Eyüboğlu Schools

In Brief

The headline. Eyüboğlu is one of Istanbul's better-known Turkish private school groups, founded in 1970, with multiple campuses on the Asian side (Çamlıca, Ümraniye, Kadıköy, Ataşehir). It was the first Turkish school accredited by CIS and runs all three IB programmes (PYP, MYP, DP). The IB pedigree is the real thing.

What it actually is. Despite the IB badge, it is a Turkish school for Turkish families that happens to teach in English alongside Turkish curriculum. Most of the student body is local. According to one former staff member, "other than the teachers, no one speaks English" outside class — so if your friend is an expat expecting a properly international peer group like the British or American schools, this isn't quite that.

Academics. Strong reputation locally. Genuinely good facilities — two observatories, a planetarium, a 150,000-volume library. IB results are decent. The differentiated learning and counsellor support are talked up by parents who like it.

What people grumble about. - Fees and fee hikes. This is the loudest complaint. Parents are angry about steep mid-year increases. One parent said the school "does not deserve the money paid." - Run as a business. A recurring theme from teachers and long-term parents: decisions feel commercial. One teacher said calls home about misbehaviour are discouraged because the school doesn't want to lose families as customers. - Staff churn and pressure. Teacher reviews are mediocre on management. Heavy unpaid overtime, weekend work. - Communication when things go wrong. Several parents report difficulty reaching senior management when they have a real issue.

Bottom line for your friend. If they're a Turkish-speaking family or a long-term expat happy for their child to be in a mostly-Turkish environment with a serious IB programme and great facilities, Eyüboğlu is a credible choice and most families seem reasonably happy. If they want a true international cohort or expect a customer-service feel for the fees they're paying, manage expectations — and pay close attention at the open day to which campus they'd be on, since experience varies a lot between them.

One practical tip. Ask current parents at the specific campus, not the group as a whole. Çamlıca, Burhaniye, Kemerburgaz and Koşuyolu all have different reputations.