Compare American Curriculum International Schools in Turkey

The BIS Schools operate in Istanbul, Türkiye, with campuses in Zekeriyaköy (Primary Campus at Uskumruköy, 8. Cadde No: 7, Sarıyer), Zekeriyaköy High School (Uskumruköy, Kilyos Cd. No: 238/1, Sarıyer), Bahçeşehir Campus (Pazartürk Cd. No: 12, Başakşehir), and Çamlıca Campus (Turistik Çamlıca Cd. No: 54, Üsküdar). The Zekeriyaköy Forest Campus is another BIS campus in the same area.

Early Years / Pre-School; Primary School; Middle School; High School

Private BIS Primary, Middle and Anatolian High School

Turkish and international students; approximately 30% international enrolment.

The Learning Support Department provides support for students with Special Needs, coordinates with the ESL department, and collaborates with Educational Psychologists, Speech Therapists and other professionals; includes individual and group intervention and regular parent communication.

Turkey

The main BIS school day runs from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. Pre-School offers shorter hours: half-day 8:30 am–12:00 pm; half-day with lunch 8:30 am–1:00 pm; full day 8:30 am–3:30 pm.

BIS offers a safe and reliable bus service through AZ-AL for Zekeriyaköy Campus; buses are GPS-tracked and attended by hostesses; contact 0549 684 23 76 for registration.

The school has a uniform. Edessa Textile is the official uniform provider, with a dedicated Maslak shop and an online option to purchase uniforms. Uniforms are required across Pre‑School, Primary and Secondary levels and include items such as white polo T‑shirts (short and long sleeve), white T‑shirts with navy, fleece, Bermuda shorts, pants, a dress or skort, a hoodie, and a PE tracksuit.

The school offers a Lunch Menu and a Snack Menu. The menus include dietary labels (V for Vegetarian, Vv for Vegan, G for Gluten‑free, L for Lactose‑free) and calories values are listed for portions.

The BIS Schools operate under two divisions: International Division and Turkish Division. The International Division comprises The British International School Istanbul (Zekeriyaköy Forest Campus) and The British International STEAM School (Etiler Campus). The Turkish Division includes Zekeriyaköy, Çamlıca and Bahçeşehir campuses, with Alkent Preschool Campus opening soon. Shared values include a safe and secure environment, high academic standards, transparent governance and student‑centred education.

The BIS curriculum blends British educational traditions with an international framework. Primary education draws on established British practices and is delivered with a personalised approach that supports academic foundations and social-emotional growth. Middle School provides a comprehensive and balanced national curriculum, enriched with Information Technology, Music, Visual Arts and Physical Education, with English education as a central pillar and a second foreign language option. High School offers university preparation pathways and tailored academic support to strengthen readiness for higher education. BIS is a Candidate School for the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme and focuses on implementing the IB Diploma Programme in line with IB standards to prepare students for university study in a global context.

Structured university preparation pathways with tailored academic support delivered by experienced subject specialists for admission to leading Turkish public universities.

Differentiated learning model tailored to individual needs; ongoing academic and social progress monitoring.

The school cares about students' wellbeing, social and emotional development. In the primary and middle sections, orientation days are planned at the start of each year with students, teachers and parents. The counselling department plans preventive guidance based on ongoing observations in cooperation with parents, students and teachers. Developmental guidance helps students build self-confidence, positive self-perception, and effective communication and problem-solving skills through an inclusive approach. Parents receive monthly guidance seminars and a guidance bulletin is shared with families; the counselling team regularly reviews each student's academic, social and psychological development with teachers.

The Learning Support Department provides support for students experiencing Special Needs in line with the school's philosophy and goals, including intervention and progress reviews for students referred for Learning Support. The Learning Support staff collaborate with mainstream teachers, parents, administrators, as well as with the ESL department, external Educational Psychologists, Speech Therapists and other professionals. The department offers Psychological Counseling Studies, Student Orientation Studies, In-Class Student Activities, Individual Student Meetings and Group Works, and maintains ongoing communication with parents through regular meetings and monthly seminars. The ESL department is part of the collaborative approach to support language needs. The program emphasizes monitoring and evaluating progress for students requiring learning support.

