doris
doris
Find Schools
Events
Saved schools
My account
Parent Guide Parent testimonials Community Transparency Charter About For Schools
Currency
R

Robert College

Turkey, Istanbul

Save school
Share
Navigate

· Reviewed by · Co-founder & CEO

Independently researched by doris.
Not yet claimed by the school
Claim your profile
The school at a glance
Instructs in English, Turkish
Fees Fees not listed
Ages Not listed
Type Co-educational, Co-educational (boarding)
Opened 1863
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum Advanced Placement (AP), Taiwan 108 Curriculum, Thai Curriculum
Taught languages French, German
Strengths Languages, STEM, Performing Arts
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language
Stages Secondary School, High School
Introduction

Robert College is a private, co-educational high school in Istanbul, Turkey, with a history dating back to 1863. The campus blends historic buildings with modern classrooms and outdoor spaces, and half of the grounds are preserved as natural areas. The school offers a diverse curriculum that balances science, humanities, and co-curricular study. English and Turkish are both central to the program, with many courses taught in English and all AP courses offered in English, while students also pursue a Turkish Lise Diploması. The school delivers Advanced Placement courses alongside the Turkish national curriculum, enabling university-level English proficiency and dual mastery of languages. Accredited by NYSAIS and Türkiye's Ministry of Education, Robert College maintains a campus library, laboratories, and a rich program of student-led activities. With more than 100 clubs, including World Scholar's Cup, robotics, theatre, and publications, students develop leadership, service, and cultural awareness through a vibrant, internationally minded community.

Arnavutköy, Kuruçeşme Cd. No:87, 34345 Beşiktaş/İstanbul, Türkiye

The Essentials

Robert College has instruction in English, Turkish.

Location
Located in Istanbul, Turkey, in the Arnavutköy-Beşiktaş area on the European side. The campus address is Kuruçesme Cad. No.87, Arnavutköy - Beşiktaş 34345 Istanbul.

Stages
Five-year high school program.

Type
Private, co-educational high school with residential facilities.

Additional learning support
Counseling services are provided, including individual and group counseling and psychological counseling. Academic follow-up and support for residential advisors.

Country affiliation
Turkey

Bus service
Safe transport for students to and from school is provided via contracted partners. Buses are well-maintained and regularly inspected for health and safety, with adherence to regulations.
Academics

Robert College teaches Advanced Placement (AP), Taiwan 108 Curriculum, Thai Curriculum.

Curriculum
Robert College offers a curriculum balanced between science, humanities, and co-curricular activities. The school values individual differences with more than 100 student-led clubs and a fast-paced year featuring stage plays, Pi Week, Poetry Week, electronics displays, RC TEDx, MUN conferences, Turkish Literature Symposium, RC Singers, math competitions, and more. Students pursue dual mastery of English and Turkish at university-level proficiency within a rigorous curriculum that includes AP-level and other advanced courses in addition to the Turkish national curriculum. Bolded courses are taught in English, and all AP courses are taught in English. The school is accredited by NYSAIS and Türkiye's Ministry of Education, and it awards a Turkish diploma (Lise Diploması).

Exam Results
Robert College is accredited by NYSAIS and Türkiye's Ministry of Education. It offers a Turkish diploma (Lise Diploması) and Advanced Placement courses taught in English, alongside the national curriculum. In 2023-2025, the Class of 2025 posted an SAT average of 1446. About 99% of AP test-takers score 3 or higher on at least one AP exam.

Higher Education Progression
Graduates matriculated to universities around the world in 2023-2025, including the University of Sydney (Australia), McGill University, University of British Columbia, University of Toronto, Western University (Canada), City University of Hong Kong, Sciences Po Paris, École Polytechnique, Sciences Po Paris, Imperial College London, Trinity College Dublin, Bocconi University, Delft University of Technology, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, and other leading institutions in Europe, North America, and Asia.

Gifted and Talented
RC Scholar is Robert College's program for high-achieving students. It emphasizes a 28‑quality framework, guiding students to act with integrity, balance academics and lifestyle, lead with dignity, and embrace multidisciplinary knowledge, critical thinking, and lifelong learning. RC Scholars are encouraged to become inclusive leaders and changemakers across diverse backgrounds.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
Counseling helps students understand themselves and their world so they can make sensible decisions; the Counseling Department cooperates with students, parents and teachers to identify difficulties, find solutions, and reflect on outcomes. Group and individual counseling is offered for study methods, anxiety, peer pressure, communication skills, decision making, and career choices. Academic follow-up and individual counseling are provided, along with tests and surveys to assess interests and skills. Psychological counselors are specialists trained in child protection and they will take necessary measures if a student's safety or health is at risk; communication with parents and students is welcomed.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
RC Experience includes an understanding that respects different learning abilities and supports areas of interest and skills.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
English is an additional language for our students and fluency is a primary goal. The English Department teaches a spectrum of language and literature skills and emphasizes 21st Century Fluencies. The program focuses on thoughtful reading, writing, speaking fluent English, and the use of technology to research and produce rigorous academic work.

