Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1 . Which countries do most of the students and teachers come from? We have students from more than 50 countries and teachers from more than 20 nationalities, creating a diverse international community within our school.

2 . What is the class size? On average our classes have approximately 15 students, ensuring a supportive learning environment and allowing teachers to provide individual attention to each student.

3 . Where can we see the school calendar, including holidays and working days? You can reach the academic calendar on the website: (Calender)

4 . Is only Turkish food served at the school? No. We serve a variety of dishes from both local and international cuisines.

5 . Is the lunch menu Turkish or international? It's a mix of Turkish and international food, prepared with fresh and healthy ingredients. Every Friday we serve an international dish.

6 . How long has Istanbul International School been around? The Early Years Programme began in 1997. We will be celebrating 30 years next year.

7 . Where is Istanbul International School and how easy is it to get to? Istanbul International School is located on the Asian side of Istanbul in the Çamlıca Hills of the Üsküdar district. It is perfectly located for families residing on the Asian side as well as for families travelling from the European side due to the travelling against the busy traffic flow of Istanbul.

8. Which documents are required for registration? Copies of the student’s and parents’ passports and residence permits are required initially.

9. We have Turkish nationality. Can we still register our child at the school? According to Turkish regulations, Turkish citizens cannot be enrolled in international schools in Turkey. If you are registered in an International school before becoming a Turkish citizen, then you have the right to complete the school level (e.g. Primary school, Middle School, High School)

10. How can we pay the school fees? Wire / Bank Transfer or Credit Card (any additional surcharges are the responsibility of the card holder)

11. How many installments can we pay in? Our payment plan consists of FOUR installments. The first installment is 50% of the total fees. The following three installments

12. Are there any discounts? We offer early registration for returning families, sibling discount (5% discount applied for the second child, 10% discount applied for the third child, 15% discount applied for the fourth child) and a discount of 5% is applied to the tuition amount when fees are paid in full in advance. Registrations completed after the final day of the current Academic year do not qualify for paid in advance discounts.

13. What if the payment is late? Late payments may incur a surcharge of 3% of the delayed amount.

14. What happens if a student’s level of English is not sufficient to follow the lessons? If a student’s level of English is not yet sufficient to follow the lessons, we provide additional English support sessions. In addition, students are exposed to English throughout the day, which helps them develop their language skills quickly and confidently.

15. How does the school support students whose first language is not English? The school offers English language support programmes designed to help students develop academic English skills. This support may include targeted language instruction and classroom strategies that help multilingual learners succeed.

16. What subjects do students study? Students follow a broad academic programme including:

• English as a First Language
• English as a Second Language (where it applies)
• Mathematics
• Sciences
• Humanities (such as Sociology, History and Geography)
• Modern Languages (Turkish, Spanish and German)
• Arts
• Physical Education (up to IGCSE)
• Information Technology
• Music
• Business (IGCSE & A-Levels)

In the upper years, students typically have more flexibility to specialise in subjects aligned with their interests and future university plans.

17. Are there extracurricular activities for students with different talents and interests? Yes. Every year, we offer a variety of extracurricular activities designed to support students’ interests, talents, and learning needs.

18. Is there a summer camp? We usually do not offer summer camps.

19. What are the school hours? The school starts at 9:00 and ends at 15:40

20. Are Turkish lessons offered? Yes. Students in all grades receive a minimum of two Turkish language lessons per week.

21. What is the second foreign language taught at the school? Turkish and Spanish are offered as second languages. Spanish lessons begin in Grade 5. German is offered at IGCSE level (Grade 9 & 10)

22. How much homework do students usually receive? It is given in a balanced way, the goal is to reinforce the learning not overwhelm the students, homework is meaningful and age-appropriate. Our School has homework rules outlined in the Student Handbook. The Student Handbook is available during registration.

23. Which curriculum is taught? Cambridge International Curriculum (Primary and Lower Secondary Checkpoint exams in Grade 5 and Grade 8 as well IGCSE’s, AS levels and A2-Levels in Grades 9 - 12 respectively).

24. What curriculum does the school follow? Istanbul International School is an accredited Cambridge International school offering the Cambridge International curriculum, which is designed to provide a rigorous and well-balanced education. The programme combines strong academic foundations with inquiry, critical thinking, and real-world application of knowledge.

25. How do parents communicate with teachers? Email and Toddle (Learning Management System)

26. How many A Level subjects do students usually take? Most students take three A Level subjects, although some students choose four depending on their academic plans and university requirements. Students are required to select 4 subjects in Grade 11 and can drop one in Grade 12.

27. What is the school’s policy on electronic devices? Students in Grades 1–11 are not allowed to use their devices during the school day. Primary and Middle School students are permitted to keep their phones in their school bag. In the High School devices are collected at the start of the first lesson and stored securely in a box until the end of the day.

28. Is the curriculum suitable for international students? Yes. The curriculum is designed for a diverse international student body. It emphasises transferable academic skills, intercultural understanding, and strong English communication.

29. How is student progress assessed? Student progress is monitored through a combination of:

• Ongoing classroom assessments
• Projects and coursework
• Formal tests and examinations
• Teacher feedback and progress reports

Parents receive regular updates through reports and conferences with teachers.

30. Do students receive support in choosing A Level subjects? Yes. Students receive guidance when selecting A Level subjects to ensure their choices align with their intended university majors and career plans.

31. Which universities do students go to afterwards? After graduation students are accepted and attend Universities all around the world. Some examples include University of Cambridge, University College London, University of Edinburgh, Durham University, University of Manchester, University of Amsterdam, Technical University of Aachen, Virginia Tech, University of Washington, University of San Diego, Gadjah Mada University, Middle Eastern Technical University, Koç University

32. Do students apply to multiple countries? Yes. Many students apply to universities in more than one country in order to keep different options open.

33. Which universities do your graduates typically attend? Our graduates continue their studies at universities in many countries, including the US, UK, Netherlands, Italy, Spain, Germany, Austria, Türkiye, and others.

34. Do you provide university guidance and counselling? Yes. Students receive structured university guidance throughout high school, including support with subject selection, career planning, application strategies, personal statements.

35. What qualifications do students graduate with? Students graduate with internationally recognised Cambridge International qualifications that prepare them for admission to universities around the world. These qualifications support applications to institutions in Europe, North America, the UK, and beyond.

36. How do students apply to universities abroad? Students apply with their A Level qualifications, predicted grades, recommendation letters, and personal statements. Our counselling office supports students throughout the entire process.

37. Do universities value A Level qualifications? Yes. A Level is one of the most widely respected secondary school qualifications and is accepted by top universities worldwide.

38. What are the differences between Cambridge International Education and International Baccalaureate? Both programmes build critical thinking skills. The largest difference is subject selection in the final two years of High School Education (Grade 11 - 12). Cambridge A-Level Programme focuses on deep study of 3-4 subjects while the IB programme expects students to select 6 subjects. The Cambridge A-Level is perfect for students that already know what they want to study in University, however students that are less certain about University and Career paths can still select a broad variety to keep options open. As an example the broadest subject selection is Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry and Physics. This is because the selection satisfies the strict entry requirements into programmes such as Medicine, Engineering, Computer Science while also keeping the door open at Top Universities to study degrees such as Law, History and Economics. Alternatively the standard all rounder can be a combination of Mathematics, History, Physics and English or another fourth subject.

39. What qualifications do teachers have? Our teachers have mix of qualifications such as QTS, PGCE, Master’s Degree, PHD

40. What Countries are your Teachers from? We have teachers from close to 20 different countries. Our priority during teacher selection is quality of teaching and character.