doris
Currency
M

Maple Bear Sofia

Bulgaria, Sofia

Save school

· Reviewed by · Co-founder & CEO

Independently researched by doris.
Not yet claimed by the school
Claim your profile
The school at a glance
Instructs in English, Bulgarian
Fees Fees not listed
Ages 6 - 13 years
Type Co-educational
Opened 2020
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum Canadian Curriculum, Bespoke Curriculum
Taught languages English, Bulgarian
Strengths Languages, STEM, Academic Enrichment
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Cultural and Language, Leadership and Professional
Stages Preschool, Elementary, Middle School
Introduction

Maple Bear Sofia delivers a hybrid Canadian-Bulgarian curriculum with bilingual instruction in English and Bulgarian, designed for students from Preschool through High School. Founded in 2020, the school opened in Boyana and expanded to Kambanite in 2023, reaching 300 students by September 2025. Maple Bear curriculum is created in Canada by the Maple Bear Faculty, a team of 150+ expert educators, and is updated to reflect practices. Part of the day follows the Canadian Maple Bear program while the remainder aligns with the Bulgarian Ministry of Education, enabling a seamless bilingual learning experience. The program emphasizes language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies through a child-centered approach, with competitive mathematics offered for Grades 2–4 and preparation for national competitions such as Mathematics Without Borders, European Kangaroo, Lyuboslovie, and Spelling Bee. Bulgarian assessments show results, e.g., 2024 Language and Literature 91.79 and Mathematics 89.79; 2025 Language and Literature 85.46 and Mathematics 89.29.

Gardova glavaVitosha, ul. "Panoramen pat" 38, 1616 Sofia, Bulgaria

The Essentials

Maple Bear Sofia has instruction in English, Bulgarian.

Location

Maple Bear Sofia operates at two campuses in Sofia, Bulgaria: Maple Bear Kambanite at 9 Vitoshki Kambani Street, Sofia 1756, and Maple Bear Boyana at 38 Panoramen Path Street, Sofia 1616. The Kambanite campus is in a green, peaceful area with views of Vitosha mountain, and the Boyana campus is in the Boyana district. Both locations have Google Maps listings.

Stages

Preschool; Primary School (Grades 0-4); Middle School (Grades 5-7); High School

Type

Hybrid Canadian-Bulgarian curriculum; bilingual education (Preschool through High School)

Additional learning support

Differentiated instruction to challenge advanced learners and to support those who need help to catch up; competitive mathematics classes for Grades 2–4 and preparation for national competitions such as Mathematics without Borders, European Kangaroo, Lyuboslovie, and Spelling Bee.

Country affiliation

Canada; the Maple Bear program is created in Canada

School day structure

The day blends Bulgarian-language instruction under the Ministry of Education with Maple Bear English instruction. School hours are 08:00–18:00, Monday–Friday; drop-off is 08:00–08:30; pick-up is 16:00–16:30; after-class activities extend to 16:30–17:20 or 18:00.
Diving Deeper

Uniform Requirement

Uniforms are not included in tuition. Uniforms can be purchased separately through the Maple Bear CEE online store.

Food Options

Meal plans are not included in the tuition and come at an additional cost. Students also have the option to bring their own lunch.

Governance and Ownership

The school is part of Maple Bear Global Schools Ltd.
Fees
Registration / Application fee
- Registration (one-time, initial enrollment): € 800, paid upon enrollment.

Educational materials fee
- Educational materials (one-time, per school year): € 550.

Tuition fees by year group (annual amounts and payment plans) — Academic year 2026/2027
- Grade 0 (Preschool)
- Plan 1: € 8,950 (single annual payment).
- Plan 2: € 9,150 (two installments).
- Plan 3: € 9,400 (monthly installment plan).
- Example payment breakdowns shown: Plan 1 = 1 x € 8,950; Plan 2 = 2 x € 4,575; Plan 3 = 1 x € 2,650 initial then 9 x € 750 monthly.

- Grade 1
- Plan 1: € 9,050 (single annual payment).
- Plan 2: € 9,250 (two installments).
- Plan 3: € 9,450 (monthly installment plan).
- Example payment breakdowns shown: Plan 1 = 1 x € 9,050; Plan 2 = 2 x € 4,625; Plan 3 = 1 x € 2,700 initial then 9 x € 750 monthly.

- Grades 2–4
- Plan 1: € 8,950 (single annual payment).
- Plan 2: € 9,150 (two installments).
- Plan 3: € 9,400 (monthly installment plan).
- Example payment breakdowns shown: Plan 1 = 1 x € 8,950; Plan 2 = 2 x € 4,575; Plan 3 = 1 x € 2,650 initial then 9 x € 750 monthly.

