Özel Bilkent Lisesi

Özel Bilkent Lisesi (OBL), founded in 1993, aims to provide a high quality teaching and learning environment which produces outstanding citizens with a high level of achievement in all areas of the school curriculum, in university entrance requirements and in foreign languages, and who possess the necessary abilities and skills to operate successfully beyond school. Creativity, problem-solving, understanding of different cultures and familiarity with modern technology are core concerns in the pedagogical approach employed by the school which aspires to instill a healthy balance of assertiveness, competitiveness and cooperation in its students as well as enhance students' initiative, self-esteem, self-discipline and social responsibility.

The Özel Bilkent Lisesi school is situated on the campus of Bilkent University, one of Turkey's leading institutions of higher learning, and enjoys the university's pleasant and safe environment. The teaching staff all hold degrees plus teaching certificates.

A significant part of the curriculum at Özel Bilkent Lisesi is taught in English and students can expect to graduate as proficient users of English. In addition, both French and German are taught in the school and can be taken as core or elective subjects. Admission to the school is based on performance in a rigorous entrance exam covering math, language ability, and general academic aptitude. Once accepted to the school, students can expect to enjoy a student/staff ratio of 8:1, and an average class size of 20 students.

Great emphasis at Özel Bilkent Lisesi is also given to extra-curricular activities which include a range of areas covering drama, art, music, sports and foreign languages. The school’s location on campus allows children to benefit from the University's facilities such as the library, theaters, music school, sports areas, and computing, as well as restaurants and eateries for the older children. Children are encouraged to consider themselves part of the wider academic community in which they go to school and to learn the values of academic life and success.

The Özel Bilkent Lisesi school has completed its adaptation to the new eight-year basic education cycle instituted by the Ministry of Education in 1998. OBL’s sister school, the Özel Bilkent Primary School, has expanded provision for grades 6, 7 and 8 and absorbed the Middle School. The High School is currently preparing its systems for a twelve-year education cycle which the government plans to introduce in 2005.