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GDQ International Christian School

Albania, Tirana

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees Fees not listed
Ages 5 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 135
Type Co-educational
Opened 1993
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum British Curriculum, American Curriculum, Advanced Placement (AP)
Taught languages Albanian, French, Spanish, Korean
Typical class size 16
Strengths Sport, Languages, Performing Arts
Clubs Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language, Community and Service
Stages Preschool, Primary School, Middle School, High School
Introduction

GDQ International Christian School in Tirana, Albania offers a P-12 program for students aged 5 to 18. The curriculum blends British and U.S. standards and provides AP, PSAT, and SAT options, with EAL support for learners. Pre-1st classes are capped at 12 students and Grades 1–12 at 16 students per grade to preserve small, attentive environments. The school emphasizes a Christ-centered, international education with a biblical worldview and character development. Founded in 1993 by missionary families, GDQ earned accreditation from ACSI and Middle States Association in 2015, and College Board certification to offer AP since 2011. In 2024, campus moved to a P-12 facility in Vaqarr, featuring a cafeteria/auditorium, classrooms, two sports fields, and planned athletic facilities. Languages include Albanian, French, and Spanish; graduation requires two years of a modern language, with the fourth year offered as an AP course. The school supports leadership, service, and college-readiness throughout its program.

Shkolla “Gjerasim D. Qiriazi”, Rruga Arbanë, Vaqarr, Tirana, Albania

The Essentials

GDQ International Christian School has 135 pupils, typical class sizes of 16, instruction in English.

Location
GDQ International Christian School is located in Tirana, Albania, at Rruga Arbanë, Vaqarr. It serves the international community in Tirana. The school provides a Pre-1 through Grade 12 program.

Stages
Pre-1 through Grade 12

Type
international Christian school

Country affiliation
Albania

Religious affiliation
Christian

School day structure
Classes begin at the end of August and finish at the beginning of June. The calendar includes breaks such as fall break, Albanian Independence break, Christmas break, and spring break.
Diving Deeper

Uniform Requirement
Monday through Thursday are designated uniform days for P-8. The uniform consists of a burgundy GDQ logo polo shirt (short- or long-sleeved) and a burgundy or black GDQ logo hooded sweater or jacket; non-uniform jackets should not be worn over the school uniform while in the building, and the burgundy shirt must be worn under the hooded garment. Bottoms are blue jeans or plain-color black or tan trousers or shorts; girls may wear plain jeans, skirts or skorts; jeans that are faded, cut off, or have fashion holes are not acceptable, and athletic legwear is not allowed on uniform days (except K-2 PE days).

Food Options
Food to go orders can be placed for lower and middle school via Sycamore Education.

Governance and Ownership
GDQ is governed by the GDQ Board of Directors. The Board is composed of two legally appointed representatives from Christar and Global Mission Pioneers, with other board members appointed by the Board; the Director is a non-voting member. The Executive Director is Lori Neuman.
Fees
Application & assessment fees
- Application / initial assessment: A non‑refundable application fee is charged when you submit an application; commonly stated amounts include 10,000 lekë (non‑refundable).
- Alternate posted application/registration figures: An admissions page also lists an application fee of 35,000 lekë and an early registration amount of 30,000 lekë if paid before the early registration date. These figures are additionally posted by the school.
- EAL / language assessment: An assessment fee of 10,000 lekë is required before a formal language assessment takes place.

Registration, capital levy and one‑time charges
- Registration to secure a place: A non‑refundable registration fee is required to secure a class place; commonly stated registration amounts include 25,000 lekë (non‑refundable) and an early registration amount of 30,000 lekë in some admissions notices.
- One‑time capital levy for new families: All new families pay a one‑time capital levy of 75,000 lekë per family to assist with equipment purchases and capital improvements.

Tuition fees by year group and term
- Tuition levels by specific year group (grade) or per‑term amounts are not published as fixed figures in the school's publicly available enrollment documents. Tuition fees are determined annually by the school and may vary by year/grade.
- Payment timing for tuition: Tuition is payable either as a single payment due by the end of the first week of the school year, or in two instalments. If paid in two instalments, the first instalment is due by the end of the first week of the school year and the second instalment is due by the end of the first week of school following the Christmas and New Year holidays.
- Financial assistance: Families may apply for financial assistance; applying does not guarantee a reduction in tuition.

