When looking into education and schools in Istanbul, you will find that while expat parents are entitled to send their children to public schools for free, they will likely look for an international alternative. This choice is usually pragmatic; the state sector often struggles with overcrowding, and the strict Turkish-only curriculum makes it difficult for non-native speakers to adapt.
Public schools in Istanbul
Education in Turkey is compulsory and free for all children from primary through to secondary school, but quality varies wildly across the country. Istanbul’s public schools frequently burst at the seams; in the most congested districts, you might find fifty or sixty students packed into a single classroom.
Another problem expats face is the fact that Turkish is the exclusive medium of instruction, a policy that can leave older children floundering if they lack fluency. While the Ministry has launched integration initiatives, such as the Turkish Teaching Programme for Foreigners (YTÖP), full immersion remains a sink-or-swim reality for many. Most expat parents, therefore, decide that the private or international route is the only viable option.
See Education and Schools in Turkey for more on the national education system.
Useful links
Private schools in Istanbul
Private Turkish schools, known locally as kolej, occupy a distinct niche between the state system and international powerhouses. Adhering to the national curriculum, these establishments generally outshine their public counterparts with superior facilities and far more rigorous English instruction.
Many wealthy local families favour these institutions, so you should expect competition for places. Although the primary language of instruction is still Turkish, prestigious private colleges often run bilingual programmes. This dual focus offers a pragmatic compromise if you envision a long-term future in Turkey and want your children to integrate fully into local society.
International schools in Istanbul
International schools in Istanbul cater for a diverse community and offer various global curricula, including the International Baccalaureate (IB), British, and American systems. These schools typically give Turkish language lessons and have field trips and cultural activities to help your children integrate into local society.
Fees at these institutions are notoriously high. Parents should also budget for significant additional expenses, such as uniforms, textbooks, extracurricular activities, and bus services. If you are relocating as part of a corporate package, it is worth negotiating for a schooling allowance before you arrive.
Enrolment space at international schools can be limited, so expat parents need to apply early, particularly for primary school grades. Most institutions publish admission requirements online, so you can start the process from abroad. Prioritising this step is essential when organising your relocation.
Read International Schools in Istanbul for more information on the top schools in the city.
Special educational needs in Istanbul
Government policy dictates that children with special needs should attend standard classes alongside their peers whenever possible. In practice, however, public resources are often stretched way too thin.
Some international schools in Istanbul provide support for special educational needs (SEN). Some schools only accommodate mild learning differences, but others maintain dedicated departments for children with really challenging educational needs. Contact individual schools directly to discuss your child’s specific profile before applying.
For those entering the local system, Guidance and Research Centres (Rehberlik ve Araştırma Merkezleri or RAM) evaluate a student’s physical, developmental, and academic capabilities to recommend appropriate schooling. Prominent dedicated facilities in the city include the HAYPADER Special Education Practice School and the Gülseren Özdemir Special Education Application School, which is the largest of its kind in the country.
Useful links
- General Directorate of Special Education and Guidance Services
- Special Children Education and Solidarity Association (ÖÇED)
Tutors in Istanbul
Intense competition for elite high school and university placements drives a massive private tutoring industry in Istanbul. Supplemental instruction is the norm rather than the exception for local students, so you will find no shortage of options.
The most exclusive route is one-to-one tuition, typically provided by university students or retired teachers. Rates for experienced tutors who guarantee results can be substantial. Alternatively, some schools organise after-hours support programmes, often run by volunteer teachers.
The most common form of local support is the private tuition centre. Formerly known as dershaneler, these institutions now largely operate as ‘Special Instruction Courses’ (Özel Öğretim Kursları). These centres function similarly to private schools; they provide professional instruction and use regular testing to stream students by ability. While they focus heavily on Turkish national exams, some larger centres also offer preparation for international standardised tests.