MTK International School vs SABIS SUN International School

	M MTK International School Baku, Azerbaijan	S SABIS SUN International School Baku, Azerbaijan
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year AZN 7,000 - 15,500	Fees / year AZN 12,206 - 17,000
Age range	Age range 2 - 17 years	Age range 3 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum Bespoke Curriculum	Curriculum Bespoke Curriculum
Pupils	Pupils —	Pupils 600
Typical class size	Typical class size —	Typical class size —
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language English
Opened	Opened —	Opened 2015
Bus service	Bus service Yes	Bus service Yes
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location AZ 1022, Baku, Azerbaijan, 151 Samad Vurgun Street. In the heart of Baku's Ganjlik district.	Location The school is located in Dreamland, Khazar region, Baku, Azerbaijan. It sits on a 67,000 square meter campus and is close to Heydar Aliyev International Airport. It is part of the Dreamland exclusive golf and residences complex.
Stages	Stages Preschool (ages 2-6) using the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum (EYFS) for Pre-Nursery to Reception; Transition Class (ages 5-6) uses Cambridge Stage 1; Primary School (ages 6-11) uses the Cambridge Primary curriculum; Secondary School (ages 11-18) offers Azerbaijani and Russian Streams and an International Stream with Cambridge Lower Secondary, Upper Secondary and Advanced curricula.	Stages Kindergarten to Grade 12
School type	School type International Cambridge-curriculum school offering Preschool, Primary and Secondary education; streams include Azerbaijani/Russian and International.	School type The school is a non-selective, co-educational, independent, English-medium day school. It serves both local and international communities.
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix Diverse international student body with host-country (Azerbaijani) and expatriate learners; MTK provides English-language teaching and support for learners at different English proficiency levels.	Pupil nationality mix —
Additional learning support	Additional learning support Learning Support program with ESL & LS coordinators and a team of ESL & LS teachers; differentiated tasks, dual-language resources, and targeted interventions to support learners from Transition to Grade 8.	Additional learning support Special Academic Support is offered at an extra cost, including Summer School, Special Lessons, and Full-Special Classes.
Country affiliation	Country affiliation —	Country affiliation Azerbaijan; licensed by the Ministry of Education of Azerbaijan
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation —	Religious affiliation —
School day structure	School day structure —	School day structure School hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday to Friday.
Bus service details	Bus service details —	Bus service details School bus services are provided by a fleet of Mercedes Sprinter minibusses. Buses are GPS-tracked and have supervisors and qualified drivers.
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Application fees - No separate application or non-refundable registration fee amount is published in the publicly available admissions materials for the 2026/27 academic year (and none is published for 2025/26). Tuition fees (by school year and term) - Specific tuition amounts by year group or per term are not published in the publicly available materials for the 2026/27 academic year. No full fee schedule for 2025/26 is published in the public admissions or main pages either. Billing schedule and payment terms - Payments are accepted on the basis of an agreement/contract with the family; parents are required to check student details before payment submission. Online payment service functionality is noted as activated from 17 February 2026. - The rules state that tuition fee payments must be made by bank card when using the online payment channel; parents complete payment by entering the contract and student ID details and then entering debit/credit card information. Boarding fees - No boarding provision or boarding fees are published in the school's public materials; there is no public listing of dormitory or boarding charges. Other costs and additional charges (uniform, meals, transport, extracurriculars, exams, materials, etc.) - Specific prices for uniforms, transport, meals or standard extracurricular charges are not published in the publicly available materials. Separate short-term programs and courses (for example, summer programmes and teacher training courses) list program-specific fees that cover materials and meals for those programmes, but no standing annual charges for uniforms or regular extracurriculars are published. Refund information - Paid tuition may be refunded according to the terms of the signed contract. Refunds of tuition paid via card are processed back to the card used for payment according to the contract terms; parents must approach the registration office and submit a written application to request a refund or to report an overpayment. Refunds are governed by the contract between the family and the school. Fee payment options and practical payment instructions - Accepted payment channels include online card payment (Visa and MasterCard). - Local bank payment options are provided: payments to