Meridian 22 High School vs Zlatarski International School of Sofia

	M Meridian 22 High School Sofia, Bulgaria	Z Zlatarski International School of Sofia Sofia, Bulgaria
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year €100 - 7,960	Fees / year €200 - 12,680
Age range	Age range 2 - 18 years	Age range 11 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum IB (DP), Bespoke Curriculum	Curriculum IB (DP), Cambridge (Secondary), Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge A Levels
Pupils	Pupils 200	Pupils 300
Typical class size	Typical class size —	Typical class size 17
Instruction language	Instruction language English, Bulgarian	Instruction language English
Opened	Opened 1998	Opened 1995
Bus service	Bus service No	Bus service No
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location Sofia, Mladost 2, next to Block 227.	Location 49 Kliment Ohridski blvd, Sofia 1756, Bulgaria. The school is located in Sofia, the capital city of Bulgaria.
Stages	Stages Kindergarten; Junior High School; High School (IB Diploma Programme).	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 Private high school; IB Diploma Programme; English-language instruction.	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 International Baccalaureate	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 —	School day structure Opening Hours: Mon - Fri 8am - 4pm.
Bus service details	Bus service details —	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 & registration fees - Registration (application) fee: €100, payable on submission/at enrolment. Annual tuition fees (High School) - Bulgarian national programme (Grades 8–12): €7,960 per academic year. This amount applies to each Year 8–12 place in the Bulgarian-track high school. - IB Diploma Programme (final two years of high school): - Current Meridian 22 IB students (continuing into the IB Diploma): €9,460 per academic year. - External entrants to the IB programme: €9,800 per academic year. Billing schedule and payment terms - A signed tuition contract and payment of the first instalment are required at enrolment. - The school accepts either full-year payment or staged payments. The school uses a multi-instalment structure in which the first instalment is larger and the remaining balance is divided into equal instalments (example: a six-instalment option with one higher initial payment followed by five equal payments). This instalment approach is applied by the school for annual tuition billing. - Sibling discounts: second child receives 5% off tuition; third and subsequent children receive 10% off tuition. Boarding fees - Boarding is not offered by Meridian 22 High School; the school operates as a day school (facilities described do not include boarding/dormitory services). Other costs and what tuition covers - The published tuition amounts explicitly include the following as part of the fee: hot meals prepared on site, the official school uniform, textbooks, daily English lessons, a second foreign language from Grade 5, medical care, annual accident insurance, and sports activities up to the stated daily time. These items are therefore not charged separately as a standard additional tuition cost. - Optional or occasional additional costs that are charged separately include extracurriculum trips, organized study-abroad or summer courses and their deposits/registration fees (for example, the school runs summer English courses with a separate tuition and registration deposit). Example: a summer-course deposit / fee is paid by bank transfer or at the school cashier for those programmes. - Transport, specific extracurricular programmes, exam-entry charges (where applicable) and some optional activities may incur separate charges; such optional items are billed in addition to the standard tuition when they are taken. Refunds and cancellations - The enrolment process requires signing a tuition contract and paying the initial instalment; refund and cancellation terms are governed by that enrolment/tuition contract and by the school's contractual terms for parents and pupils. Parents receive contract terms at enrolment that set the precise conditions for cancellations and any applicable refunds. Payment methods and billing details - Accepted payment channels include bank transfer and payment at the school cashier; deposits for optional programmes have been shown to be payable either in cash at the school or by bank transfer (a bank account is used for program deposits). - The school issues invoices/requests for the instalments and the first instalment is required on signing the tuition contract; specific deadlines and installment due dates are set out in the contract/fee schedule provided at enrolment. Key practical notes for parents (concise) - Registration fee: €100 due with application/enrolment. - Annual fees to budget for (High School): Bulgarian track €7,960; IB DP €9,460 (current students) / €9,800 (external entrants). - Tuition normally covers meals, uniform and textbooks; optional trips, summer courses and certain extras are charged in addition.	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 Meridian 22 High School offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. The school is a member of the International Baccalaureate. IB subjects are chosen by students based on their interests and plans for higher education and career development. The program prepares students for successful futures at universities abroad and in Bulgaria. The school has graduated fourteen cohorts who earned IB diplomas and Bulgarian high school diplomas. The maximum IB Diploma score is 45.	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 In its 15 years as an IB member Meridian 22 High School has graduated fourteen cohorts who earned IB diplomas and Bulgarian high school diplomas. IB subjects are chosen by students based on their interests and plans for higher education and career development. The maximum possible IB Diploma score is 45. Top IB results include scores such as 44 points, 43 points and 41 points.	