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Koç School

Turkey, Istanbul

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The school at a glance
Instructs in Turkish, English
Fees TRY 750,000 - 1,795,000
Ages Not listed
Pupil numbers 2166
Type Co-educational (boarding)
Opened 1988
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum IB (DP), Cambridge (Secondary), Bespoke Curriculum
Taught languages French, German, Spanish
Strengths Sport, Languages, Service and Sustainability
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Community and Service
Stages Preschool, Primary School, Middle School, High School
Introduction

Koç School is a private, co-educational day school in Tuzla, Istanbul, Türkiye, offering a bilingual, internationally oriented program. The curriculum combines MoNE schooling across all grade levels with an optional International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) in Grades 11–12 and Cambridge Secondary education, alongside a bespoke curriculum. From Grade 10 students choose between the IBDP track and the MoNE track, with the IBDP including six subjects plus Theory of Knowledge, Extended Essay, and CAS. English is the language of instruction, and Turkish Language and Literature aligns with the Maarif Model from Grade 11 onward. Founded in 1988 and restructured in 2012, the school joined the Koç School brand in 2016. It is a Common Sense School and earned Council of International Schools accreditation in 2025. Facilities include 28 classrooms, science labs, library, art studios, gym, dining hall, and a sports complex with pool, turf, and courts; solar energy powers the campus.

The Essentials

Koç School has 2,166 pupils, instruction in Turkish, English.

Location
The Koç School is located in Tuzla, Istanbul, at Tepeören Mahallesi Eski Ankara Asfaltı Caddesi No: 60.

Stages
VKF Koç Private Kindergarten and Primary School; VKF Koç Private Middle School; VKF Koç Private High School.

Additional learning support
Guidance and Psychological Counseling is provided to support students' socio-emotional development.

Country affiliation
Turkey

School day structure
Arrivals around 7:30 a.m.; Primary School 8:30 a.m. to 3:05 p.m. (bus departure 3:10 p.m.); Middle School 8:05 a.m. to 3:35 p.m. (bus departure 3:45 p.m.); High School 8:20 a.m. to 3:50 p.m. (bus departure 4:00 p.m.).

Bus service
School buses depart after each level's end of day: 3:10 p.m. for Primary; 3:45 p.m. for Middle; 4:00 p.m. for High School.
Diving Deeper

Boarding Arrangements
Boarding is provided on campus via the Boarding Center. Boarding applications are collected annually in June during the High School Registration Renewal process. New enrollments to the Lise Prep class are managed within a published quota; boarding students may be accepted for Grade 9 if there is a vacancy and the applicable conditions are published.

Food Options
Cafeteria services are provided by a contracted catering company; meals are prepared in the kitchens within the school. Participation in cafeteria services is not mandatory, and parents may provide meals if they prefer.

House System
The Koç School has a house system with houses; students participate in house-based activities and competitions.

Governance and Ownership
The Koç School was founded by Vehbi Koç Foundation and is affiliated with VKV; The Koç School is a stakeholder of the Vehbi Koç Foundation.
Fees

Annual tuition at Koç School ranges from TRY 750,000 to TRY 1,795,000 for 2026/27.

Application fees
- No separate application or candidate-registration fee is listed in the school's published fee documents for the 2026/27 academic year.

Tuition fees (annual amounts) — 2026/27 academic year
- Amounts shown are annual, peşin (lump‑sum) education fees expressed in Turkish Lira (TL) and quoted excluding KDV (10%). These peşin rates were published for the 2026/27 academic year.
- Ana Sınıfı / İlkokul (Ana Sınıfı, 1., 2. Sınıf): TL 1.795.000 + KDV.
- İlkokul 3. Sınıf: TL 1.125.000 + KDV.
- İlkokul 4. Sınıf: TL 900.000 + KDV.
- Ortaokul 5., 6., 7. Sınıf: TL 1.625.000 + KDV.
- Ortaokul 8. Sınıf: TL 1.080.000 + KDV.
- Lise Hazırlık / Lise 9., 10. Sınıf: TL 1.795.000 + KDV.
- Lise 11. Sınıf: TL 1.200.000 + KDV.
- Lise 12. Sınıf: TL 965.000 + KDV.

