This Greek School Is Redefining Bilingual Learning

Jan de Vries · 2026-11-02

### A Bilingual School That Puts Learning First DES Interactive European School, located in Varkiza on the Athenian Riviera, isn't your typical bilingual school. It's a place where learning is serious fun. Serving children from nursery through secondary education, DES has built a truly international community with almost 30 nationalities. Recently named Best Bilingual IB School 2026 – Attica at the Hellenic Business Awards, we spoke with Dr. Billie Konstantara, founder and CEO, to uncover what makes this school tick. ### The IB Meets Multiple Intelligences DES is the first bilingual school in Greece to blend the International Baccalaureate (IB) programmes with Howard Gardner's Theory of Multiple Intelligences. This approach challenges the traditional idea of a single general intelligence, arguing instead that people have multiple autonomous intelligences that interact to solve problems. By combining the rigor of the IB with this theory, DES creates an environment where every student is seen as distinct and where learning becomes a joy. Currently authorized for the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) and Middle Years Programme (MYP), with the Diploma Programme coming soon, the school offers inquiry-led, student-centered learning grounded in both Greek educational context and international practice. > "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 Spread across four complexes in the southern suburbs, DES is home to about 450 students and 150 staff. Since opening its first location in 2004, the school's mission has been to inspire young minds through a curriculum built around each child's growth. That's why all subjects—sport, music, art, literature, languages, math—are treated as primary subjects. 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 experiences connecting them to the natural world. Technology, robotics, creativity, and social responsibility are also woven into the learning ecology. ### Values That Go Beyond Results 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 academic outcomes. As Dr. Konstantara explains, "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." ### A Community Where Every Child Thrives Every staff member at DES 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 offers 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, creating a tight-knit community that prepares students for a diverse and interconnected world.