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St. George International School & Preschool

Bulgaria, Sofia

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English, Bulgarian
Fees €11,467 - 19,313
Ages 2 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 750
Type Co-educational
Opened 1996
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum EYFS (Early years foundation stage), Cambridge (Primary), Cambridge (Secondary), Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge A Levels, Pearson Edexcel IGCSE, Advanced Placement (AP)
Taught languages English, Bulgarian, French, German, Spanish, Russian, Italian
Typical class size 18
Strengths Sport, STEM, Languages
Clubs Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language, Leadership and Professional
Stages Preschool, Kindergarten, Primary School, Middle School, Secondary School, Sixth Form
Introduction

St. George International School & Preschool is a private international school in Sofia, Bulgaria, serving children from age 2 to 18. The curriculum blends Cambridge International Education for Primary, Lower Secondary, IGCSE and A Levels with Edexcel IGCSE and AP options, while aligning with Bulgaria's State Educational Standards. English and Bulgarian are the official languages, with ESL and Bulgarian as a Second Language support to strengthen language development. Since 2016 the school has operated from a central Sofia site covering about 24,385 square metres, designed for contemporary learning, arts and sport. Facilities include over 90 classrooms, science and humanities spaces, libraries, two school gyms, an indoor pool, a large performing arts hall, an 827-square-metre event area, and medical rooms. Extracurriculars span sport, arts, robotics and coding, and cultural activities. Leadership and career guidance are supported by a Student Council and Duke of Edinburgh, with university destination planning and community ties.

Promishlena zona Hladilnika, bul. "Nikola Y. Vaptsarov" 47, 1407 Sofia, Bulgaria

The Essentials

St. George International School & Preschool has 750 pupils, typical class sizes of 18, instruction in English, Bulgarian.

Location

47 Nikola Y. Vaptsarov Blvd, 1407 Sofia, Bulgaria. The school is located in the city center of Sofia. The building moved to this site in 2016.

Stages

Preschool 2–5 years; Primary 0–4th grade; Lower secondary 5th–7th grade; Cambridge IGCSE (8th–10th grade); Cambridge A-level (11th–12th grade)

Type

Private international school and preschool in Sofia, Bulgaria. Cambridge International Education programmes (Cambridge Primary, IGCSE, and A-levels) are used. The official languages are English and Bulgarian.

Country affiliation

Bulgaria

School day structure

The school day starts at 8:15 AM and ends between 3:30 PM and 4:00 PM, depending on age.

Bus service

Yes. The school works with a subcontractor that provides transport. It is available to children aged 3 and above and runs on school days from September 15 to May 31; transport is not offered during school holidays.
Diving Deeper

Uniform Requirement

The school has a three-part uniform: formal, casual, and sportswear. The formal uniform is compulsory for formal events and is available to purchase online. Items vary by year group, and Grades 11–12 do not have a prescribed uniform, with students expected to wear smart business-like attire.

Food Options

All meals are prepared on-site in the school kitchen from environmentally friendly products with documentation. Meals are prepared in accordance with the Bulgarian Institute for Standardization and the Bulgarian Agency for Food Safety, using techniques such as steaming and braising or frying with little oil; daily meals include breakfast, a morning snack, lunch with a choice of dishes, an afternoon snack, and optional fresh juice on request.

Governance and Ownership

St. George International School and Preschool operates under Bulgarian entities St. George School EOOD and St. George Preschool EOOD, with tuition contracts between each entity and parents. The school is registered as Cambridge Primary School and Cambridge International School under ISN BG032 and is an Accredited COBIS member, reflecting its governance and accreditation framework. The school's address is 47 Nikola Y. Vaptsarov Blvd, Sofia, Bulgaria.
Fees

Annual tuition at St. George International School & Preschool ranges from EUR 11,467 to EUR 19,313 for 2026/27.

Application / admission fee
- The admission fee is a one-off, non-refundable payment due when parents express a desire to apply. The admission fee covers document review, the candidate's trial day (including food), the entry exam and related administrative processing. The admission fee is not charged for applicants to Grade 5 and Grade 8.

Guarantee deposit
- A guarantee deposit of EUR 1,000 is payable when signing the tuition contract. This is a one-off payment that secures the student's place and may be used to cover damage or late payment; any remaining balance is refundable after completion of tuition.

Tuition fees (annual / per-term information and instalment rules)
- Annual tuition fees are quoted in euro and are shown as annual amounts when paid in a single (one‑off) instalment. When parents select staggered payment plans, additional charges apply: paying in 2 instalments adds 3%, in 3 instalments adds 8%, and in 10 instalments adds 10% to the tuition total. For the 10-instalment plan the first instalment amount is specified (EUR 4,000 for full‑day CIE students; EUR 2,500 for half‑day Bulgarian-diploma students) and the remainder is split into nine equal payments. New students pay their first instalment within 7 days of signing the contract; returning students' first instalment for the following year is due by 31 May. Deadlines for the 2026/27 payment-plan options include 31 May (single instalment) and a schedule of dates for 2, 3 or 10 instalments (for example: 31 May, 10 Nov, 10 Mar or monthly dates when 10 instalments are selected).

Tuition fees by year group (per-grade amounts / per-term breakdown)
- The school publishes a grade-by-grade table of annual tuition fees (amounts shown in euro for single-payment settlement). The protected fee table itself was not accessible for extraction while preparing this overview, so specific per-grade numeric tuition amounts (per term or per year group) cannot be reproduced here. The school's published fee structure confirms that the listed annual amounts are the reference figures and that instalment surcharges and the first-instalment rules above apply when parents choose staggered payments.

Billing schedule and payment terms (how and when fees are billed and due)n- Payment plans available: one, two, three or ten instalments. Instalment surcharges apply as above (2/3/10 instalments = +3% / +8% / +10%).
- Typical due dates shown for the 2026/27 plan: 1 instalment: 31 May; 2 instalments: 31 May and 10 Nov; 3 instalments: 31 May, 10 Nov and 10 Mar (dates shown in the published payment plan); 10 instalments: 31 May then successive 10th-of-month dates across the academic year. New-student first instalment due within 7 days of contract signature; returning-student first instalment due by 31 May for the next academic year. Additional charges and rules (penalties) are set out in the school's general terms.

Boarding fees
- No boarding fees are listed because the school's published materials do not show a boarding provision; transport, meals and day-school extras are described as separate, optional services. Boarding fees are therefore not applicable.

Other compulsory or additional costs
- Educational resources fee: set annually, payable with the first instalment according to the chosen payment plan; paid separately from tuition and not refundable. This covers subscriptions to online platforms, textbooks, basic stationery packs and devices where specified (a personal tablet is provided for students in certain grades).
- Exam fees: determined annually, payable with the first instalment; paid separately from tuition and non-refundable. External and Cambridge examination fees (Checkpoint, IGCSE, AS/A‑Level) and additional exam-related practical component charges (where applicable) are charged in addition to tuition.
- Food / catering: calculated and billed separately from tuition. For full‑day students (CIE): food with first‑morning breakfast is shown at EUR 13.90 per school day for Primary (Grades 1–4) and EUR 15.30 per school day for Lower/Upper Secondary (Grades 5–12). Food without the first morning breakfast is shown at EUR 12.80 per day for Primary and EUR 14.20 per day for Grades 5–12. Fresh juice (optional) is charged (EUR 2.30 per day). Food may be paid annually or in two instalments; a year‑end recalculation reimburses unused food fees for medically documented absences. A mandatory small morning snack for certain grades is charged as an annual fee (Grade 1: EUR 230; Grades 8–9: EUR 255).
- Transport: provided by an independent licensed company; the transport fee is calculated and billed separately and parents contract directly with the carrier.
- Extracurricular activities (sports, music, applied / performing / fine arts, technology, design etc.): charged separately and are non‑refundable once paid; enrolment and payment follow an additional schedule through the school's electronic platform.
- School uniform: required for Grades 1–10; uniform items are charged separately and are not covered by tuition or discounts.

Discounts and sibling policy
- Sibling discounts on the tuition fee: second child from one family receives a 5% tuition discount; each subsequent child receives a 10% discount; for twins, a 15% discount is applied to one twin. Discounts do not apply to the guarantee deposit, admission fee, educational resources fee, exam fees, school trips, uniform, food, transport, or extracurricular blocks outside the compulsory programme.