Billing schedule and payment terms
- Billing / due dates: Single annual tuition payment due by the end of the first week of the school year, or two instalments with the second due after the Christmas/New Year holiday period (see tuition payment timing above).
- Instalment consequences and contract terms: Tuition and other fees are governed by the student enrollment contract; the school may amend contract terms and issues around non‑payment and termination of contract are covered by that contract. External examination ordering and cancellation consequences are also addressed in the contract.

Boarding fees
- Boarding is not part of the school's published offerings and no boarding program or boarding fees are listed in the school's admissions and parent information materials. (GDQ operates as an international day school.)

Other costs and routine extras
- Uniforms: School uniforms (school and PE uniform) are required for Kindergarten through Grade 8 (high school students have a PE uniform only) and uniforms can be purchased directly from the school. Expect separate costs for uniforms.
- External examinations: The Foundation covers the cost of Cambridge IGCSE and College Board AP external examination fees; however, if an exam has been ordered and a student cannot take it, a cancellation fee may be charged to the family.
- Retainer fee (missionary families): Evangelical Protestant missionary families who leave the school temporarily and intend to return may be asked to pay a retainer fee per child to hold their place.

Refunds and cancellations
- Application and registration fees are described as non‑refundable in the school's admissions materials; parents pay non‑refundable application and non‑refundable registration fees to secure a place. Cancellation fees for ordered external exams may apply if the exam cannot be taken. Terms on refunds and cancellations are specified in the student contract and admissions policy.

Fee payment options
- In‑person / bank payment: Payments may be given directly to the school's financial officer or paid at any Raiffeisen Bank branch.
- Online enrollment: Enrollment for the upcoming year uses the school's Sycamore Education enrollment link; specific online payment methods are managed through the school's enrollment/payment processes.

Brief summary of what was checked
- The school's enrollment and contract documents set out application/assessment fees, a one‑time capital levy, payment timing (single payment or two instalments), exam‑related rules, and payment channels. Specific published tuition amounts by grade or per term are not provided in the publicly available admissions materials; parents receive a financial package from the school's finance office during the admissions process.
Academics

GDQ International Christian School teaches British Curriculum, American Curriculum, Advanced Placement (AP) for students aged 5 to 18.

Curriculum
The school offers a full K-12 program for students aged 5 to 19. The curriculum draws on both British and U.S. standards. Pre-1st classes are capped at 12 students and Grades 1–12 are capped at 16 students per grade. The school emphasizes a Christ-centered, international education with a biblical worldview and character development. EAL support, College Board resources, Advanced Placement, PSAT, and SAT programs are available to support diverse learners and college readiness.

Higher Education Progression
Graduates have a 95% university acceptance rate and attend universities worldwide. Notable destinations include Cornell University (USA), University of Queensland (Australia), University of Vienna (Austria), Vrije Universiteit Brussel (Belgium), SAMK University (Finland), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (Germany), University of Science & Technology (Hong Kong), Budapest University of Technology and Economics (Hungary), and Yonsei University (South Korea).
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The school focuses on developing each child's character and potential. It expects students to understand their emotions and to react and communicate them in a healthy and wise way. Students form healthy relationships across cultures and apply biblical values in their interactions with peers, adults, and authority. Emotional development is an explicit outcome within the Expected Student Outcomes.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
GDQ is open to accepting a child with special needs if the school has the specialized staff and resources necessary to address the child's needs. An academic support team is assembled for the child, with the parent as a member. The team develops an individualized education plan (IEP) describing services necessary for the child to learn and progress. These services may include modified or differentiated instruction, in-class support, or pull-out support with the special needs teacher. The school reserves the right to cancel a child's place if information about the child's academic, behavioral, social or emotional needs was withheld at enrollment. Depending on skill level, GDQ may place a child requiring support in a class lower than grade age, and continued enrollment is considered year to year based on the child's needs and the staff and resources available.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
GDQ offers an EAL (English as an Academic Language) program for students who do not have English as their academic language. The EAL program focuses on academic vocabulary and writing skills to help students succeed in the classroom at a level equal to or above native English classmates. The amount of EAL support is based on the school's WIDA Entry, Transition, and Exit criteria. EAL instruction takes precedence over all other foreign language instruction. In extenuating circumstances, the school reserves the right to place a child requiring EAL support in a class lower than grade age.

