International Schools and Education in Turkey

The wide selection of foreign schools in Turkey will pleasantly surprise parents of elementary and secondary school-aged children as well as university students, especially if you intend to live in one of the major cities like Istanbul.

Foreign students frequently integrate quickly into foreign schools since they share a common theme with the other students. The learning transition for students is also simple and smooth because the curriculum is in line with those of other international schools around the world.

Although English is the primary language in many schools, others teach in a multitude of languages, therefore encompassing the background of students.

The most obvious difference for anyone looking at international schools is the difference in prices, compared to local schools. The benefits are enormous though and include extracurricular activities, smaller classes, and a higher level of learning.

When choosing a school, global accreditations are of top importance, and two are widely used.

International Baccalaureate Schools in Turkey

The International Baccalaureate accreditation is built around a specific model of teaching and learning. The program aims to;

• Encourage children to think independently,
• Be responsible for their own education,
• Learn a second language to become more culturally aware,
• Achieve certification that will gain them access to the best universities in the world.

The model of an IB accreditation is built around emotional, social, and academic characteristics. Allowing students to explore and form their own cultural identity, as well as individual opinions, they have four programs;

• Children aged 3 to 12: Primary Years (PYP)
• Students aged 11 to 16: Middle Years (MYP)
• Students aged 16 to 19: Diploma (DP) and Career-Related (CP)

At present, there are 67 International Baccalaureate Schools in Turkey, teaching English, German, Turkish, and other languages. You can find an IB school by clicking here.

CIS Schools in Turkey

The non-profit Council of International Schools is a global organization, committed to primary and secondary education. Their mission is to give students the skills and abilities to become global citizens with intercultural understanding.

Focusing on global citizenship as a life skill, they encourage research, discussion, and action on personal, local, and world issues, as well as respect for diversity across societies.

The CIS is another accreditation that encourages the learning of second languages. They also advocate the pursuit of sustainable lifestyles. At present, they have 733 schools across the globe, making the transition for pupils of globally mobile parents, even easier.

27 of these schools are in Turkey. 15 in Istanbul, 1 in Bursa, 3 in Ankara, 5 in Izmir, 3 in Adana. Find out more about schools here.

The Best International Schools in Turkey

International Schools in Antalya

1. Antalya Toplum Koleji

Anyone planning to move to Antalya has many choices, but the Antalya Toplum Koleji is the most renowned. Offering education in English and Turkish, they have preschool, primary, middle, and high schools in the region. The school offers well-established and successful education for children between the ages of 3 and 18.

2. TED College

TED Antalya College was founded in 2006 as a primary school. Teaching in Turkish English, and German, they offer kindergarten, primary, and high school placements. This college has international memberships, such as IBO (International Baccalaureate Schools), CIS (Council of International Schools), ECIS (European Council of International Schools), and Eco-Schools.

3. Antalya ISTEK Schools

ISTEK Schools was established in 2008. The school has education in Turkish, English, and German. English lessons are given by Turkish teachers and native-speaking English teachers. The training is coordinated by a native-speaking English teacher.

International Schools in Istanbul

1. Safir International School, Bağcılar

This school is the most famous school for Arab citizens. Safir International School offers an international program based on American standards. It has education in English, Arabic, and Turkish. It is very easy to reach from Bahçeşehir and Büyükçekmece districts via TEM.

2. Alfayez International School, Bağcılar

Alfayez International School was founded in July 2015. It is the first accredited Arab school in Istanbul - Turkey by the Turkish Ministry of National Education. This school has students from more than 24 nationalities. The language of instruction is English and Arabic.

3. Istanbul International Community School, Büyükçekmece

It is one of the most important international schools in Istanbul. Only foreign nationals are educated in this school. The language of instruction is English. There are 2 campuses; the Hisar Campus near the Bosphorus in Rumeli Hisar, for children aged 3-9, and the Marmara Campus overlooking Büyükçekmece Lake, for children aged 3-18.

4. ALKEV Private Schools, Büyükçekmece

ALKEV Private Schools (Alman Liseliler Kültür ve Eğitim Vakfı in Turkish) was established in 1996 in Büyükçekmece. It is a German school in Istanbul. German is the primary language of instruction. They also teach in English.

5. MEF International Schools, Bahçeşehir

MEF International School is a preschool to grade 12 co-educational day school. It has students from more than 57 nationalities. Also, there are 74 faculty members representing 17 nationalities. The head school is nestled in the hills above Ortaköy. The school has multi-purpose facilities on a 40-acre campus. The language of instruction is Turkish and English. They also offer French and Spanish lessons. It has more than one campus in Beşiktaş and Bahçeşehir districts.

6. Manara Canadian Academy, Bahçeşehir

Manara Canadian Academy is an official branch of Olive Grove School in Ontario, Canada. The school offers the students a great and safe environment for them to learn and develop having Arabic and English as their first language. They adapt to the learning system of both Libyan and Canadian Accredited Curriculum. The school is located in Bahçeşehir.

7. Tarabya British Schools (TBS), Sarıyer

TBS is the pioneer in Turkey that combines the Turkish national curriculum and the British national curriculum. All subjects, except for Turkish Language and Cultural lessons, are taught in English. At Tarabya British Schools, classes are designed to comprise a maximum of 15 students. The school has 4 campuses; Tarabya Campus, Yeniköy Campus, Çengelköy Campus, and Etiler Language School Campus.

8. The British International School, Sarıyer

This school is one of the leading private education centers in Turkey with a highly-esteemed reputation. Their campus in Zekeriyaköy, Sarıyer offers a modified English curriculum. They also teach German, Spanish, and French.