- Grades 5–7
- Plan 1: € 8,750 (single annual payment).
- Plan 2: € 8,900 (two installments).
- Plan 3: € 9,150 (monthly installment plan).
- Example payment breakdowns shown: Plan 1 = 1 x € 8,750; Plan 2 = 2 x € 4,450; Plan 3 = 1 x € 2,400 initial then 9 x € 750 monthly.

Billing schedule and payment terms
- Plan 1: single annual payment due in January or upon enrollment.
- Plan 2: two payments — first payment due in January and second payment due in October.
- Plan 3: initial payment due in January, followed by monthly payments from September through May (payment schedule shown as 9 monthly payments).
- Late payment may incur a late fee; continued non-payment can affect a student's enrollment.

Boarding fees
- Boarding / residential provision is not applicable; no boarding fees are listed for the school.

Other costs and optional services (billed separately)
- Uniforms: uniforms are not included in tuition and are ordered through the Maple Bear CEE online store. Example item prices listed: Sweatshirt € 25; Polo T-shirt € 14; Trousers € 28; Dress € 18. All uniform payments are processed through the Maple Bear CEE online store.
- Food / catering: Licensed catering company — annual fee range € 1,290 to € 1,340 (depending on supplier); billed weekly, per term, or for the period between vacations depending on supplier. Meals are optional and are billed separately.
- Transportation: Licensed transport service — € 2,550 annual (two-way) or € 1,950 annual (one-way); payment by one or two installments. A 5% sibling discount can apply to transport services.
- Extended day program (4:30 pm to 6:00 pm): € 700 annual; payment by one or two installments.
- Extracurricular activities: optional; fees typically range from € 200 to € 550 per term depending on the activity. Enrollment for activities is by semester and these fees are billed separately.

Sibling discounts
- A 5% sibling discount is offered for the second child enrolled and a 10% discount for the third child enrolled; discounts for additional children are considered individually. (A 5% sibling discount is also noted for certain services such as transport.)

Refund information
- The published tuition schedule does not include a standard, detailed tuition refund policy. Refund requests and any exceptional arrangements are handled directly by the school's finance office. For delayed payments, a late fee may be applied and continued non-payment can affect enrollment.

Fee payment options
- The school accepts payments by bank transfer; installment plans are available as described under each payment Plan. Specific acceptance of credit cards or other payment channels is not listed in the published fee schedule.
Academics

Maple Bear Sofia teaches Canadian Curriculum, Bespoke Curriculum for students aged 6 to 13.

Curriculum

The Maple Bear Sofia program follows a hybrid model that blends the Canadian Maple Bear curriculum with the Bulgarian national curriculum, with bilingual instruction in English and Bulgarian. The Maple Bear curriculum is created in Canada by Canadian experts and updated by the Maple Bear Faculty (150+ expert educators), and it covers language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies with a child-centered learning approach.

Exam Results

2024: Bulgarian Language and Literature 91.79; Mathematics 89.79. 2025: Bulgarian Language and Literature 85.46; Mathematics 89.29.

Higher Education Progression

The Maple Bear mission prepares students for success at the post-secondary level.

Gifted and Talented

Academically ambitious students in Grades 2–4 have competitive mathematics classes as part of the standard school day and are prepared for national competitions such as Mathematics Without Borders, European Kangaroo, Lyuboslovie and Spelling Bee.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)

Maple Bear Sofia teaches the whole child—cognitively, socially, emotionally, and physically. Social and emotional growth is integrated with academic learning through soft skills and character development. The program emphasizes empathy, respect, leadership, and community involvement as core values. Students learn in bilingual, collaborative environments that foster social interaction and cross-cultural understanding. Social and emotional development is a deliberate focus of Maple Bear Sofia, supporting personal growth alongside academics.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Maple Bear Sofia provides an inclusive bilingual environment welcoming all families. Teachers tailor the learning experience to each child's needs and strengths. The learning environment embraces individuality and varied learning styles with flexible, inclusive approaches.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)

The school uses an English immersion model from preschool to develop English language proficiency. English is taught as a second language through immersion and real-life use, not through separate lessons. Academic content is taught in either the native language or English, depending on the subject and grade level, within a hybrid Canadian-local curriculum.

Mental Wellbeing

Maple Bear Sofia emphasizes social and emotional well-being as part of its education. The program supports soft skills and resilience and fosters social-emotional development. The daily schedule and school environment are designed to be safe and nurturing, supporting students' mental well-being.