Pasha Bank via the Million terminal/online service, with an instruction to select the AZN account and to include student identifying information and which fee the payment is for. Pasha Bank identifiers and required tax/ID fields are provided in the school's payment instructions. - Kapital Bank terminal payment instructions are provided, with a requirement to include student serial/ID information and to enter the company TIN/CIF numbers per the payment rules. - The payment guidance explicitly requires that the student's full identifying information (surname, given name and father's name and student serial/ID) and the fee category (for example: tuition, music, other services, outstanding debt) be included in the payment description/assignment. Summary of unavailable items (publicly not published) - The school does not publish, in the publicly available admissions/main pages and payment rules, numeric values for: application/registration fees, per-term or per-year tuition for each year group, uniform costs, regular meal plans for the academic year, transport fares, or boarding fees for 2026/27 (and none were published for 2025/26). The publicly available materials do, however, publish payment procedures, bank payment instructions, accepted card types, and the contractual refund process.	Fee details —
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements —	Boarding arrangements —
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement —	Uniform requirement —
Food options	Food options The school uses Beat Catering for cafeteria services. Menus are prepared monthly; meals are cooked daily with fresh ingredients. In the preschool, students receive 3 main meals and 2 snacks per day, while in the school section they receive 2 main meals and 1-2 snacks daily. Meals follow healthy nutrition principles and hygiene and safety standards are strictly monitored; a diverse and optional menu selections are offered. The composition and nutritional values of the meals are regularly reviewed by a medical professional.	Food options —
House system	House system —	House system —
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership MTK International School is a private educational institution with a high degree of individual autonomy; care and education are regulated by the Law On Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and all relevant regulations and charters. The Director of the complex, in partnership with the (academic) Senior Leadership Team, oversees the educational process and daily activities, and all are appointed by the school trustees. A pedagogical council operates within MTK which is run according to the Charter of the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan.	Governance and ownership —
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	Curriculum details MTK High School provides education for students aged 14-18 years. The Cambridge Upper Secondary and Cambridge Advanced curricula are taught as core programmes of study, designed for international settings and harmonised with host-country National Curriculum requirements. Most lessons are taught in English, with some Azerbaijani instruction to meet the needs of host-country and expatriate students. The curriculum blends Cambridge with compulsory local subjects, including Azerbaijani Language, Azerbaijani History, Azerbaijani Geography and Azerbaijani Literature, as well as National Curriculum Mathematics, with Azerbaijani and global themes reflected in teaching. All host-country students who complete Secondary School receive the Attestat; Grade 10 leads to Cambridge IGCSE and Grades 11-12 lead to AS and A-Level examinations, recognised locally and internationally. MTK graduates achieve full academic proficiency in English and fluency in native languages, enabling a wide range of educational and career options.	Curriculum details The SABIS Curriculum is designed by SABIS to provide students with the knowledge and skills needed to develop a solid academic foundation. It is English-medium and delivered through clearly structured courses. Lessons use the SABIS Point System, with regular exams that teachers do not see in advance. A SABIS AMS tracking system monitors each student's progress to identify gaps and guide targeted instruction. The curriculum emphasizes a well-balanced body of knowledge and includes extended material for more able students.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio —	Student teacher ratio —
Exam results	Exam results —	Exam results —
Higher education progression	Higher education progression Cambridge IGCSE in Grade 10 and Cambridge AS/A-Level in Grades 11-12 provide internationally recognised qualifications for university entrance. Azerbaijani State Examinations are completed by host-country students where required, alongside Cambridge qualifications, for local university entry. These qualifications enable entry to top universities in Azerbaijan and abroad. MTK graduates are proficient in English and fluent in native languages, widening options for higher education and careers.	Higher education progression Graduates gain entry to highly competitive universities worldwide, including Oxford, Cambridge, Harvard, MIT, Princeton, and Stanford. The SABIS Educational System notes that graduates commonly go on to reputable universities and pursue advanced degree programs.