Tuition fees — installment / taksitli totals
- The 2026/27 peşin figures above are the published lump‑sum amounts. The school also has published ‘‘taksitli'' (installment) annual totals in prior-year fee publications; the prior (2025/26) fee schedule listed both peşin and taksitli annual totals (KDV‑included) as separate amounts. The 2026/27 peşin publication does not show a term‑by‑term or detailed installment schedule. Examples from the 2025/26 publication (KDV included) show separate ‘‘taksitli'' annual totals for each grade; these are indicative of how installment totals have been published in the past rather than a 2026/27 installment schedule.

Billing schedule and payment terms
- The school accepts payment either peşin or taksitli as part of the financial registration process (mali kayıt). Peşin payment discounts are applied when the full education and/or boarding fee is paid in a single payment by the published deadline. For 2026/27 the peşin rates shown were published with a specified validity period in May 2026; peşin‑discount rules and deadlines are set each year and a peşin‑payment discount is applied only if payment is completed by the announced deadline.
- The 2025/26 publication included an explicit peşin payment discount (example: a 5% peşin discount applied for payments completed by a stated date in that year); the 2026/27 peşin figures are presented in the school's 2026 fee notice and the document indicates peşin/discounted framing and the validity period for those peşin prices. Where installment totals are published, they are provided as an annual ‘‘taksitli'' total rather than a per‑term nominal.

Boarding (yatıcılık) fees — 2026/27
- Lise 5‑gün yatılılık: TL 570.000 + KDV (annual).
- Lise 7‑gün yatılılık: TL 750.000 + KDV (annual).

Other costs and fees
- No separate uniform, meal, transport (servis) or textbook fee amounts are specified in the 2026/27 published school‑fee document. Such items are commonly billed or organised separately by schools, and in prior fee notices the school has listed education and boarding fees as the headline items while other costs (meals, transport, uniforms, special course fees, extracurricular activity fees) may be arranged or charged separately. Discount categories that apply to education/boarding fees (sibling discount, alumni/graduate discount, Koç Group employee discount, peşin payment discount) are published as part of the school's discount policy.

Refund and withdrawal / fee‑return information
- No detailed published refund or withdrawal refund schedule or specific refund amounts is included in the 2026/27 fee publication or the school's administrative/financial registration summary. Published materials show how fees are communicated (peşin or taksitli) and list discounts; they do not set out a published, line‑by‑line refund table in the 2026/27 fee notice.

Fee payment options (methods)
- The published fee materials for 2026/27 state that payments are made as part of the financial registration (peşin or taksitli) but do not list explicit payment channels (for example: which banks, whether online credit‑card acceptance or bank transfer options are available). The school's administrative/financial registration guidance identifies the financial registration step and the options peşin vs. taksitli, but specific payment‑method details are not included in the fee table itself.

Brief note on items not detailed in the published fee notice
- The 2026/27 fee notice publishes annual peşin tuition and boarding amounts (above). It does not publish a per‑term breakdown, an explicit installment timetable or installment dates, an itemised list of uniform/meal/transport charges, an explicit application fee, or a detailed refund table in the same document. Prior (2025/26) publications did show ‘‘taksitli'' annual totals and examples of peşin‑discount rules; the 2026/27 publication provides the peşin annual figures and boarding fees and indicates the peşin‑validity period. For reference to the specific published fee figures and the discount/registration framing, see the school's 2026/27 fee notice and the school's registration/financial registration pages.
Academics

Koç School teaches IB (DP), Cambridge (Secondary), Bespoke Curriculum.

Curriculum
MoNE curriculum is implemented at all grade levels. From Grade 10, students choose between the IB Diploma Program (IBDP) track and the MoNE track. The IB Diploma Program is offered in Grades 11 and 12, with six subjects plus core elements such as Theory of Knowledge, Extended Essay, and CAS. The IB Diploma Program was introduced in 1996, making Koç School the first institution in Turkey to implement the IB Diploma Program. The Turkish Language and Literature Department aligns with the Maarif Model and IB program outcomes from Grade 11 onward, while the Social Sciences Department delivers the MoNE curriculum at all levels and offers IB courses in Grades 11-12.

