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MEF International School Istanbul

Turkey, Istanbul

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees TRY 23,610 - 42,915
Ages 3 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 400
Type Co-educational
Opened 1998
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum IB (PYP), IB (DP), Cambridge (Secondary), Cambridge IGCSE
Taught languages English, French, Spanish, Turkish
Typical class size 6
Strengths STEM, Visual and Creative Arts, Sport
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Community and Service
Stages Preschool, Early Years, Primary School, Middle School, Secondary School, High School
Introduction

MEF International School Istanbul provides education for ages 3 to 18, offering IB Primary Years Programme, IB Diploma Programme, and Cambridge Secondary with IGCSE. The nine-acre campus is in Ortaköy, shared with MEF National School. The Early Childhood Center serves Preschool to Kindergarten separately; the Primary School occupies the lower floors and the Secondary School the upper floors. Facilities include a Whole School library, a dedicated reading library, fully wired computer labs and science laboratories, MEF Tech with a makerspace, iMac Lab, Lego Robotics, Greenbox Studio, plus wireless infrastructure and smartboards. Sports facilities comprise two outdoor pitches, a tennis court, a 25m heated pool with stadium seating, an indoor gym, a dance studio and playgrounds. The program features a broad co-curricular offering, including Math Olympiad, MUN and Code Monkey; Arts studios and music spaces; service-learning and a Student Council. IB DP includes CAS, EE and TOK as core components today.

The Essentials

MEF International School Istanbul has 400 pupils, typical class sizes of 6, instruction in English.

Location

Located in Ortaköy, Istanbul, on the European side, MEF International School, Istanbul sits near the city center. The campus spans 9 acres and shares facilities with MEF National School. The address is Ulus Mah. Leylak Sok. No:22, 34340 Ulus, Besiktas, Istanbul, Turkey.

Stages

Early Childhood Centre (Preschool through Kindergarten); Primary School (Grades 1–5); Middle School (Grades 6–12); High School (Overview, Cambridge IGCSE, IB Diploma Programme, and IB Certificate Programme).

Additional learning support

Guidance Counseling; English Language Learning; Learning Support; Career Counseling; Overseas College Counseling.

Bus service

Bus service for the 2025–2026 Academic Year is provided by Transay Transportation & Employee Services Co., a company operating in the transportation sector since 1989. Parents can register via the MEF IS School Bus Sign-Up Form. For inquiries, contact MEF IS bus liaison Ms. Derya Seyitoğlu at T: +90 549 171 75 11 or +90 212 275 30 03, E: mef@transay.com.tr or deryaseyitoglu@transay.com.tr.

Fees

Annual tuition at MEF International School Istanbul ranges from TRY 23,610 to TRY 42,915 for 2026/27.

Application and Registration Fees

- Application fee (one-time, non-refundable for new applicants): USD 1,250.
- Registration fee (one-time, non-refundable for new applicants; for ECC students registration fee is paid when they start Grade 1): USD 4,250.

Placement Fee (annual, secures the place for new and returning students)

- Placement fees by year group (annual):
- Early Childhood Centre (Pre‑School / Pre‑Kindergarten): USD 4,500.
- Kindergarten: USD 6,000.
- Primary School (Grades 1–5): USD 7,500.
- Middle School (Grades 6–7): USD 7,500.
- Middle School (Grade 8): USD 7,500.
- High School (Grades 9–11): USD 7,500.
- High School (Grade 12): USD 7,500.
- IB Year 1 (IB‑1): USD 8,000.
- IB Year 2 (IB‑2): USD 8,000.

Tuition, Food and Annual Totals (Academic Year 2026–2027) — amounts shown in USD

- Each line below shows: Tuition | Food | Total (including 10% VAT) | Total (excluding VAT).
- Pre‑School / Pre‑Kindergarten: Tuition USD 20,070 | Food USD 3,540 | Total (including VAT) USD 23,610 | Total (excluding VAT) USD 21,463.
- Kindergarten: Tuition USD 29,920 | Food USD 3,540 | Total (including VAT) USD 33,460 | Total (excluding VAT) USD 30,418.
- Primary School (Grades 1–5): Tuition USD 37,500 | Food USD 4,100 | Total (including VAT) USD 41,600 | Total (excluding VAT) USD 37,818.
- Middle School (Grades 6–7): Tuition USD 38,815 | Food USD 4,100 | Total (including VAT) USD 42,915 | Total (excluding VAT) USD 39,014.
- Middle School (Grade 8): Tuition USD 39,050 | Food USD 4,100 | Total (including VAT) USD 43,150 | Total (excluding VAT) USD 39,227.
- High School (Grades 9–11): Tuition USD 40,900 | Food USD 4,100 | Total (including VAT) USD 45,000 | Total (excluding VAT) USD 40,909.
- High School (Grade 12): Tuition USD 42,020 | Food USD 4,100 | Total (including VAT) USD 46,120 | Total (excluding VAT) USD 41,928.
- IB‑1: Tuition USD 41,065 | Food USD 4,100 | Total (including VAT) USD 45,165 | Total (excluding VAT) USD 41,059.
- IB‑2: Tuition USD 42,165 | Food USD 4,100 | Total (including VAT) USD 46,265 | Total (excluding VAT) USD 42,059.

