You will find below a list of the most popular international and bilingual schools for expats in Bulgaria with fee information. It includes nursery schools, primary and secondary (high) schools and you will find the right school to prepare for International Baccalaureate, and other diploma in Bulgaria. Some schools may follow the American or British curriculums with English speaking programs while others are regulated under the French or German education system.
Education in Bulgaria is overseen by the Ministry of Education and Science and has generally been held to high educational standards. Bulgaria's education system basically consists of three types of schools: state, municipal and private (including religious). Education at state-owned schools is free of charge, except for the higher education schools, colleges and universities. The curriculum of Bulgarian Educational system focuses on eight main subjects: Bulgarian language and Literature, foreign languages, mathematics, information technologies, social sciences and civics, natural sciences and ecology, music and art, physical education and sports.
Full-time education is mandatory for children between 7 and 16. 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).
International schools can be the perfect solution for an expat student (multinational corporation executives, children of diplomats, NGO staff) in Bulgaria. There may be some local population, but the schools are geared for an international student body. Schools usually follow a curriculum model from the US, UK, France, Canada or Australia/New Zealand. Primary instruction may be any language (and multiple languages are usually taught), but it is usually in English, French, Spanish, German, or Japanese. Many schools provide similar standards of schooling around the globe, providing for an easy transition between schools whether they are in France or Vietnam. Schools often provide internationally accepted accreditation such as the international baccalaureate.
Admission and enrollment procedures vary from school to school. Space is often limited and preference may be given to students based on nationality. Tuition tends to be expensive based on local standards, but offers high standards of learning, boast smaller class sizes, first-rate facilities, and extracurricular. Boarding facilities are available at some schools, but most only provide day classes.
The CoIS (Council of International Schools) is a non-profit association of international schools and post-secondary institutions which provides educational accreditation, teacher and leadership recruitment services, links to higher education, governance assistance and help with founding new schools. The New England Association of School and Colleges (NEASC) is an accrediting association which establishes standards for all levels of education, from pre-K to doctoral. The European Council of International Schools (ECIS) verifies schools in Europe.
American College of Sofia
Address: Floyd Black Lane, MLADOST-2
Sofia 1799, Bulgaria
Tel: (359-2) 434 10 08, 434 10 10, 434 10 11,
Tuition Rates: €5,700 - 14,500 per year
The American College of Sofia is an independent, co-educational secondary school. English is the primary language of instruction, but the school caters to Bulgarian youth. There are, however, children of every nationality. The curriculum is based on the American system. It is accredited by the Bulgarian Ministry of Education, MSA, and IBO.
Anglo-American School of Sofia (AAS-Sofia)
Address: Siyanie Street 1
Pancharevo, Sofia 1137, Bulgaria
Tel: 359 2 9238810 11
Tuition Rates: €5,835 - 21,345 per year
The Anglo-American School of Sofia serves the international community in Bulgaria's capital city. Students range in age from 4 to 18 with English language instruction. We offer a curriculum that combines both US and UK best practice. The school is accredited by the CoIS and NEASC. AAS is also an authorized International Baccalaureate World School.
British School of Sofia (BSS)
Address: 21, Georgi Raychev Str.
Sofia, Bulgaria
Tel: +359 886 510 510
Email: office@bssofia.bg
Tuition Rates: €7,000 - €12,500 per year
British School of Sofia is British School Overseas Accredited school. The school started operating in 2010 and admits children from 2 to 18-years old. It is also Cambridge International School and IB World School. The school also has a campus in Plovdiv and the admission is open for children from 2 to 12-years old.
BSS follows the highest educational standards in British and international education and enhances the curriculum with extra-curriculars and innovative approaches.
Change the World Schools
(CTWS)
Address: ul. "Arh. Bogdan Tomalevski", 1766 g.k. Mladost 4,
Sofia, Bulgaria
Tel: +359 89 474 0346
Email: office@ctwschools.com
Tuition Rates: Kindergarten School (4 - 6 years old) - Tuition fee: €6,400 / year
Primary and Middle School (1st grade - 7th grade) - Tuition fee: €6,800 / year
CTWS offers high-quality curriculum and a practical education from kindergarten to Elementary/Middle school.
Zlatarski International School
Address: 49 Kliment Ohridski blvd
Sofia, Bulgaria 1756
Tel: 359 2 974 36 66
Tuition Rates: €3,500 - 8,000 per year
Core curriculum center on the subjects Bulgarian language, English, German, Spanish, Economics, Biology, and more. The equivalent to AAA in the British A levels results, rank Zlatarski School among the best international schools around the world. The school offers the International Baccalaureate (IB), IGCSE and A Levels. It is also a Cambridge University international examination test center.
Lycée Victor-Hugo de Sofia
Address: 110 Simeonovsko chaussée
quartier Vitosha
Sofia 1700 Bulgaria
Tel: (00359-2) 963 29 64, 963 21 19
Tuition Rates: Inquire at school
The school belongs to the network of AEFE with a French program. Instruction is in French and is based on the French educational system. The school is open to international students as well as Bulgarian students.
Veda
Address: 18 Marin Dochev Hristov str.
Sofia, Bulgaria
Tel: 359 2 9311467
Tuition Rates: Inquire at school
Private school and kindergarten with German language teaching. Provides an all-day kindergarten.
American College Arcus
Address: 16 Dragoman Str.
Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria
Tel: +359 62 619959
Tuition Rates: €2,200 - 3,000 per year
The school is recognized and registered with the Bulgarian Ministry of Education and is a member of the CoIS and a member of the ECIS. Instruction is in English and it offers the IB program. School uniforms are required and a private dormitory is available.
The American High School of Bulgaria
Address: Ж.К. Chaika, Varna
Tel: +359879589930
Tuition Rates: 1500 Euro (Hybrid High School program) / 5000 Euro (Full High School Program)
The American High School of Bulgaria is a private high school - a partnership between three giants in education; accredited regionally, nationally and internationally. They offer a chance for students to obtain a fully-qualified US diploma that is recognized by thousands of higher education institutions in the USA and worldwide. This high school program is taught ONLY in English and is assessed ONLY by American instructors based in the USA.
Ecole Francophone Internationale de Varna (EFIV)
Address: Varna 9006 Bulgarie
Tel: +359 879 533 802
Tuition Rates: Inquire at school
The French International School of Varna is a member of the French secular programs and follows the program of the Ministry of Education of France. Children begin the school at the age of 3 in French language instruction.
British School of Sofia (BSS)
Address: Plovdiv, Markovo
Bulgaria
Tel: +359 889 910 910
Email: office@bssofia.bg
Tuition Rates: €7,000 - €12,500 per year
British School of Sofia is British School Overseas Accredited school. The school started operating in 2010 and admits children from 2 to 18-years old. It is also Cambridge International School and IB World School. The admission is open for children from 2 to 12-years old.
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