Compare Canadian Curriculum International Schools in Istanbul, Turkey

Keystone International Schools operates in Istanbul, Turkey, with two campuses: Küçük Çamlıca Campus (Gülhan Sok. 1-2, Üsküdar, 34660) and Çekmeköy Campus (Süleymaniye Cd. No:20B, Çekmeköy, 34782). It also features a Toronto Campus as part of its Canadian program. The Istanbul addresses are the primary Turkish locations for Keystone.

Kindergarten (Ages 3-6); Primary (Grade 1-6); Middle (Grade 7-9); High (Grade 10-12)

The school is a Canadian offshore school.

Canada

Uniforms must be worn Monday–Thursday; Fridays may be casual attire within dress code. PE uniform is required on PE days; uniforms must be worn on school trips. No makeup, offensive imagery, or excessive accessories are allowed.

Meals are balanced and cooked fresh with seasonal ingredients; no chicken, pork, GMOs, or processed foods are used. Snacks include fruits; water bottles should be brought from home.

Keystone operates a four-house system: Orcas, Hawks, Lynxes, Caribous. Students and teachers from Grades 1–12 are assigned to a house and remain in that house; house points are earned for participation, achievement, and behavior, contributing to an annual House Trophy. Each house is led by two Captains (Grades 11–12) who coordinate with the Student Council and lead house activities.

The school is governed by an Advisory Board. Sema Kizilkaya is the founder of Istanbul-based Keystone International & Kilittaşı Schools; Keystone operates campuses in Istanbul and a Toronto Campus as part of its network.

PEI Canadian Diploma program at Keystone International Schools follows the Prince Edward Island system. It offers a Canadian high school diploma, with instruction in English and learning in French as an additional language. Grade 1 to 12 students are registered with the PEI Ministry of Education and have access to a PEI online library. The curriculum emphasizes critical thinking, communication, and real-world application, combining academic and applied courses, project-based learning, and standardized assessments such as the MAP Growth tests and DELF for French. English is the primary language of instruction, accompanied by an Intensive English Program for students needing extra support, and French is taught through a CEFR-aligned streaming program with additional intensive options. The program integrates language, music, arts, science, and physical education, with opportunities for exhibitions and field experiences.

MAP Growth assessments are used to monitor progress in Science, Mathematics, and Language. DELF is used to assess French language proficiency. The PEI system supports the pathway to earning a Canadian high school diploma.

Graduates have acceptances to universities around the world, including the University of Toronto, University of Amsterdam, Koç University, IE University, and King's College London, among others.

1. Learn About Our School. Visit us in person during regular school hours to experience our classrooms and student life firsthand. If you are abroad, a Zoom meeting can be arranged to answer your questions. Before your visit, think about what matters most to you in a school environment and prepare questions about our programs. A school tour can be requested using the form below.

2. Apply. Complete our Registration Form if you decide to proceed. Applications may be submitted in person or online. If you wish to expedite, you may skip the tour and directly register online. Our admissions team will review your application and confirm the next steps.

3. Exams and Interviews. After we receive your application, we will schedule exams and interviews based on your child's grade level. These assessments help us evaluate your child's academic readiness and fit with our school culture. The results guide the admissions decision and inform the next steps in the process.

4. Admissions Decision. You will be informed of the admission decision within 5 days of completing the assessment process. The decision is communicated to families, and next steps for enrollment will be provided. This timeline helps families plan for the next steps in the admissions process.

Çekmeköy – Campus, Istanbul, Turkey. Located in the Çekmeköy district; address: Süleymaniye Caddesi, No:20/B, 34782 Çekmeköy, Istanbul.

Kindergarten; Primary School; Middle School; Anatolian High School

K-12 school offering the Turkish Ministry of National Education (MEB) program with the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) dual diploma; Kilittaşı Anatolian High School; Toronto Keystone High School; Canada Online High School

33+ countries represented

Canada & Türkiye dual diploma program (OSSD)

Long-standing partnership with a trusted bus company; drivers trained to follow traffic regulations; buses have safety features

Uniforms are required from Monday to Thursday; the designated uniform includes a Keystone t-shirt, hoodie, shorts and sweatpants. On Fridays casual wear is allowed if guidelines are followed. PE attire is Keystone-branded; a change of clothes is required on PE days; uniforms are worn on school trips.

Healthy homemade meals are served with unlimited portions; snacks are free from added sugar; meals are prepared with ingredients from local suppliers including İpek Hanım'ın Çiftliği, Green Apple Organik, Sütaş, and other local providers; seasonal produce is used.

