British School of Sofia vs Change the World Schools International School and Kindergarten

	B British School of Sofia Sofia, Bulgaria	C Change the World Schools International School and Kindergarten Sofia, Bulgaria
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year €600 - 17,900	Fees / year €8,000 - 8,200
Age range	Age range 2 - 18 years	Age range 4 - 14 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum British Curriculum, Cambridge (Primary), Cambridge IGCSE, IB (PYP), IMYC (International Middle Years Curriculum), IB (DP), IBCP (International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme)	Curriculum American Curriculum, IB (PYP), IB (MYP), Bespoke Curriculum
Pupils	Pupils 450	Pupils —
Typical class size	Typical class size 15	Typical class size —
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language English
Opened	Opened 2009	Opened 2022
Bus service	Bus service No	Bus service No
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location Sofia, Vitosha district, with a Plovdiv campus. WonderWorld Kindergarten is at 15 Ivan Radoev Street for 2–9-year-olds, and British School and College is at 20 Georgi Raichev Street for 10–18-year-olds. Plovdiv campus is at 45 Tsar Ivan Asen II Street.	Location The school is located in Sofia, Bulgaria. It is the first international school of Change the World Schools.
Stages	Stages WonderWorld - Kindergarten; Grades 1-4 (2–9 years). British School and College (10–18 years).	Stages Elementary and Middle School
School type	School type British international day school with three campuses (Sofia two campuses and Plovdiv) and IB World School status.	School type International School and Kindergarten
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix —	Pupil nationality mix —
Additional learning support	Additional learning support EAL (English as an Additional Language) classes are offered. Additional language classes in Spanish, French, German, and Chinese are available. Learning support includes extra Maths and Science lessons; digital tools such as Fast ForWord and Clear Fluency support language and literacy development.	Additional learning support —
Country affiliation	Country affiliation British international school located in Bulgaria (Sofia and Plovdiv campuses).	Country affiliation American-owned
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation —	Religious affiliation —
School day structure	School day structure Kindergarten day runs 8:00–16:00, with Welcome and breakfast 8:00–9:00; Story Time 9:00–9:15; breaks 10:00–11:30 and 12:00–12:40; nap/quiet time 13:00–15:00; 16:00–17:00 free play and pick-up. Young Engineers (6–14) day runs 8:00–17:00 with breaks at 10:20–10:50 and 12:10–13:10, and a 16:00–17:00 pick-up window.	School day structure —
Bus service details	Bus service details Door-to-door transport in Sofia with either round-trip or one-way options; three zones: Zone 1 Inner Ring, Zone 2 Middle Ring, Zone 3 Outer Ring. 2024–2025 transport fees apply. Admissions: +359 886 510 510; office@bssofia.bg.	Bus service details —
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Application / Enrolment fee - Kindergarten (Nursery, Reception): EUR 600 one-off enrolment fee for new students. - School (Grades 1–IGCSE Year 2) and College (IB DP Years): EUR 1,000 one-off enrolment fee for new students. For IB DP Year 1 & Year 2 the enrolment fee is shown as EUR 1,000. Tuition fees by year group (annual and instalments) - Nursery: Annual tuition EUR 9,980; two instalments of EUR 5,160; three instalments of EUR 3,630. - Reception: Annual tuition EUR 10,500; two instalments of EUR 5,550; three instalments of EUR 3,890. - Grade 1 & 2: Annual tuition EUR 13,000; two instalments of EUR 6,900; three instalments of EUR 4,830. - Grade 3 – 6: Annual tuition EUR 14,300; two instalments of EUR 7,600; three instalments of EUR 5,300. - Grade 7 – 9: Annual tuition EUR 15,300; two instalments of EUR 8,098; three instalments of EUR 5,680. - IGCSE Year 1 & Year 2: Annual tuition EUR 16,600; two instalments of EUR 8,800; three instalments of EUR 6,200. - IB Diploma Programme Year 1: Annual tuition EUR 17,900; two instalments of EUR 9,350; three instalments of EUR 6,560. - IB Diploma Programme Year 2: Annual tuition EUR 17,900; two instalments of EUR 9,350; three instalments of EUR 6,560. (All school tuition figures are quoted in EUR for an academic year that covers 10 months.) Billing schedule and payment terms (deadlines and instalment rules) - Parents may choose one annual payment, two instalments, or three instalments. The payment deadlines shown are: - One instalment: due by 30 June 2025. - Two instalments: due by 30 June 2025 and 30 January 2026. - Three instalments: due by 30 June 2025, 28 November 2025, and 27 February 2026. - Enrolment is for a full school year; students enrolling mid-year are charged pro rata for remaining school weeks (vacations excluded). - The enrolment (application) fee is a one-off payment for