DES Schools - Primary Campus vs St. Catherine's British School

	D DES Schools - Primary Campus Athens, Greece	S St. Catherine's British School Athens, Greece
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year €7,000 - 12,500	Fees / year €9,710 - 16,500
Age range	Age range 2 - 15 years	Age range 3 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum IB (PYP), IB (MYP)	Curriculum IB (DP), EYFS (Early years foundation stage)
Pupils	Pupils —	Pupils —
Typical class size	Typical class size —	Typical class size —
Instruction language	Instruction language English, French, German, Spanish	Instruction language English
Opened	Opened —	Opened 1956
Bus service	Bus service Yes	Bus service Yes
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location Interactive European School DES operates in the Athens area on the Athenian Riviera, with campuses in Vari, Varkiza, and Agia Marina Koropiou. The Secondary School is at 50A Ithakis St., 19400 Agia Marina Koropiou; Primary School at Barakos Hill, Varkiza; Kindergarten at 4 Demesticha St., Varkiza; Nursery at 9A Kalymnou St., Vari. The campuses are located in Attica near the coast, within a short drive of central Athens.	Location —
Stages	Stages Nursery; Kindergarten; Primary; Middle School. High School coming 2026.	Stages —
School type	School type —	School type —
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix —	Pupil nationality mix —
Additional learning support	Additional learning support —	Additional learning support —
Country affiliation	Country affiliation —	Country affiliation —
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation —	Religious affiliation —
School day structure	School day structure —	School day structure —
Bus service details	Bus service details Our school transport services cover an extensive part of Attica. Use the map to locate your convenient pick-up location. Vari • Varkiza • Voula • Vouliagmeni • Glyfada • Elliniko • Ag.Marina • Alimos • Argyroupoli • Ilioupoli • N.Smyrni • P.Faliro • Anavissos • Kalyvia • Lagonisi • Saronida • Keratea • Daskalio • Markopoulos • Porto Rafti • N.Faliro •Piraeus • N.Kosmos • Mets.	Bus service details —
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Application fees - Middle School: one-off application fee of EUR 1,000 for new students. - No separate application fee is listed for Nursery, Kindergarten or Primary on the published fee schedule. Tuition fees by school year (annual and per-instalment details) - Nursery - Annual tuition: EUR 7,000 per year. - Deposit required: EUR 1,000 (paid up front; deducted from the annual fee). - Balance after deposit: EUR 6,000. Payable in four equal instalments (due: Sep 5, Nov 5, Jan 5, Mar 5). Instalment amount: EUR 1,500 each. - Kindergarten - Annual tuition: EUR 7,000 to EUR 9,000 per year (range depends on programme/level). - Deposit required: EUR 1,000 (paid up front; deducted from the annual fee). - Balance after deposit: EUR 6,000 to EUR 8,000. Payable in four equal instalments (due: Sep 5, Nov 5, Jan 5, Mar 5). Instalment amounts: EUR 1,500 (for EUR 7,000) to EUR 2,000 (for EUR 9,000) per instalment. - Primary School - Annual tuition: EUR 8,500 to EUR 10,500 per year. - Deposit required: EUR 2,000 (paid up front; deducted from the annual fee). - Balance after deposit: EUR 6,500 to EUR 8,500. Payable in three equal instalments (due: Sep 5, Dec 5, Feb 5). Instalment amounts: EUR 2,166.67 to EUR 2,833.33 per instalment. (Calculated as [annual fee minus deposit] ÷ 3). - Middle School (Year 7 to Year 9) - Annual tuition: EUR 11,000 to EUR 14,000 per year. - Deposit required: EUR 2,000 (paid up front; deducted from the annual fee). - Balance after deposit: EUR 9,000 to EUR 12,000. Payable in