Anatolian Montessori School

Anatolian Montessori School is a specialist early years and primary institution in the well-established Bakirkoy district on Istanbul's European side. Serving children aged 2 to 12, the school offers an authentic Montessori programme aligned with the principles of the American Montessori Society (AMS), while also fulfilling the requirements of the Turkish Ministry of National Education (MEB) for registered private schools. Classrooms are designed as carefully prepared Montessori environments, featuring natural wood furnishings, curated Montessori materials, and child-accessible workstations that encourage independence and self-directed learning. The curriculum progresses through the Toddler, Primary (Casa), and Elementary levels, covering practical life skills, sensorial exploration, language arts in both Turkish and English, mathematics, cultural studies, and cosmic education — the Montessori approach to science, geography, and history. The Bakirkoy campus occupies a converted garden villa surrounded by mature trees, providing a calm, nature-rich setting that is central to the Montessori philosophy. Outdoor facilities include a dedicated nature exploration garden where children engage in planting and ecological observation, a sand and water play area, and a sheltered courtyard for gross motor activities. Indoor spaces include a light-filled art atelier, a music room, and a small library curated for both Turkish and English readers. The teaching team includes AMS-certified Montessori guides alongside specialist teachers for Turkish language, music, and physical education. The student-to-guide ratio is maintained at approximately 8:1 in toddler classrooms and 10:1 in elementary, ensuring each child receives individualized observation and support. All Montessori guides hold both AMS credentials and MEB teaching certification. The school holds dual accreditation from AMS and MEB. Turkish language instruction is embedded within the daily programme to meet national requirements, and children develop natural bilingualism through exposure to both Turkish and English throughout the school day. For expatriate families, the school provides additional Turkish language support to help newly arrived children integrate. Tuition fees range from TRY 100,000 to TRY 200,000 per year, with half-day options available for the youngest children. The Bakirkoy location offers easy access via the Metrobus, Marmaray, and E-5 highway, making it convenient for families across the western European side of Istanbul.