Discover Montessori School vs Zlatarski International School of Sofia

	D Discover Montessori School Sofia, Bulgaria	Z Zlatarski International School of Sofia Sofia, Bulgaria
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year €7,400 - 7,800	Fees / year €200 - 12,680
Age range	Age range 1 - 18 years	Age range 11 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP), Montessori Curriculum	Curriculum IB (DP), Cambridge (Secondary), Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge A Levels
Pupils	Pupils 120	Pupils 300
Typical class size	Typical class size —	Typical class size 17
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language English
Opened	Opened 2012	Opened 1995
Bus service	Bus service No	Bus service No
Essentials	Essentials
Location	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.	Location 49 Kliment Ohridski blvd, Sofia 1756, Bulgaria. The school is located in Sofia, the capital city of Bulgaria.
Stages	Stages Toddlers; Early Years; Pre-school; Primary Years; Middle Years; High School	Stages Lower Secondary School (Grades 5-7): national programme enriched by the Cambridge Lower Secondary; Middle School (Grades 8-10): national programme enriched by the Cambridge Checkpoint and IGCSE; Upper Secondary School (Grades 11-12): IB Diploma Programme and/or the national programme; International students in Grades 5-12 can choose to follow only the international pathway.
School type	School type IB World School offering Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP), and Diploma Programme (DP); Montessori approach	School type International secondary school offering the national programme alongside Cambridge Lower Secondary, Cambridge Checkpoint, IGCSE and the IB Diploma Programme. IB World School since 2003; Cambridge International School since 2010; established in 1995 as an English-language secondary school.
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix —	Pupil nationality mix Nationalities represented: 15 (Bulgaria, Netherlands, Hungary, India, Israel, Russia, United Kingdom, Serbia, Slovenia, Turkey, United States, Georgia, Korea, Syria, China); most common nationality: Bulgarian; local to international ratio: 90% to 10% (9:1).
Additional learning support	Additional learning support —	Additional learning support —
Country affiliation	Country affiliation Bulgaria	Country affiliation Affiliation with Bulgaria's national education system; authorisation by the Bulgarian Ministry of Education.
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation —	Religious affiliation —
School day structure	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	School day structure Opening Hours: Mon - Fri 8am - 4pm.
Bus service details	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%).	Bus service details School transport is available: 20-30% of students use school transport; buses to the school serve lines 69, 70, 88, 123, 280, 294; minibuses serve lines 5, 27, 29.
Fees	Fees
Fee details	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.	Fee details Scope and academic year The following fees apply to the 2025/2026 academic year. Application / registration fee - Registration fee (for all candidates): EUR 200. Annual tuition fees by year group (annual and per term) - Grades 5–7 - Annual: EUR 8,890 (students from Bulgarian schools). - Annual: EUR 10,890 (international students). - Per term (school year divided into two terms): EUR 4,445 and EUR 5,445 respectively. - Grade 8 - Annual: EUR 8,980 (students from Bulgarian schools). - Annual: EUR 10,980 (international students). - Per term: EUR 4,490 and EUR 5,490 respectively. - Grades 9–10 - Annual: EUR 9,200 (Zlatarski International School students — returning/current Zlatarski students). - Annual: EUR 10,200 (students from Bulgarian schools). - Annual: EUR 11,200 (international students). - Per term: EUR 4,600; EUR 5,100; EUR 5,600 respectively. - Grades 11–12 - Annual: EUR 9,680 or EUR 10,680 for Zlatarski School students (amount depends on the chosen education pathway). - Annual: EUR 11,680 (students from Bulgarian schools). - Annual: EUR 12,680 (international students). - Per term: EUR 4,840 or EUR 5,340; EUR 5,840; EUR 6,340 respectively. Additional / optional charges - School transport (optional): EUR 2,100 per year; payable in two installments (EUR 1,050 per installment). - Cafeteria meals (optional): EUR 345 per quarter. - Uniforms, notebooks and other school supplies are additional; uniforms are supplied through the listed vendor (Interstudies 2005 Ltd). - The tuition fee covers instruction, all textbooks, insurance, medical