Mental Wellbeing
Psychological counseling services promote students' development and well-being. Counseling aims to help students understand themselves and their world and to support their learning and decision making, with counselors working with students, parents and teachers. The services include group and individual counseling and are supported by specialists trained in child protection; communication with parents and students is encouraged to ensure well-being.

Safeguarding
The policy puts the safety and well-being of students at the center of Robert College's work. Safeguarding requires a coordinated approach and is everyone's responsibility. The school provides a safe, welcoming, caring, positive and stimulating environment that promotes social, physical and psychological development, free from discrimination or bullying.
Parent Experience

History
Robert College is the oldest continually-running American school outside the United States. It opened in 1863 to educate boys, and in 1871 the Home School, which would become the American College for Girls (ACG), was established. In 1971, Robert Academy and ACG merged to form a co-educational Robert College, and the university division at Bebek was handed to the Turkish government to become Boğaziçi University. The founding was led by Dr. Cyrus Hamlin with support from Christopher Rhinelander Robert, and four students were admitted on September 16, 1863, in Bebek. RC has since introduced milestones such as the first student council in 1892 and the first basketball game in 1908.

Community
Education at Robert College is bilingual in English and Turkish. Some courses are taught in Turkish as required by the Ministry of National Education, and French and German are also offered. The school emphasizes high standards for both academic and social development, with a student-centered approach that invites student input on school operations through projects. Psychological counseling services support student development and well-being.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
Robert College has a Parents Association that supports school life and fundraising. The Parents Association is listed as a donor in the RC Honor Roll. The Institutional Advancement Office leads development activities, including an Annual Giving Campaign, and works with committees made up of class representatives and other volunteers. The office coordinates alumni events, class meetings, and special events such as Homecoming, which occurs annually. The Parents Association participates in the RC community alongside these initiatives.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
Robert College's campus blends historic buildings with modern learning spaces. Learning occurs across state-of-the-art classrooms and outdoor learning environments, with hands-on experiences in physics, chemistry and biology laboratories. The campus combines tradition and innovation in education. As part of regenerative education, half of the campus remains dedicated to natural spaces, fostering a deeper connection with the environment.

Sports Facilities
The founders of Robert College believed that developing the body is just as important as developing the mind. Therefore, sports has been an integral part of the Robert College experience since the school's inception. Today, the Robert College campus hosts a variety of sports facilities for every level of enthusiast—from casual workouts to serious athletes. From casual workouts to serious athletes, the facilities support students across athletic activities.

Academic Facilities
Robert College provides state-of-the-art classrooms and outdoor learning environments. Students have hands-on experiences in physics, chemistry and biology laboratories. The campus blends tradition and innovation in education. The İbrahim Bodur Library is a hub of creative learning and research that supports collaborative and individual study. The Library has wireless internet, two networked printers, iMacs and iPads. RC Librarians assist students and collaborate with faculty for research enquiries, guidance on information literacy and citation, in English and Turkish.

Extra Curricular Facilities
There are over 100 co-curricular activities in Robert College that span art, sports, technology and writing. Clubs help students develop social awareness, technical knowledge and life skills. Students publish their work in Martı, Bosphorus Chronicle, Köprü and Tarih and gain experience in Turkish and English through stage performances, dance and playwriting. Robert College students achieve recognition in international events, such as winning medals at the World Scholar's Cup in Barcelona and competing in the FIRST Championship in Houston. The girls volleyball team placed first in their group in Turkey semi-finals.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
Robert College offers over 100 co-curricular activities spanning art, sports, technology and writing. These activities enable students to discover new interests and strengthen their skills through clubs, community service, environment, art, music, festival and adventure trips, robotics and philosophy. Five World Scholar's Cup teams won 63 medals in Barcelona and advanced to the Tournament of Champions at Yale University, while the robotics team has competed in international events such as the FIRST Championship in Houston, Texas.

Arts & Creative
Art and music are central to RC's arts education. Students begin with two hours per week of art and music in the Prep year, with creative art classes during Prep; in 11th or 12th grade they may take additional art and music courses, and all students take at least one elective art course for graduation; the language of instruction in art courses is English. Art activities extend beyond the curriculum through co-curricular activities, clubs, concerts and competitions. There is an exceptional orchestra, RC Singers choir, and clubs focusing on various instruments, plus the Modern Music Production Club that blends art with technology.

