Robert College of Istanbul

Robert College of Istanbul, founded in 1863 and the oldest American school outside the United States, offers a co-educational college preparatory program for Turkish students aged 14-20. Admission is through a highly competitive national entrance examination, and the enrollment comes from the top 2% of the examinees. Scholarship aid is provided according to financial need.

A 'prep year' of English language immersion at Robert College of Istanbul is followed by a four-year high school ('lise') program. A rigorous academic program prepares students for university entrance either in Turkey or abroad, many going to the most competitive universities in the US. The strong emphasis on mastery of communication skills, both in English and Turkish, provides the students with an effective bi-lingual education which fosters cross-cultural contacts with the Western world.

The curriculum at Robert College of Istanbul is regulated by the Turkish Ministry of Education, but approximately 70% of the course work, including science and mathematics, is taught in English. The balance of the programme is Turkish-related and taught in Turkish. A few non-Turkish students may be admitted as special students. All teachers (55% foreign, 45% Turkish) hold university degrees.

The Robert College of Istanbul school calendar, established by the Ministry of Education, runs from September to June with two mid-semester breaks and a semester vacation. Extra-curricular offerings include a wide variety of club activities, along with a varied sports program, largely intramural.

Classrooms, offices, and dormitories for the school's 100+ boarders are excellent at the Robert College of Istanbul. The library/information center and the computer center have been expanded and networked to accommodate new technology. The main playing field and running track command a panoramic view of the Bosphorus. Faculty residences are available on campus.