three equal instalments (due: Sep 5, Dec 5, Feb 5). Instalment amounts: EUR 3,000 to EUR 4,000 per instalment. (Calculated as [annual fee minus deposit] ÷ 3). Lunch, transport and other service charges - Lunch (Primary & Middle School): EUR 1,300 per year. This charge is shown separately from tuition. - School bus (annual, varies by zone and service type): published zone-based annual fees range broadly from approximately EUR 1,300 up to EUR 2,400 depending on zone and whether the service is hot-spot (HS) or door-to-door (DD). Use of one of two bus routes is charged at 75% of the total price. HS = Hot Spot; DD = Door to Door. Exact amount depends on chosen zone and service. - Not included in the tuition figures: books, school uniforms, excursions, extra activities (workshops), and after-school activities; these are charged separately when applicable. Billing schedule and payment terms - Deposits (paid up front): Nursery & Kindergarten EUR 1,000; Primary & Middle School EUR 2,000. Deposits are deducted from the annual fee balance. - Instalment schedule for the balance after deposit: - Primary & Middle School: three equal instalments due on Sep 5, Dec 5 and Feb 5. - Nursery & Kindergarten: four equal instalments due on Sep 5, Nov 5, Jan 5 and Mar 5. - Pre-payment discount: 5% discount for pre-payment. - Surcharge for extended instalments: if parents choose more than the standard three (Primary/Middle) or four (Nursery/Kindergarten) instalments, an additional 5% charge will be applied to the total annual fees. Sibling discounts - Two children: 5% discount on the older student's tuition fees and 50% off the bus fees of the older child. If all siblings are in Middle School, no sibling tuition discounts are offered. - Three children: 5% discount on the two older students' tuition fees and 50% off the bus fees of the two older children. If all siblings are in Middle School, no sibling tuition discounts are offered. Deposit and refund information - Deposits are non-refundable after three (3) days of payment and may not be offset. This applies to the published deposits for Nursery, Kindergarten, Primary and Middle School. - No separate general refund schedule for tuition instalments is published on the fee page; the deposit non-refundability statement above is the explicit refund-related item provided. Boarding fees - No boarding provision or boarding fees are listed in the published fee schedule; the school's fees relate to day-school services, meals and transport. Other costs and optional services - Items charged separately: books, school uniforms, excursions, extra workshops and after-school activities. Fee payment options - Payment methods listed: Bank deposit and Credit or Debit Card. Summary figures (quick reference) - Nursery: EUR 7,000/year; deposit EUR 1,000; four instalments of EUR 1,500. - Kindergarten: EUR 7,000–9,000/year; deposit EUR 1,000; four instalments EUR 1,500–2,000. - Primary: EUR 8,500–10,500/year; deposit EUR 2,000; three instalments EUR 2,166.67–2,833.33. - Middle School (Years 7–9): EUR 11,000–14,000/year; deposit EUR 2,000; three instalments EUR 3,000–4,000. - Lunch (Primary & Middle): EUR 1,300/year. School bus: zone- and service-dependent, approx. EUR 1,300–2,400/year.	