new students, non-discountable and non-refundable. School meals and related billing - Kindergarten meals: 3,020 BGN annually (approx. EUR 1,540); two instalments 1,590 BGN (approx. EUR 810); three instalments 1,120 BGN (approx. EUR 570). - School & College meals: 3,315 BGN annually (approx. EUR 1,690); two instalments 1,745 BGN (approx. EUR 890); three instalments 1,235 BGN (approx. EUR 630). - Meal fees may be paid in one, two or three instalments using the same deadlines as tuition. Once a meal service is taken and paid for, refunds are not made for the academic year; if a meal service is cancelled during the year, only subsequent days (not prior days) may be credited. Transport fees (home–school–home) and zones - Transport fees are charged by zone and by one-way or two-way service. Examples shown (annual and instalment breakdowns are provided): - Zone 1: Two-way 3,430 BGN (approx. EUR 1,750); two instalments 1,805 BGN (approx. EUR 920); three instalments 1,275 BGN (approx. EUR 650). One-way 2,080 BGN (approx. EUR 1,060); two instalments 1,100 BGN (approx. EUR 560); three instalments 765 BGN (approx. EUR 390). - Zone 2: Two-way 4,570 BGN (approx. EUR 2,330); one-way 2,725 BGN (approx. EUR 1,390). - Zone 3: Two-way 5,705 BGN (approx. EUR 2,910); one-way 3,265 BGN (approx. EUR 1,665). - Transport service covers Sofia area and is optional; no discounts apply to transport fees. Transport invoices follow the same instalment deadlines as tuition. Boarding - The school's published information describes a day-school model with optional school meals and home–school transport; no boarding provision or boarding fees are listed in the school's published services. Other costs and additional fees - External examination fees are charged in addition to tuition where applicable: Cambridge Primary Checkpoint (Grade 6), Cambridge Secondary 1 Checkpoint (Grade 9), IGCSE Year 2 exam fees, and IB Diploma Year 2 exam fees are billed separately according to the relevant exam board rates. - Fast ForWord accelerated English support (when required for new students) is charged at EUR 100 per month; the duration depends on the student's needs. - A resources fee is included in the tuition and covers access to electronic learning materials and other compulsory curriculum-related materials. - Uniforms: students are required to wear school uniform; a separate uniform cost is not listed in the published fee schedule. - Sibling discounts: 5% discount for a second child and 10% discount for a third and any subsequent child from the same family (applied to tuition). Refund and late-payment policy - Tuition fees are non-refundable once paid. No refund is payable if cancellation is received seven (7) days or less before the school year/semester start date, or if a student withdraws or is withdrawn at any time after the academic year/semester commencement date. Fees are also not refundable for breaches of enrolment terms, disciplinary exclusion, or unsatisfactory academic progress. Refunds may be granted only at the school's discretion in exceptional circumstances. - If a student enrols mid-year, fees are calculated pro rata for the remaining academic weeks (vacations excluded). - Late payment: if a payment is overdue by more than seven (7) days, the school may not guarantee the student's place; continued non-payment may result in temporary suspension until outstanding balances are settled. No official documents or reports will be issued while amounts remain outstanding. Fee payment arrangements and instructions - Tuition, meal and transport fees are quoted in EUR (meals and transport are shown in BGN with EUR approximations). Parents choose between annual, two-instalment or three-instalment schedules and must meet the instalment deadlines given above. The school issues invoices and provides the payment instructions and billing arrangements to parents as part of the enrolment/billing process. (If you require the fees presented in another currency or need a different display format for database entry, the numerical figures above are given as published.)	Fee details Academic year covered - Published fee schedule for the 2025–2026 academic year. Application fee - Application fee: EUR 100 when an installment plan that includes an application fee is selected. The application fee is waived if the family chooses the single (one-installment) annual payment option. Tuition fees by school year (amounts shown per year and per payment option) - Kindergarten (ages 4–6) - Annual tuition: EUR 8,000 per year. - Payment of 1 installment (annual): EUR 8,000 (application fee waived). - Payment of 2 installments: EUR 4,100 per installment + EUR 100 application fee. - Payment of 10 installments: EUR 810 per installment + EUR 100 application fee. - Primary and Middle School (Grades 1–8) - Annual tuition: EUR 8,200 per year. - Payment of 1 installment (annual): EUR 8,200 (application fee waived). - Payment of 2 installments: EUR 4,150 per