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 Meridian 22 High School prepares students for successful futures at universities abroad and in Bulgaria. Some graduates have gone on to universities worldwide, such as Albert-Ludwigs University in Freiburg, Germany, and Geneva Business School in Spain.	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 1. Grade range and applicant pool. Meridian 22 High School provides education from 8th to 12th grade. The school is small and places are limited, with priority given to current 10th-grade students applying for 11th IB, applicants from Meridian 22 Junior High School applying for 8th grade, siblings of current or former students, international students or applicants who do not have Bulgarian as their first language, and then any other applicants if places remain. 2. Initial contact and appointment. Families should contact the school to arrange an appointment with the Head of School. At the meeting, the parents and the prospective student should bring the required documentation, learn about the school's core programme, and be informed about the admissions timeline and examination dates. The school will evaluate the application and may set dates for the relevant exam(s). 3. Admissions criteria for 8th grade and 11th IB. Applicants must sit entrance exams, usually held at the end of March or the beginning of April for a September start. The Admissions Committee makes decisions based on the exam results (including English), academic records from previous years, the applicant's potential to handle academic rigour, the school's ability to meet the applicant's educational needs, and availability of places. 4. Admission decision process. The Head of School, the Deputy Head of School for the high school, a teacher, and the school psychologist form the Admissions Committee to decide admission, taking into account exam results, interview performance, and, if applicable, the applicant's performance at any national assessments. If admission occurs after a national examination, those results are considered. After a decision is made, enrolment documents are prepared. 5. Learning support and inclusion. The school provides a limited level of support for mild to moderate learning difficulties; parents must inform the school when applying and may need to fund additional support. The Access and Inclusion Policy clarifies the available support. 6. Registration and entry for 8th grade. Registration includes submitting an application form online or on site, providing the first-term academic transcript, paying a registration fee (for applicants from schools other than Meridian 22 Junior High), and attending an interview with the candidate and their parents. The interview explores motivation, interests, and potential, with dates arranged individually. The entry exam covers Bulgarian Language and Literature, Mathematics, and the student's English proficiency; results are announced within 7 days; the admission decision follows the committee's assessment. 7. Admissions to 9th–12th non-IB grades. Registration requires the application form, an academic transcript, entry/equivalency exams as appropriate, a registration fee, and an interview. The entry exam covers Bulgarian Language and Literature, Mathematics, and English proficiency; results are announced within 7 days. There may be a one-week trial training to assess knowledge and motivation, and the admission decision is made by a committee based on exam results, interview performance, and trial results. 8. IB Diploma Programme admissions. For the IB DP, registration requires an application form, a 10th-grade transcript (average must be 4.50 or above on the Bulgarian 6-point scale), a motivation letter in English, a registration fee, and an interview. The English entry exam is based on the Cambridge Advanced Level Certificate Exam (CEFR B2–C1) and includes written and oral components; results are provided within 10 days. The entry score is the average of the English exam and the 10th-grade average. Admission decisions are made by the Admissions Committee, including the IB DP Coordinator, Head of School, Deputy Head of School for the high school, psychologist, and IB teachers. Offers are based on entry scores and interview performance; enrolment in the DP is completed after the candidate and parents acknowledge the IB requirements, with subject choices made in consultation with the IB Coordinator and Head of School. 9. Enrolment and contractual commitments. A place is offered and tuition is paid according to the schedule specified in the contract, with parents informed of the commitments they are making. 10. Documentation preparation. Upon approval, all necessary enrolment documents are prepared. 11. Scholarships. The school offers partial and full merit-based or need-based scholarships to support the school as a whole and the Diploma Programme. 12. Language and qualification requirements. As an English-language school and IB World School, good English proficiency is essential; DP applicants should demonstrate English proficiency through their academic records and/or an English exit exam at Meridian 22. If necessary, an equivalency test in English is required; a Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (minimum grade C) can exempt the applicant from the entry exam for the IB Diploma Programme.	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 partial and full merit-based or need-based scholarships, which aim at supporting the School as a whole and the Diploma Programme.	Scholarships —
Waitlist	Waitlist —	Waitlist —
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