care, security, participation in organised cultural events, extracurricular activities (arts and sports) and use of school facilities. Outside the admissions schedule dates the annual tuition fee is equal to the fee for international students. Billing schedule and payment terms - The school year is divided into two terms; tuition is presented on an annual basis and per-term amounts are calculated on a two-term year. - The school's published schedule references first and second instalments; financial obligations for the first and second instalment (with a specified deadline for those instalments) must be settled by the start of the year as indicated in the admissions/start-of-year information. (Transport instalments are explicitly stated as two instalments.) Boarding - Zlatarski International School operates as a day school and does not charge boarding fees; there are no boarding facilities. Refunds and cancellation - No general published tuition refund or cancellation policy is provided among the school's publicly listed fees and admissions information; specific refund or cancellation terms are not set out on the published fees pages. Fee payment options and bank details - Accepted methods listed: bank transfer and cash payments at the school finance department. Credit-card payment is not listed among published payment options. - Bank transfer details provided for tuition payments (examples as published): - Tuition fees for students in Grades 8–12 (Private Secondary School “Prof. Dr. Vassil Zlatarski” Ltd): Payments in euro IBAN: BG55 BUIN 9561 1000 5837 16 — BIC: BUINBGSF. - Tuition fees for students in Grades 5–7 (Private Primary School “Prof. Dr. Vassil Zlatarski” Ltd): Payments in euro IBAN: BG39 BUIN 9561 1000 6096 12 — BIC: BUINBGSF. - Additional services (application fee, transport, notebooks, school lunch, uniforms): Payments in euro IBAN: BG68 BUIN 9561 1000 2159 49 — BIC: BUINBGSF. Notes on optional billing frequencies - Transport is explicitly payable in two instalments; cafeteria requests are made before each quarter and the cafeteria fee is quoted per quarter, indicating quarterly billing for meals. Tuition figures are published annually and the school structures the academic year as two terms.
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 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.	Curriculum details Zlatarski International School of Sofia offers an international curriculum integrated with the English National Curriculum and their own contemporary teaching approach. The school is fully authorised by the Bulgarian Ministry of Education, the International Baccalaureate Organisation (IBO) and Cambridge Assessment International Education. It integrates the Bulgarian educational system with the international IB framework and the British programmes – IGCSE and A Levels. The curriculum is structured across three stages: Cambridge Secondary (grades 5-8), IGCSE (grades 9-10) and International Baccalaureate / A Levels (grades 11-12). Graduates receive both the Bulgarian Diploma and an international IB or A Levels diploma. English is the main language of instruction.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio —	Student teacher ratio Student/Teacher ratio: 5:1. Average class size: 16.
Exam results	Exam results —	Exam results Excellent results in IB exams, national state exams, International GCSEs and Cambridge Checkpoint. Graduates continue their education at leading universities worldwide, including Oxford University, Princeton University, LSE, Imperial College London, Caltech, McGill University, Warwick University, King's College London, UCL, City University, Durham University, Queen Mary University, University of Vienna, Erasmus University, Bocconi University, Sciences Po, and more.
Higher education progression	Higher education progression Graduates earn an internationally recognized IB Diploma alongside the Bulgarian secondary school diploma, opening pathways to top universities worldwide.	Higher education progression Graduates go on to study at leading universities worldwide, including Oxford University, Princeton University, LSE, Imperial College London, Caltech, McGill University, Warwick University, King's College London, UCL, City University, Durham University, Queen Mary University, University of Vienna, Erasmus University, Bocconi University, Sciences Po, and more.
Gifted and talented	Gifted and talented —	Gifted and talented Oxbridge and Medical school preparation and Universities and College Counselling are available to support high-achieving students.