installment + EUR 100 application fee. - Payment of 10 installments: EUR 830 per installment + EUR 100 application fee. Billing schedule and payment terms - Families may choose one of three billing schedules: a single annual payment, two instalments, or ten instalments (monthly-style). The single annual payment option carries no application fee; the two- and ten-instalment options include an application fee of EUR 100. Specific due dates, late-payment penalties, and invoice timing are not stated in the published fee schedule. Boarding fees - No boarding programme or boarding fees are listed in the published fee information. Other costs and fees (uniforms, materials, extracurriculars, transport, etc.) - The published academic fee schedule lists only the tuition amounts and the application-fee rule tied to payment option. No separate amounts are published for uniforms, textbooks, materials, school lunches, extracurricular activities, transport, or capital/development levies. Refund information - No refund policy, refundable/deposit rules, or partial-refund terms are published alongside the fee schedule. Fee payment options (methods) - Specific payment methods (for example credit card, bank transfer, direct debit, or other processors) are not specified in the published fee schedule. Brief summary of findings and remaining items not published - The published materials provide clear annual tuition amounts for Kindergarten and for Primary/Middle (Grades 1–8) and specify three billing schedules with the application-fee rule. The published materials do not provide boarding fees, uniform or other ancillary-fee amounts, refund terms, detailed payment-methods, exact billing dates, or late-payment terms; those items are not listed in the available fee schedule.
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements —	Boarding arrangements —
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement —	Uniform requirement —
Food options	Food options —	Food options —
House system	House system —	House system —
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership —	Governance and ownership —
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	Curriculum details IEYC is used in the Early Years, Cambridge Primary Programme for ages 5–11, Cambridge Secondary, IPC, and IMYC. The school is licensed to offer the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) and provides the IB Diploma Programme (DP) and the IB Career Programme (CP). Cambridge International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) courses are taught, and IGCSE revision courses are offered in the summer. Art & Design is offered in IGCSE, and Visual Arts is offered in the IB Diploma Programme. English is the language of instruction with EAL support; Bulgarian is offered as a native language option, and there are IB language options including English, Bulgarian, and French among others.	Curriculum details The school's Elementary and Middle School programs use a mix of US-based and IB frameworks. The Elementary core academic curriculum is based on the American Common Core standards, and the school aims to align with the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP), with project-based learning. The Middle School core also uses Common Core, built on the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP), with projects that apply learning to the community. The programs emphasize 21st-century teaching techniques and practical education; social-emotional development is a focus in the elementary program, while middle school includes practical skills such as budgeting, obtaining and keeping a job, and basic DIY projects to prepare for high school and beyond.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio Student to teacher ratio 5:1; average class size 15 students, maximum 20.	Student teacher ratio —
Exam results	Exam results —	Exam results —
Higher education progression	Higher education progression IB Diploma is widely recognized by universities. Some IB students can receive university credits before enrolling; high IB scores can be accepted for credit or advanced standing by some universities. For example, Oxford commonly requires 38–40 points with 18 at Higher Level; Yale and New York University have accepted IB results as alternatives to certain standardized tests. Universities across Europe and the UK set various IB score expectations (e.g., University of Amsterdam 36, ETH Zurich 38, University of Copenhagen 30, Université PSL 33, Sorbonne University 33). Graduates from BSS have been admitted to universities such as Charles University, Bocconi University, University of Amsterdam, Warwick Business School, University of Manchester, and Concordia University, with many progressing to master's programs. The IB diploma is associated with enhanced access to scholarships and financial aid in some cases.	Higher education progression Graduates are prepared for universities or other higher learning.
