Compare International Schools in Izmir, Turkey

Located in Gaziemir, Izmir, near Izmir airport. The campus is in a residential area with convenient access to local transport. Transportation to and from MEF IS Izmir is provided by a contracted service bus (Özaltın Turizim).

Reception to Grade 12; ages 3–18.

Co-educational day international school; offers the IB Diploma Programme; Cambridge International Programmes (CAIE) for Primary, Lower Secondary and IGCSE.

There are over 36 nationalities represented in the student body, with approximately 190 students enrolled.

Learning Support includes English Language Learning (ELL) and Additional English Support (AES). ELL is provided in classrooms and through pull-out sessions for beginners; in-class support and differentiated instruction are available for non-native English learners.

Turkey

School hours are 8:40–15:25. The day comprises seven 45-minute lessons with two recess breaks and one lunch break.

A contracted service bus is provided by Özaltın Turizim for transportation to and from school.

Day school; no boarding facilities.

There is no everyday school uniform; a uniform is issued for PE and sporting events.

Hot lunch is provided daily, including soup, a main dish, a side, and salads. Turkish and international dishes are served; morning and afternoon snacks are provided. All food is prepared on site under the supervision of the Head Chef and Food Engineer.

House Day competitions are held; House Ephesus is one of the houses.

The school is owned by Arıkanli Holding (Arıkanli Holding).

MEF International School Izmir delivers a Reception to Grade 12 English-medium international education. The curriculum is Cambridge International Examinations (CAIE) with Cambridge Checkpoint in Middle School and Cambridge IGCSE in Upper Secondary. In Grades 11–12 students may pursue the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) or IB Course Certificate route, and the school was accredited as an IB World School in May 2022 to offer the Diploma. The school is a Cambridge CAIE Centre and Host Country Studies are taught in French, Spanish and Turkish alongside English instruction. The focus in the curriculum is to develop enquiring minds, global citizenship and cross-cultural understanding.

Average class sizes: Reception 1 16; Reception 2 18; Year 1 20; Years 2–6 22; Years 7–13 24. The overall teacher-to-student ratio is 1:6; primary class sizes range from 10 to 16 and secondary 10 to 15.

Guidance Counseling provides college and overseas university advising. A full-time counselor works with students, parents and teachers to support college planning and transition.

Learning Support provides ESL, literacy remediation and enrichment/extension opportunities for students, supporting those with minor learning needs.

The MEF International School Izmir has a full-time social-emotional counselor who supports students, teachers and parents. The counselor runs individual and group sessions, addresses emotional concerns, and provides transition support for new and leaving students. Mediation is used to resolve conflicts, and the counselor also works in classrooms to develop social skills and coping strategies such as effective communication, time management and study skills. An open-door policy and parent support ensure timely communication and safe spaces for students needing help.

Learning Support and Counselling are available. MEF IS will admit a student only if it has the resources, expertise and facilities to provide a meaningful education for the child's cognitive, physical, social and emotional needs; the school does not automatically register students with identified learning difficulties requiring specialist staffing. Students with mild learning difficulties can be supported in a standard classroom with the Learning Support teacher, though time for support may be limited and there is no guarantee of the level of support.

English Language Learning support is provided for students whose first language is not English to enable them to function socially and academically in English.

Guidance Counseling addresses mental wellbeing; the counselor provides emotional support, transition assistance, and coping strategies; sessions include group or individual work, with parent involvement and timely communication.

Child Protection procedures are in place, including Anti-Bullying procedures and a Child Protection Policy.

1. Admissions requirements and grade placement: MEF IS Izmir places a student in the next grade level only if the previous grade has been completed. The Academic Year starts in August for the 2026-2027 school year and runs from September to June; some Southern Hemisphere calendars are treated differently. A proficient level of English is required for enrollment in Grades 9–12, and entry into Grades 10–12 is considered on a case-by-case basis. Applications are considered only after the application fee has been paid. 2. Application form: The MEF IS Application Form for new students is available as a PDF and must be completed with consent. 3. Documents required: Documentation must be provided in English (notarized translations are required for documents in other languages). Required items include the Application Form, report cards/transcripts for the last two years, a passport-sized student photo, passport copies of the student and parents, residency/work permit information, a bank statement showing payment of the application fee, custody documents if parents are divorced, PDPL documents signed by the legal guardian, and a Confidential School Recommendation Form sent directly to the Admissions Office. For Early Childhood Centre entries, a separate ECC Confidential School Recommendation Form is required. 4. Evaluation and decision: After submission, all documentation is forwarded to the School Principal for consideration, who reviews academic, social and emotional development; the Learning Support Team is consulted if the student has special educational needs. Final enrollment decisions are ratified by the Principal after relevant consultations, and the Admissions Office informs families of the outcome. 5. Enrollment and start: When enrollment is confirmed, families receive an email to pay the placement fee to secure the place. Upon payment, the student can begin typically within two working days.

The contract notes that a student may be eligible for a scholarship offered by the school; if eligible for a full or partial scholarship, the tuition fee will be refunded to the parent/guardian within two months after the start of the academic year. The contract also states that if Educational Support/Scholarship from the Ministry of Education is received, the parent/guardian is responsible for paying the remaining tuition.

There is currently no waiting list for entry.