Özel Notre Dame de Sion Fransız Lisesi | Lycée Français Notre Dame de Sion

What Özel Notre Dame de Sion Fransız Lisesi | Lycée Français Notre Dame de Sion does

Özel Notre Dame de Sion Fransız Lisesi (Lycée Français Notre Dame de Sion) is a private bilingual French-Turkish secondary school in Istanbul, founded in 1856 by the Congregation of Notre-Dame de Sion. It serves approximately 728 students from preparatory year through 12th grade, supported by 81 teaching faculty (80% francophone, 34% French native speakers, 36% holding master's degrees) and a total headcount of 68 administrative staff per firmographic data. The school operates under dual regulatory affiliation with the Turkish Ministry of National Education and the French educational framework, delivering a curriculum that prepares students for both the Turkish university entrance exam (YKS) and French-baccalaureate pathways.

The institution generates revenue through annual tuition fees and one-time registration fees, billed annually via contractual payment plans processed through Akbank's Harbiye branch. The go-to-market is gated entrance: online pre-registration contingent on a minimum LGS (high-school central exam) score of 439.0000, followed by document verification and bank contract signing, with a fixed 130-seat preparatory class quota. The technology stack is utilitarian — Moodle LMS with Google OAuth SSO and E-OKUL integration for student records — supplemented by ancillary cultural products including the Preparfait student blog, Orchestra'Sion, the Concourse International de Piano (WFIMC- and Alink-Argerich-accredited), and the Prix Littéraire NDS literary award.

The customer base is comprised of Turkish and international families seeking bilingual secondary education with verifiable university placement outcomes — the school reports 90% admission to francophone universities, 94% YKS success, 58 students placed at Anglo-Saxon universities, and 25 admitted to Galatasaray University via internal exam. Beyond core academia, the school operates a 558-seat Salle de Spectacle performance hall and 200m² Salle Polyvalente, both reportedly available for cultural events and external hire, supporting cultural programming and community engagement. The institution is supported by the NDSL Eğitim Vakfı (Educational Foundation), the NDS'liler Derneği alumni association, and the global Notre-Dame de Sion network spanning 12+ countries.

Name

Özel Notre Dame de Sion Fransız Lisesi | Lycée Français Notre Dame de Sion

Legal name

Özel Notre Dame de Sion Fransız Lisesi

Website

https://nds.k12.tr

Company type

Private

Founded year

1856

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Özel Notre Dame de Sion Fransız Lisesi is a private bilingual French-Turkish lycée in Istanbul, founded 1856, serving 728 students (preparatory through 12th grade) with preparation for both French-baccalaureate and Turkish university placement.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Private Bilingual Secondary Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYEDAJAGAB

English Learner (EL/ESL/ELL) & Bilingual Education Programs

Education/K–12 / Primary & Secondary Education/K–12 Special Programs (Gifted, ESL/ELL, Remedial, RTI/MTSS)

SECONDARYEDAMAFAA

General Language Schools & Institutes

Education/Supplemental & Enrichment Programs (Arts, STEM, Language)/Language Learning & Conversation Programs

Keywords

• Bilingual secondary education
• French high school
• Private lycee education
• University preparation program
• Language immersion schooling

Headquarters

HQ city

Istanbul

HQ country

Türkiye

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Tuition and School Fees: Private school revenue generated from student tuition and fees. Payment processed through Akbank Harbiye branch with contractual payment plans.
2. Registration Fees: One-time registration and processing fees for admitted students

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Özel Notre Dame de Sion Fransız Lisesi is a private French lycée in Istanbul providing bilingual French-Turkish secondary education from preparatory year through 12th grade, preparing students for both French universities and Turkish university entrance examinations (YKS). The school is part of the global Notre-Dame de Sion network founded in 1856, with 81 teaching faculty (80% francophone) and 728 enrolled students, and it operates supplementary cultural and technology programs including a Moodle LMS, an international piano competition, and a literary prize.

Product overview

Özel Notre Dame de Sion Fransız Lisesi is a private French-language high school in Istanbul offering comprehensive bilingual education from preparatory year through 12th grade. The institution operates a unified educational platform consisting of its core French-language secondary education program (Lycée Français), supplemented by a Moodle-based Learning Management System for distance learning, the Preparfait student blog for French language practice, and various cultural sub-products including Orchestra'Sion, the International Piano Competition, and Prix Littéraire NDS literary prize. The school also maintains extensive facilities including a 558-seat performance hall (Salle de Spectacle) and multipurpose hall (Salle Polyvalente), supported by student registration and exam calendar systems.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Orchestra'Sion: School orchestra performing classical and contemporary music
• Concours International de Piano Istanbul Orchestra'Sion
• Prix Littéraire NDS
• Victoires de l'Éloquence
• Prix des Sœurs

Products and services

• Lycée Français Notre-Dame de Sion (French High School Education) A private French-language high school in Istanbul offering comprehensive bilingual French-Turkish education from preparatory year through 12th grade, preparing students for both French university admissions and Turkish YKS entrance examinations. The service is delivered to 728 enrolled students by 81 faculty members.
• Student Registration System Online pre-registration and enrollment system accepting students based on LGS (Central Examination) scores with a minimum threshold of 439.0000 and a 130-student quota for preparatory class admission, including waitlist management and document verification.

