Innovative Education with Real-World Application
At the core of success at Prof. Ivan Apostolov Private Language School lies the “STEAME” model – a modern educational framework that integrates Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics, and Entrepreneurship. Thanks to this model and the “Student Company” program by our partners at Junior Achievement Bulgaria, students develop real business ideas within student-run companies and present them at national and international forums. Here are the key entrepreneurial achievements for this academic year:
– ElevateX, a student company from 11th grade, was named Best Student Company of 2025 at the national youth business forum “Rising Stars” in Burgas, thanks to its concept for a platform that supports emerging student companies through a website and AI chatbot. The team will represent Bulgaria at the European forum Gen-E 2025 in Athens this summer.
– BioBliss – an innovative battery company using organic waste, founded by Sofia Nikolova, Viktoria Koleva, and Alexandra Klyaneva – achieved a historic victory for Bulgaria: they won the Grand Entrepreneurship Prize 2025 from the American Chamber of Commerce to the European Union (AmCham EU), which honors young innovators creating sustainable solutions with the potential for positive impact in Europe and beyond. Throughout the academic year, the team also earned other notable achievements, including:
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The Innovation Award from EIT Manufacturing at the Vienna Marketplace 2025
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12 awards in the “Best Youth Startup in Bulgaria” competition, including a prize from the Bulgarian Stock Exchange, mentorship from Cleantech Bulgaria, access to Brussels Institutions, a meeting with Innovation Capital Fund, and more
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Top 3 placement at the national “Rising Stars” final in Burgas
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Upcoming participation in Gen-E 2025 in Athens, Spinoff Bulgaria Conference, and the international EIT Jumpstarter forum
– Green Filters, led by Alexandra Sivova (12B), impressed with its idea of transforming cigarette butts and diapers into activated carbon for purification. The company achieved:
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A strong performance in the Beyond pre-accelerator program organized by Junior Achievement Bulgaria
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A second-time qualification for the international Gen-E 2025 forum in Athens
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The Best Student Company of 2024 award at the national youth business forum “Rising Stars”
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First place and BGN 6,000 in funding at the Eco Booster 2024 competition
– Colibrè, represented by students Anna Moneva, Nia Gospodinova, and Karina Kraleva, was selected to participate in Girls Go Circular in Budapest – a prestigious initiative by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) focused on AI solutions that address gender inequality and foster leadership skills in girls.
Other teams that also presented impressive ideas in the JA competitions and continue developing their projects include:
– Fresh Guard – freshness-indicating stickers for meat, developed by Martin Georgiev and Simeon Dzhabarski
– Enerquartz – a sand-based battery for energy storage
– Pump Ice – a protein ice cream enhanced with supplements for an active lifestyle
All of these teams took part in the Beyond pre-accelerator program, part of the Junior Achievement network, and stood out during stage pitches, trade fair booths, and panel presentations.
Academic and Scientific Achievements
This year brought record achievements in the academic field and established the high school as one of the leading schools in Bulgaria for English language and interdisciplinary preparation.
– For the first time in our history, three students became laureates of the National English Language Olympiad:
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Katrina Korakova (11th grade, class “B”) – 2nd place in Bulgaria
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Maria Bozhinova (11th grade, class “C”) – 4th place
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Matea-Rosa Kostadinova (8th grade, class “A”) – 3rd place in the first age group
– 36 students participated in the National Creative Writing Competition organized by CORPLUS. Finalists included Vivian Hristeva (8A), Ivelina Petrova (12A), and Dimo Kolev (11A), who received a special award at the official ceremony.
– Five teams from the school qualified for the global round of The World Scholar’s Cup in Ljubljana in July, after successfully passing the regional round at St. George International School with honors in debates, writing, tests, and team games.
Culture and Creativity
Creativity was an integral part of school life – from poetry to journalism, from rhetoric to stage performances.
– Ivelina Petrova was selected to participate in a creative writing seminar in English with the American writer Stacy Mattingly, organized by the Elizabeth Kostova Foundation.
– Two issues of the school newspaper, APOSTOLoff TIMES, were published – one dedicated to the Day of the National Revival Leaders, and the other to the Day of Slavic Script and Culture. Both issues are filled with articles, interviews, and creative works, all produced by the Journalism and Photography Club. You can find an archive of previous editions on our website.
– Excellent repeated appearances on the TV show Tova go znam (“I Know This”) on Bulgarian National Television (BNT).
– The Drama Club, led by Ms. Tatyana Duleva, staged two performances at the school – Kaleidoscope and Ten Angry Men. For the third consecutive year, the troupe participated in the National Multilingual Theater Festival The Word – Power and Vastness in Velingrad. Following our major successes in recent years – Grand Prix, awards for acting, costumes, and set design – this year we won three statuettes: Best Leading Male Role awarded to Daniel Henry Capel, Most Outstanding Ensemble Performance, and Best Theatrical Adaptation awarded to Ms. Tatyana Duleva.
Sports and Active Spirit
Our sports year was strong, diverse, and filled with recognition—both in team and individual disciplines.
Team Achievements
– Volleyball (boys, grades 11–12): champions of the “Studentski” district, silver medal at the regional stage
– Volleyball (grades 8–10): silver for boys, bronze for girls
– Badminton (grades 8–10): gold for boys, silver for girls
– Basketball (girls, grades 8–10): municipal champions, silver at the city competition — a historic success
– Athletics: team title and bronze at the “Athletic Stars of Sofia” competition
– Football: silver medal for our team in the “Studentski” district
Individual Achievements
– Danail Buynov (8th grade) – champion in the 400m sprint
– Avita Ivanova (8th grade) – bronze medal at the Balkan Taekwondo Championship
– Samuil Peshev (11th grade) – doubles champion and singles semifinalist at the National Individual Tennis Championship
– Kaloyan Marchev (9th grade) – member of the national U16 basketball team, with individual honors from the European Youth Basketball League (EYBL) and Bulgarian champion with CSKA
– Ivayla Mesechkova (10th grade) – participated in two international figure skating competitions and a performance at the Ancient Theater
– Yoana Kapitanova (11th grade) – six medals in rhythmic gymnastics from national and international tournaments
– Liliya Nedkova (8th grade) – bronze medal at the National Fencing Championship
– Dimitar Dimitrov (12th grade) – three bronze medals at the “Rusi Rusev” swimming tournament
Civic Engagement and Volunteering
– Students from class 10D, together with their homeroom teacher Mrs. Marina Clarkson, organized a charity initiative for elderly people in the village of Sredorek — providing products, gifts, and emotional support during the Christmas season.
– Our Red Cross Club, led by Mrs. Milena Koleva, participated in the national campaign #MayMonthForMeasurement, organized by the Bulgarian Hypertension League and partners including the Bulgarian Red Cross, the Association of Medical Students in Bulgaria, and others.
– Ivan Garkov (11C) delivered two inspiring speeches in memory of aviator Vladimir Balan—first at the “G. S. Rakovski” Military Academy and later at the Air Force, invited by Prof. Dimitar Nedyalkov and Colonel Delyana Furlinska. On his initiative, a special group visit to the “Vrazhdebna” Air Base is planned.
Looking Ahead
This school year has shown that when students, teachers, and parents move together in one direction—towards growth, curiosity, and meaningful education—no peak is unreachable. Every success, every step forward is part of our bigger mission—to nurture alert, confident, and empathetic young people. We are grateful for the journey so far and look forward with excitement to the next school year—ready for new horizons, new opportunities, and even bolder dreams!