Refunds and termination / leave before end of year
- If parents terminate a tuition contract with the required one-month notice before the end of the school year, the tuition fee is reimbursed according to the school's published schedule: leave dated from 15 September to 30 October – 25% (reimbursement basis shown); from 1 November to 31 January – 20%; from 1 February to 31 March – 15%. The educational resources fee, admission fee and exam fees are not refundable. The general terms also set a contractual penalty in specific withdrawal windows (an amount of EUR 2,500 is referenced in the school's general terms for certain unilateral contract terminations in the period between signing a payment plan and the start of lessons; this penalty may be partially deducted from the guarantee deposit up to the smaller amount).

Fee payment options
- Accepted payment methods include bank transfer and card payments at a POS terminal; payments may also be made by debit or credit card and by bank transfer to the account specified in the tuition contract. Fees are payable to the school account details shown on invoices and in the payment plan enclosed with the tuition contract.

Brief note on unavailable per‑grade numeric tuition amounts
- The school's published 2026/27 fees page indicates a grade-by-grade tuition table (annual amounts in euro) and the instalment and billing rules, but the numeric tuition table itself could not be extracted from the published page during this check (the page presents the fee table as protected content). Specific per-grade tuition figures and per‑term breakdowns therefore could not be reproduced in this overview. The school's published materials do, however, set out the guarantee deposit, instalment surcharges, payment deadlines, food charges, educational resources and exam fees, sibling discounts and the refund / termination schedule summarized above.
Academics

St. George International School & Preschool teaches EYFS (Early years foundation stage), Cambridge (Primary), Cambridge (Secondary), Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge A Levels, Pearson Edexcel IGCSE, Advanced Placement (AP) for students aged 2 to 18.

Curriculum

The school follows the Cambridge International Education programme for Primary and Lower Secondary education, preparing students for IGCSE, AS, and A-level certificates, in addition to the State Educational Standards of the Ministry of Education and Science of Bulgaria.

Student Teacher Ratio

Class sizes range from 15 to 18 in the primary stage and up to 22 in higher levels. The school has about 715 students and around 190 teachers and supporting staff.

Higher Education Progression

Graduates attend universities worldwide, including Edinburgh, Oxbridge, Kings College, UCL, St. Andrews, Hong Kong University, Stanford, Durham, EPFL, Sofia University Kliment Ohridski, Medical University Sofia, and others.

Gifted and Talented

The school offers full or partial scholarships for upper-secondary students with demonstrated talents in sports, music, mathematics, or the arts.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)

The school runs a Parent-Teacher Association that organises safe, developmentally appropriate social and cultural activities that enrich each student's educational experience. The PTA's mission revolves around the belief that successful young individuals begin their educational journey within a diverse and inclusive community. With more than 36 nationalities under one roof, every child and member is valued, supported, and cherished. The Student Council provides student leadership with representatives from each grade and works on school projects with teachers and management. These structures support students' social development and active participation in school life.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)

There is a programme for gifted and talented students and students with special educational needs. St. George International School and Preschool is committed to developing confident, motivated, self-disciplined learners who can realise their full potential. These learners are supported to make responsible contributions to the world.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)

High-level proficiency in the English language is a prerequisite for accessing educational content in all subjects. At the beginning of the school year, tests assessing English language proficiency are conducted for all students. Depending on the results, the school provides support through consultations, individual work, or additional activities after the regular school day.

Mental Wellbeing

The school promotes wellbeing through a diverse and inclusive community and safe, developmentally appropriate social and cultural activities organized by the PTA. The Student Council and other community activities encourage student voice and engagement, contributing to wellbeing.

