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Strengths STEM, Visual and Creative Arts, Languages
Clubs Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language, Community and Service
Stages Secondary School, Sixth Form
Introduction
SEV American College is a private high school in Istanbul, Turkey, established in 2014 as part of the SEV network of schools. It is an IB Diploma Programme World School, offering the IB DP with six subjects from six disciplines, three at Higher Level, plus the programme's core requirements. In the upper grades, students select courses from sciences, languages, individuals and societies, mathematics, the arts, or other groups, with emphasis on cross-disciplinary learning and multilingual study. English is the language of instruction; Turkish Language and Literature and Social Sciences are taught in Turkish, with German, Spanish and French available as second languages. The campus covers 14,500 square meters in Çekmeköy and includes 40 equipped classrooms, science laboratories, an art center, a music center, two computer labs, an auditorium and a library with 28,000 books. SAC is pursuing AP Exam Center status for 2026-27 and offers AP courses in upper grades.
SEV American College has instruction in English, Turkish.
Location
SEV American College is located at Nişantepe Mah. Kerem Sok. No:5-9 Çekmeköy, Istanbul 34794, Turkey. It sits in the Çekmeköy district on the Asian side of Istanbul.
Stages
Secondary school (high school). Grades 9–12; IB Diploma Programme.
Type
Private high school.
Country affiliation
Turkey
Bus service
Minibus service is provided to students at cost. Buses and drivers adhere to state guidelines; set routes are available for faculty and staff.
Fees
Annual tuition at SEV American College ranges from TRY 955,500 to TRY 975,000 for 2026/27.
Application fees - No separate, non‑refundable application fee is published; completion of registration requires payment of the school fee at the time of registration.
Tuition fees (by year group and payment format) - Latest publicly reported figure available for the high‑school preparation year (Hazırlık / Prep): Taksitli (installment) price reported at TRY 975,000; peşin (single payment) price reported at TRY 955,500. These figures are the published reported amounts for the recent reporting period. - No complete, itemized per‑grade fee schedule (per term / per year group) for the 2025/26 or 2026/27 academic years was found in the school's registration documents made publicly available; the school's registration guidance and parent financial information reference payment plans and rules but do not publish a full per‑grade fee table in the publicly posted documents.
Billing schedule and payment terms - Registration is completed once the school fee is paid and registration contracts are signed; payment of the declared fee at registration is required. - Typical payment options historically offered include: - Single (peşin) payment with a reduced peşin amount option. - Installment plans shown in school communications (examples used in prior years): 1+4, 1+6, 1+9 installment structures (meaning an initial payment plus the remaining installments). - Electronic invoicing for the academic year issued in equal monthly portions (example: 10 equal electronic invoice installments covering September–June). - Late payment: past communications apply contractual late‑payment terms to overdue installments (example: monthly vade farkı/late charge applied to missed installments in earlier notices).
Boarding fees - SEV American College operates as a day school in its published materials; no boarding / residential (yatılı) program or boarding fee schedule is published for the institution. No boarding fee line items are listed in the school's registration and information materials.
Other costs and typical additional charges - Families should expect additional, separate costs commonly charged by international/foreign high schools in the same market, including: school uniform, daily food/lunch, transport (servis), stationery and books, exam and extra‑curricular activity fees. These ancillary charges have been reported to add materially to the total annual cost at comparable schools. - The school's prior parent financial letters and registration guidance note that some services and charges are handled separately from the tuition invoice; specific amounts for uniforms, transport, meals or optional activities are not published as a consolidated public fee table in the materials examined.
Refund information - Refunds are administered in accordance with the Turkish Ministry of Education special‑education / private‑schools regulation (Özel Öğretim Kurumları Yönetmeliği). The rule applied in the school's registration guidance states: if a student withdraws before the school year starts, the annual fee is refunded except for a 10% retained portion; if the student withdraws after the year begins, the amount retained is the 10% plus the pro‑rata amount for the days attended (the remaining portion is refunded under the regulation's formula). Exact refund calculations follow the regulation text included in the school's registration materials.
Fee payment options (methods accepted) - Bank transfer to the school's corporate account (example bank and IBAN have been used in school communications). - Cash or payment through on‑site bank representatives at registration (historically possible at the time of registration). - Credit card payments with installment options via the partner bank; prior notices specify credit‑card instalment programs (Worldcard options permitting multi‑month installments such as 5, 7 or 10 installments subject to bank conditions). - Bank loan/financing channel (TEST system) arranged through the partner bank to spread payments over approved installment plans; customers using this route must apply through the bank prior to registration.
Other payment‑related notes - A sibling discount has been included in prior communications: a standard discount scheme provided a 10% tuition discount for second and subsequent SEV students in the same family, except where the sibling already receives a financial support bursary.
Note on availability of full per‑grade figures - The school's publicly posted registration documents and parent financial letters include payment methods, installment patterns, refund rules and past example amounts, but a complete, itemized per‑grade, per‑term fee schedule for the 2025/26 or 2026/27 academic year was not published in the publicly available materials examined. The only widely reported recent published tuition number available in public press reporting was the prep‑year figure noted above; full per‑grade breakdowns and term‑by‑term published tables were not located in the school's publicly posted registration documents.
Academics
SEV American College teaches IB (DP).
Curriculum
The school offers the IB Diploma Programme (IBDP) and is an authorized IBDP World School. In the IBDP, students select six subjects from six groups of disciplines, three at Higher Level. The six groups are: 1 Studies in Language and Literature; 2 Language Acquisition; 3 Individuals and Society; 4 Sciences; 5 Mathematics; 6 The Arts or another subject from one of the above groups. The students also fulfill three core requirements and are encouraged to connect learning across disciplines, become self-learners, and engage in multilingual study. The school offers an Advanced Placement (AP) Program and is pursuing AP Exam Center status to host AP examinations on campus starting in the 2026–2027 academic year. For the upper grades (11th and 12th), SAC provides a wide range of AP courses whose university-level work is recorded on transcripts.
