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International Maarif Schools Erbil

Iraq, Erbil

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English, Turkish
Fees Fees not listed
Ages 3 - 18 years
Opened 2018
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP), Bespoke Curriculum
Taught languages Turkish, Korean
Strengths Sport, Performing Arts, STEM
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language
Stages Early Years, Kindergarten, Primary School, Middle School, High School
Introduction

International Maarif School – Erbil is a K–12 campus affiliated with Türkiye Maarif Vakfı that offers the IB continuum in English. The school serves students from ages 3 to 18 and follows the IB Primary Years Programme with inquiry-based learning in English, complemented by Kurdish, Turkish and Arabic language courses in the PYP and MYP years. In Grades 10–12, the Local High School follows MOE guidelines while the Diploma Programme emphasizes TOK, the Extended Essay and CAS to prepare students for university. The campus houses spacious homerooms, science laboratories, ICT and music rooms, a library with about 12,000 printed materials, a 500-seat concert hall, and dedicated spaces for kindergarten. Facilities include a gym and indoor/outdoor sports courts. The school opened in 2018 and serves up to 1,200 students, offering a broad program across kindergarten to secondary levels with extensive arts and sports opportunities. Safety and security are maintained around the clock.

Opposite to Toreq Village, Mardin District, 100m Road, Erbil, Erbil Governorate, Iraq

The Essentials

International Maarif Schools Erbil has instruction in English, Turkish.

Location
Opposite Toreq Village, Mardin District, 100m Road, Erbil, Erbil Governorate. The Erbil city centre is about a 20-minute drive from the school. The area has modern shopping malls and other services; taxi drivers are familiar with routes around the city. In Erbil, some people speak English.

Stages
Kindergarten; Primary Years Programme (PYP); Middle Years Programme (MYP); Diploma Programme (DP); Local High School (grades 10–12).

Additional learning support
English Language Support (ELS) is provided at every grade level to help students improve English language skills; the ELS teacher conducts in-class support and pull-out sessions and carries out bi-annual reading assessments.

Country affiliation
Türkiye Maarif Vakfı (Turkish Maarif Foundation)
Diving Deeper

Food Options
The school has on-site kitchens and a spacious cafeteria.

Governance and Ownership
Türkiye Maarif Vakfı.
Fees
Overview
- No public numerical fee schedule for the 2026/27 academic year is published by International Maarif Schools — Erbil. Consequently, specific amounts for application fees, per-term or per-year tuition by year group, boarding charges, uniform costs, refunds, billing schedules, and payment-method details are not available in the school's published materials.

Application fees
- No published amount for an application, registration, or enrolment fee is available. There is an online application form and admissions section, but no stated fee figures.

Tuition fees by school year (per term / per year group)
- No published per-term or per-academic-year tuition amounts are available for specific year groups (Kindergarten, Primary/PYP, MYP, IBDP/high school) for 2026/27 or 2025/26. The school's public pages describe programmes and admissions but do not list numeric tuition schedules.

Billing schedule and payment terms
- There are no published details of billing frequency (termly/semesterly/annual), payment deadlines, late-payment penalties, or instalment plans in the school's publicly available materials.

Boarding fees (if applicable)
- The school operates as a day school (no boarding facilities). Therefore no boarding fees are applicable.

Other costs and optional fees (uniform, transport, exams, resources, activities)
- No published prices are listed for uniforms, school transport/bus service, resource or textbook fees, exam fees (external examinations), or optional extracurricular charges. The school's service links include a uniform/transport section but do not state amounts.

Refund information
- No published refund or fee‑cancellation policy (for withdrawal, late entry, or returned fees) is available in the school's public documents.

Fee payment options (credit card / bank transfer / local currency)
- No publicly stated list of accepted payment methods (for example, bank transfer, local-currency payment, credit-card acceptance, or online payment portal) is available.

Summary statement for parents
- At present there are no published numeric fee figures or standardised fee schedule for International Maarif Schools — Erbil for the 2026/27 academic year (nor for 2025/26) in the school's publicly released materials; the school is listed as a day school and programme descriptions are available but financial amounts and formal billing terms are not published.
Academics

International Maarif Schools Erbil teaches IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP), Bespoke Curriculum for students aged 3 to 18.