Fee details Fees (2025/26 academic year) Application fee - A non-refundable application fee of €150 is payable when the application is submitted. Registration fee and Development Fund (one‑off at acceptance) - Registration fee: €1,000 per child, payable by the date specified on the offer letter; this fee is non-refundable and is not a deposit against future tuition. - Development Fund (one‑off contribution paid at the same time as Registration): - Nursery to Year 10: €1,500 per child. - Year 11 to Year 13: €500 per child. Reservation deposit - A non-refundable reservation deposit of €2,000 is due annually to reserve a child's place for the following academic year; it is allocated against the invoice billed in September once the current balance has been settled in full. Annual tuition fees and per‑invoice amounts (school invoices twice yearly: September and January) - Nursery: Annual €9,710 — per invoice €4,855. - Reception & Year 1: Annual €13,300 — per invoice €6,650. - Year 2: Annual €13,970 — per invoice €6,985. - Years 3–6: Annual €14,120 — per invoice €7,060. - Years 7–9: Annual €14,660 — per invoice €7,330. - Years 10–11: Annual €15,830 — per invoice €7,915. - Years 12–13: Annual €16,500 — per invoice €8,250. Discounts and mid‑year entry rules - Sibling tuition discounts: 2.5% for the second child, 7% for the third child, 10% for the fourth child. - Alumni discount: 5% for eligible families. - Prepayment discount: 2% discount if the applicable payment is received by the published prepayment date (example: 25 August 2025 for the 2025/26 schedule). - Mid‑year entry: second term entry charged at 65% of the annual fee; third term entry charged at 35% of the annual fee. Any family joining mid first term must pay the full amount due. Bus (transport) fees - Annual bus fees by area (examples listed): - Area 1 (Kifissia, Kefalari): €2,089. - Area 2 (Ekali, Marousi, Filothei, Psychico, Kastri, Nea Erithrea, Politia): €2,576. - Area 3 (Dionyssos, Anoixi): €2,806. - Area 4 (Syntagma, Kolonaki): €2,806. - Area 5 (Holargos, Halandri, Papagou, Melissia, Aghia Paraskevi, Vrilissia): €2,806. - Area 6 (southern suburbs from Glyfada): €2,806. - Bus fees are reduced to 70% if only morning or only afternoon/late bus is used. - Bus sibling discounts: 2nd child 12%; 3rd and 4th child 50%. Additional charges and items not included in tuition - Tuition does not include: daily transportation costs (unless separately charged), uniform costs, medical examination charges, externally marked examination fees, entry fees, costs of special or compulsory trips, extra‑curricular clubs, and other child‑specific charges. Parents are responsible for textbooks for Years 10–13. Examination charges for externally marked exams are payable by parents. Billing schedule and payment terms - Fees are invoiced twice per year (September and January). Fees must be paid within 10 working days of receipt of the invoice. Late payment charges of €60 per month apply to outstanding balances. The school may initiate legal action if tuition payments are more than 30 days overdue; readmission after legal action requires payment of all outstanding fees plus the full first invoice for the coming school year. Cancellation and refund rules - All tuition fees are non‑refundable. No refund is available for children leaving the school mid‑term. - Cancellation fee if a child is unable to commence: Nursery to Year 10 — €1,500; Year 11 to Year 13 — €500. The Registration Fee remains valid for two academic years (24 months) if re‑application is made within that period. Fee payment options - Accepted payment methods: cheque in euros (payable to “St. Catherine's British School”), credit cards (Visa and MasterCard), bank transfer or direct deposit to the school's bank accounts. Cash payments are not accepted. Parents are asked to advise the Financial Administrator when making bank transfers. Other practical notes on fees - Reservation deposits are only considered payable once the current balance has been settled in full; the reservation deposit is allocated against the September invoice. Late arrivals and mid‑term joiners are charged reduced fees based on the term entry point rules above.
