YTU Schools (YTÜ Okulları)

The school's philosophy is built upon the "Yıldız Elements of Education," which emphasizes experience, transformation, wisdom, leadership, and well-being. It focuses on raising proactive, self-aware, and nature-friendly individuals who can balance their talents, knowledge, and feelings. The educational approach is project-oriented and experience-based, aiming to foster lifelong learning, innovation, and a deep sense of social and environmental responsibility.

The school follows the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program (IB PYP) as its primary guide, offering a curriculum that emphasizes skills development, information literacy, and project-based learning. Core subjects include Language and Literature (Turkish, English, and French), Mathematics, Science, Art (visual arts, drama, music, and design), and Physical Education and Health. The academic program is designed to be flexible and modular, utilizing both indoor and outdoor spaces to encourage exploration and hands-on learning.

The school aims to raise self-aware, responsible, and entrepreneurial individuals who are capable of designing the future and contributing to a sustainable world. Students are prepared to be active leaders who possess strong personal and social awareness, ethical values, and the ability to manage relationships in a changing global environment. The school's commitment to these outcomes is supported by its alignment with international standards, including the IB PYP candidacy, CIS membership, and the Global Schools Sustainable Schools Project.

The Counseling and Psychological Consulting Unit provides professional monitoring, evaluation, and support for the mental and emotional development of students. This unit collaborates with parents and teachers to ensure student well-being, which is a central focus of the school's educational approach. Additionally, the school implements Child Safeguarding Policies and hosts events through the Family Academy to support specific age groups.

YTU Schools operates as a private institution under the Ministry of National Education (MEB), with Turkish as the primary language of instruction and English and French taught as foreign languages. Admissions are based on available quotas, and the process involves submitting an application form via the school's website followed by an interview process that may include the counseling unit, class teachers, and English teachers. For the 2026-2027 academic year, the school is accepting applications for kindergarten and grades 1 through 4, with specific birthdate requirements for each level. Foreign students must provide a valid passport and, depending on their status, an education visa or a residence permit of at least six months.

The school operates on an academic year basis, with enrollment procedures and potential student transfers managed in accordance with MEB regulations. Specific start and end dates for the academic terms are not provided.

Located on the YTU Davutpaşa Campus, the school features sustainable, high-tech architecture integrated with historical buildings, including a functional historical bakery used for educational purposes. The campus includes specialized learning spaces such as science and technology laboratories, art workshops, music studios, drama stages, sports fields, climbing walls, and a library. Outdoor facilities consist of forest areas, cultivation zones, greenhouses, and natural play areas equipped with features like a watermill, windmill, and archeological site.

The school offers a variety of club activities, including sports such as games, gymnastics, yoga, dance, swimming, basketball, tennis, and chess. Students also have access to alternative language options during club time, such as Spanish, German, Latin, and Japanese. These activities are designed to support the school's focus on physical health, social development, and the exploration of individual passions.