Curriculum
IMSE runs the IB continuum: Kindergarten follows the IB Primary Years Programme; the school delivers the Primary Years Programme, Middle Years Programme, and Diploma Programme, with Local High School following MOE guidelines for Grades 10–12. The PYP uses six transdisciplinary themes and units of inquiry, with English, Mathematics, Science, and Arts taught through inquiry-based learning. The language of instruction is English; Kurdish, Turkish and Arabic are taught as language courses in PYP and MYP years. The Diploma Programme comprises six subject groups and core components (TOK, Extended Essay, CAS) and focuses on university readiness.

Higher Education Progression
The Diploma Programme emphasizes university readiness; the IB Diploma is recognized by universities worldwide and includes core components (TOK, EE, CAS) to develop research, writing, and independent study skills that support higher education.

Gifted and Talented
MAGIS program exists for advanced learners; there is a MAGIS application form on the site.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
Safe educational environment where all students, staff and parents engage in a caring and diverse culture of learning. The Engage, Learn, Reflect framework guides learning, emphasizing inquiry, open-mindedness, and reflection as core practices. The school aims to create lifelong learners who are respectful and responsible citizens in local and global communities. A culture of care underpins safeguarding and well-being across the school. The IB Counsellor develops and leads personal development programs to support social and emotional growth. The Balanced aspect of the IB learner profile emphasizes intellectual, physical, and emotional well-being as central to learning.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
Identification and Support of Students with Diverse Needs is described through early identification by observations, assessments, and consultations with parents. Individual Education Plans (IEPs) are developed for students with identified needs. Differentiated instruction, modified assessments, and accessibility accommodations are provided for learners, including those with movement restrictions. English as an Additional Language (EAL) support is available in smaller group settings. Access to resources and support from special education specialists and counselors is provided, with collaboration among EAL teachers, homeroom teachers, and the IB counsellor to support individual learning needs.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
The language of instruction is English, with all teaching, exercises, and written materials provided in English. The curriculum is supported by Kurdish, Turkish, and Arabic lessons in PYP and MYP years. At kindergarten, students begin by learning English and Turkish. Language Support (ELS) is provided by an ELS Teacher who plans and implements strategies for English language acquisition, supports assessment, and conducts bi-annual reading assessments in collaboration with the grade-level team.

Mental Wellbeing
The IB learner profile emphasizes balance, connecting intellectual, physical, and emotional well-being to achieve well-being for oneself and others. A school counsellor is available to meet the social and emotional needs of students and their families and to support personal development programs. A culture of care and safeguarding underpins the learning environment, with ongoing attention to students' emotional and social development.

Safeguarding
Safeguarding is a core priority, with safeguarding described as a responsibility shared by all staff and a culture of care across the school. The Inclusion Policy outlines provisions to meet social, emotional, and learning needs, including access to a school counselor. The policy also emphasizes removing barriers to learning and maintaining a safe, accessible, and respectful environment for all students and families.
Parent Experience

History
International Maarif School – Erbil started its activities in 2018. The school aims to educate younger generations who will contribute to Erbil's development by providing qualified education. It serves kindergarten through secondary school with a capacity of 1,200 students. The campus includes spacious homeroom classes, specialist rooms for music, art, ICT, Turkish, and physical education, science laboratories, a library with 12,000 printed materials, a 500-seat concert hall, and dedicated spaces for kindergarten. The campus also features a gym, indoor and outdoor sports courts, and 24/7 security.

Community
IMSE Erbil maintains an active school community with regular events and celebrations that involve students, staff, and families. In 2026, events included a Tennis Championship, PYP 5 Graduation, IBDP & High School Graduation, a gymnastics event, and a Robotics Competition in Antalya. The school also hosted Ramadan assemblies, a Career Day, spelling bees, storytelling, and art competitions, reflecting a diverse program of student activities.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
International Maarif Schools Erbil's building features spacious homeroom classrooms and specialist spaces for music, art, ICT, physical education, and Turkish, along with science laboratories, a library, and state-of-the-art kitchens. The kitchens cater to up to 1,200 students and the cafeteria provides a generous dining space. The campus includes a 500-seat concert hall with musician practice rooms and spaces for piano and violin instruction. A separate kindergarten building offers its own playground and cafeteria. The campus also includes a gymnasium and world-class indoor and outdoor sports courts for tennis, football, basketball, and volleyball.

