Hellenic Business Awards 2026 The first bilingual school in Greece to combine the renowned International Baccalaureate (IB) programmes with Howard Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligences, DES Interactive European School offers rigorous, inquiry-led, student-centred learning. Its approach is grounded in the Greek educational context, international pedagogical practice, and the comprehensive IB framework. DES is currently authorised to offer the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) and the Middle Years Programme (MYP), with the Diploma Programme to follow. By combining the rigour of the IB programmes with the Theory of Multiple Intelligences— which challenges the traditional view of general intelligence by arguing that people possess autonomous intelligences that interact and enable them to solve problems— DES creates an environment where every student is recognised as an individual and encouraged to love learning. Promoting these qualities in pupils, the future of our society, is one way Dr Billie Konstantara brings innovative models and theories into practice across the school. “At DES, innovation begins with a simple question: does this improve the way a child learns, belongs, or understands the world?” Today, the wider bilingual IB school comprises four separate campuses in the southern suburbs. Across its nursery, kindergarten, primary school, and middle school offerings, DES is home to approximately 450 students and 150 staff. Since its first location opened in 2004, DES has been on a mission to inspire young minds through a curriculum built around them and their growth. This is one reason it views all subjects as core subjects, whether sport, music, art, literature, languages, or maths Best Bilingual IB School 2026 – Attica Based in Varkiza on the Athenian Riviera, DES Interactive European School is a leading bilingual English-Greek school. It welcomes children from nursery age through secondary education and has nurtured a genuinely international community representing almost 30 nationalities. Following its recognition as Best Bilingual IB School 2026 – Attica at this year’s Hellenic Business Awards, we caught up with its founder and CEO, Dr Billie Konstantara, to find out more. At the heart of learning at DES are its campuses, which are much more than settings for teaching. An invaluable part of the curriculum, each location allows children to learn in classrooms, gardens, and outdoor spaces. Animal interactions and other unique experiences help them connect what they learn with the natural world. Recognising the diversity of their future studies and careers, DES also integrates technology, robotics, creativity, and social responsibility into its learning environment. Teaching at DES is guided by the school’s core values: intellectual curiosity, inclusion, responsibility, international-mindedness, and genuine care for each child. These values reflect a school that cares about more than results. Billie explained: “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.” Every member of staff at this IB PYP and MYP school in Greece works towards its mission of ensuring that every child is seen, understood, and appropriately challenged. The school sets high but achievable expectations, supported by close observation, strong relationships, and carefully differentiated teaching. As an international microschool on the Athenian Riviera, DES offers students a small learning community where teachers know them well and can respond quickly to their needs. Strong connections are also developed across subjects, age groups, and cultures. Initiatives such as the Bigs and Littles mentorship model translate this philosophy into daily practice by cultivating belonging, empathy, and responsibility across the school. DES also benefits from being part of institutions much larger than itself: its IB authorisations are complemented by its status as a Round Square Global Member school in Greece and its membership of the Microschool Network These are impressive achievements, but for Billie, the greatest source of pride comes from building DES into something human. She told us: “We have built a school in which children do not disappear into a system. They are known by name, recognised for their particular strengths, and supported as whole people.” This work is ongoing, and consistent results are achieved across year groups thanks to a coherent model in which elements such as nature-based international education are seamlessly integrated. Perhaps the main reason families choose DES, however, is the sense of trust the school fosters. By viewing education first and foremost as a relationship between students, educators, and parents, DES commits to giving every child an individual path. Students receive serious attention, appropriate challenge, and the confidence to develop an authentic voice. In a world shaped by AI, these qualities are increasingly important. Billie elaborated: “If information can be generated instantly, schools must become even more rigorous about source evaluation, academic integrity, conceptual understanding, and the distinctly human capacities of curiosity, ethical reasoning, and dialogue.” She believes technology should extend thought, not replace it. By focusing on areas such as bilingual education, continuity across international curricula, smaller learning communities, and student wellbeing, the school remains relevant in today’s everchanging world. The transformations in education brought about by AI are not all negative. When used responsibly, these tools can help teachers identify patterns and intervene earlier. Still, human relationships remain essential, and professional judgement will always be an important safeguard in schools. That is why the future of education, if done right, will not be less human. Rather, it DES: Where Learning is Serious Fun
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTUyMDQwMA==