Admissions FAQs

What age range does MEF IS enrol?

MEF IS is a co-educational day school which enrolls students from 3 to 18 years of age. The medium of instruction is English.

How many children attend MEF IS?

There are currently approximately 295 students enrolled at MEF IS Istanbul campus.

How diverse is the student body?

There are over 53 different nationalities represented in our student body. We are proud to live our motto each and every day “Building bridges between Countries and Cultures”.

What is the average class size?

The average class size is about 15 students. The maximum class size for the Preschool: 16, Pre-K and Kindergarten: 18, Grades 1 to 5: 22, and Grades 6 to 12: 24. The overall student-to-teacher ratio is approximately 5.5:1.

Is there a waiting list?

There currently is not a waiting list for entry into the school, however from time to time classes can reach their maximum limit, therefore it is advisable to apply to the school at the earliest possible point.

Do you accept children who do not speak English?

Yes, MEF IS does enroll students who do not speak English into the Primary School and Middle School. We have English Language Learning Support teachers in the Primary School and Secondary School to support English language development. 

  • A proficient level of English (at least A2) is required for enrollment in Grades 9. Students are expected to have an intermediate level of English (B1-B2) for enrollment in Grades 10-11-12. All applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
  • Students will take the WIDA English assessment at the discretion of the leadership team and ELL Specialists.
  • Click here to see WIDA English levels compared to CEFR English levels

What is the process I need to follow to enrol my child?

This will depend on your needs and where you are located when you are making your application. If you are applying from abroad, you will need to be in close email communication with our admissions office. We will provide you with information about our school through an introductory letter and links to our website. We will provide you with an application form and guidance as to what you will need to supply during the application process.

If you are currently in Istanbul, you are welcome to make an appointment to visit the school to receive information and participate in a school tour. Following your visit your will receive information about how to enroll your child at MEF IS.

What is the paperwork that I need to provide in my application?

How long does the enrolment process usually take?

The process is dependent on how long the paperwork that is required above takes for you to complete. The information needs to be presented in English. Once your paperwork is complete, the school typically needs 5-7 working days to evaluate documents. Once the evaluation is complete the admissions office will contact you with the outcome.

Do you accept students part way through the academic year?

Yes, MEF IS accepts enrollments of students throughout the school year. However, if your child arrives part way through a semester, they may not receive a report card or grading because there may not be enough assessment data gathered to provide an accurate picture.

Do you enrol students with learning difficulties?

MEF IS is able to enroll students with mild learning differences that we have means for supporting through our student support team.

Once accepted, how soon can my child start school?

Once your child’s enrollment is confirmed, you will receive an email from the admissions office inviting you to make payment of the placement fee to secure your child’s place at the school. Once the payment has been made, we request up to 2 working days before your child can begin at school.

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