECO School highlight a focus on physical well-being and environmental awareness. The campus provides extensive sports facilities including an indoor/outdoor sports hall, a swimming pool, running tracks, and Archery. Arts programs such as Music Academy and Dance Academy, along with Drama, support creative wellbeing.	Lifestyle & wellbeing Football Team and Volleyball Team promote physical fitness, teamwork, and resilience. Yoga Club focuses on holistic well-being and mindfulness. Participation supports mental and physical health and provides regular opportunities for exercise beyond classroom hours.
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision English and Spanish are taught through the Dual Foreign Language Education program. Kindergarten provides 2 hours of English daily and 2 hours of Spanish per week; Primary School targets A2 in English (Cambridge Flyers) and A2 in Spanish, with English courses developing all four skills (reading, writing, speaking, listening); Middle School targets B1–B2 in English and A2 in Spanish. English is used for science and mathematics within the Cambridge Education program, and bilingual education is supported by intensive foreign language hours.	Language provision Multilingual education is valued; language plays an important role in the curriculum, either as a subject or as a medium of teaching and learning. Cambridge programmes are often used for the English-medium strand of a bilingual programme, and Cambridge IGCSEs are available in more than 30 languages.
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching Dual-language education is provided within the Cambridge International School framework. Language is used as an active tool in everyday learning rather than as a standalone subject. English is used for science and mathematics courses, reinforcing bilingual instruction. The program develops multilingual thinking from an early age to deepen academic and social learning and to enable students to express themselves confidently in a global context.	Bilingual teaching The school offers bilingual education with an English-medium strand and English as a second language support for students aged 5 to 16.
Immersion programs	Immersion programs Dual Foreign Language Education offers two languages, English and Spanish. Kindergarten includes 2 hours of English every day and 2 hours of Spanish per week. Primary School targets English at the A2 level (Cambridge English Flyers) and Spanish at A2; Middle School aims for English at B1–B2 levels and Spanish at A2.	Immersion programs —
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards —	Awards null
Accreditations	Accreditations —	Accreditations Cambridge Assessment International Education — Cambridge has accredited Istanbul International School to deliver its full school programmes and the school is an accredited Cambridge Exam Centre. Republic Of Türkiye Ministry Of National Education — The school is accredited by the Turkish Ministry of Education. International Schools Association — Istanbul International School is a member of the International Schools Association, which holds a consultative status with UNESCO. ITESS NHL Stenden \| Groningen — The school is an approved training partner of the ITESS NHL Stenden consortium. Erasmus + — The school is an approved training partner for teacher trainees under the Erasmus+ program.
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	Admissions 1. Foundation Year entry: Turkish min 400 LGS score; English level below B1; English instruction is provided. Scholarships: 50% for 400-450 LGS score; 100% for 451-500 score (listed as TEOG in the policy). No failed subjects; GPA of 4 on a 5.0 scale. The admission decision is made by the DP coordinator. An international quota exists for students with accommodation bursaries. 2. Grade 9 (pre-IB): Turkish min 400 LGS score; English level at least B1; English instruction is provided. Scholarships: 50%–100% (range). No failed subjects; GPA of 4 on a 5.0 scale. Final admission decision rests with the DP coordinator. An international quota exists for accommodation bursaries. 3. Grade 10 (pre-IB): No failed Turkish subjects; GPA of 4.0 on a 5.0 scale in Grade 9; English level at B1+ or above; English instruction is provided. Scholarships: 0%–100% (range). End-of-Grade 10 tests or IGCSE/GCSE results may be used in the process; DP coordinator makes the final decision. An international quota exists for accommodation bursaries. 4. Grade 11 (IB Diploma Programme): No failed Turkish subjects; GPA of 4.0 on a 5.0 scale in Grades 9–10; English level B2 or above; English instruction is provided. Scholarships: 0%–100% (range). End-of-Grade 10 tests or IGCSE/GCSE results may be used; DP coordinator makes the final decision. An international quota exists for accommodation bursaries. 5. Grade 12 (IB Diploma Programme) – DP transfer: Turkish or International DP transfer students only; Final decision by the DP coordinator. An international quota exists for accommodation bursaries.	Admissions Step 1: To begin the application process please submit your inquiry through the Online Student Registration page. The admissions process is designed to ensure that students are appropriately placed at Istanbul International School, while maintaining the integrity and consistency of the school program and policies. Detailed information about grade content and level is explained in registration meetings. An offer of a place is not based solely on the entrance test; parents should provide the most recent copies of their child's school report from the past two years to assist with placement, especially if the student is coming from another country or a different curriculum. All students will be evaluated by a School Counselor and, for high school applications, by a placement test to demonstrate developmental, emotional and academic readiness. Step 2: After completing the online application you will be sent an automatic email confirmation of your application. In the following days you will be sent information on the next steps to the email that you have provided. Assessments may be required to determine if the curriculum suits the student; assessments are conducted by the faculty who appreciate that each child progresses at their own pace. Following an assessment, the student may be offered a place, placed on the waiting list (if places are currently not available) or denied entry in case the school cannot confidently support a child's specific learning needs and development. Step 3: After all preliminary steps are completed as stated in the email that you receive, you will be contacted by our Admissions Team to set up a meeting for you and your child with a Principal and Counselor. Before Counsellor appointments and Entrance Examinations are scheduled, you will be requested to make a payment for the Assessment fee to the bank account number that we will send you. This fee is non-refundable, non-transferable, non-adjustable and is required in order to qualify for the entrance examination. Step 4: After completing Steps 1-3, as well as the assessment and placement test/entrance examination (if required) you will be contacted by our Department Head informing you of the school's decision on registration. If the application is accepted and registration can move forward, a meeting will be set up with our Admissions Officer to discuss School fees and payment plan options.
Scholarships	Scholarships Scholarships are available as bursaries tied to admission category. Foundation Year scholarships: 50% for 400–450 LGS score; 100% for 451–500 LGS score (maximum 500 points). Rates may change if the national exam scoring system changes; if the exam is repealed, the school will determine rates via its own written and oral exams. For students switching to IB from the Anatolian High School, 100% scholarship is possible if average grades are between 4.50 and 5.00, subject to the final decision of the DP coordinator. The school works with international foundations to provide scholarships and accommodation for international students to form international IB classes. There is an international quota for accepting students with accommodation bursaries. The school reserves the right to change admission criteria and bursary rates to ensure diversity.	Scholarships —
Waitlist	Waitlist —	Waitlist Assessments may lead to admission decisions. If there are no places available at the time of assessment, the student may be placed on the waiting list. The waiting list is part of the admissions process and placement is determined by availability. A decision may also be denied entry if the school cannot confidently support the student's specific learning needs and development.
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