Irmak School

Irmak School is owned by Yapi Merkezi Group of Companies and Youth Culture and Service Foundation. The school was founded in 1995 and is a private, co-educational day school. It is situated on the Asian side of Istanbul in a central area close to the sea with large gardens and good facilities including an auditorium seating 530, a multi-purpose hall and gymnasium. The library has a wide range of books and CD roms, and Internet access for research projects. There are art, music, drama and video rooms, computer, physics, biology and chemistry labs equipped with modern facilities which encourage a 'Hands on Minds on Approach'. The dining hall serves snacks and lunch. Food is prepared in the school kitchen.

In pre-school at Irmak School the education given in a caring environment will provide a good opportunity to children to learn as they examine and discover. English is taught intensively from pre-school onwards with German as a second language from grade 6. A high school programme began in September 2001 with the opening of the senior prep year. There is a strong emphasis of teaching maths and science throughout the curriculum. The program prepares students for university entrance either in Turkey or abroad. The students are encouraged to take international exams such as TOEFL, SAT, and AP. The curriculum is child-centered and enquiry-based.

The main aim at Irmak School is to educate the students to become self-confident, responsible, well-balanced members of society who have contemporary knowledge and awareness of cultural differences. During the year a number of field trips and social events are organized to give the students a chance to explore the rich culture of Istanbul and Turkey. Extra-curricular activities are an important part of the school's programme. The Guidance and Counselling Service works in cooperation with the teachers and parents.

The Irmak School is mainly staffed by Turkish nationals but also has native English speakers from the UK, America and Australia. Staff receive constant training and support to ensure that they are aware of the latest educational developments. Staff are currently receiving training with a view to adopting the Primary Years Programme of the International Baccalaureate Organization.

Students at Irmak School are admitted at pre-school and first grade by personal interview and at other levels by an entrance examination.