Table of Contents
What are the Best High Schools in Turkey?
In Turkey, most 8th grade students who wish to continue their education take the exam called; “LGS” (Which stands for; “Liseye Gecis Sinavi” in Turkish and “High School Entrance Exam” in English) and earn a maximum score of 500 based on their success. Students later use this score to choose the high schools they want to go to, so basically: the better the score, the better education they get by going to more quality high schools. We will look at some of the schools with the highest acceptance scores and explain what makes them the best high schools in Turkey.
For more detailed information on the Turkish Education System, you can go on Wikipedia.
Here is The List of Some Best High Schools in Turkey
While some of these schools are notorious for their language educations, some of them are famous for educating Turkey’s most successful future engineers, doctors, lawyers, and scientists. Most schools on this list are public schools, so only a high enough LGS score is enough to be accepted by them.
Galatasaray High School, Istanbul
Originally established back in 1481, Galatasaray High School is the oldest high school in Turkey. The base acceptance score of this school is 500. Yes, that is the maximum score you can get from LGS. Only the top 1% can enter this school, so it wouldn’t be wrong to call it the best high school in Turkey. Except for classes like Turkish Language and Literature, most classes are in French. So, students who enter Galatasaray High School must take the mandatory one-year French preparatory class. English and Italian are also taught as secondary languages. The school is located in Beyoglu, Istanbul, Turkey. Galatasaray is one of the best high schools in Turkey.
Istanbul High School (Istanbul Erkek Lisesi in Turkish), Istanbul
Istanbul High School is also one of the oldest high schools in Turkey; it was founded in 1884. The school has the second-highest base acceptance score of 497. So it is one of the best high schools in Turkey by far. Many famous Turkish bureaucrats, scientists, and celebrities have graduated from this school throughout history. Classes are primarily in German, but some classes like Turkish Language and Literature are in Turkish.
Consequently, students must take the mandatory one-year German preparatory class when they enter this school. English is also taught as a secondary language. Istanbul High school is located in Cagaloglu, Istanbul, Turkey.
Izmir Science High School, Izmir
Established in 1983, Izmir Science High School is one of the younger schools on this list. It is the best high school in Izmir city, and it has a base acceptance score of 494. It is one of the top ten best high schools in Turkey. Since it is a science high school, most Izmir Science High School graduates choose to go to Turkey’s best engineering and medical universities. Classes are taught in Turkish, but English and German are taught as secondary languages. The school is located in Bornova, Izmir, Turkey.
Robert College, Istanbul
Robert College is the only private school on this list, and it was established in 1863. The school only accepts students with over 490 scores. The school has a one-year mandatory English preparatory class because except for the cultural classes taught in Turkish such as history, geography, and Turkish Language and Literature, the school offers classes completely in English. Robert College is famous for its success, its gorgeous building, and over a hundred extracurricular activities. French and German are also taught as secondary languages in this school. Robert College is located in Besiktas, Istanbul, Turkey.
Saint Benoit French High School, Istanbul
With a long history dating back to 1362, Saint Benoit is one of Istanbul’s greatest private secondary schools. Saint Benoit, which was founded in 1783, continues to educate brilliant brains year after year. Both French and Turkish are educated in Saint Benoit’s schooling. Students must complete five years of schooling, including one year of French preparation. Every year, Saint Benoit French High School can give a high-quality education to its graduates. Because of their French ties, Galatasaray University even has a specific quota for Saint Benoit graduates.
Koc High School, Istanbul
Koc High School, founded in 1988 by the Vehbi Koc Foundation, is one of Turkey’s most notable private high schools, with around 2000 pupils. Koc High School strives to develop socially gifted, confident, well-behaved, and responsible students. Its fantastic campus provides pupils with the option to participate in a variety of sports. Koc High School features several active sports clubs that play in both domestic and international events. Koc High School offers French, German, and Spanish instruction in addition to its Turkish and English bilingual education system.
Private Bahcesehir College Science Highschool (FENTEK), Istanbul
This remarkable private school, which opened in 2006, is an extension of the highly regarded Bahcesehir Private Schools, which delivers superior academic and technical instruction to its pupils. Bahcesehir College Science High School is one of Turkey’s most prestigious high schools and one of the most difficult to get into. Only students who received a perfect score on the Turkish Ministry of National Education’s test were admitted to this school in 2008. Genetics, robotics, electronics, psychics, chemistry, biology, and other branches of science are all represented at this private school’s labs. Bahcesehir High School also has a hostel for all of its students.
Uskudar American Academy
Uskudar American Academy is one of Turkey’s oldest private institutions, established in 1876 as the American Academy for Girls. Uskudar American Academy, which was founded to teach females in various areas, transformed in 1990 and began accepting boys. This private high school follows stringent teaching concepts to help its pupils achieve their full potential. The Health and Education Foundation, a Turkish non-profit organization, owns and runs this international school (SEV).
Here is an article that might interest you further; “English Schools in Turkey.”
