Inside Greece's First Bilingual IB School Combining Multiple Intelligences

Jan de Vries · 2026-11-02

### A School Where Learning Is Serious Fun What if a school didn't just teach subjects but celebrated every kind of smart? That's the idea behind DES Interactive European School in Varkiza, a coastal town on the Athenian Riviera. This bilingual English-Greek school, recently named Best Bilingual IB School 2026 – Attica, is changing how we think about education. ### The Vision Behind DES Dr. Billie Konstantara, founder and CEO, started DES with a simple question: *"Does this improve the way a child learns, belongs, or understands the world?"* That question guides every decision, from curriculum to campus design. ### 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. This theory argues that people have different kinds of intelligence—like linguistic, logical, musical, and interpersonal—that work together. By mixing the rigorous IB framework with this inclusive approach, DES creates a place where every student feels seen and excited to learn. Currently, DES offers the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) and Middle Years Programme (MYP), with the Diploma Programme coming soon. ### A Campus That Teaches Learning at DES isn't confined to classrooms. The school has four complexes across the southern suburbs, serving about 450 students and 150 staff. Each campus is designed as part of the curriculum—with gardens, outdoor spaces, and even animal interactions. Kids don't just read about nature; they experience it. They also dive into technology, robotics, and social responsibility, preparing for a future that's diverse and unpredictable. ### Values That Go Beyond Grades At DES, teaching is built on five core values: - Intellectual curiosity - Inclusion - Responsibility - International-mindedness - Genuine care for each child Dr. Konstantara puts it this way: *"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."* That philosophy shows up in everyday practice. Teachers set high but achievable expectations, observe closely, and build strong relationships. Because DES is a microschool, they know each student well and can adapt quickly. ### A Global Community With nearly 30 nationalities represented, DES is a true international community. Students learn to connect across subjects, ages, and cultures—skills they'll need in a globalized world. And they do it all while loving school. As the school's motto goes: learning is serious fun. ### What This Means for You Whether you're an educator, a parent, or just someone interested in innovative learning, DES offers a model worth watching. It shows that when you put the child at the center, everything else falls into place.