International Schools in Sofia in 2023
Best International Schools in Sofia in 2023
Before reviewing the best international schools in Sofia in 2023, we will explain in this article how the Bulgarian education system works.
Bulgarian Schools
The following is a description of how education within the standard Bulgarian system functions.
Education in Bulgaria is compulsory up until 10th grade, free of charge for the public schools while kindergartens have a small fee. The basic education in public schools is conducted in Bulgarian. There is a charge in higher education schools, colleges, and universities.
There are eight main subjects in the Bulgarian educational system: Bulgarian language and Literature, foreign languages, mathematics, information technology, social sciences and, natural sciences and ecology, music and art, physical education, and sports.
The school year starts on September 15 and ends in May or June (depending on the grade level), and is divided into two terms with Christmas, Easter and Summer holidays. Classes meet five days a week and usually take two shifts (morning and afternoon) in some schools.
In general, the school day in Sofia begins at around 8.00am and finishes at 2.00 pm.
School bus services are usually offered, but public transport in Sofia is excellent and your children will have little difficulty getting to or from school whatever the mode of transport they use.
Kindergarten
Starting from the age of 2 years, small children can attend a kindergarten for 4 years. The last two years are considered pre-school, where your children learn the alphabet, numbers, and some basic mathematics. Kindergartens also offer the opportunity to play and learn the rules of sports such as football and gymnastics. There is also the opportunity to learn a foreign language, which is mainly English these days, but it is also possible to learn the basics of other languages depending on the kindergarten.
It is best if your children can speak Bulgarian by the time that they leave kindergarten.
Primary Schools
Following kindergarten, children will join either private or public primary schools in Bulgarian. Primary schools are divided into 2 groups – 1-4 grade and 5-7 grade.
In the 1-4 grade, the children typically have:
- 1 primary teacher
- 1 afternoon teacher
- Specialist teachers for sports, music, foreign languages etc.
The quality of the primary teacher is vital to your children’s education since they will be spending most time with him or her. When selecting a primary school, you should also check out the equipment in the classrooms and the extra activities available such as languages, sports and music.
After the 4th grade there is a state examination known as the External Evaluation. This consists of tests in Mathematics and Bulgarian.
Based on the exam results, the children can be enrolled into a different school or stay in the same school for grades 5 to 7. The results may indicate that your child may be better off going to a specialist school such as mathematics or languages.
In grades 5-7 the students will receive different teachers for different subjects and there will be additional subjects such as history, biology, chemistry, literature, etc. At the end of year 7 there is another External Evaluation which will determine which secondary schools your children will attend.
Secondary Schools
Secondary schools are also known as high schools and some specialised high schools will have additional examinations and offer choices between mathematics, languages or IT, focusing upon a certain discipline.
At the end of grade 12 there is again an External Evaluation, which are used as the basis for applying to a university or college.
International Schools in Sofia, Bulgaria
International schools can be the perfect solution for an expat student (in Bulgaria. Schools usually follow a curriculum model from the US, UK, France, Canada or Australia/New Zealand instead of the standard Bulgarian schooling system.
Primary instruction is usually in English, French, Spanish, German, or Japanese and schools often provide internationally accepted accreditation such as the international baccalaureate.
Admission and enrolment procedures will vary from school to school. Space is often limited, and preference may be given to students based on nationality. Tuition fees tend to be expensive compared to local standards but offer a higher standards of education with smaller class sizes, better facilities, and extracurricular activities. Boarding is available at some schools, but most only provide day classes.
Sofia now has a good selection of international schools available to teach foreign students as well as Bulgarians with over 50 different nationalities attending different schools.
The curriculum is geared towards students from families who will be moving on in a few years, and will need to pick up their education in another country or city.
Most of Sofia’s international schools are located south-east of the city centre near to parks such as Borisgarten and Park Vartopo, so you should factor this into your school or accommodation search.
The standard of education on offer in Sofia’s international schools is similar to the rest of Europe and teachers are usually native speakers of the language of instruction.
Best International Schools in Sofia 2023
Where you will send your child will depend on your own personalised circumstances. Below is a guide to the best International Schools in Sofia 2023.
