Istanbul International Community School (also known as IICS) is one of the oldest international schools in the world[2][3][4] and the first established in Istanbul.[5] It was one of the first schools in the world authorized to offer all three International Baccalaureate programs.[6][7][8]
Founded in 1911, the independent, non-profit, non-sectarian school offers co-edK–12 education.[6][9] As of August 2018, the school's total enrollment was 525,[9] with more than 60 nationalities represented.[10] Due to legal requirements, only holders of non-Turkish passports are eligible to apply to the school.[11]
History
IICS was founded in 1911 during the reign of Sultan Mehmed V in the Ottoman Empire. The school was initially named Robert College Community School (RCCS) and served as the sister school to Robert College (RC) for the education of RC faculty members' children.[8] Initially, the school was located in Anderson Hall, which was then part of Robert College and is now part of Boğaziçi University. The land was bought by Robert College founder Cyrus Hamlin from Ahmed Vefik Pasha in 1861.[12] During World War I and II, RCCS was temporarily closed on multiple occasions.[12]
The RCCS student body in 1928.
In 1958, RCCS moved to the Grosvenor House near the present-day Hisar Campus. The house was named after Gilbert Hovey Grosvenor, who was born in the house, and whose father Edwin taught at Robert College.[12] The school remained primarily in the Grosvenor House until it burned down on 18 December 1985.[12] RCCS was renamed Istanbul International Community School in 1979 to reflect that it was now open to all expatriate students.
The primary building at the Hisar Campus, known as the White House, was originally built for an English merchant family in the early 20th century. The house had first been used in the 1969–70 academic year.[12] The ginkgo tree still found at the Early Years playground here is believed to be the first ginkgo tree in Turkey, and originally arrived from London's Kew Gardens.[12]
Campuses
The school is located on two campuses:
Hisar Campus
The smaller Hisar Campus is part of the school's original grounds and is closer to the city center. The 2048 m2 wooded campus overlooks the Rumelian Castle (Turkish: Rumeli Hisarı) in the city's Sarıyer district and serves students from preschool to grade 3. Facilities include a library, PE and music room, rubberized basketball court, football pitch, climbing wall, and two playgrounds.[6][13]
Marmara Campus
The school's primary, purpose-built campus is located 25 miles (40 km) west of the city center in Karaağaç, Büyükçekmece. The 16 hectare (40 acre) campus which opened in 1999[12] caters to approximately 75% of the student body[11] and is home to 30+ classrooms and a separate Early Years building.[6] An "automated library/media center, music rooms with practice studios, a purpose-built art atelier, a theater and outside amphitheater...2 gymnasiums, outside basketball/tennis courts, and a regulation-sized sports pitch" are available for use.[6][13]
English is the language of instruction and the overall curriculum is international in nature. Turkish language and culture is taught, while students can choose either French, Spanish, or German to study as a foreign language.[6] For students who have not yet achieved satisfactory English fluency, English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) is offered instead of French/Spanish/German.
Technology is widely integrated into the curriculum with iPads being used through grade 1 and MacBooks being used from grade 2. All classrooms feature interactive whiteboards.[6]
