Student from Zlatarski International School in Sofia wins ‘Top in the World’ in English – the prestigious Outstanding Cambridge Learner Award.
Denis Jelev from Zlatarski International School in Sofia received the ‘Top in the World’ Outstanding Cambridge Learner Award to acknowledge his exceptional performance in English in the 2025 Cambridge IGCSE exams. The Outstanding Cambridge Learner Awards recognise exceptional achievement in Cambridge exams in over 40 countries around the world, and acknowledge the dedication and commitment of both teachers and parents.
This is the first time a Bulgarian student receives the ‘Top in the World’ award. Zlatarski International School has been teaching the Cambridge IGCSE programme in Bulgaria since 2010 and more than 600 students has successfully received their Cambridge IGCSE certificates. ‘Top in the World’ refers to the learner who has gained the highest standard mark in the world for a single subject. In this case, Denis Jelev from Bulgaria received the highest mark in the world for Cambridge IGCSE English as a Second Language.
In 2025, students of Zlatarski International School, Sofia sat IGCSE exams in English, Mathematics, History, Biology, Physics and Chemistry. 92% of our students achieved results between A-C in IGCSE English, while 6 students achieved top A* marks. Denis Jelev scored a perfect 100 (out of 100) in his English exams, which included listening, reading, speaking and writing components. This sets a new record for the school in IGCSE English.
Cambridge qualifications equip learners with the knowledge, understanding and skills they need to thrive in and outside the classroom, at university and beyond. The qualifications are recognised and valued by leading universities worldwide.
Integrated into the course of an English language secondary school, the IGCSE program at Zlatarski International School, Sofia prepares our students for the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme in the 11th and 12th grades and helps students consolidate their knowledge in their chosen profiles. We wish success to all students of Zlatarski International School who are about to take their IGCSE exams in May 2026.
Tsvetana Kardasheva, Principal of Zlatarski International School said that the awards recognised the talent and commitment of both learners and staff. She said: ‘We are beyond proud of the exceptional achievement of Denis, who joined the school in Grade 6, achieved excellent results in the Cambridge Checkpoint exams in Grade 8, achieved outstanding results in the Cambridge IGCSE exams in Grade 10 and is now an active member of our IB Diploma Programme. We want to thank our dedicated teachers for their hard work and professionalism. Their commitment to the students and the school is the reason behind these outstanding results. From all of us, including parents and the school, we thank them for supporting our students to do their best at Zlatarski International School’.
Denis Jelev, student in Grade 11 at Zlatarski International School, after receiving the Cambridge ‘Top in the World’ award said: ‘It feels amazing seeing all hard work pay off. All those years of studying English contributed to my success and I am grateful for the confidence I received at school, which allowed me to break out of my shell and to express myself well. I am grateful to my parents, teachers and friends who supported me along the way’.
Boris Todorov, PhD, Deputy Head: “In addition to Denis’s superb 100-percent score in IGCSE English, he obtained As in IGCSE Maths and IGCSE History. Denis has been an active part of the school community, contributing to classroom and extracurricular activities. The balanced curriculum, the steady pace of work at Zlatarski, together with the diverse teaching staff sharing international experience provided Denis and his brother Alexander, who graduated from our school in 2022, with an excellent environment to grow and thrive. I remember Alexander graduated with a bilingual IB Diploma with an overall score of 41, and the highest marks of 7 (out of 7) in both Higher level Mathematics and Physics. Denis has focused on the Natural sciences and the Humanities, a choice he embraced after fruitful and rewarding years at Zlatarski. We wish you future success, Denis!”
Rob Smith, Group Managing Director, for International Education at Cambridge said: ‘Congratulations to Cambridge learners and teachers at Zlatarski International School, Sofia who have worked so hard to achieve tremendous success in Cambridge exams. With these Cambridge qualifications, students are well prepared for their next steps and all the exciting opportunities that lie ahead. We hope that learners from Zlatarski International School, Sofia will be encouraged in their future education and careers by this recognition of their academic success. I wish you all the very best for the future.’
About Zlatarski International School, Sofia
Zlatarski International School, Sofia celebrates 30 years since its foundation. Established in 1995 as an English language secondary school, authorized by the Ministry of Education, the school became the first International Baccalaureate (IB) world school in Bulgaria in 2003. The School was authorized by Cambridge International Education in 2010 and in 2018 it was authorized by the Ministry of Education to extend its provision to primary education. Today, the School offers motivated 11-18 year-old students a world class curriculum and stimulating opportunities, organized in three stages: Lower Secondary (Grades 5-7), Cambridge Checkpoint and IGCSE (Grades 8-10) and Upper Secondary: IB Diploma (Grades 11-12). Students at Zlatarski International School can graduate with both the Bulgarian Secondary Diploma as well as the IB Diploma. Thanks to the well-designed learning pathways and excellent teaching, students achieve outstanding results. This opens the doors for the school graduates to the world’s most selective universities and programmes in the UK, the Netherlands, Bulgaria, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the US, Switzerland and beyond.
About Cambridge
Cambridge University Press & Assessment is part of the University of Cambridge. Our International Education group works with schools worldwide to build an education that shapes knowledge, understanding and skills. Together, we give learners the confidence they need to thrive and make a positive impact in a changing world.
We offer a globally trusted and flexible framework for education from age 3 to 19 (the Cambridge Pathway), informed by research, experience, and listening to educators.
With recognised qualifications (such as Cambridge IGCSE and International AS & A Level), high-quality resources, comprehensive support and valuable insights, we help schools prepare every student for the opportunities and challenges ahead. Together, we help Cambridge learners be ready for the world.
Learn more at www.cambridgeinternational.org