Installment amounts and billing schedule (payment plan)

- The placement fee is due immediately after confirmation of admission for new students; returning students must pay the placement fee by March 31, 2026 to secure re‑enrolment.
- Tuition is payable in a 5‑installment plan after payment of the placement fee. The installment due dates for the academic year are: 31 March 2026 (placement or first due by date shown in schedule), then 15 May 2026, 15 July 2026, 15 September 2026, 15 November 2026 and 15 January 2027 (final installment). Specific installment amounts by grade are shown below.

- Installment breakdown by year group (Placement Fee; then 1st — 5th installment amounts; all amounts in USD):
- Pre‑School / Pre‑K: Placement Fee USD 4,500; Installments USD 3,822 | 3,822 | 3,822 | 3,822 | 3,822; Annual total USD 23,610.
- Kindergarten: Placement Fee USD 6,000; Installments USD 5,492 | 5,492 | 5,492 | 5,492 | 5,492; Annual total USD 33,460.
- Primary (Gr 1–5): Placement Fee USD 7,500; Installments USD 6,820 | 6,820 | 6,820 | 6,820 | 6,820; Annual total USD 41,600.
- Middle (Gr 6–7): Placement Fee USD 7,500; Installments USD 7,083 | 7,083 | 7,083 | 7,083 | 7,083; Annual total USD 42,915.
- Middle (Gr 8): Placement Fee USD 7,500; Installments USD 7,130 | 7,130 | 7,130 | 7,130 | 7,130; Annual total USD 43,150.
- High School (Gr 9–11): Placement Fee USD 7,500; Installments USD 7,500 | 7,500 | 7,500 | 7,500 | 7,500; Annual total USD 45,000.
- High School (Gr 12): Placement Fee USD 7,500; Installments USD 7,724 | 7,724 | 7,724 | 7,724 | 7,724; Annual total USD 46,120.
- IB‑1: Placement Fee USD 8,000; Installments USD 7,433 | 7,433 | 7,433 | 7,433 | 7,433; Annual total USD 45,165.
- IB‑2: Placement Fee USD 8,000; Installments USD 7,653 | 7,653 | 7,653 | 7,653 | 7,653; Annual total USD 46,265.

Payment terms, invoicing and penalties

- Amounts are required in US dollars; payments must be made to the school's USD bank account. Transfers are subject to bank charges; ensure the full USD amount is credited to the school. Email a copy of the bank receipt with the child's name and "26‑27 Child's name" to the Admissions email address upon settlement. Separate bank account details exist for IB DP tuition payments.
- Bank account details (wire/SWIFT/IBAN for USD payments) are provided for the school's Yapi Kredi Bankasi account; the account holder is MEF Okullari ve Ozel Egitim Hizmetleri A.S. (full wire details and IBAN are provided with the school's payment instructions).
- A 2% discount is available for payments made in full before March 6, 2026 (full payment discount deadline as stated).
- Invoices: the annual school fee is divided into ten equal amounts (September–June) and e‑invoices are issued monthly by the school's billing system.
- Overdue payments: installments not received by the stated due dates are delinquent; a late fee of 3% is added to past‑due accounts. After one month of non‑payment parents will be asked to make payment in full or withdraw the child; accounts not settled within two months may be referred to a legal collection agency.

What tuition includes and excludes / Other chargeable items

- Included in tuition: cooked lunch, morning and afternoon snacks, usage of textbooks, yearbook, one physical education uniform, clubs/sports/music/art offered by MEF IS teachers during school and after school, coverage of Cambridge Checkpoint and up to eight IGCSE exam fees per year (certain exam‑related extra charges excluded), and one session of IB DP final exam fees (excludes re‑marks/re‑takes).
- Not included in tuition and charged separately by families as needed: school bus transport (optional, fee‑based), clubs or activities run by outside organisations, IELTS/TOEFL/SAT/ACT fees, computers/laptops/iPads/calculators, personal stationery, extended overnight or out‑of‑city trips, exam late‑entry fees, rechecks and postal charges. Families are responsible for devices required (Grades 4–8 iPad requirement; Grades 9–12 recommended laptop specifications).
- Uniforms: one physical education uniform is included in tuition; additional uniform items are an extra cost.