Safeguarding

The Safeguarding Children Policy and Procedures outlines safeguarding roles and responsibilities. Trained Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSLs) are listed: Kremena Peneva (DSL); Andriana Chomakovska (DSL); Lilly Naydenova (DSL). Associate Designated Safeguarding Leads (ADSLs) are Tsvetanka Doganova and Alexandra Petraru. Safeguarding is the responsibility of every adult and student, and the policy applies to all staff, students, parents/guardians and others involved with the school; it is implemented to keep children safe and to promote their welfare. The policy is written in alignment with international and national guidance, including the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and related local laws, and is supported by detailed procedures for reporting concerns and taking prompt action.
Parent Experience

History

St. George International School and Preschool opened in 2004 as a private bilingual secondary school, and St. George Preschool began in 1995 as Wonder World Kindergarten. The school became an Edexcel International Training Centre in 2013 and joined COBIS in 2014. In 2016, it moved to a new complex and earned Cambridge International accreditation as a Cambridge Primary School. The institution later received the 2018 Building of the Year Bulgaria award, COBIS compliance in 2019, College Board membership in 2021, a Trinity College London exam centre in 2022, and COBIS Accredited Member status in 2025.

Community

The PTA leads safe, developmentally appropriate social and cultural activities that enrich each student's educational experience. Its mission centers on the belief that successful young individuals begin their educational journey within a diverse and inclusive community. More than 36 nationalities come together under one roof, and the PTA is committed to ensuring that every child and member feels valued, supported, and cherished. Student Council represents Secondary School students, with a Chairman and a representative from each grade, coordinating school events and student feedback with school management and teachers.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)

The PTA's primary objective is to organise safe, developmentally appropriate social and cultural activities that enrich each student's educational experience. Its mission centers on the belief that successful young individuals begin their educational journey within a diverse and inclusive community. More than 36 nationalities come together under one roof. The PTA is committed to ensuring that every child and member feels valued, supported, and cherished.
Facilities

Facilities Overview

Since the beginning of 2016, the School has moved to a new site in the city center of Sofia. The total built-up area is 24,385 square meters and the design meets all applicable norms in the Republic of Bulgaria and the European Union, with Cambridge International Examinations standards for theoretical and practical training. Infrastructure and equipment meet contemporary requirements for effective learning and arts and sports for students aged between 2 and 19 years. Access and safety are controlled by an up-to-date system for access control and video surveillance, and the premises feature interactive whiteboards, BMS systems, clock and sound systems, and a geothermal heating/ventilation system that provides fresh, filtered air. Water is supplied from a mineral water filtration system and drinking fountains, and a geothermal system supports energy independence and a comfortable learning environment.

Sports Facilities

The Sport Complex includes a student pool (25 × 12.5 m) and a kindergarten pool (6.60 × 5.50 m). The School gym covers 1,025 square meters with movable tribunes and spaces for basketball, handball, volleyball and badminton, plus a second school gym of 500 square meters. Kindergarten gyms are 97 square meters each, and there are indoor and outdoor athletic running tracks, a track for long jump, a dance and gymnastics hall, a table tennis hall, a martial arts hall, and a two‑level fitness area. There are also separate outdoor playgrounds for different age groups and facilities such as locker rooms and indoor sport spaces. The buildings for the school, the kindergarten and the sport complex are connected yet function independently with separate entrances.

Academic Facilities

There are over 90 classrooms with sizes ranging from 40 to 94 square meters, including specialized rooms in Science, Humanities, Bulgarian, English, Foreign Languages, Mathematics, IT, Fine Arts, Music and Performing Arts, Design and Technology, Journalism and more. Three outdoor classrooms are available, along with a large multifunctional area for upper-secondary students (grades 11–12). Libraries include a 370 square meter School library and a separate Preschool library. An activity room supports psychologists and a speech therapist, complemented by relaxation areas and dedicated medical rooms for both the School and Preschool. A multifunctional hall for performing arts and projections seats about 330, plus backstage, makeup and dressing rooms, an 827 square meter event area, canteens for the School and Preschool with an on-site kitchen, and individual lockers for each child and teacher.

Extra Curricular Facilities

A range of spaces supports extracurricular activities, including a dance and gymnastics hall, a table tennis hall, a martial arts hall, and indoor sport play spaces within the sport complex. There are outdoor running tracks and separate outdoor playgrounds for different age groups to facilitate after‑school activities. The multifunctional hall for performing arts and projections supports drama, music and other performances, while the 827 square meter event area hosts school activities and gatherings. The School and Preschool libraries and the activity room provide spaces for clubs, reading groups and well‑being initiatives beyond standard lessons.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual

Exams and external examinations are conducted in line with Cambridge International Education. High-level English proficiency is required to access subjects, with ESL support available for students who need it. Career guidance focuses on university applications, portfolio development, and structured internships across fields such as medicine, law, auditing, media, and industry. The school prepares students for admission to prestigious universities worldwide.