Sports Facilities
The campus includes a gymnasium for physical education and indoor activities. It also features world-class indoor and outdoor sports courts for tennis, football, basketball, and volleyball. These facilities support a broad range of school sports programs and student-athlete activities. The campus provides dedicated spaces for both competitive and recreational athletics.

Academic Facilities
International Maarif Schools Erbil offers the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP), the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP), and the IB Diploma Programme (DP). The language of instruction is English; Kurdish, Turkish and Arabic are offered as language courses in PYP and MYP, with English language support available at all grade levels. The campus includes specialist spaces for music and art, ICT laboratories, science laboratories, and a library with 12,000 printed materials. A 500-seat concert hall with musician practice rooms and piano/violin teaching rooms supports cultural and academic programs. The school operates on a large campus with a dedicated kindergarten area and a gymnasium alongside indoor and outdoor sports courts.

Extra Curricular Facilities
Extracurricular offerings include sports, arts, and competitions. Tennis has produced national winners, with Aris Alan Hirori taking first place in the Iraqi Junior Tennis Tournament U10 and Oras Alan Hirori placing second in the Iraqi Club Tennis Tournament U14. The girls' football team has participated in friendly matches. Robotics is active, with teams competing in international events such as the Antalya competition. The arts program includes still life art competitions and spelling bee events, and the library hosts storytelling and related activities. Career Day events connect students with university representatives to explore study pathways.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
The school supports language and STEM competitions as part of academic enrichment. Sara Samer participated in the English Public Speaking Competition at AUIS and advanced to the Top 10. The PYP Shines at Spelling Bee Competition showcased language skills among Primary Years Programme students. The VADER Team from Erbil International Maarif School competed in an International Robotics Competition in Antalya, completing the challenge in 34 seconds.

Arts & Creative
The Inspiring Still Life Art Competition brought together about 50 students from five international schools. Storytime Magic at IMSE celebrated storytelling through a Grade 3 performance. The school emphasizes visual arts through still-life competitions. Library events also feature storytelling activities that nurture creativity.

Cultural & Language
The school holds cultural observances such as Ramadan assemblies. Students participate in language-focused competitions including English Public Speaking and the Spelling Bee. Sara Samer participated in the English Public Speaking Competition at AUIS and advanced to the Top 10. PYP Shines at Spelling Bee Competition demonstrated language skills among Primary Years Programme students.

Social & Hobbies
The Girls' Team First Friendly Match featured the school's girls' football team. The school's tennis program produced national-level achievements, including champions in Baghdad tournaments. A Gymnastics Event showcased participation by students and PE staff. These activities reflect student involvement in organized sports and recreational groups.

Leadership & Professional
A Career Day event connected students and parents with university representatives. Public speaking and language competitions support leadership and professional communication skills. The school highlights student achievement in speaking and presenting through events and competitions. These activities demonstrate a focus on career awareness and leadership through school events.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
The school emphasizes physical wellbeing through sport, including tennis, football, and gymnastics. Tennis champions earned top placements in national tournaments. A gymnastics event highlighted student and PE-teacher participation, and the girls' football team has competed in friendly matches. PE and sport form a core part of student life and wellbeing.
Languages

Language Provision
The language of instruction is English. From kindergarten, students begin learning English and Turkish, and English-language materials are used across the curriculum. Kurdish, Turkish and Arabic lessons are provided in PYP and MYP years to support multilingual learning. An English Language Support (ELS) program is available at every grade level; the ELS teacher collaborates with homeroom teachers to support English language acquisition and conducts bi-annual reading assessments.

Bilingual Teaching
From kindergarten, students learn English and Turkish, and these languages are used for teaching concepts across subjects. The language of instruction is English, with all teaching materials provided in English; Kurdish, Turkish and Arabic lessons support the PYP and MYP years. The school offers a multilingual learning environment with native teachers who have strong teaching backgrounds.
Admissions

Admissions
Admission Procedure
1. Admission Test – All students applying the school must take the Maarif Schools Erbil Admission Test, which includes verbal and quantitative sections, to assess their overall academic readiness and problem-solving abilities.
2. Interview – After the test, all students attend an interview, which evaluates their communication skills, critical thinking, and overall suitability for the school environment.
3. Transcript Review – The student's academic transcripts from previous schools are reviewed to ensure that they meet the school's academic standards and have a strong educational background.

Please note that students must achieve a passing grade at each stage to qualify for admission.
School Events
The school has not added events
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