The school has an ESL Department that collaborates with the Learning Support Team to support students with language needs. The Learning Support Department works with ESL staff to provide language-focused interventions and track progress. The campus promotes bilingual education, focusing on English and Turkish to develop linguistic proficiency. English language support is integrated with mainstream learning through ESL collaboration. The bilingual environment supports cross-cultural communication and cognitive flexibility.

The school cares about students' wellbeing and social-emotional development. The counselling department supports wellbeing and development, with orientation activities and ongoing meetings to monitor progress. Developmental guidance helps students build self-confidence, positive self-perception and effective communication and problem-solving skills, with an inclusive approach to meeting developmental needs. Parents receive monthly guidance seminars and a counselling newsletter to stay informed about social, emotional and personal development. The school emphasizes regular collaboration between counselling staff and classroom teachers to support students throughout the year.

A campus nurse is available to address health queries, and medical history and allergies are collected in the first week of each academic year. The campus is guarded 24 hours a day and monitored by security cameras; parents receive an ID card to access the campus. If the person collecting a child is not known, the school will contact the parent and request verification. Changes to routine for picking up a child require notification, and the school will call if there are any discrepancies with the usual procedure. Parents are reminded to keep mobile numbers up to date with the school secretaries.

1. The prospective family contacts the School by completing the Application Form on the website or by telephoning the School. The Communications Department contacts the prospective family to acknowledge receipt and outline the next steps. 2. An appointment is scheduled for a preliminary visit and a meeting with the Director or the Principal of the School. During the visit: a. The Principal and the School Psychological Counsellor meet the prospective student and administer the School Readiness Assessment for Primary Year 1 in the 2026–2027 Academic Year. b. The Principal and the School Psychological Counsellor meet the prospective student and conduct a general evaluation for students who will be placed in Years 2–8 in the 2026–2027 Academic Year. c. For students applying to High School (Years 9–12) in the 2026–2027 Academic Year, the Principal and the School Psychological Counsellor conduct an interview and a general academic evaluation. Previous school reports and relevant academic records are reviewed as part of the assessment process. 3. The results are shared with the parents. 4. Once the parents decide to proceed with registration, they are informed about the Financial Policy by the Admissions Department and are required to complete the Registration Forms.

IICS operates two campuses in Istanbul: Hisar Campus in the Hisarüstü/Rumeli Hisarı area at Rumelihisari Mahallesi, Nafi Baba Sokak, No:6, Istanbul 34470; Marmara Campus at Karaagac Koyu Mahallesi, Kahraman Caddesi, 27/1, Hadimkoy, Istanbul 34500. Both campuses are in Istanbul, Turkey.

Early Years EY3-5; Primary School Grades 1-5; Middle School Grades 6-8; High School Grades 9-12.

Private, non-profit, secular, coeducational day school.

The student body represents over 70 nationalities. The largest nationality groups are the United States, South Korea, Germany, and Canada.

Learning Support services are available for students needing additional help with academics, organization, or learning strategies. English language support is available up to Grade 10. The school is inclusive and accepts students with disabilities when appropriate support can be provided; individualized accommodations are offered based on assessment.

Secular; no religious affiliation.

Marmara Campus hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 8:30 AM–3:00 PM; Wednesday 8:30 AM–2:15 PM. Hisar Campus hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 8:15 AM–3:15 PM; Wednesday 8:30 AM–1:45 PM.

School buses are available to many areas in Istanbul; bus fees vary by location.

Grades 5-6 must purchase an IICS PE uniform at school. PE clothing must be worn for PE, with training shoes (laced or Velcro-fastened) required; slip-ons are not permitted.

Lunch is provided daily; Sardunya prepares fresh, healthy lunches cooked on-site with hot and cold options.

The school is a non-profit; payments are processed to Istanbul International Community School Eğitim ve Öğretim Hizmetleri A.Ş.

