English-speaking schools in Istanbul

By Justin Mays:

One of the most frequent questions we are asked is, “Where can families relocating to Istanbul send their children for English language education?” Fret not, there are many options--from the Canadian school to multilanguage schools. We can guide you to finding the best English-speaking schools in Istanbul for your children’s needs. The city boasts many world-class educational facilities. For families relocating to Istanbul, choosing which school their children will attend will be one of the most important decisions they will make.

The educational level in the best international schools in Istanbul

The level of education in the international schools of Istanbul is very high in accordance with the educational programs of the United Kingdom and the United States and other first-level countries in the world. The facilities and equipment of these schools are also very high according to the expected quality level. Since most of the students of these schools are children of immigrants, Turkish language and Turkish culture are also included in the curriculum of these schools. In addition to teaching Turkish, different languages ​​are taught in each school according to its policies, for example, English, German, French, etc. are also taught in some schools.

Considering the huge size of the city of Istanbul and also the heavy traffic of this city, it is better to choose the nearest school for your child according to where you live. Of course, it should be noted that in most of these schools, a special bus service is considered for students.

Below is the list of schools that have the highest scores, and their website addresses are also indicated, which you can also check for more comprehensive information.

Istanbul International Community School (IICS) is one of the most elite schools on our list. One of the oldest international schools in the world, IICS offers International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB) programs with campuses in Rumeli Hisar (primary school) and Buyukcekmece (middle and high school). This is where most families in the foreign service and working at large multinational corporations send their children. There are options for French, Spanish and other language classes at the high school level. IICS is fully accredited by IB, CIS, and NESC and has a diverse student body.

          Website: Go To IICS

Canada International School offers K-12 education under its mission to “To foster a vibrant learning environment where children learn and grow to their fullest.” With a strong set of values, the Canada International School offers a lively learning environment. Bilingual, they also offer education in French at their campuses in Florya and Ulus.

          Website: Go To Canada International School

MEF International is a local school and is popular with expat families, especially from those working at large multinational corporations. From preschool to high school, it also offers IB education from its campus in Ortakoy. There is a good staff-to-student ratio of 5:1. Their 68 faculty members come from 22 different countries.

          Website: Go To MEF

British International School offers British curriculum and IB programs at campuses in Etiler and in the forested area of Zekeriyakoy in Sariyer. It is another leading school in Istanbul with good results for college admissions.  Students here can choose to follow the English National Curriculum or the IB program.

           Website: Go To British International School

Ihasn International School is an American school whose language of instruction is English. Accepts students between 3 and 18 years old. It has a multicultural environment, digital learning facilities, well-equipped classrooms, reasonable costs and flexible course structure.

          Website: Go To Ihasn

While these are the top-rated English language schools in Istanbul, there also are many international schools to choose from. We recommend a visit to the campuses that interest you and meeting with faculty members and admissions staff to help guide you on your decision.