Kilittaşı & Keystone Houses System with Orcas, Lynxes, Caribous, and Hawks; houses include students from different grades and compete in academic, athletic, and creative events to build community and leadership.

Kilittaşı Schools were founded in 2013 by Keystone International Schools; Kilittaşı is part of the Keystone International Schools network. Governance includes an International Advisory Board comprising international educators; Kilittaşı is WASC-accredited since 2018 and a Round Square member.

Kilittaşı Schools offer a K–12 dual curriculum that combines the Turkish Ministry of National Education (MEB) program with the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD). Upon graduation, students receive both the MEB High School Diploma and the OSSD, expanding university options beyond Turkey to Canada, the United States, Europe, and worldwide. The Early Years Program uses English as the language of instruction; English continues in the early grades, French is introduced as a second language, and by Grade 5 students study an intensive French program, with bilingual Turkish–English education continuing and French developing as a third language. Kilittaşı is a DELF–DALF examination center; French language study is supported with international exam opportunities. The curriculum emphasizes critical thinking, research, and problem-solving and is aligned with trilingual education and global standards, preparing students academically and linguistically for university-level expectations through Canadian diploma pathways.

Graduates are prepared for higher education in Turkey and abroad, with the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) enabling admission to universities worldwide. The school provides University Guidance Counseling and tracks university acceptances and program choices.

Counseling views social-emotional development as a central element of guidance and aims to create a safe, supportive environment where students can know themselves, express emotions, and navigate social situations. The program supports students from kindergarten through high school with individual and group sessions, classroom guidance, and collaboration with families and teachers. Focus areas include emotional recognition, empathy, conflict resolution, time management, coping with peer pressure, and academic motivation, with high school guidance also covering career awareness and university preparation.

The language of instruction in the early grades is English, with French introduced as a second language. In Grade 5, students experience an intensive year of French. Thereafter, bilingual Turkish–English education continues, while French develops as a strong third language.

Mental wellbeing is supported through Counseling, which aims to develop students' academic, social, and emotional skills and provides a safe environment for self-expression, problem solving, and coping with challenges. The program covers social-emotional development, empathy, conflict resolution, stress management, and guidance for families and teachers, with age-appropriate activities from Kindergarten through high school. The School Nurse and Health Services educate students on hygiene, nutrition, and wellness, and monitor overall student health and safety.

A Child Protection Policy establishes a safe and nurturing environment. There are security personnel on campus and 24/7 camera monitoring (53 cameras). Civil defense and sabotage plans approved by the Turkish Ministry of National Education, the Canadian Ministry of Education, and WASC are reviewed annually. Students are insured against accidents, and staff, volunteers, and students receive ongoing training to report concerns and maintain safety.

1. Visit Our Campus. Prospective families are invited to request a campus tour by contacting Kilittaşı admissions. You will tour the school with the Principal and/or Vice Principal, while your child meets with a guidance counsellor for a brief interview, followed by feedback. If in-person visits are not possible, an online meeting can be scheduled to address questions before applying. 2. Receive Offer of Admission. An Offer of Admission is issued, and the next steps are explained after you confirm to proceed with admissions. 3. Complete Your Application. Fill out the online application form and submit it along with your payment receipt and other required documents. 4. Schedule an Enrolment Meeting. After the complete application is received, an enrolment meeting is scheduled to finalize the enrolment of the child.

Kilittaşı Scholarships and Discounts are offered in five categories: Education Merit Discount, Sports Discount, State Scholarship, Corporate Discounts, and Alumni Discount. Education Merit Discount applies to 5th–8th grade entrants; in February, a Kilittaşı Giriş Sınavı (KGS) is held, and the top performers within a defined range receive a 100% discount, with additional discounts available for other high performers. For enrolled students, the discount is reassessed annually based on achievement exams and practice tests, with continued eligibility determined by the Scholarships Committee. Sports Discount is awarded to students in specified sports with domestic or international results, starting at 100% and varying by achievement for a one-year period. State Scholarship provides free or subsidized education to a portion of students in accordance with governing regulations, with a minimum target of 3% of the student body. Corporate Discounts apply to children of employees of partner firms, as defined by each corporate agreement. Alumni Discount applies to Kilittaşı alumni and their children. The continuity and adjustment of all discounts/burslar are governed by the Kilittaşı Scholarship Policy, with annual reviews and criteria outlined by the school board.