The school offers the International Baccalaureate (IB) program across the Primary Years Programme (Early Years–Grade 6), the Middle Years Programme (Grades 7–10), and the Diploma Programme (Grades 11–12), all taught in English. The High School Diploma pathway is CIS and NEASC-accredited and awards a US diploma after earning 26 credits (Grades 9–12), apostilled in the United States for worldwide validity. Students can graduate with the IICS High School Diploma alone, or with the IB Diploma, or with the Innovation Diploma. The IB Diploma is authorized by the International Baccalaureate Organization and requires six subjects over two years plus IB Core requirements (TOK, CAS, EE). AP Courses & Exams are available alongside IBDP Certificate Courses & Exams, and Dual Enrollment and Honors-Level Courses may be pursued as part of College Ready offerings.

The Pathways to Graduation describes three options for Grade 12: the IICS High School Diploma; the IICS High School Diploma + IB Diploma; and the IICS High School Diploma + Innovation Diploma. The High School Diploma is CIS and NEASC-accredited and awards a US diploma after 26 credits; the US diploma is apostilled in the United States and valid worldwide with assistance from the US Office of Overseas Schools. The IB Diploma is authorized by the IBO and includes core requirements (TOK, CAS, EE) with a two-year, six-subject structure and final exams. AP Courses & Exams, IBDP Certificate Courses & Exams, and Dual Enrollment with universities are available as part of College Ready pathways.

Safety and wellbeing are central in the Early Years program. The secure and caring environment supports each child's physical, emotional, and social development. Strong relationships between teachers and students support academic growth and emotional wellbeing. The curriculum emphasizes holistic and personalized learning that integrates cognitive, emotional, social, and physical development. The school fosters international mindedness and community connections to support social growth and global awareness. In Middle and High School, wellbeing is supported through after-school activities that promote wellbeing, creativity, and leadership.

The school offers English language support up to Grade 10. The school offers Learning Support. Accommodations are reviewed as part of the admissions process to ensure the school can meet each student's needs. The school welcomes students from diverse linguistic backgrounds.

English language support is provided up to Grade 10. The school welcomes students from diverse linguistic backgrounds. Learning Support is available to assist students who need accommodations. Accommodations are reviewed during admissions.

Wellbeing is a core focus across the school. In Early Years, safety and wellbeing are at the core of the program, and the environment supports physical, emotional, and social development. In Primary, strong relationships between teachers and students support emotional wellbeing. The curriculum is holistic and personalized, integrating cognitive, emotional, social, and physical development to foster wellbeing. In Middle and High School, wellbeing is supported through after-school activities that cultivate wellbeing, creativity, and leadership.

IICS is committed to safeguarding the welfare of children and young people. All new staff will be subject to enhanced pre-employment clearance, including identity checks, criminal background checks, qualification checks and employment checks. Admissions staff are available to answer questions about safeguarding and welfare.

1. Eligibility & timing: Applications are accepted year-round. Eligibility requires a non-Turkish passport. For an August start, submit by January or February; mid-year admissions are possible if space allows. Applications are processed in the order in which they are completed, and placement is confirmed if there is space, otherwise the child is placed on the waitlist.

2. Visit and interview: Families are encouraged to schedule a campus tour and an interview with the Director of Admissions. A visit provides insights into the community and helps answer questions, and a video call can be arranged if an on-site visit is not possible.

3. Application steps: Complete the Online Application Form via iics.openapply.com and access the required checklist after submission. Upload school records for the last three years, with English translations if needed, and share Teacher Reference/Recommendation Forms via OpenApply. Upload a passport copy and a recent headshot, and sign the Financial Contract and complete the Health Form (doctor's report not required). Transfer the application fee with the receipt. Entrance requirements for Early Years–Grade 5 do not include a formal exam; Grades 6+ require a short online English writing assessment.

4. Next steps: After all requirements are completed, the file is submitted to the Principal for approval and the Admissions Office will notify the family of the status. Applications are reviewed in order, and placement is confirmed when space exists; if not, the child is placed on the waitlist. If space is available, the child may begin once placement is confirmed.

There are no scholarships or financial aid programs. An early-payment discount is offered. Sibling discounts apply: 5% off tuition for the second child, and 10% off for the third and subsequent children.

If no place is available in the age-appropriate grade, the child is placed on the waitlist. Waitlist status depends on space availability and order of submission.