Safeguarding

The Maple Bear Sofia mission is to deliver a student-focused learning system in a safe, secure and stimulating environment. The daily routine describes a safe and nurturing environment with a balanced bilingual program.
Parent Experience

History

Founded in 2020, Maple Bear Sofia opened in Boyana in September 2020, offering a bilingual program that combines the Bulgarian national curriculum with the Canadian Maple Bear curriculum in English. In June 2023, our first class of Grade 4 students graduated with success. In September 2023, Kambanite became the second school location, opening its doors to primary stage students. In April 2025, the school obtained a license for the middle school level from the Ministry of Education and Science. In September 2025, we reached 300 students enrolled at Maple Bear Sofia.

Community

Parents, teachers, and students form a triangle of partnership; when all three sides are strong, children thrive. Parental involvement and support, together with teaching and students' effort, create the foundation for both academic achievement and personal growth. The school runs charity and environmental initiatives such as the Terry Fox charity run and Earth Day activities, and partners with Remix and Greenpeace Bulgaria to promote sustainability. The Science Fair fosters hands-on discovery, and Maple Bear Sofia hosted live radio contact with the International Space Station.
Facilities

Academic Facilities

The Maple Bear curriculum is created in Canada by Canadian experts—the Maple Bear Faculty, a team of 150+ expert Canadian educators. The curriculum and content are updated to reflect the latest research and Canadian educational practices. The school follows a hybrid educational model: part of the day is dedicated to the Canadian Maple Bear program, and the other part to the Bulgarian curriculum, aligned with the Ministry of Education. Competitive mathematics classes are offered for Grades 2–4 as part of the standard school day, with preparation for national competitions such as Mathematics without Borders, European Kangaroo, Lyuboslovie, and Spelling Bee. The Bulgarian external assessments at the end of Grade 4 show strong results: 2024 Bulgarian Language and Literature — 91.79 points; Mathematics — 89.79 points; 2025 Bulgarian Language and Literature — 85.46 points; Mathematics — 89.29 points.

Extra Curricular Facilities

Extracurricular activities include preparation for national competitions such as Mathematics Without Borders, European Kangaroo, Lyuboslovie, and Spelling Bee. Competitive mathematics classes for Grades 2–4 are offered as part of the standard school day.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual

Maple Bear Sofia provides Premium Canadian Education with a whole-child approach. The school follows a hybrid educational model: part of the day is the Maple Bear Canadian program, and part is the Bulgarian curriculum aligned with the Ministry of Education. The curriculum emphasizes creativity, self-expression, and critical thinking alongside academic subjects. The school aims to prepare students with future-ready skills embedded in daily learning.

Cultural & Language

Bilingual education is offered; students study all academic subjects in either their native language or a second language, depending on the subject and grade level. Immersion is used as a method of learning an additional language. The program combines elements of Canadian educational practices with Bulgarian language and culture as part of the curriculum. Language development is a core component of the bilingual approach.

Leadership & Professional

Future-Ready Skills nurture essential soft skills as part of Maple Bear Sofia's education. The curriculum supports communication, collaboration, problem solving, and adaptability to prepare students for future professional environments. The Canadian Maple Bear curriculum and the Bulgarian program work together to develop holistic competencies beyond traditional subjects.
Languages

Language Provision

Two languages are used for instructional content: the native language and a second language. All subjects may be taught in either language depending on the subject and grade level. Immersion is employed to support language development.

Bilingual Teaching

The school uses bilingual education. Bilingual education uses two languages for classroom instruction of academic content. Students study all academic subjects in either their native language or a second language, depending on the subject and grade level.

Immersion Programs

Immersion is used as the preferred method for acquiring an additional language.
Admissions

Admissions

Admission Policy at Maple Bear Sofia outlines a three-step process: Schedule a Visit, Visit of Your Child, and Feedback and Approval. Schedule a visit to explore the school, meet the team, and understand the curriculum by completing the form. Your child then visits the school—Grade 0 and Grade 1 have a shorter introductory session, while older students attend a trial day with current students. The team observes learning approach, language abilities and social skills to aid the transition, with older students possibly completing brief tasks in Bulgarian, Math or English. After these steps, the admissions team reviews the application and notifies you of the decision; if approved, you complete the enrollment form and provide the required documents to prepare for the first day. Apply Now invites you to book a meeting and submit the application; Maple Bear Sofia aims to respond within 1–2 working days. Note: Children who attended Maple Bear Vitosha Kindergarten receive priority in enrollment, and the preliminary application form is non-binding with personal data handled under the European data protection directive (EC2016/679).
School Events
The school has not added events