9. Sainte-Pulchérie French High School, Beyoğlu

Situated in Beyoğlu, Sainte Pulchérie is close to Taksim Street and French Cultural Center. The educational team is composed of 50 instructors (63% of which is French-speaking and 40% of French nationality). The teaching of 3 languages (French, Turkish, and English) also allows the students the chance of furthering their education at whichever university of their choice, both in Turkey and abroad.

10. Pushkin International Russian School, Sultangazi

International Russian School is located in the Sultangazi district. The main purpose of the school is the preservation of the Russian language, culture, literature, music, other areas of knowledge, and art among Russian-speaking children living abroad. Realizing that the study of the Turkish language is an urgent necessity for children living in Turkey, the education program is set to make maximum efforts for a quality study of Turkish along with Russian and English.

11. Notre-Dame de Sion French High School, Şişli

Lycée Notre Dame de Sion Istanbul is a French private high school located in Harbiye, Şişli neighborhood. It was founded in 1856. The applied curriculum is the accepted curriculum of French high schools. Education is conducted in two languages, Turkish and French. English is taught as a second foreign language.

12. Istanbul International School, Üsküdar

The school‘s location is in a green district of Çamlıca on the Asian side of Istanbul. This school has students from more than 40 nationalities. The language of instruction is English.

International Schools in Bursa

1. TED College

TED Bursa College has been open since 2006 and holds the Baccalaureate Certificate. Teaching in Turkish, English, and German, they offer kindergarten, primary, and high school courses. This college has international memberships, such as IBO (International Baccalaureate Schools), CIS (Council of International Schools), ECIS (European Council of International Schools), and Eco-Schools.

2. Private Emine Örnek Schools

It is founded in 1998 in Bademli. It has international memberships such as CIS (Council of International Schools), and ECIS (European Council of International Schools).

International Schools in Ankara

1. Oasis International School of Ankara

Oasis International School is one of the international schools in Ankara. It is located in the Gölbaşı district of Ankara. The school has founded in 2004, and it is accepting students from 4 years to 12ᵗʰ grade.

The language of instruction is English. However, Oasis accepts non-native English speakers and has an English as a second language program designed to assist such students.

It is accredited by the Middle States Association Commissions on Elementary and Secondary Schools (MSA-CESS) and fully approved by the Turkish Ministry of Education.

2. BLIS (Bilkent Laboratory & International School)

BLIS Bilkent Laboratory & International School in Çankaya is one of the most accredited international schools in Ankara. It is accredited by IB (International Baccalaureate), CIS (Council of International Schools), NEASC (New England Association of Schools and Colleges), and approved by the Turkish Ministry of Education.

BLIS accepts students from 2 to 18 years. The main education language is English, and it offers various secondary languages, such as French, German, Spanish, and Turkish.

3. British Embassy School Ankara

British Embassy School is an international school in Ankara, which combines maths and English as in the British Curriculum. The school is located in Çankaya. It accepts students from 3 to 14 years.

It is founded in 1959. It is an accredited member of the Council of British International Schools (COBIS) and an overseas member of the Independent Association of Prep Schools (IAPS).

For more information about working and living in Turkey, you can contact us today via email, telephone, or by dropping by our offices.

FAQ about International Schools and Education in Turkey

The most frequently asked questions about international schools in Turkey are as follows.

Q: What are the benefits of studying in an international school in Turkey?
A: International schools in Turkey offer a vast choice of education options, extracurricular activities, smaller classes, and a higher level of learning than local schools. Additionally, the curriculum is in line with other international schools globally, making the learning transition for students easy and smooth.

Q: What are the differences between international schools and local schools in Turkey?
A: The most significant difference between international schools and local schools in Turkey is the price. International schools are generally more expensive than local schools. However, international schools offer a wide range of benefits, including a multicultural environment, a higher quality of education, and access to globally recognized accreditations.

Q: What are the most popular global accreditations used by international schools in Turkey?
A: The two most popular global accreditations used by international schools in Turkey are the International Baccalaureate (IB) and the Council of International Schools (CIS).

Q: What is the International Baccalaureate (IB) accreditation, and what are the benefits of studying in an IB school in Turkey?
A: The International Baccalaureate (IB) accreditation is built around a specific model of teaching and learning, encouraging children to think independently, be responsible for their own education, learn second languages to become more culturally aware, and achieve certification that will gain them access to the best universities in the world.

Studying in an IB school in Turkey allows students to explore and form their own cultural identity, as well as individual opinions. IB schools in Turkey teach in English, German, Turkish, and other languages, making it an excellent choice for students from diverse backgrounds.

Q: What is the Council of International Schools (CIS) accreditation, and what are the benefits of studying in a CIS school in Turkey?
A: The Council of International Schools (CIS) accreditation encourages the learning of second languages, global citizenship as life skills and the pursuit of sustainable lifestyles. Studying in a CIS school in Turkey can help students become global citizens with intercultural understanding, research, discussion, and action of personal, local, and world issues.

The CIS has 733 schools across the globe, and 27 of these schools are in Turkey, making it an excellent choice for pupils of globally mobile parents.

Q: Are there any other global accreditations used by international schools in Turkey?
A: While the International Baccalaureate (IB) and Council of International Schools (CIS) are the two most widely used global accreditations for international schools in Turkey, there are other accreditations that some schools may use.

For example, some international schools in Turkey may be accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC), which is a non-governmental, non-profit organization that accredits schools and colleges in the United States and around the world.

Another accreditation that some international schools in Turkey may use is the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), which is a regional accrediting agency that accredits schools in California, Hawaii, Guam, American Samoa, and other territories. However, it is important to note that the IB and CIS accreditations are the most recognized and respected accreditations for international schools worldwide.

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Created: 19.04.2018, 00.00Updated: 16.05.2023, 07.13

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