Cultural & Language
The Social Sciences Department hosts a World Philosophy Day conference each year for high schools in Istanbul, providing a forum to explore contemporary philosophical themes. The department also supports participation in national and international philosophy competitions. The department supports students in a variety of clubs including European Youth Parliament, World Scholars Cup, Debate, Model United Nations, Philosophy Club, Table Tennis, Ottoman Turkish and Interact Club, as well as Community Service Projects.

Social & Hobbies
There are over 100 co-curricular activities spanning art, sports, technology and writing, with opportunities to engage in festival and adventure trips, as well as student publications. Students express themselves through publications such as Martı, Bosphorus Chronicle, Köprü and Tarih and take part in stage performances and related arts activities. The program also includes clubs and activities focused on writing, debate, and other creative and intellectual pursuits.

Community & Service
CIP is education beyond academics. Students complete at least 75 hours of social service work to receive their diploma, developing communication, problem solving and business skills while fostering a sense of responsibility to others. CIP emphasizes student-initiated, real-world projects and social leadership, helping graduates become socially responsible active citizens.

Leadership & Professional
Robert College prepares students to lead in their communities and beyond. The Student Council and Berker Fellows are leadership groups on campus. MUN (Model United Nations), EYP (European Youth Parliament) and Junior Achievement give students a sense of global leadership, while encouraging them to question and stand for what is right in any setting.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
The school runs a comprehensive sports program with school teams and sports clubs to promote healthy living. Coaches emphasize responsibility, respect for self and others, fair play and dedication, helping students develop school spirit and a positive learning environment. Students are encouraged to pursue both individual and team activities to discover their potential across disciplines.
Languages

Language Provision
All students complete a compulsory English Prep year. During this year, English language and literature are heavily emphasized to prepare for English-medium study. Mathematics, science, computer science, art and music are taught in English, while Turkish language and literature are taught in Turkish. French or German is studied as a second foreign language.

Bilingual Teaching
English is the medium of instruction in Mathematics, science, computer science, art and music. Turkish language and literature is taught in Turkish.
Admissions

Admissions
1. MSP-based admission: Admission is based on the Central Exam Score (MSP) from the Ministry of National Education for 8th-grade students taking the LGS. The school admits students within the announced quota, using MSP to determine eligibility. If MSP is changed by the Ministry, the final ranking uses the last official score published by the Ministry. The school is not an international school and operates as a local high school in Istanbul.

2. Eligibility and scoring: To be eligible for registration, the MSP must have been achieved and the score must be equal to or above the school's posted base score. The MSP result is determined from the central exam results and can be accessed directly from the official results page or via an official exam document provided by the parent, as applicable.

3. Pre-registration and ranking: In each admission period, candidates with MSP at or above the posted base score may submit pre-registration. Applicants are ranked from highest MSP to lowest MSP. If MSP scores are tied, tie-breakers are applied in order: OBP, then the 8th-grade year-end score, then the 7th-grade year-end score, and then the 6th-grade year-end score; if still tied, the younger student is given priority or the final decision may be made by lottery.

4. Final registration: The school admits as many students as the announced quota. Those admitted must enroll in the mandatory Preparatory class. Final registrations occur on campus, after contracts are signed and the first tuition payment and bank arrangements are completed. The registration process also requires the submission of required documents and adherence to the school's registration calendar.

5. Preparatory class and language placement: A language level placement test is administered before the new school year to balance Preparatory class sections and determine language levels. The placement test does not determine whether the student may skip the Preparatory class, and the parent cannot request skipping based on a high score on the placement test.

Scholarships
Robert College funds scholarships through the Scholarship Fund. Currently, 26% of students receive financial aid. An annual scholarship donation covers the cost of one year's tuition for a day or residential student, with donors or classes encouraged to commit to this scholarship for a duration of 5 years or in multiples thereof, ensuring the assigned student's tuition is fully covered throughout their journey at Robert College. Endowed Scholarships provide ongoing support to a student through income generated by the fund, with a minimum gift of $250,000, pledged to be completed over four years, and the principal retained in the RC Endowment for perpetual support. Other funds include Beyond Tuition Fund, Residential Support Fund, Environmental Initiative, Technology, and General Funds.
School Events
The school has not added events
Search for more schools
Search schools in Turkey View all schools in Istanbul View all schools in Turkey American curriculum schools in Turkey Open days & tours in Istanbul What is the American curriculum? View all schools Search all schools