State, Private, and International Schools

The Turkish School System

In Turkey, 12 years of education is compulsory, and these years are divided into 3 categories, often referred to as the 4+4+4 system.

Primary education (ilköğretim) is compulsory for all children aged 6-7 to 14-15. The first 4 years encompasses grade 1 to 4 and the second 4 years is from grade 5 to 8. Foreign language lessons at these schools start in grade 4.

Secondary education (lise or ortaöğretim) encompasses ages 14-15 to 18-19, from grades 9 to 12. Like the others, it is for 4 years.

There are several types of high schools in Turkey:

• Meslekî ve Teknik Anadolu Lisesi (Vocational and Technical Anatolian High School)

• Anadolu Lisesi (Anatolian High School)

• Fen Lisesi (Science High School)

• Sosyal Bilimler Lisesi (Social science High School)

• İmam Hatip Lisesi (Religious Vocational High School)

What differentiates them is their emphasis on specific subjects and areas in their curricula.

There is also pre-school education (okul öncesi eğitim), optional for children aged 3 to 6 years. These educational institutions are often called anaokulu (playschool/day nursery/kindergarten) or kreş (creche) in Turkey.

Types of Schools in Turkey

The first type is state or public schools, which are called “devlet okulu” in Turkish. Primary and secondary education is free for all Turkish nationals and foreigners at Turkish public schools.

Every city has its selection of primary, secondary, and high schools. Almost every district in Turkey has at least one school, though some rural villages may not have schools.

For a list of public schools in Turkey, visit the MEB website and select the city you want from the drop-down menu.

The second is private schools, which mostly follow the Turkish national curriculum but may enrich or diversify it. These schools are generally owned and operated by associations or charitable persons/businesspeople.

As evident from the name, these schools have annual fees for tuition, food, and boarding/accommodation. Some may offer varying scholarships for students from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, special needs, or demonstrated academic success or achievements in sports or the arts.

Ted College, Ielev, Bahçeşehir, Istek, and Doğa Schools are Turkey’s most known private schools.

There are also international or bilingual schools in Turkey that fall under the private school category. International schools are specifically established for foreign nationals, and bilingual schools offer education in Turkish and another foreign language, most often English.

The British International School in Istanbul, the Oasis International School of Ankara, MEF International Schools in Istanbul and Izmir, and SEV in Izmir are some of Turkey’s most well-known international schools.

Schools such as Bahçeşehir, Ted, and the Antalya Toplum Koleji (Inns of Court College of Advocacy (ICCA) offer bilingual education to their students. 

Which School to Choose: Local Turkish School or International School?

Going to a Turkish state school has its pros and cons.

If your child wants to remain in Turkey and live here for years to come, going to a state school will help them get accustomed to the culture and education system better.

State or public schools are also free, which means you can put that money towards other endeavors.

Some of the best state schools in Turkey are located in Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir, and many families move here to get the highest-quality, established, and competitive education for their children.

In addition, to be admitted to the best schools, your child will have to get high marks from the nationwide exams and keep their grade-point average high.

If you live outside the “big three” (Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir) or other major cities in Turkey, your choice of schools also diminishes greatly. More rural areas may also lack access to funding and fewer teachers, which could affect the quality of education.

Overcrowded classes occur in state schools, which means teachers won’t be able to spend as much one-on-one time with each kid.

Students studying at public schools will also not have as many opportunities, activity choices, or free electives to choose from.

It would help if you also had Turkish residency to go to a public school in Turkey.

Going to a private or international school in Turkey also has some pros and cons.

The biggest pro is the quality of education and the opportunity to personalize lesson plans.

International schools also offer students a chance to socialize and connect with students from different cultures and nationalities, and this multicultural environment is conducive to learning.

Private schools also have more lessons to choose from and hobbies to pursue. Bilinguals or international schools also offer unparalleled opportunities for bettering foreign language skills.

The biggest cons are that they are costly. In Istanbul, for instance, you should expect to pay between 14,000 and 150,000 liras annually. You should always ask if the fee only includes tuition or if it covers food, transport, and accommodation.

International schools also do not follow the national curriculum, making it hard to pass the national higher education exam if they want to stay in Turkey.