British International STEAM School, Istanbul
Key Stats
Annual Fees: US$34K - US$64K
Curriculum: British · Cambridge Primary · IB Diploma
Age Range: 3-11
Students: ~80
Location: Etiler (Levent & Etiler), Istanbul
Updated April 2026
In Brief
If boutique is what you want - small classes, intensive pastoral care, and a school that genuinely knows every child - BISS is the most distinctive primary option in Etiler. The fee level is high for a primary-only school, so be clear on your secondary plan before enrolling.
BISS occupies an unusual position in Istanbul's international school market: it is triple-accredited by CIS, COBIS, and MSA simultaneously - something no other school in Istanbul has achieved - and it runs average classes of 8 with a teaching assistant in every room. The school markets itself as STEAM-integrated, meaning science, technology, engineering, arts, and maths are woven into the pedagogy rather than isolated as subjects. Specialist rooms include an IT Hub, Design and Technology Urban Kitchen, Life Lab Science Centre, Art Studio, and Construction Room. The school is genuinely small - around 80 students across 20 nationalities, with South Korean families the most represented passport group.
The practical experience for families is shaped by Etiler - one of Istanbul's more convenient locations for the European side, close to Levent, accessible from Beşiktaş and Şişli. No entry evaluation is required and mid-year joining is possible, which matters for corporate families with unpredictable relocation timelines. Lunch is included and the school runs a bus service. Class sizes this small mean that your child's teacher knows them in a way that is structurally impossible in a school of 600. The principal, Sarah Zarzo, is publicly accessible and active in the school community.
The significant caveat is scope. ISD lists BISS as currently ages 3-11 (primary), though the school has stated plans to expand through secondary. Confirm the current age range and timeline before enrolling a child who will outgrow the primary years within a few years of joining. The fee range is also at the top of Istanbul's market - TRY 1.1M to TRY 2.1M (approximately US$34K-64K) - reflecting the very small class sizes and high staff ratios. If you are self-funding a secondary education in Istanbul as well, budget for a second school from around age 11 or 12.
What parents value
- –Triple-accredited by CIS, COBIS, and MSA simultaneously - the first school in Istanbul to hold all three. Average class size of 8 with a teaching assistant in every class; at that ratio, your child's teacher knows them individually from the first week.
- –STEAM integrated as pedagogy, not as a subject - specialist rooms across technology, science, art, and design that are genuinely used rather than showcase spaces. Duke of Edinburgh available. Can join mid-year without an entry evaluation.
- –Etiler location is among the most convenient on the European side for families in the Levent-Beşiktaş-Şişli corridor. Lunch and bus service included; 20 nationalities in a school of 80 gives an international feel that much larger schools don't always achieve at the class level.
Points of consideration
- –BISS is currently a primary school (ages 3-11 per ISD). Families with children who will reach secondary age within the next few years need a clear plan for the transition - confirm the expansion timeline with the school and do not rely on announced plans as certainties.
- –Fees are the highest in Istanbul's international school market at this age range, reflecting the small class sizes. TRY 1.1M to TRY 2.1M (US$34K-64K) is a premium over BISI, MEF, and IICS for primary-age children. Run the full multi-year cost before committing.
- –With around 80 students, the social pool is small. For children who thrive on variety in their peer group - different activities, wide co-curricular breadth - a school of 80 will feel tight. Ask specifically about what after-school activities are available and how many students participate at your child's age level.
Annual Fees
| Year Group | Age | USDTotal Annual Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-School / EYFS | 3 | NaN |
| Primary Year 1-2 | 6 | NaN |
| Primary Year 3-4 | 8 | NaN |
| Primary Year 5-6 | 10 | NaN |
Fees converted from TRY. For the most up to date and accurate figures please double check with the school.
Academic Results
Academic results have not been made publicly available by this school.
Extra Curriculars
Contact the school for details on co-curricular activities and facilities. Ask what a normal week looks like outside lessons for your child's age group.
Inspections & Accreditations
Inspection
- Triple-accredited: CIS (Council of International Schools), COBIS (Council of British International Schools), and MSA - the only school in Istanbul to hold all three simultaneously.
- Cambridge Primary School programme.
- IB Diploma Programme authorised.
- Duke of Edinburgh Award provider.
Accreditations
- CIS
- COBIS
- MSA
Memberships
- COBIS
- Duke of Edinburgh
Student Body
Around 80 students from 20 nationalities attend BISS, with South Korean families the most represented passport group. The small roll means the community is unusually cohesive; with average classes of 8, students and parents know each other quickly. Contact the school for current nationality breakdown.
Leadership
Sarah Zarzo
Sarah Zarzo serves as Principal of the British International STEAM School Istanbul. Contact the school for further details on her background and tenure.