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 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.	Admissions Admissions Zlatarski International School – Leading school in Sofia for students in grades 5 through 12. The admission procedure for students aged 11 through 18 is open for September 2026. Admissions are based on the results of the entrance exam, school reports, and an interview. The school is licensed by the Ministry of Education and Science, the International Baccalaureate Organization, and Cambridge International Education. It educates about 300 Bulgarian and international students in grades 5–12. Students graduate with two diplomas – Bulgarian and international. The school was founded in 1995 as an English-language high school, and in 2003 became the first IB World School in Bulgaria. In 2010 the high school became the first Bulgarian school authorized to offer Cambridge programs (IGCSE and A Levels), and in 2017 it received a license for the Cambridge Secondary program. In 2018 Zlatarski International School opened to 5–7 grades. The school uniquely integrates the Bulgarian educational system with IB and Cambridge programs – Cambridge Secondary, IGCSE and A Levels. Thanks to well-structured curricula and thorough teaching, students achieve strong results. This opens doors to prestigious universities in the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Bulgaria, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the United States, Switzerland and more. Zlatarski International School marks 30 years since its founding. International Education: The school has the most experience in Bulgaria with IB and Cambridge IGCSE, providing solid academic preparation. Our achievements in numbers: 25 cohorts and over 1,400 graduates with excellent and very good results on state matriculation; 20 IB cohorts with over 800 graduates: 450 with IB diplomas and 350 with IB certificates; 13 cohorts with Cambridge IGCSE and over 600 students with IGCSE certificates; 7 cohorts with Cambridge Checkpoint and over 340 students with Checkpoint certificates. Excellent results: Students achieve excellent results in IGCSE, IB and matriculation, opening doors to top universities worldwide. Graduates are admitted to universities such as Oxford, Princeton, Imperial College London, LSE, Caltech, Delft, Bocconi, St Andrews, Sciences Po, and more. School life: Students develop through sport, arts, music, drama and community activities — in the classroom and beyond. Extracurricular activities occupy a central place and play a key role in the school community — whether participating in school sports, performing on stage in dance or music, discovering an artifact on an educational excursion, developing an innovative project, taking part in charitable initiatives, the art of public speaking, representing the school as a school ambassador, or exchanging ideas with students from abroad. School community: With the help of qualified teachers and a supportive environment, students form lifelong friendships. The teaching staff consists of motivated professionals, many with doctoral degrees and education from prestigious international universities. They impart academic knowledge and shape values such as mutual respect, tolerance and cooperation. In a climate of trust and openness, students feel free to express themselves, share ideas and learn from each other. Admission: Application process Secure your child's future with international education and a supportive school environment. For students in grades 5–12. Admission procedures for 5–7 grades; Admission procedure for 8th grade; Admission procedure for 11th grade: IB Diploma Programme; Open days; Admission for the 2026/2027 academic year. Deadlines for 2026/2027: Registration for entrance exam – online registration Open days: December 4 (Thursday) 15:00–17:00; January 29 (Thursday) 15:00–17:00; February 26 (Thursday) 15:00–17:00; March 26 (Thursday) 15:00–17:00 Entrance exam date I: February 2 (Monday) 10:00–12:00 Results announced by February 12, 14:00 Meetings with the admissions committee: February 16–20 Enrollment: February 20–28 Entrance exam date II: March 7 (Saturday) 10:00–12:00 Results announced by March 14, 14:00 Meetings with the admissions committee: March 16–20 Enrollment: March 20–30 Entrance exam date III: April 4 (Saturday) 10:00–12:00 Results announced by April 10, 14:00 Meetings with the admissions committee: April 14–20 Enrollment: April 20–30 Admission of international students: On an individual schedule English placement test for admitted students: June 4 (Thursday) 15:00–16:30 How to choose a school? When you need to make an important decision about which school to choose, answer these questions: Is there enthusiasm among students and teachers? Does the school have high academic results? Are students attentive in class? Does the school have adequate facilities – library, laboratory, modern computers, multimedia? Does the school offer extracurricular activities that are interesting and well attended? Is the campus infrastructure independent? Where have graduates of the school been admitted? Are the school buildings, dining areas, and playing fields well maintained? What is the atmosphere at the school? How many students study at the school? Does the school share your values? How much freedom is given to students in each class? Does the school encourage parental involvement in the educational process and clearly define the parent's role? To participate in Zlatarski International School's admission process, fill in the online registration form. Registration: Zlatarski International School Student information First name Middle name Surname Date of birth Nationality School Class in school Student email Student phone Parent/Guardian First name Last name Parent email Parent phone Security measures Enter two digits Example: 12","waitlist":null,"scholarships":null}} }00000000? (Note: The trailing characters are removed for display)” } )> ?>
Scholarships	Scholarships The school offers a limited number of scholarships and financial aid packages available to qualified candidates.	Scholarships —
Waitlist	Waitlist —	Waitlist —
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