The Bilingual School in Greece That's Redefining Learning

Jan de Vries · 2026-11-02

### A New Standard for Bilingual Education Nestled in Varkiza, on the Athenian Riviera, DES Interactive European School stands out as a leading bilingual English-Greek educational facility. Catering to children from nursery through secondary education, it has cultivated a truly international community with nearly 30 nationalities. Its recent recognition as the Best Bilingual IB School 2026 – Attica at the Hellenic Business Awards prompted us to sit down with Dr. Billie Konstantara, the school's founder and CEO, to uncover what makes it tick. ### Blending IB with Multiple Intelligences DES made history as the first bilingual school in Greece to combine the prestigious International Baccalaureate (IB) programs with Howard Gardner's Theory of Multiple Intelligences. This approach delivers rigorous, inquiry-led, student-centered learning that's rooted in the Greek educational context yet informed by international best practices. Currently, DES is authorized to offer the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) and Middle Years Programme (MYP), with the Diploma Programme on the horizon. By integrating the IB's academic rigor with the Theory of Multiple Intelligences—which posits that people possess various autonomous intelligences that interact to solve problems—DES creates an environment where every student is seen as distinct and where learning becomes a joy. "At DES, innovation begins with a simple question: does this improve the way a child learns, belongs, or understands the world?" says Dr. Konstantara. This philosophy ensures that pupils, who are the future of our society, are equipped with the skills and mindset to thrive. ### Four Campuses, One Mission The school operates across four separate complexes in the southern suburbs, serving approximately 450 students and employing 150 staff. Since opening its first location in 2004, DES has remained committed to inspiring young minds through a curriculum built around each child's growth. That's why it treats all subjects—sport, music, art, literature, languages, and math—as primary subjects. > "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." — Dr. Billie Konstantara The campuses are more than just places where teaching happens; they're an integral part of the curriculum. Children learn across classrooms, gardens, and outdoor spaces, with animal interactions and other unique experiences helping them connect knowledge with the natural world. Recognizing the diverse future careers of its students, DES also weaves technology, robotics, creativity, and social responsibility into its learning ecology. ### Values That Drive Teaching Teaching at DES is guided by core values: intellectual curiosity, inclusion, responsibility, international-mindedness, and genuine care for the individual child. These values reflect a school that cares about more than just results. Every staff member works to ensure each child is seen, understood, and appropriately challenged. They set high but achievable expectations, supported by close observation, strong relationships, and differentiated teaching. As an international microschool on the Athenian Riviera, DES benefits from a small learning community where teachers truly know their students and can respond quickly to their needs. Strong connections are also fostered across subjects, age groups, and cultures, as seen through initiatives that bring the entire school together. In essence, DES is where learning is serious fun—a place where children don't just excel academically but grow into well-rounded, globally minded individuals.