Gifted and talented	Gifted and talented MTK offers Leadership Programmes in the High School, including Model United Nations clubs and conferences, to nurture leadership skills and provide experiences beyond the core curriculum.	Gifted and talented The academic program includes extended material for more able students.
Academic calendar	Academic calendar —	Academic calendar —
Wellbeing & support	Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning	Social & emotional learning Preschool includes rich social-emotional learning. Small groups and caring teachers build confidence and a love of learning. Primary focuses on building strong foundations and nurturing critical thinking, responsibility and teamwork through engaging lessons and projects, with close family communication. Middle School offers an inquiry-driven curriculum across English, mathematics, sciences, humanities and ICT, with opportunities to develop study habits, independence and digital literacy through clubs, competitions and community projects. Vision and Mission emphasize social and emotional well-being in a safe environment, with students feeling valued, connected and supported by peers, teachers, families and the wider community.	Social & emotional learning The SABIS® SUN International School uses the SABIS® Student Life Organization (SLO) to develop life skills that empower students to make a difference. SLO functions as a student-led mini-society; prefets are selected to manage SLO, and all students are encouraged to join and participate in academic and non-academic activities. Student Life Coordinators allocate real-life tasks and advise and support students in their efforts. The SLO contributes to educating SABIS Network students who are academically strong, morally sound, mentally sharp, and socially aware.
Special educational needs (SEN)	Special educational needs (SEN) —	Special educational needs (SEN) Admission to SABIS SUN is based on a student's willingness to put in effort to reach full potential, with placement determined by academic attainment and age as a limiting factor. Students entering Grade 2 and above must take diagnostic tests to determine correct placement. Students found to be behind academically are offered options at an extra cost, including Summer School (a six-week program in June–August), Special Lessons (extra periods in weak subjects), and Full-Special Classes (accelerated programs designed to prepare students to join regular classes).
English as an additional language	English as an additional language The school provides English instruction accessible to students with varying levels of English proficiency. The school also has an English as a Second Language (ESL) and Learning Support (LS) program, including an ESL & LS Coordinator and a team of ESL & LS teachers to provide support and interventions to students (Transition to Grade 8) to raise achievement.	English as an additional language SABIS SUN's goals include a well-rounded education based on a mastery of English and mathematics, and the system helps students acquire a firm command of a second language. English language proficiency is a core component of the SABIS Curriculum, supporting international academic preparation. The program emphasizes developing English language skills alongside other subjects to enable global competitiveness.
Mental wellbeing	Mental wellbeing The MTK program includes the RULER social-emotional learning approach to support students' emotional wellbeing. MTK aims to foster social and emotional well-being as part of its mission and provides a safe environment for learning.	Mental wellbeing —
Safeguarding	Safeguarding The school provides a safe environment and emphasizes student well-being within its mission.	Safeguarding —
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview The MTK campus is housed in The Modern Educational Complex Named in Honour of Heydar Aliyev in Baku, at AZ 1022, 151 Samad Vurgun Street. It serves Preschool through High School, with an International Stream and Azerbaijani and Russian language streams. The campus includes a STEAM Center, a library, a catering service, and student transport. The Music School and Extracurricular Programmes are part of the school. A video tour of the campus is available.	Facilities overview Situated in the olive gardens of the Khazar region in Baku on a 67,000 square meter campus within Dreamland, SABIS SUN International School offers a well-defined learning environment. The facilities include science and computer laboratories, an auditorium, and extensive sports facilities including two swimming pools, two indoor gymnasiums, and an Olympic soccer field with a running track. The Kindergarten department is a separate building with its own indoor swimming pool, a multipurpose indoor sports center, and a dedicated kindergarten car track. Information Technology features include a computerized learning and testing center, interactive white boards, and e-learning resources. The campus also has a dining room and a book café for the school community.