St. George International School & Preschool
St. George International School and Preschool aims to combine the best of Bulgarian and British educational systems to produce a world class education for its students.
At St. George International School and Preschool there is a hybrid curriculum, resulting in the students receiving the Bulgarian diplomas, alongside internationally recognised Cambridge International IGCSE & A-Level qualifications at the end of their secondary education.
Otkrivatel Montessori School
Otkrivatel Montessori School was the first Bilingual elementary school in Sofia and dedicates itself to providing a quality education for children aged 14 months through 12 years. It is authentic Montessori school with both Bulgarian and English highly qualified teachers in its classrooms.
American English Academy
The American English Academy is a day private coeducational international school which offers a full U.S. standards-based educational program from Pre-Kindergarten (age 3) through Grade 12. Based on international Best Practices and accreditation
British School of Sofia
The British School of Sofia was established in 2010 as a response to the need for quality international education and is a British School Overseas Accredited school. The academic curriculum is complemented by extracurricular programs and activities which contribute to the personal, physical and moral development of students.
British School of Sofia has a commitment to develop the whole person and not just achieve excellent results.
Anglo-American School of Sofia
The Anglo-American School of Sofia is a diverse, internationally rich, welcoming school providing not only an outstanding learning environment but also a caring community, full of parents, students, and staff who know what it means to be internationally mobile.
The Anglo-American School of Sofia was set up in 1967. Students range in age from four to 18 and are taught in English. The curriculum combines the best from US and UK educational practices. The school is accredited by the CoIS and NEASC. AAS is also an authorised International Baccalaureate World School.
Maple Bear Sofia
Maple Bear is a private elementary school in Sofia with a preschool and elementary education in a program utilising the best Canadian teaching methods and strategies, which is based on the Bulgarian and Canadian curricula.
Deutsche Schule Sofia
Deutsche Schule Sofia has a very familiar atmosphere, motivated students, international character.
Uwekind International School
International School Uwekind is committed to provide a supportive environment in which all members of the community are challenged to achieve their individual potential.
Repton School Sofia
Repton School Sofia will be the first school in Bulgaria to offer an enhanced English National Curriculum preparing for International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSEs) and A Levels. These globally recognised awards are two-year programmes culminating in externally set, marked and certified examinations. These, in turn, provide our pupils with the qualifications and experience they will need to enter the world’s top universities.
The school will have a capacity of approximately 700 pupils from Early Years (age 3) to Year 13 (age 18).
Victor Hugo Lycée Français de Sofia
Victor Hugo Lycée Français de Sofia belongs to the network of AEFE. Education is in French and based on the French educational system. The school is open to international and Bulgarian students.
Meridian 22 High School
Meridian 22 High School provides education from 8th to 12th grade. The school is small and maintains a limited number of students, and the focus in the educational process is on the individual approach to every student.
Zlatarski International School of Sofia
The curriculum at this international school centres mainly on languages (Bulgarian, English, German and Spanish), economics, biology and maths. The equivalent to AAA in the British A levels results, Zlatarski School is ranked among the best international schools in the world. The school offers the IB, IGCSE and A Levels. The school also serves as a Cambridge University international examination test centre.
American College of Sofia
The independent secondary school American College of Sofia was founded in 1860 and is a highly selective and sought-after school. English is the primary language of education, but the school also caters to Bulgarian native speakers and other nationalities. The curriculum is based on the American system. It is accredited by the Bulgarian Ministry of Education, MSA and IBO.
WEDA
WEDA is a private school and kindergarten with German language teaching. The school was founded in 1998. WEDA offers bilingual education in German and Bulgarian in the following subjects: history and civilisation, chemistry and environmental protection, physics and astronomy, area studies and music.
German and English language teaching are focused at obtaining internationally recognised diplomas and certificates including Sprachdiplom 2, Test DaF and Cambridge Certificates. The school is recognised by the Bulgarian Ministry of Education and is a member of the CoIS and the ECIS. Some classes are conducted in English and the school offers the IB program.
The school also provides an all-day kindergarten.
American College Arcus
American College Arcus school is recognized and registered with the Bulgarian Ministry of Education and is a member of the CoIS and a member of ECIS. Instruction is in English, and it offers the IB program. School uniforms are required, and a private dormitory is available.
