The Koç School
Founded 1988
Updated July 2026
Accreditations
The Koç School is a bilingual K-12 coeducational school located in Tuzla, İstanbul, founded in 1988 by the Vehbi Koç Foundation. Accredited by the Council of International Schools (CIS), the school serves over 2,100 students across its primary, middle, and high school divisions.
Curriculum
Teaching approach
The school's educational philosophy centers on cultivating a "culture of flourishing" and guiding students to become ethical citizens and leaders. Its core values are adaptation, innovation, discernment, empathy, and integration. The school prioritizes holistic development, supporting students' physical, mental, emotional, and social-emotional well-being while fostering a global perspective guided by reason and conscience.
Programmes
The school offers a bilingual instructional program spanning Kindergarten through Grade 12, aligned with the Turkish Ministry of National Education and accredited by Cambridge Assessment International Education at the primary level. The high school curriculum includes the International Baccalaureate (IB) program alongside national requirements. Across all levels, students study core subjects such as mathematics, science, language sciences, social sciences, humanities, computer education, art, and physical education.
Outcomes
The school has a global alumni network of over 6,000 graduates. Annually, more than 240 graduates transition to leading higher education institutions, with the class of 2025 achieving 185 international and 115 domestic university placements. This track record reflects the school's success in preparing students for academic and professional leadership roles worldwide.
Student support
Learning support
The school provides comprehensive guidance and psychological counseling services across the primary, middle, and high school levels to support students' emotional well-being and social-emotional development. Additionally, the high school features a dedicated university counseling department. This unit assists students with both domestic and international university placements, career planning, and academic transitions.
Frequently asked questions(3)
- Is The Koç School a day or boarding school?
- The Koç School is a day and boarding school.
- What accreditations does The Koç School hold?
- The Koç School holds accreditations including CIS and Cambridge International.
- Where is The Koç School located?
- The Koç School is an international school in Sancaktepe, Türkiye.
Tuition & fees
No published fee schedule was found for this school.
Admissions
Admission to the school involves distinct entry pathways depending on the grade level, including a lottery (kura) system for candidate students entering Kindergarten and Grades 1 through 3. For older students, the school administers Grade 9 transfer processes and a dedicated High School Registration Process, supported by open house days. Financial options include standard tuition fees, boarding registration fees, and various institutional scholarships and discounts.
Calendar
The school's academic calendar features structured terms punctuated by annual events, including the Vehbi Koç Commemoration Day in February and graduation ceremonies in late June and early July. Throughout the year, the calendar integrates specialized academic and cultural weeks, such as Book Week in January, Math Week in March, and IT Week in May. Other notable dates include the Sevgi Gönül Art Night, the Suna Kıraç Inter-High School Story Contest, and the Mustafa V. Koç Story and Essay Writing Contest.
Facilities
About the campus
The school is situated on a 630,000-square-meter (650-acre) campus in Tuzla, where 85% of the area is preserved as green space. Sports facilities include a semi-olympic indoor swimming pool, an indoor training pool, an outdoor pool, a FIFA-certified soccer field, and an IAF-certified athletics track. The campus also features a dedicated Boarding Center, multiple libraries, separate division-level infirmaries managed by Koç Sağlık Yanımda, and an 18,400-square-meter solar power plant that supplies over 30% of the school's electricity.
Co-curriculars
Students can participate in more than 60 social responsibility projects and over 60 social activity clubs, including a dedicated Science Club. The student body publishes over 15 distinct magazines and hosts major annual events such as the Ramfest Jr. festival, a talent show, and various writing competitions. These co-curricular offerings are designed to blend science, art, sports, and technology to foster students' diverse talents and interests.
Prof. Güray ErkolDirector General
Lazar LeonDeputy Director General
Dr. Elif Kara ÖztürkHigh School PrincipalDr. Elif Kara Öztürk is the High School Principal at The Koç School. She emphasizes the school's mission to cultivate leaders equipped with a strong, well-rounded education and supports the holistic growth of students through diverse academic and social initiatives.
Meltem Önal SertkayaMiddle School PrincipalMeltem Önal Sertkaya serves as the Middle School Principal. She leads the academic team in guiding students to become ethical, productive, and sensitive leaders, focusing on a holistic approach to their academic, social, cultural, and physical development.
Dr. Demet Gören NironPrimary School PrincipalDr. Demet Gören Niron is the Primary School Principal at The Koç School. She advocates for a student-centered, holistic approach to development, prioritizing emotional well-being and the discovery of student potential within a compassionate classroom environment.
Ayşegül ÇelikDirector of Finance
Berivan Mine FerhanoğluDirector of Institutional Planning and Evaluation
CIS
Cambridge International