British School of Sofia vs Discover Montessori School

	B British School of Sofia Sofia, Bulgaria	D Discover Montessori School Sofia, Bulgaria
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year €600 - 17,900	Fees / year €7,400 - 7,800
Age range	Age range 2 - 18 years	Age range 1 - 18 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 IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP), Montessori Curriculum
Pupils	Pupils 450	Pupils 120
Typical class size	Typical class size 15	Typical class size —
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language English
Opened	Opened 2009	Opened 2012
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 Discover International School is located in Sofia, Bulgaria, with two campuses: 6 Bolgrad Str., Sofia 1421, and 43 Episkop Protogen Str., Sofia 1408. The school serves students from toddlers through high school across Preschool, Primary Years, Middle Years, and High School. Instruction is in English and the school combines Montessori principles with IB programmes; an Extended Day Program is available.
Stages	Stages WonderWorld - Kindergarten; Grades 1-4 (2–9 years). British School and College (10–18 years).	Stages Toddlers; Early Years; Pre-school; Primary Years; Middle Years; High School
School type	School type British international day school with three campuses (Sofia two campuses and Plovdiv) and IB World School status.	School type IB World School offering Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP), and Diploma Programme (DP); Montessori approach
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 Bulgaria
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 Early Years: core day by 4:00 pm; Primary and Middle Years: core day by 4:30 pm; High School: core day by 1:30 pm; Extended day until 5:30 pm
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 School bus service is available for children aged 5 and above; operated by a subcontractor; additional transport fee (2,500 EUR for the 2025/2026 academic year, payable in up to two installments); discounts apply for one-way use (35%) or for a second child from the same address (60%).
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 Application and Enrollment Fees - Student Admission Fee (one-time, payable upon enrolment): EUR 650 for Preschool; EUR 750 for PYP, MYP and DP. - Registration Fee (annual, payable upon enrolment): EUR 550 for all programmes. - Deposit: A deposit equal to 15% of the annual tuition is payable on signing the educational contract. The deposit secures the child's place and is refunded from the first paid instalment of the tuition for the academic year. Tuition fees — school year 2026/27 (annual and payment-plan breakdowns) All figures below are quoted in euros (EUR). - Early Years — Pre-school 1 (age/grade shown on admissions materials): - One payment (annual): EUR 7,400. - Two payments (termly): 2 × EUR 3,900 = EUR 7,800. - Monthly / instalment plan (10 payments structure shown): initial instalment EUR 2,600 and 9 monthly instalments of EUR 656 (total shown EUR 8,500 under the school's published plan). - Primary / Elementary (Pre-school 2 – Grades 1–7): - One payment (annual): EUR 7,650. - Two payments (termly): 2 × EUR 4,025 = EUR 8,050. - Monthly / instalment plan (10 payments structure shown): initial instalment EUR 2,600 and 9 monthly instalments of EUR 689 (total shown EUR 8,800 under the school's published plan). - Middle Years and High School (Grades 8–10): - One payment (annual): EUR 7,400. - Two payments (termly): 2 × EUR 3,900 = EUR 7,800. - Monthly / instalment plan (10 payments structure shown): initial instalment EUR 2,000 and 9 monthly instalments of EUR 723 (total shown EUR 8,500 under the school's published plan). - Diploma Programme (Grades 11–12): - One payment (annual): EUR 7,800. - Two payments (termly): 2 × EUR 4,100 = EUR 8,200. - Monthly / instalment plan (10 payments structure shown): initial instalment EUR 2,000 and 9 monthly instalments of EUR 772 (total shown EUR 8,950 under the school's published plan). Billing schedule and payment terms - Payment schedule options offered: one payment, two equal payments, or a monthly/instalment plan (presented as a 10-payment arrangement). - Deadlines given for the payment options: - One-payment option due by 1 June. - Two-payment option due by 1 June and 1 September. - The instalment / 10-payment option is scheduled across the school year (payments commence from 1 September and include instalments through the academic year). - A deposit of 15% of the tuition is payable on signing the contract and is applied against the first instalment. Boarding - No boarding provision or boarding fees are listed for the school; all published fee items and services refer to day-school provision, transport, meals, clubs and extra activities. Transport (school bus) - Transport service is offered for children aged 5 and over and is provided by a subcontractor; the transport fee is charged in addition to tuition. - Transport fee published for academic year 2025/2026: EUR 2,500 (payable once or in two instalments before the beginning of each term — September and January). - Discounts: one-direction travel receives a 35% discount; if there is a second child from the same address, a 60% discount on the transport price is applied. Meals, learning