Mental Wellbeing
The school expects students to understand their emotions and to react and communicate them to others in a healthy and wise way. Healthy relationships across cultures are emphasized, with biblical values guiding interactions with peers, adults, and authority. Students are prepared for their next phase in life, including thinking critically and communicating effectively. They are taught to understand they are created in God's image and to make healthy lifestyle choices, including knowing how to deal with stress.

Safeguarding
GDQ is committed to safeguarding the health, safety, and well-being of every child. The school is a member of the Child Safety & Protection Network and strengthens safeguarding through safer recruitment, a code of conduct, regular training for staff, volunteers, and students, and effective responses to concerns. A dedicated safeguarding team works each year to support safeguarding efforts. Concerns can be reported to safeguarding@gdqschool.org. The Safeguarding Policy and Raising a Concern are provided on the safeguarding pages.
Parent Experience

History
Founded in 1993 by missionary families in Albania, GDQ International Christian School began as a P-8 program and received a Grade 1-9 license from the Albanian Ministry of Education in 1995. The high school program started in 2004, and Grades 10–12 were formally acknowledged by the Albanian Ministry of Education in 2010. The school earned accreditation from the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) and the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (MSA-CESS) in May 2015. College Board certification in 2011 enabled SAT and AP exams. In 2024, the campus moved to a new P-12 facility in Vaqarr, Tirana; GDQ celebrated its 30th anniversary in March 2023, and a Letter of Intent to join TeachBeyond as a Family School was signed in August 2024.

Community
GDQ International Christian School serves an international community with families and staff from five continents. The 2025-2026 School Calendar shows community-building events such as Community Night and an International Food Night. The school also maintains a global prayer community through Pray With Us and welcomes a multicultural parent community, including Korean-speaking families who participate in school life.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
GDQ International Christian School is housed in a leased former school building in Tirana, Albania, with a seven-year option to purchase. An adjacent parcel of land is available for athletic facilities. The building features a large cafeteria/auditorium, classrooms, emergency exit stairs, two existing sports fields, and a beautiful outdoor courtyard. The new facility is designed to sustain long-term growth and serve as the center of the school's community.

Sports Facilities
Two existing sports fields are on the site. An adjacent parcel is planned to become athletic facilities and an outdoor gymnasium. Phase 1 funds cover purchasing adjacent land and building an outdoor gym. Phase 2 would purchase the school building and make improvements. This campaign outlines a two-phase approach to expanding athletics.

Academic Facilities
The building includes classrooms for instruction. It also contains a large cafeteria/auditorium for dining and gatherings. Emergency exit stairs are part of the building's design. The facility was described as purpose-built to serve the school with these features.

Extra Curricular Facilities
Athletic facilities support sports and physical education, including two existing sports fields and an adjacent outdoor gym. An outdoor gym and athletic facilities are included in Phase 1. The large cafeteria/auditorium serves as a venue for assemblies, concerts, and events. Inter-school athletic events, choir concerts, and student leadership activities are part of the extracurricular program.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
The school offers a college-preparatory curriculum for Pre-1st through 12th grade. The curriculum draws from British and U.S. standards and class sizes are kept small (Pre-1st up to 12 students; Grades 1–12 up to 16 students per grade). An English as an Additional Language (EAL) program is available, and the school offers College Board resources including Advanced Placement (AP), PSAT, and SAT exams.

Arts & Creative
Lower school students study music, art, physical education, library, and computers; middle school includes creative arts (music and art).

Cultural & Language
The world language program includes Albanian, French and Spanish. Middle school offers Albanian, French and EAL; high school offers French or Spanish, with two years of a modern world language required for graduation and the fourth year offered as an AP course.

Community & Service
Bible curriculum centers on spiritual formation, service, mission-mindedness and life-long learning of the Word of God; students are encouraged to model Christlikeness in all areas of life and learning.

Leadership & Professional
The Leadership Team includes a K12 Director, Head of K8, HS Dean of Students and HS Dean of Academics. GDQ also supports student leadership activities, including delegations to leadership conferences such as the ACSI Student Leadership Conference (GDQ sent a delegation in 2012).