Quantifiable outcome

• 90% admission rate to francophone universities (93 dossiers, 84 admitted)
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature1 record

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Fédération Mondiale des Concours Internationaux de Musique (WFIMC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017World Federation of International Music Competitions. International Piano Competition Istanbul Orchestra'Sion member since 2017.
• Alink-Argerich FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2013Organization supporting international music competitions. International Piano Competition Istanbul Orchestra'Sion member since 2013.
• NDSL Eğitim Vakfı (NDS Educational Foundation)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational foundation supporting the school's mission and operations. Part of the institutional structure of Notre-Dame de Sion schools network.
• NDS'liler Derneği (Association des Anciens)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAlumni association managing the Prix Littéraire NDS literary award and organizing cultural panels at Tüyap Book Fair. Led by Lale Murtezaoğlu.
• RESEAU Career NetworkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCareer network connecting NDS alumni for professional networking and development opportunities.
• Neslin Değişen Sesi SchoolsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAffiliated primary and middle school (ilk ve ortaokul) forming the Neslin Değişen Sesi educational group with NDS high school.
• Akbank Harbiye BranchminorOthersBanking partner for tuition payment contracts. Students complete bank contract signing as part of registration process.
• Notre-Dame de Sion Global NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational network of Notre-Dame de Sion schools including locations in France (Saint-Omer, Paris, Évry-Courcouronnes, Strasbourg, Grenoble, Marseille), UK (Worthing), Australia (Melbourne), Canada (Québec), USA (Kansas City), Brazil (Vila Maria), Costa Rica (Oeste).
• O da TekfenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration for chamber music concerts as part of 2025-2026 concert programming.
• Consulate General of Switzerland in IstanbulminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner for cello recital featuring Nil Kocamangil and Estelle Revaz.
• Institut Français à IstanbulminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration for piano recital by Juliette Journaux and Baroque Chant Competition finale, and opera 'Didon & Enée' at Süreyya Opera.
• IKSV (Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIstanbul cultural foundation providing Steinway & Sons D piano for competition performances.
• Association Baroque d'IstanbulminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for Baroque Chant Competition finale and opera 'Didon & Enée' at Süreyya Opera.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Robert College: One of Istanbul's most prestigious private K-12 schools, with English-medium instruction and a strong international university placement record. Comparable premium positioning and Istanbul family target market, though different language of instruction.
• Galatasaray Lisesi: Historic elite Turkish high school with French-medium instruction dating back to 1481, providing bilingual French-Turkish secondary education. Shares the bilingual lycée identity and historically overlaps with NDS in feeding Galatasaray University via internal exam.
• Lycée Français Charles de Gaulle (Ankara): French-affiliated lycée in Ankara delivering bilingual French-Turkish secondary education under the French national curriculum. Closest comparable AEFE-network institution in Turkey, sharing regulatory framework and pedagogical model.
• Üsküdar American Academy: Long-established Istanbul private high school offering English-medium education with strong international university placement. Direct competitor in the premium bilingual/international secondary school segment for Istanbul families.
• Lycée Français Saint-Joseph: A private French lycée in Istanbul serving the French and francophone community with bilingual French-Turkish instruction. Closest direct competitor in the same niche: bilingual secondary education with French Baccalaureate pathway serving Istanbul families.
• Lycée Français Saint-Michel: Another long-established French lycée in Istanbul offering bilingual French-Turkish secondary education. Direct competitor for the same family segment seeking French-medium instruction and French university placement.

Regional players

• Hisar School: Premium Istanbul private K-12 school with English-medium instruction and strong international university placement. Comparable premium positioning and Istanbul family target segment, though different language focus.
• Istanbul International Community School (IICS): International K-12 school in Istanbul serving expatriate and Turkish families with English-medium International Baccalaureate curriculum. Comparable premium international school offering in Istanbul, targeting globally-oriented families.

Broad incumbents

• Notre-Dame de Sion - Strasbourg: Sister institution within the global Notre-Dame de Sion network, sharing heritage, pedagogy, and bilingual ethos. Sister-school relationship enables student exchanges and curriculum alignment but operates in a different geography.
• Notre-Dame de Sion - Paris: Historic sister school in the global Notre-Dame de Sion network and French Baccalaureate credential reference point. Comparable in mission, pedagogy, and brand heritage, providing the benchmark against which NDS Istanbul's French-medium quality is evaluated.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@lyceefrancaisnotredamedesion
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/lyc%C3%A9e-fran%C3%A7ais-notre-dame-de-sion-istanbul

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Özel Notre Dame de Sion Fransız Lisesi | Lycée Français Notre Dame de Sion