Sports facilities	Sports facilities —	Sports facilities Two swimming pools are part of the sports facilities, including a semi-Olympic pool used for PE and interschool events. The sports complex includes two indoor gymnasiums with spaces for basketball, volleyball, badminton, and handball. There is a full-size all-weather athletics and soccer field with a running track and long-jump pit, plus grandstand seating. Outdoor basketball courts are available for use. The Kindergarten has its own indoor gymnasium and indoor swimming pool as part of its dedicated facilities.
Academic facilities	Academic facilities STEAM Center supports cross-disciplinary learning. The Library provides learning resources for students. The Music School offers performing arts instruction.	Academic facilities Three science laboratories support chemistry, biology, and physics. A Computer Laboratory provides student access to computers. ITL®: Integrated Testing and Learning® Centre hosts exams for students in grades 2 to 12. The library offers a wide range of books to support reading and research. Interactive white boards and e-learning resources are used across classrooms.
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities Extracurricular Programmes are offered, with opportunities to participate in clubs, competitions and community projects.	Extra curricular facilities —
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	History The Modern Educational Complex Named in Honour of Heydar Aliyev began its activities on September 1, 2001, with the participation of National Leader Heydar Aliyev. It remains committed to national heritage while applying international educational approaches and continually evolving as a school community. It is an active member of CIS – the Council of International Schools.	History SABIS SUN International School opened in 2015 to serve Kindergarten to Grade 8, and today serves Kindergarten to Grade 12. The campus covers 67,000 square meters within Dreamland, an exclusive golf and residences complex near Heydar Aliyev International Airport in Baku, Azerbaijan. Like other SABIS Network schools, SABIS SUN is a multinational, non-selective, co-educational, independent, English-medium day school serving both local and international communities. The language of academic instruction is English, with Russian and French offered as second foreign languages. The SABIS Network began in 1886 with the opening of the International School of Choueifat, and today educates over 70,000 students in 20 countries across five continents.
Community	Community MTK offers Preschool, Primary, Middle School, and High School (Azerbaijani/Russian Stream and International Stream). The school life features regular news and events, including music education and Novruz celebrations, as well as student achievements. Upcoming events include International Women's Day on March 8, Ramadan and Nowruz on March 20, and Victory Day on May 9.	Community Throughout the academic year, SABIS SUN International School organizes major events that parents and students look forward to eagerly. Students have a unique opportunity to show their talents and gain experience in a wide range of academic and sport events conducted at national and international levels. Major events include: The SABIS Regional Tournament, a biennial international sporting competition involving teams from across the SABIS Network; SABIS STARS, a regional educational contest; Open Day where prospective parents are welcome to visit the campus; Talent Show showcasing students' talents; and numerous fundraising events benefiting charitable organizations. The SLO Department also organizes educational quizzes, spelling bees, mathematics quizzes, and a variety of other competitions, and a wide range of after-school activities and clubs are available, including ballet, swimming, gymnastics, basketball, football, and golf.
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association —	Parent teacher association —
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual Clubs, leadership programmes, charity and community projects, sports teams, competitions and Olympiads form MTK's extracurricular programme. The after-school programme includes academic clubs and competitions and opportunities to participate in Olympiads. Examples include spelling bees and chess that illustrate teamwork and academic engagement.	Academic & intellectual Debate, science fair, mathematics club, geography club, and geography Olympiad club are offered by the SLO Activities Department. Robotics is also available as part of SLO activities. These activities support inquiry, critical thinking, and problem-solving. Participation occurs during the SLO period and after school.
Arts & creative	Arts & creative Art and music are offered as after-school activities. There is a dedicated Music school within the MTK curriculum. These programs provide opportunities for students to explore creativity beyond the classroom.	Arts & creative Art and music are offered as clubs, and dance is available as well. Ballet is listed among after-school activities. The Talent Show showcases singing, dancing, and music.
Cultural & language	Cultural & language —	Cultural & language —
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies Clubs and leadership programmes form part of MTK's after-school life. Sports teams are available as part of the extracurricular programme. Community and charity projects and other activities encourage collaboration and social interaction.	Social & hobbies A wide range of after-school activities and clubs are available including ballet, swimming, gymnastics, basketball, football, and golf. Yoga and chess are also offered. The SLO Activities Department manages these clubs and activities during SLO and after school.
Community & service	Community & service Community and charity projects and programmes are part of MTK's extracurricular programme. Students participate in community service through after-school activities. These activities promote social responsibility through hands-on involvement.	Community & service Fundraising events are organized with proceeds donated to charitable organizations. The SLO Department coordinates these fundraising events. Educational quizzes, spelling bee contests, and mathematics quizzes are also organized by the SLO Department.
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional Leadership programmes are included in MTK's extracurricular offerings, with a focus on developing leadership skills. The after-school activities provide opportunities to lead clubs, teams and community projects. These experiences contribute to students' personal and future professional development.	Leadership & professional —
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing Sports teams and physical activities are part of MTK's after-school programme. The programme runs until 17:15, providing supervised after-school care. These activities support physical fitness and overall well-being.	Lifestyle & wellbeing Ballet, swimming, gymnastics, basketball, football, and golf are available as after-school activities. Yoga is also offered as part of the after-school program. These options provide a range of physical activities for students. Activities are organized during SLO and after-school periods.
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision Azerbaijani is the language of instruction in the Azerbaijani Stream. Russian is the language of instruction in the Russian Stream. Azerbaijani language is used as the state language for the Russian Stream. English is taught as a foreign language, and Modern Foreign Languages available include German, French, Russian, and Arabic. In the International Stream, most lessons are in English, with Azerbaijani taught as needed to support local requirements.	Language provision The school teaches in English.
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching MTK High School offers three streams: Azerbaijani Stream (instruction in Azerbaijani), Russian Stream (instruction in Russian), and International Stream (primarily English-medium with some Azerbaijani). Most lessons in the International Stream are taught in English, with the balance between English- and Azerbaijani-instruction varying to meet host-country and expatriate students. English as a Second Language is taught, and Modern Foreign Languages such as German, French, Russian or Arabic are offered as options.	Bilingual teaching —
Immersion programs	Immersion programs —	Immersion programs —
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards —	Awards —
Accreditations	Accreditations —	Accreditations —
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	Admissions 1. Submission of online application form. Submitting an online application starts the MTK admissions process. After submission, information about the pre-entry assessment is provided. To participate in the pre-entry assessment, registration must be completed via the link provided on the MTK site. The family may receive further details by MTK after registration. 2. Participation in pre-entry assessment process. Admission to Preschool and Transitional groups is based on the results of an interview with academic staff and a psychologist, and a trial day may be offered if necessary. Admission to Grade 1 is based on the results of an interview with academic staff and a psychologist. Admission to Grades 2–10 is determined by examination results; where necessary, an interview with the psychologist and an assessment for SEND may be conducted, and a trial day may be arranged. 3. Registration and documentation. If a place is offered, submit copies of parents' IDs, a copy of the student's ID, 4 photos (3x4), Medical Card, and Certificate of residence. Information on the offer (unconditional/conditional/reject) will be provided within 3 workdays via phone and email. Following the official offer, sign the contract and provide the required documents for enrolment. Admissions for the 2024-2025 academic year start in February 2024 and end when all spots are filled.	Admissions —
Scholarships	Scholarships —	Scholarships —
Waitlist	Waitlist If no places are available in the targeted group/class, a place on the waiting list may be offered. While this may be conditional upon who leaves the school (plans of current students may change), MTK makes every effort to provide an accurate estimate regarding the likely waiting time.	Waitlist —
	View full profile →	View full profile →