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
The curriculum includes Physical Education; creative arts (music and art); lower school includes music, art, library, and computers.
Languages

Language Provision
GDQ offers world language study in Albanian, French and Spanish. The language program begins in grade 2; Pre-1st and Grade 1 focus on English to support English-medium learning, while Grades 2–5 provide three language-learning avenues: maintaining English proficiency, continuing the heart language, and learning the host country language. In Middle School, Albanian, Korean and EAL (English as an Additional Language) are offered; non-native English speakers are assessed for EAL intervention. In High School, students complete two years of a modern world language with French or Spanish, and the fourth year is offered as an AP course.
Reputation

Accreditations
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Admissions

Admissions
Application Process for Non-Native English Speaking Children: 1) Completion of the application forms. The process begins with completing the application packet, and a language assessment will be conducted to evaluate language readiness. The forms are available from the front office and include the student application, a request for school records from the child's prior schools, and confidential references for students entering middle and high school. 2) Payment of the application fee. The application fee is 35,000 lekë. If applying for the upcoming school year, the registration fee is 30,000 lekë if paid prior to the close of the early registration date. Payment may be made to the financial officer or at any Raiffeisen Bank branch. 3) Review of the application packet. After submission of a complete application packet (forms, school records, references if requested, and the application fee), the appropriate lower, middle, or high school administration reviews the materials to determine if the child meets admissions criteria and is a suitable candidate. The administration may also schedule a meeting with the prospective student. A complete packet does not guarantee acceptance. 4) Formal English language assessment. If deemed a suitable candidate, the child will meet with the EAL coordinator for an extensive language assessment covering reading, writing, and speaking. An assessment fee of 10,000 lekë is payable before the language assessment. 5) Testing results. The EAL assessor provides testing results in writing to the admissions committee and to the family. 6) Final review. The admissions committee makes a final review of both the application and the language assessment. 7) GDQ notification. Parents are told whether the child is accepted within 5 to 7 school days after the formal assessment; applications received during the summer recess may take longer; if accepted, a student contract is provided. 8) Parent acceptance. To confirm acceptance, parents must sign and return the student contract; a signed copy of the contract must be placed in the child's school folder before classes begin. 9) EAL (English as an Academic Language) support upon acceptance. EAL is offered to those children who do not have English as their academic language. The program focuses on academic vocabulary and writing skills to enable performance at or above the level of native English classmates. For children needing EAL, the amount of support is determined by the school's WIDA Entry/Transition/Exit criteria; EAL instruction takes precedence over other foreign language instruction; in extenuating circumstances, the school reserves the right to place a child requiring EAL in a class a grade lower than age. Application Process for Native English Speaking Children: 1) Completion of the application packet. The packet includes the student application, a request for school records from the child's prior schools, and confidential references for students entering middle and high school; references may be contacted directly by GDQ. 2) Review of the application packet. After submission of a complete packet, the applicable school administration reviews the materials to determine if the child meets admissions criteria and is a suitable candidate; the administration may also meet with the student. A complete packet does not guarantee acceptance. 3) GDQ notification of acceptance. GDQ will notify the parents whether the child is accepted within 3 to 5 school days of receiving the completed application; summer submissions may take longer; if accepted, a student contract is provided. Should a child apply during the school year, GDQ reserves the right to set the entry date to the beginning of a school quarter. 4) Parent acceptance. To confirm acceptance, parents sign and return the student contract; a signed copy must be kept in the child's school folder before classes begin. 5) Payment of the application fee. The application fee is 35,000 lekë; if applying for the upcoming school year, the registration fee is 30,000 lekë if paid before the early registration date. Payments may be made to the financial officer or at any Raiffeisen Bank branch.

Scholarships
GDQ offers a scholarship program to assist families who align with the school's values and mission. Families that qualify may receive full or partial scholarships. If a family declines a scholarship, whether full or partial, the funds are set aside to assist families with emergency financial needs. Once a family is awarded a scholarship, it lasts for the duration the child remains in the same sector of the school, as long as the qualifying circumstances remain unchanged. The Qiriazi Scholarship remains in force for as long as the child continues to meet the qualifications.
School Events
The school has not added events
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