Aka School (AKASCH)

Aka School was founded in 1999. Aka School is a private co-educational school, offering a bilingual college preparatory education to students aged 5-18. The school is governed by the legislation set out by the Turkish Ministry of Education, which also accredits the school. The school follows the official Turkish curriculum and syllabuses. The total number of students is 277.

English starts in the primary school and continues throughout the high school. Starting form grade 5, German is taught as a second foreign language. Aka School started to implement the International Baccalaureate Certificate programmes PYP and MYP and also is a candidate IB Diploma School and planning to offer Diploma Programme on September 2004.

The campus at Aka School, situated on the European side of Istanbul, includes a conference hall all equipped with projection system. Aka School affords its students and teachers a wide range of educational and social facilities including library, computer laboratory with Internet access, science laboratories, cafeteria and an observatory. The school astronomy club designs projects about sky, stars and solar prominence. A wide variety of sporting activities take place everyday in the gymnasium. Extra-curricular sports activities are available for students and teachers at the weekends. Students are encouraged to participate in extra-curricular activities such as music, drama, folk dancing, art, chess, project groups, ecology and sports.

The educational philosophy of Aka School directs an “Inquiry-Based” methodology and addresses the multiple intelligences and learning styles for both young learners and the adults working with them.

Turkish nationals primarily staff the Aka School. Also there are expatriate teachers from China, Nigeria and Georgia The Aka School maintains activities for the staff, including staff development, in-service training and orientation programs. Also trainings for parents are held in the conference hall.

The Aka School school day is from 08.30 to 16.10, Monday to Friday. There are approximately 180 student learning days within two 19 week semesters from September to the following June, with a two-week break in between. The main holiday occurs during July and August.