Cities / Istanbul / Keystone International Schools
Keystone International Schools
Istanbul's only Prince Edward Island (Canada) offshore school, offering the PEI provincial curriculum from kindergarten through Grade 12 with instruction in English and French from early years. WASC-accredited and a Round Square member, with graduates entering universities in Canada, the…
In brief
The only Canadian offshore school in Istanbul, in Kucuk Camlica on the Asian side, founded by Sema Kizilkaya whose education group dates back to 1991. K to 12 with an Ontario Secondary School Diploma route and Round Square candidacy.
Keystone runs a Canadian curriculum with Canadian inspectors visiting annually to validate standards, and high-school students earn the Ontario diploma alongside Turkish recognition. The school is the international (English-medium) counterpart to its sister Kilittasi school for Turkish-curriculum students. Fees run roughly TRY 875,000 to TRY 1,029,000. Accredited by WASC and a Round Square candidate.
Families describe a warm, family-feel community where the founder is closely involved, French is taught well from early years, and children settle quickly. The school is small and parents value that. Critical voices, mostly from older students, point to food quality, limited extracurriculars, and inconsistent teaching at the secondary level for a tuition that places the school in the upper bracket. Best fit for expat families wanting a Canadian university pathway in a small Asian-side school.
Fees
| Fee | Age | Type | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kindergarten | 5 | Annual | TRY 875,875 |
| Grades 1-6 | 6 | Annual | TRY 991,375 |
| Grades 7-9 | 12 | Annual | TRY 1,029,875 |
| Grades 10-12 | 15 | Annual | TRY 1,029,875 |
| PEI Registration Fee (non-refundable, annual) | One-time | TRY 67,375 |
Reviews
- Canadian offshore school in Istanbul, marketed as the only PEI-curriculum offshore school in the city, with classes from preschool through grade 12.
- Independent parent reviews on directory pages skew positive on community, staff warmth and the Canadian curriculum's experiential side. One parent said their daughter 'runs to school every day'.
- The school draws a mix of Turks with second passports and international students, in line with a commenters's observation. Another said a student they knew went to Keystone for high school and 'liked it, though it's small'.
- Critical signal centres on value for money. A 2024 directory review said the school improved after the pandemic but still lacks features expected for its fee level, citing food quality, limited outside activities, expensive books and occasional teacher unprofessionalism.
- Facilities described as a 'green school' with organic and healthy food options elsewhere; the food complaint runs counter to that and the picture is mixed rather than aligned.
Head of school
Sema Kizilkaya
Sema Kizilkaya’s life is dedicated to education and shaping future generations. Born in Istanbul, she earned a Marketing Degree from Yeditepe University and an Early Childhood Education Diploma from Vienna. In 1991, she founded a preschool named after her daughter, Doğa, leading it for 16 years. She then moved to Ottawa to work as an assistant teacher at the Carleton District School Board. Sema later established Keystone International School (K-12) for expatriate families and Kilittasi School Dual Program (K-8) for Turkish nationals, where she serves as CEO, upholding high education standards. She divides her time between Toronto and Istanbul, contributing significantly to international education. Sema is also an accomplished author, publishing children’s books like “Hand in Hand,” “Roots and Wings,” and “Omer in Oslo.” The books she authored in 2017 are available on the Amazon Kindle platform.
Accreditations
- Western Association of Schools and Colleges (Accrediting Commission for Schools) 01
Academic results
- MAP Growth Average Percentile 85th
- Result 100% University Placement Rate.