resources and other recurring costs - Meals (annual charges by age/grade group): - Early Years (Pre-school 1): EUR 1,350 (morning and afternoon breakfast, fruits/vegetables, lunch). - Primary Years (Pre-school 2, Grades 1–4): EUR 1,450 (fruits/vegetables, lunch). - Middle Years and High School (Grades 5–12): EUR 1,550 (fruits/vegetables, lunch). - Learning Resources Fee: a Learning Resources Fee is due annually to cover art/craft materials, extra learning resources, supplies and books (amount not itemised in published fee schedule). - Tuition expressly excludes the following items which incur additional charges: clubs (robotics, photography, dancing, digital skills, theatre, music lessons, etc.), sports (swimming, tennis, football, yoga), ski and green camps, school trips outside Sofia, classes with a speech therapist, uniforms, bus service (transport), digital resources, and for MYP & DP: IB exam fees, legalisation of the Diploma, MYP eAssessment, ISA and some curriculum resources. Extracurriculars and summer provision - Clubs and extracurricular activities are charged separately and vary each year; they form part of the Extended School Day programme. - Summer School runs from mid-June to late August and is charged per week. Discounts and contract discounting - Sibling discounts: second child receives a 5% discount on annual tuition; third child and twins receive a 7% discount. - Signing a 3‑year contract provides a 5% discount on tuition. Refunds and cancellation-related information - The deposit (15% of tuition) is refunded by being credited against the first paid instalment of the tuition for the academic year. No other specific refund or cancellation terms are itemised in the published fee material. Fee payment methods and practical notes - The published fee information specifies payment schedules (one, two or instalment plans) but does not itemise accepted payment methods (for example credit card or bank transfer) in the published fee schedule. Payment method options should be confirmed directly with admissions or the finance office.
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 Discover International School is an IB World School offering a continuum of programmes: Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP), and Diploma Programme (DP). The IB continuum emphasizes academic and personal growth, challenging students to excel in their studies and development. Since 2012, the school has focused on aiding the natural development of every learner. Curriculum levels include Preschool, Primary Years (Grades 1–4), Middle Years (Grades 5–10), and High School (Grades 11–12), with the Diploma Programme available in Grade 11. Graduates earn an internationally recognized IB Diploma alongside the Bulgarian secondary school diploma, opening pathways to top universities worldwide.
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 earn an internationally recognized IB Diploma alongside the Bulgarian secondary school diploma, opening pathways to top universities worldwide.
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 The school offers admissions for the 2026-2027 school year in Early Years (Preschool 1, born 2021, up to 5 years old); Primary Years (Preschool 2, born 2020 up to 6 years old; born 2019 up to 7 years old; Grade 1; Grades 2–4 with limited spots); Middle Years Programme (Grades 5–7 and 8–10); and the Diploma Programme (Grades 11–12). Admissions procedure: 1. 2. Visit the School or Open Days: book an onsite meeting; Open Days were conducted on 28 November 2025 and 28 January 2026. 3. Submit an Application: complete the Application Form. 4. Reception Day and Family Meeting: the child participates in holistic assessment and a family meeting with the pedagogical leadership. 5. Decision and Enrollment: decisions are shared within one week; if accepted, an Enrollment Proposal with tuition and policies is provided, followed by signing the contract and paying a deposit. 6. Orientation and Welcome: an Orientation Program introduces the classroom, family sessions, and preparation guidelines. English language requirements by grade: Grades 1–4 accept all English levels; Grades 5–7 require CEFR A2 English proficiency for Grade 6 via an online admissions test and interview (test taken at the Middle & High School Campus); Grades 8–10 require minimum A2 English and a holistic assessment (at the Middle & High School Campus); Grades 11–12 IB Diploma Programme require B2 English proficiency (admissions test at the Middle and High School Campus). Required documents include transcripts for the past three years, academic awards, advisor/counsellor recommendations, birth certificate, and immunisation records. Tuition is annual and includes English as the main language of instruction, a second foreign language (Spanish or German) in Middle Years and High School, meals, learning resources, and activities; extra fees apply for clubs, bus service, and trips; 2026-27 tuition is published; discounts include 5% for a 3-year contract, 5% for a second child, and 7% for a third child or twins.
Scholarships	Scholarships —	Scholarships The school offers a limited number of scholarships and financial aid packages available to qualified candidates.
Waitlist	Waitlist —	Waitlist —
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