Student Teacher Ratio
Enrollment for 2024-2025 was 607 students with 75 teaching staff, giving an approximate student-teacher ratio of about 8:1. Average class sizes range from 16 to 22 students per class by grade (Prep Year: 16; Grade 9: 22; Grade 10: 20; Grade 11: 20; Grade 12: 17).
Exam Results
IB Diploma Programme results: SAC'25 graduates completed the IBDP Diploma with scores above the world average.
Higher Education Progression
Graduates have placements at universities worldwide; SAC'24 students were accepted to 93 universities worldwide, and details of Turkish and international placements are published on the Placements in Turkey page (including the list of SAC'25 acceptances).
Wellbeing
Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The SAC mission is to nurture globally-minded, well-rounded, happy individuals who contribute to society through their academic achievements and social consciousness.
Special Educational Needs (SEN)
The information on SEN provision is not described on the provided pages, so no details are available.
English as an Additional Language (EAL)
The site highlights a bilingual and bicultural approach with a strong English department, including a large share of native English speakers; specific EAL programs are not itemized beyond this emphasis.
Mental Wellbeing
A Child Protection Policy aligned with UN rights and CIS standards is in place to safeguard students, with the SEV Foundation responsible for safety and welfare across SEV schools.
Safeguarding
The school adheres to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and CIS Child Protection standards, implemented through a comprehensive Child Protection Policy at SEV foundations-wide.
Admissions
Admissions
1. Base admission score and Preparatory Class: The base admission score for 2025–2026 is 451.7918 out of 500. The Preparatory Class is mandatory and encompasses Intensive English, a Second Foreign Language, Turkish, Science, Mathematics, Visual Arts, Physical Education, Music, Information Technologies, and Guidance. 2. Registration process: Detailed information will be provided in the Admission Guide published during the registration period. Pre-registration requires the candidate's Turkish ID number, date of birth, and a mobile phone number. Admissions are based on a single score and a single quota; there is no separate gender quota. There is no boarding option; campus tours are available only on announced promotion days or through the 360-degree virtual tour. 3. Post-admission and logistics: Fees and payment details are described in the Admission Guide during the registration period. The closing score for the previous year was 451.7918. If registration is completed by someone other than the parents, a power of attorney is required; if parents are divorced, custody or power of attorney documentation must be provided. 4. Withdrawals and refunds: Withdrawals before the academic year begins are refunded the annual fee minus 10%; withdrawals after the year begins are refunded the remaining amount minus 10% of the annual fee and a days-based portion. 5. Scholarships and language: Financial Aid Scholarships are awarded according to SEV's Scholarship Regulation and may range from 10% to 100%, with annual reapplication. Sports, Arts, and Science Scholarships are also offered to eligible students and can be awarded throughout high school. 6. Language and curriculum: All courses are taught in English with Turkish culture/applied courses as exceptions; German, Spanish, or French are offered as second languages. The school offers the IB Diploma Programme and AP Programme, and CIS accreditation confirms international standards.
Scholarships
SEV American College has scholarship opportunities for students in sports, arts, and science. Resources for these scholarships come from donations and contributions from SEV. Types of scholarships vary as do the eligibility criteria and award rates. Financial Aid Scholarships are granted under the SEV Scholarship Regulation; awards range from 10% to 100% and are valid for one year with annual reapplication. Continuation requires advancement to the next grade and no disciplinary record.
FAQs
What curriculum does SEV American College follow?
SEV American College is an IB World School offering the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. Instruction is bilingual in English and Turkish, with a five-year high school programme from Prep to 12th grade.
What accreditations does the school hold?
The school is accredited by CIS (Council of International Schools) and is an IB World School. It is part of the SEV educational network governed by the Health and Education Foundation.
What is the student-teacher ratio?
With 607 students and 75 teaching staff, the approximate ratio is 8:1. Average class sizes range from 16 to 22 students depending on the grade level.
What are the tuition fees?
Tuition for the high school preparation year is approximately TRY 955,500 to TRY 975,000, depending on whether payment is made in full or in instalments.
Where is the school located?
SEV American College is in the Cekmekoy district on the Asian side of Istanbul, at Nisantepe Mah. Kerem Sok. No:5-9.
Is there a bus service?
Yes, a minibus service is provided to students at cost. Buses and drivers follow state guidelines, with set routes available for faculty and staff as well.
What languages are taught?
Turkish and English are the primary languages of instruction. Students can also study French, Spanish, or German as a second foreign language, and are prepared for TOEFL, IELTS, and Europass examinations.
Does the school have a uniform policy?
Yes, students at SEV American College wear uniforms to school as part of the daily dress code.
What dining facilities are available?
Meals are prepared on site by the food services division. A Food Committee oversees menus for nutrition and taste. The cafeteria seats 650 and serves a la carte options.
What extracurricular activities are offered?
Students participate in clubs, social responsibility programmes, sports, and arts activities. The Drama Club explores English-language theatre and participates in the annual SAC Theater Festival.
What safeguarding measures are in place?
A Child Protection Policy aligned with UN rights and CIS standards is in place. The SEV Foundation is responsible for safety and welfare across all SEV schools.
When was the school founded?
SEV American College opened in September 2014 after a thorough planning phase. It is part of the SEV network, with the foundation itself established in 1968.
What arts and creative facilities are available?
The campus includes a four-room arts centre and a four-room music centre alongside science and computer labs, an extensive library, and naturally lit classrooms.