Exam Results
IB results 2022: Registered candidates 148; Diploma awarded 134; Koç School average 35; World average 31.98; Average subject score 5.6/7.

Higher Education Progression
Overseas placements (2022) show 164 graduates placed abroad; 140 of these earned the IB Diploma and 24 earned the MoNE diploma.

Gifted and Talented
The Koç School does not offer separate classrooms for gifted students or a dedicated gifted-and-talented program.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
Koç School prepares students academically, emotionally, and socially. The Guidance and Psychological Counseling Department designs activities to raise students' awareness and develop their social-emotional skills. Counseling supports students' social, emotional, and cognitive development and works within a collaborative school-family framework. The program uses developmental and preventive guidance to identify needs and provide appropriate interventions. It emphasizes trust as the foundation of the support process, helping students build self-confidence and resilience. The process includes regular communication with families and targeted guidance to support transitions and overall well-being.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
English is taught as a second language from kindergarten, with a communication-based, thematically organized program that develops listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. The program in the High School department follows a standards-based curriculum and is designed to prepare students for university studies, while also promoting social-emotional learning and collaboration. Additional support is provided for students who need it throughout the academic year. Cambridge International accreditation for the English program was obtained for the 2023-2024 academic year, enabling a broad English-language course offering. The school also offers Turkish and other Modern Foreign Languages as part of a multilingual education framework.

Mental Wellbeing
Guidance and Psychological Counseling uses a Developmental and Preventive Guidance Model that supports students' physical, mental, social, and emotional well-being. The program emphasizes learning how to learn, with time management, goal-setting, and motivation supported through individual meetings and feedback. Mindfulness resources and other well-being initiatives are provided to support mental health. The department works with families and teachers to promote student growth, resilience, and healthy transitions between grade levels. Regular counseling activities aim to foster coping strategies and emotional balance for students.

Safeguarding
Koç School has a zero-tolerance policy for violence and abuse toward children. A comprehensive Child Protection Policy commits to ensuring the healthy development, well-being, and safety of all students, with the best interests of the child prioritized in every matter. All students have equal protection rights, though some may require additional attention due to special educational needs or disabilities. Students have the right to express their views, be listened to, and have their opinions respected.
Parent Experience

History
Koç School was founded in 1988 by the Vehbi Koç Foundation and began with the high school division. In 1998, it opened the elementary division to adopt an eight-year uninterrupted education program. In 2012, in line with the 4+4+4 education reform, it restructured into primary, middle, and high school. Since 2016, it has operated under the Koç School name. Koç School has been recognized as a Common Sense School for promoting safe and responsible digital citizenship, and in 2025 earned accreditation from the Council of International Schools (CIS).

Community
The Koç School community includes active parent and alumni networks. General Assembly announcements exist for the primary/secondary Koç School Parent Association and for the VKV Koç Private High School Parent Association. The alumni community participates in events such as Alumni Day. The school maintains a calendar of events and cultural activities, including Sharing Day, Atatürk Week, Middle School Graduation, High School Graduation, Talent Show, Information Technology Week, Koç Mathematics Week, a science festival, Book Week, and other student-led programs.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
Koç School has a School-Parent Association (Okul Aile Birliği). General Assembly announcements exist for the primary/secondary Koç School Parent Association and for the VKV Koç Private High School Parent Association. The association coordinates with the school on activities and communicates through Koç School's news and events. Parents participate in annual meetings and collaborate on school-wide initiatives and events. The association supports parent involvement in activities such as Sharing Day and other cultural and academic programs.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
The Koç School campus has 28 classrooms, 4 laboratories, 1 library, 2 visual arts studios, 5 guidance rooms, 1 multipurpose hall, and a gym. It features a dining hall with three meals daily, prepared on-site by a contracted caterer. The sports complex includes a semi-Olympic pool, training pool, fitness center, Olympic athletics track, FIFA‑approved artificial turf soccer field, outdoor basketball and tennis courts, carpeted fields, multi‑purpose indoor halls, and outdoor spaces; there are dedicated play areas for primary and middle school students. The Koç School library offers a broad collection of printed and digital resources to support information literacy and learning. A campus solar power plant generates approximately 35% of the school's electricity.

