This Bilingual IB School in Greece Is Redefining Early Education

Jan de Vries · 2026-11-02

### A Different Kind of Bilingual School What if a school didn't just teach subjects but celebrated how each child learns? That's the idea behind DES Interactive European School, a bilingual English-Greek school in Varkiza, on the Athenian Riviera. Recently named Best Bilingual IB School 2026 – Attica at the Hellenic Business Awards, DES serves nursery through secondary students and welcomes nearly 30 nationalities. We spoke with founder and CEO Dr. Billie Konstantara to learn what makes it tick. ### Blending IB with Multiple Intelligences DES is the first bilingual school in Greece to combine the International Baccalaureate (IB) programmes with Howard Gardner's Theory of Multiple Intelligences. The IB framework provides rigorous, inquiry-led learning, while Gardner's theory recognizes that children have different strengths—linguistic, logical, musical, and more. Together, they create a student-centered environment where every child is seen as distinct. Currently, DES offers the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) and Middle Years Programme (MYP), with the Diploma Programme coming soon. > "At DES, innovation begins with a simple question: does this improve the way a child learns, belongs, or understands the world?" — Dr. Billie Konstantara ### Four Campuses, One Mission Since opening its first location in 2004, DES has grown to four complexes in the southern suburbs, serving about 450 students with 150 staff. The mission remains: to inspire young minds through a curriculum built around them. That's why DES treats all subjects as primary—sport, music, art, literature, languages, and math all matter equally. ### Learning Beyond the Classroom At DES, campuses are more than places where teaching happens—they're part of the curriculum. Children learn across classrooms, gardens, and outdoor spaces, with animal interactions and other hands-on experiences connecting them to the natural world. Technology, robotics, creativity, and social responsibility are woven into the learning ecology, preparing students for diverse futures. ### Values That Go Beyond Results Teaching at DES is guided by core values: intellectual curiosity, inclusion, responsibility, international-mindedness, and genuine care for each child. As Billie puts it, "Our goal is not merely to prepare students for examinations. It is to develop knowledgeable, ethical, and emotionally secure young people who can think independently, collaborate across cultures, and contribute meaningfully to society." Staff ensure every child is seen, understood, and challenged appropriately. They set high but achievable expectations, backed by close observation, strong relationships, and differentiated teaching. As an international microschool, DES fosters a tight-knit community where teachers truly know their students and can respond quickly to their needs. Strong connections across subjects, age groups, and cultures are encouraged through initiatives that build a sense of belonging. In a world where education often focuses on test scores, DES stands out by putting the child at the center. It's a place where learning is serious fun—and where every child can thrive.