Gifted and talented	Gifted and talented —	Gifted and talented —
Academic calendar	Academic calendar —	Academic calendar —
Wellbeing & support	Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning	Social & emotional learning —	Social & emotional learning —
Special educational needs (SEN)	Special educational needs (SEN) —	Special educational needs (SEN) —
English as an additional language	English as an additional language —	English as an additional language —
Mental wellbeing	Mental wellbeing —	Mental wellbeing —
Safeguarding	Safeguarding —	Safeguarding —
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview —	Facilities overview —
Sports facilities	Sports facilities —	Sports facilities —
Academic facilities	Academic facilities —	Academic facilities —
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities —	Extra curricular facilities —
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	History —	History —
Community	Community —	Community —
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association —	Parent teacher association —
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual —	Academic & intellectual —
Arts & creative	Arts & creative —	Arts & creative —
Cultural & language	Cultural & language —	Cultural & language —
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies —	Social & hobbies —
Community & service	Community & service —	Community & service —
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional —	Leadership & professional —
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing —	Lifestyle & wellbeing —
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision —	Language provision —
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching —	Bilingual teaching —
Immersion programs	Immersion programs —	Immersion programs —
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards —	Awards —
Accreditations	Accreditations —	Accreditations —
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	Admissions The Admissions section provides access to Financial Terms 2025 - 2026, Entry Requirements, FAQ and Book a Visit. Financial Terms cover the Enrolment Fee and multiple payment options (Annual, Two Payments, Three Payments) for Kindergarten, School and College, with specific payment deadlines. School meals and door-to-door transport are available for an additional fee, and a Resources fee applies to learning materials; external examination fees may apply for Cambridge and IB assessments. English proficiency support is available via Fast ForWord at €100 per month if required, and a family discount reduces fees for a second (5%) and a third or subsequent child (10%). Fees are quoted in euros for a 10-month academic year and can be paid in one, two, or three instalments with deadlines such as 30 June 2025, 30 January 2026, 28 November 2025 and 27 February 2026. Entry Requirements describe documents and steps for Kindergarten, School and College enrolment (online apply, birth certificates, parent IDs; medical documents for younger children; placement tests in English and Maths for older cohorts; English-language level targets and use of Fast ForWord if needed). For College, entrance exams in English and Maths and an interview are arranged during trial days. The FAQ confirms BSS covers ages 2–18, outlines curriculum pathways (British National Curriculum, IEYC, Cambridge Primary/Lower Secondary/IMYC, IGCSE, IB DP), notes English as the language of instruction, and describes school meals and transport, uniform expectations, application timing (January–June, with summer entry possible), and how to apply (contact the Admissions team by email or phone). It also notes the school is the only accredited British School Overseas in Bulgaria, and provides details on nationalities, class sizes, and student body as part of the FAQs.	Admissions An Application Form is available for applications. The school is located in Sofia, Bulgaria.
Scholarships	Scholarships —	Scholarships —
Waitlist	Waitlist —	Waitlist —
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