Sports Facilities
The Koç School offers modern, safe, and versatile sports facilities. The sports complex is equipped with a semi-Olympic swimming pool, training pool, fitness center, Olympic athletics field, FIFA-approved artificial turf soccer field, outdoor basketball and tennis courts, carpeted fields, multi-purpose indoor halls, and open spaces. There are also special play areas for primary and middle school students. The school has sports teams for all ages in athletics, football, volleyball, basketball, table tennis, swimming, artistic gymnastics, tennis, orienteering, and chess. Individual sports such as monoskiing, sailing, golf, fencing, archery, rhythmic gymnastics, skiing and snowboarding, sport climbing, shooting, and judo are supported with licensing and competition arrangements.

Academic Facilities
The Science Department teaches Science and operates a dedicated Science Laboratory, with lessons and labs supported by digital platforms. The library is a central resource with printed and digital collections and information-literacy services to support research, writing, and academic integrity. There are modern classrooms and learning spaces across the programme, including dedicated spaces for language education and technology-enabled learning.

Extra Curricular Facilities
The Koç School offers a range of extracurricular activities including Boyut Literary Magazine, Debate Club, Literature Activities Club, and culture- and arts-focused field trips.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
The Koç School is an IB World School with English as the language of instruction. English is taught as a second language from kindergarten, and by the end of Grade 4 students are comfortable in an entirely English-language learning environment. Cambridge International accreditation approved by the Ministry of National Education allows the school to teach up to 11 courses in English. Turkish Language and Literature and IB programs begin from Grade 11; English and Modern Foreign Languages are offered including French, German, and Spanish.

Arts & Creative
The Koç School supports arts and creative expression through Boyut Literary Magazine, Debate Club, and Literature Activities Club. Visual Arts is integrated into the program, and the curriculum includes Visual Arts components. Drama is active in Koç School life, including Middle School Drama Club Play Rehearsals.

Cultural & Language
Turkish Language and Literature is taught as a core subject and aligns with the Maarif Model and IB programs starting in Grade 11. The Modern Foreign Languages Department teaches French, German, and Spanish, and offers IB Language B beginning in Grade 11. The English program emphasizes reading, writing, speaking, and listening, and prepares students for university and global citizenship.

Social & Hobbies
Club Activities provide social, cultural, mental, and physical development. Clubs are formed at the start of each year based on student choices and run with teachers and expert instructors. The Koç School hosts a range of student-led activities, including Model United Nations and other clubs.

Community & Service
Roots and Shoots Club, Permaculture Club, and Creative Works Club address sustainability and community themes. Sustainability initiatives include Eco-Schools programs and Zero Waste activities, with student projects in waste management and recycling. Club activities support community service and social responsibility.

Leadership & Professional
The Koç School's mission is to cultivate ethical citizens and leaders. Its five dispositions—Adaptation, Innovation, Discernment, Empathy, and Integration—guide student development and leadership. The school provides University and Career Counseling, including a University and Career Counsellor to support university placement and career planning.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
Physical Education and Games develops regular exercise habits and an active, healthy lifestyle. Lesson designs emphasize teamwork, fair play, leadership, and social responsibility. The program fosters self-awareness, self-management, and emotion regulation through physical activity.
Languages

Language Provision
Turkish Language and Literature is taught as part of the Koç School curriculum and is aligned with the Ministry of National Education's Maarif Model and the International Baccalaureate (IB) programs from Grade 11. The High School English Department consists of 21 certified teachers and follows a standards-based curriculum that develops reading, writing, listening, speaking, and academic writing. Modern Foreign Languages include French, German, and Spanish; the department prepares students for DELF, DELE, and FIT exams and offers IB Language B starting in Grade 11.

Bilingual Teaching
The Koç School has a bilingual instructional program.
Reputation

Accreditations
Internationally Accredited School
School Events
The school has not added events
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