Arts & Creative

The Extracurricular activities offer a wide range of arts and creativity options. Architectural workshops, applied arts, LEGO robotics, Minecraft programming, and a cooking club are available. Music and dance are represented with Ballet, Modern and Folk dance, and a variety of musical instruments including piano, guitar, violin, percussion, trumpet, and singing.

Cultural & Language

Visits to cultural and historical sites are part of student activities. The community comprises more than 36 nationalities, fostering a diverse and inclusive environment. The PTA coordinates social and cultural activities to enrich each student's educational experience. English as a Second Language and Bulgarian as a Second Language programs support language development.

Social & Hobbies

A broad selection of sports and hobby groups is available, including swimming, basketball, soccer, functional workouts, athletics, squash, Taekwondo, karate, and tennis. Students can also engage in architectural workshops, applied arts, LEGO robotics, Minecraft programming, and cooking clubs. Dance styles and chess are among the activities offered, alongside a range of other creative and digital literacy options.

Community & Service

The PTA's primary objective is to organise safe, developmentally appropriate social and cultural activities that enrich each student's educational experience. The school hosts a diverse community with more than 36 nationalities, ensuring that every member is valued and supported. The Student Council coordinates school events and student feedback, working on projects with peers, teachers, school management, and parents. Career guidance activities include visits to cultural/historical sites and charitable events.

Leadership & Professional

The Student Council includes student representatives from the Secondary School who coordinate events and relay feedback to management. Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award ceremonies have recognized the commitment of students from Grades 9–12. Career Advice supports university applications, portfolio development, and planning for future careers, including internships in medicine, law, auditing, media, and industry. The school also prepares students for admission to prestigious universities worldwide.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing

Extracurricular activities include functional workouts, swimming, basketball, soccer, athletics, squash, Taekwondo, karate, and tennis. Dance and music options, such as Ballet, Modern and Folk dance, and various musical instruments, contribute to overall wellbeing. Wellbeing events, including yoga sessions organized by the PTA, promote relaxation and community belonging.
Languages

Language Provision

English is required for access to educational content in all subjects, with ESL support available after the start of the school year if needed. Bulgarian as a second language is offered for non-native Bulgarian speakers through a foreign language programme. The school follows Cambridge International Education for exams and Bulgarian state standards. There is a Bulgarian Programme for Grade 8.
Admissions

Admissions

Admission and enrollment information is provided to help parents and students make an informed decision about St. George International School and Preschool; information meetings with the Admission and Communication department are organized. Admission begins with filling in the online application. For the 2024-2025 school year, admission exams are required for students entering preparatory, first, fifth, or eighth grade. Fees are published on the school's website and updated annually by March; tuition differs for returning and new students, and there are additional costs such as a guarantee deposit, educational resources, exams, meals, uniforms, transportation, and other charges. Scholarships may be available for upper secondary education, with opportunities for full or partial scholarships for students with demonstrated talents in sports, music, mathematics, and/or the arts who may not have the means to pay regular tuition. Admissions for the next academic year take place in January, February, and March according to a schedule set by the school; admissions during the current academic year are possible depending on availability, with an individual examination session. The admission procedure lasts about 20 days from the admission date. Informational tours are regularly organized, with contact numbers and email addresses provided for admissions. Preschool admissions for children aged 2 to 5 are year-round and subject to available places; the preschool operates in English, with Bulgarian used in Bulgarian contexts; group sizes in preschool and school settings are published, and uniforms are available for all age groups. The school is located at 47 Nikola Y. Vaptsarov Blvd, 1407 Sofia.

Scholarships

Scholarships are available for upper secondary education; there are opportunities for full or partial scholarships for students with demonstrated talents in sports, music, mathematics, and/or the arts, who may not have the financial means to pay regular tuition.
School Events
The school has not added events