Refunds and withdrawals

- Withdrawal refund rule: a 10% deduction will be made from the full year school fees (placement fee + yearly tuition) when a child's enrolment is withdrawn during the academic year. If the school year has not begun, the remaining amount after the 10% deduction is reimbursed in full. If withdrawal occurs during the school year, the refund is prorated based on the number of days until withdrawal; refunds are returned to the original payer. Late fees (if any) are not refunded.
- New registrations during the school year: tuition will be calculated pro rata for the number of days attended in the registration month plus the remaining part of the academic year.

Boarding

- Boarding is not applicable. MEF International School, Istanbul operates as a day school; students are expected to remain on campus for the school day and the school offers an optional, fee‑based bus service for transportation.

Fee payment options (accepted methods and practical notes)

- Primary accepted payment method: international bank transfer (wire) in US dollars to the school's USD account (SWIFT/IBAN details are provided in the school's payment instructions). Transfers should cover all bank charges so the school receives the full USD amount. Email a copy of the bank receipt to the Admissions/registration email provided by the school once payment is made.
- The school's payment policy notes that different bank accounts are specified for general tuition and IB DP tuition; follow the payment instructions for the correct beneficiary account.

Discounts

- Sibling discount: 10% for two siblings, 15% for three or more siblings applied to total tuition (not to application, registration or placement fees). Corporate group discount: 5% for five or more enrollments from the same company/consulate meeting eligibility requirements. The total discount cannot exceed 25%; multiple discounts are applied in a stepped order starting with the largest.

(End of fees summary.)
Academics

MEF International School Istanbul teaches IB (PYP), IB (DP), Cambridge (Secondary), Cambridge IGCSE for students aged 3 to 18.

Curriculum

Cambridge IGCSE is offered in Grades 9–10; in Grades 11–12 MEF IS offers either the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) or the IB Certificate Programme (Course Certificate route). The IB Diploma Programme uses six subjects across Groups 1–6 with Core Components: CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service); Extended Essay (EE); and Theory of Knowledge (TOK).

Student Teacher Ratio

Staff to student ratio is 5:2.

Exam Results

2024: MEFIS Highest Score 44; MEFIS Average 32; Global Average 30.32. 2023: Highest 40; Average 32; Global Average 30.24. 2022: Highest 44; Average 34; Global Average 31.98. 2021: Highest 43; Average 37; Global Average 32.98. 2020: Highest 42; Average 33; Global Average 31.34.

Higher Education Progression

Almost 100% of graduates have attended world-class universities. 2022 university acceptances include UK: Imperial College London; Newcastle University; The University of Nottingham; University of Bristol; University of Cambridge; University of Kent; University of Manchester; University of Reading; University of Sheffield; University of Southampton; University of Surrey; University of Warwick. USA: Boston College; Boston University; Drexel University; Fordham University; Georgia Institute of Technology; Hofstra University; Indiana University Bloomington; Michigan State University; North Carolina State University; Pennsylvania State University—University Park; Pepperdine University; Texas A&M University; Texas Christian University; UC campuses (Davis, Santa Cruz, Merced, Riverside, San Diego, Santa Barbara); University of Indianapolis; University of Massachusetts Dartmouth; University of Massachusetts Amherst; University of Massachusetts Boston; University of Miami; University of Minnesota; University of Wisconsin. Canada: McGill University; McMaster University; Toronto Metropolitan University; University of British Columbia; University of Toronto. Europe: Trinity College Dublin; Erasmus University College; Jacobs University; Nuova Accademia di Belle Arti Milano; Stenden University of Applied Sciences; TIO University of Applied Sciences; Universidad Carlos III de Madrid; University College Maastricht; University of Amsterdam; University of Twente; Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam; Wageningen University and Research Centre; Yeditepe University.

Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)

PSHE is taught in Early Childhood Centre, Primary School, Middle School and High School. Guidance Counseling is available to support student welfare.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Learning Support is available as part of Student Support Services. If applying with a learning disability, provide medical, psychological, and/or educational reports and the Individual Education Plan in English.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)

The medium of instruction is English; English Language Learning is offered for students.

Mental Wellbeing

Guidance Counseling is available to support student wellbeing.

Safeguarding

Anti-Bullying Procedure and Child Protection Policy are in place.

Admissions

Admissions

1. Submit the MEF IS Application Form for new students and pay the application fee. Applications are considered only after the fee is paid, and decisions are made on a case-by-case basis. For the 2026-2027 school year, grade placement requires successful completion of the previous grade level, and the academic year runs from September to June. A proficient level of English is required for enrolment in Grades 9-12 (at least A2), with an intermediate level (B1-B2) for Grades 10-12; the school may administer a WIDA English assessment at its discretion.

Scholarships

Scholarships may be offered; if a student is found eligible for a scholarship, whether full or partial, the tuition fee will be refunded to the parent/guardian within two months after the start of the academic year.

Waitlist

There is currently no waiting list for entry into MEF IS Istanbul. From time to time, classes can reach maximum capacity, so applying early is advisable.

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