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 School subjects are taught in Greek and English via CLIL. The International Baccalaureate Programme is implemented across Primary, Middle and High School levels, combining IB with the Theory of Multiple Intelligences. The IB emphasises inquiry-based learning and develops knowledge, concepts, skills, attitudes and action. Our methodology includes Personalized Learning, Differentiated Learning, Blended Learning and a Flipped Classroom. In the PYP, Greek and English are main languages with Spanish, German or French as additional languages, and subjects include Social Studies, Mathematics, Science, STEM, Coding, Music and the Arts. In the MYP, eight subject groups are offered and assessment is criterion-related with biannual reporting; Service as Action and the Personal Project are core components.	Curriculum details Offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IB DP) with English as the language of instruction. A broad range of DP subjects is offered, including Mathematics (Analysis and Approaches) and Mathematics (Applications and Interpretation), Business Management, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Economics, Geography, History, Psychology, Computer Science, Visual Arts, Theatre, and Music. Language subjects include English A: Language and Literature, English A: Literature, French Ab Initio, French B, Spanish Ab Initio, Spanish B, Mandarin Ab Initio, Mandarin B, German Ab Initio, German B, Chinese B, Chinese A: Language and Literature, Modern Greek A: Language and Literature. Other DP courses include Environmental Systems and Societies, Digital Society, and Sports, Exercise and Health Science; Theory of Knowledge is part of the programme.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio —	Student teacher ratio —
Exam results	Exam results —	Exam results —
Higher education progression	Higher education progression —	Higher education progression —
Gifted and talented	Gifted and talented The school uses Differentiated Learning to help every student make optimum use of their individualities and talents. This approach includes planning learning experiences differentiated by readiness, interests and learning profiles.	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 1. Submit the application form with the candidate's details. Attach a birth certificate issued by the Municipality within the last three months before enrolment. Include the Medical Health Form and the Individual Student Health Form provided by the school. Provide academic records or transcripts from the previous educational institution, including an English translation if necessary, and attach recommendations from one or more educators or school administrators from the candidate's most recent educational institution, as well as any recent assessments for learning disabilities. 2. Applicants must have successfully completed the previous academic year. The age of the student should match the intended grade level, and placement in a non-age-appropriate grade is considered on a case-by-case basis. Documentation of any identified special education needs must be provided during the application process; misrepresentation will prompt a review by the school. An interview with the Board of the School or a designated administrative representative is part of the final acceptance process, and the prospective student will also be evaluated by a psychologist to gather information on their psychological well-being and any issues that may need to be addressed in the future. 3. Students who have not attended DES Primary must undergo English and Greek language tests, along with a Mathematics test, based on IB and national standards for their year. These assessments are used to determine readiness for placement within the DES Middle School IB programme. Documentation of any identified special education needs should accompany the application for review during the admissions process. The interview and the written assessment apply to students who have not previously attended DES Primary School. 4. Special learning or behavioral needs: Our school is able to provide a focused level of support for students with mild learning difficulties. Families are urged to disclose any previously identified special needs or prior educational assistance during the application process. Students with documented learning or behavioral concerns will undergo assessment by a designated staff member. Depending on the situation, parents might be requested to ensure additional support for their child, which could involve in-class assistance or external provisions. 5. Admissions and the IB Learner Profile: In line with the IB philosophy, admissions consider each student's unique abilities and potential for growth, promoting inquiry-based learning and nurturing well-rounded individuals who reflect the IB profiles: Inquirers, Reflective, Communicators, Principled, Open-minded, Knowledgeable, Thinkers, Caring, Risk-takers, Balanced. DES Middle School is a candidate school for the MYP; candidate status does not guarantee IB authorization.	Admissions An application fee of €150 is payable at submission. On official offer, a Registration Fee of €1,000 and a Development Fund payment are due (Development Fund €1,500 for Nursery–Year 10; €500 for Years 11–13). The Development Fund is a one-off contribution payable with the Registration Fee by the date on the offer letter and is non-refundable. The Registration Fee, if paid, remains valid for two academic years (24 months) if enrolment is pursued after cancellation. A Cancellation Fee is charged according to the child's year group. Tuition fees are invoiced twice per year (September and January). Mid-year entry points: second term entry 65% of annual fees; third term entry 35%. All tuition fees are non-refundable. Fees must be paid within 10 working days of the invoice; late payments incur €60 per month. Payment can be made by cheque (euros), credit cards (Visa, MasterCard), bank transfer or direct deposit. Additional charges apply for examinations (externally marked), textbooks for Year 10–13, daily transportation, uniforms, medical examinations, entry fees, special outings or compulsory trips, and extracurricular clubs. Applications require €150 at submission; once offered, the Registration Fee and Development Fund become payable.
Scholarships	Scholarships —	Scholarships —
Waitlist	Waitlist —	Waitlist —
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