The History of ‘Private Italian High School’
During the Ottoman Empire period, trade was carried out in Galata and its surroundings and on the shores of the Golden Horn, with the special permissions taken from the Sultan by the Genovese, Venetians, and Sicilians. Wealthy families in the Italian communities, which are in this region for aforementioned reasons, prefer private teachers in their children’s education; however, the children of families whose financial situation was not suitable could only take lessons from Catholic clergy. ‘Private Italian High School’ was one of 16 schools opened in Istanbul between 1861-1912 to meet this need and provide education in Italian .
- Società Operaia di Mutuo Soccorso per l’Assistenza, affiliated to the Italian Government, which was an actively working institution in Istanbul in the late 19th century, pioneered the opening of the Royal primary and secondary school (Regia Scuola Elementare e Media), which started teaching in 1885. In 1885, the Italian Trade Center was added to this school. In those years, the center, which awarded a Technical School diploma at the end of a three-year education, increased its level by switching to a four-year education in 1900. Students graduating from this high school, which allowed education with the title of ‘Commercial High School’ in 1885, were able to enroll in commercial higher education institutions of the Italian Kingdom. In 1910, the school, where Latin lessons were given, was officially opened to Turkish students.
Although the education at the school was interrupted as a result of the Tripoli War that began in 1911, it continued later on. Along with the secondary school education, the Italian High School program, professional development course, Trade Center Education and foreign language preparatory class programs for students transferring from schools (where mother tongue was not Italian) were also implemented in the location of the high school building that exists today. With the proclamation of the Turkish Republic in 1924, foreign schools serving in Turkey were officially recognized on equal terms with Turkish schools, and the Italian High School became one of these. As of 1996, first the “Professional Development Course” and then the training of the Technical Trade Center were stopped gradually.
Today, Italian High School is a private high school that is directly affiliated with the state and provides four-year education. In addition, there is a secondary school within the school, which entered into force in 1997 and started to serve students in the 2003-2004 academic years. Turkish or dual citizenship Turkish students cannot attend here; only Italian and foreign students can enroll in accordance with the aforementioned law no. 4306.
What is Private Italian High School Education?
Within the Private Italian High School education, there is a one-year preparatory course offered in accordance with a high school that provides education in traditional sciences.
Secondary school education is completed in a period of 3 years and higher school education in a period of 4 years. In the beginning, the preparatory classes are opened separately for secondary and high school. The education model of the Private Italian High School has been arranged in accordance with the pedagogical structure of both Turkish and Italian cultures.
Within the school system, completely open to innovations and development, an educational process is being prepared. It’s to be compatible with the Italian pedagogy tradition, built on the human-scientific values of the Italian school, and also prepared by considering the Science-Mathematics program of the Turkish education system.
The main purpose here is to train students who have mastered the two cultures and to train young people who share common values meticulously in the fields of language, culture, and philosophy. Turkish lessons are also given within the school.
Turkish students studying at Private Italian High School (which has the status of a foreign private school in the Turkish education system and a state school in the Italian education system) are considered equivalent to Italian students subjected to the Italian education system in every respect. For this reason, they also gain the right to receive an officially valid Italian Diploma at their graduation.
On the basis of the special education offered here, there is not only the aim of gaining proficiency in the courses, but also to raise a conscious, cultured generation that has a global awareness.
The fact that the Private Italian High School does not only offer a rote-based education program is the best indication of this. There are many activities at the school aimed at supporting the personal development of students. As of today, the 5-storey school has an education building comprising an area of 600 m2 with 20 classrooms. In addition, 4 different course rooms are currently available to students. There are sufficient rooms for administrative staff, art classrooms, archive rooms, computer laboratories and library. In addition to the existing Italian and Turkish education at the school, English and Latin are also taught. Italian students can also take Turkish lessons if they wish. Basic science courses such as Mathematics, Science, Physics, Chemistry and Biology are taught by expert Italian teachers.
How to Apply for Private Italian High School?
Private Italian High School is one of the branded institutions that has a long history in Turkey and offers a very successful education program with exceptional proven quality over many years.
Private Italian High School doesn’t have its own special examination system and is instead based on the exams applied by the Ministry of National Education. Accordingly, students who want to apply to Private Italian High School must first take the exam of the MEB after secondary school. Obtaining the base score announced by the school in the placement test is a mandatory criterion for application. In the exam administered by the Ministry of National Education , candidates are asked questions in the fields of Turkish, Mathematics, Foreign Language, Religious Culture, History of Revolution and Science. Candidates with sufficient points can proceed with the application process and gain admission to the school. In this process, there is no need to prepare a preference list. Online registration is also available for those who wish to apply via this modality. However, it should be noted that this whole process is a pre-registration. By evaluating the applications made after these stages, only the students who are on the main list can make the final enrollment. The education period of the school is 5 years in total, with a one-year preparatory process. In the preparatory class, students are given 21 hours of Italian education, in addition to Turkish, English and Science lessons.
Private Italian High School’s quota is determined by the school administration every year. However, the quota is limited with an average of 80 students each year. The annual fees of the school vary from year to year.
What are the Advantages of Studying at a Private Italian High School?
In fact, the biggest advantage is to benefit from the quality education offered by the Private Italian High School and to have a special rewarding diploma at the end of the education. Graduates often benefit from the privilege of this education and diploma both in their social and academic career lives. The official valid Italian Diploma is awarded to graduate students; however, in order to be entitled to receive the diploma, students must obtain a successful result from the school’s examinations. An Italian Diploma is also valid in European Union countries, especially in Italy. In this way, students find the opportunity to be accepted easily in many universities abroad. In order to have a diploma, students must pass 3 written and 1 oral exams in the last year.
In the Private Italian High School, students also have different course options. Accordingly, Italian Turkish Science High School and Turkish Mathematics groups are evaluated according to the Turkish education system. In the system whereby an Italian Diploma can be obtained, students go through an appropriate assessment. In the groups evaluated according to the Italian grading system, the base score is 6 as the passing grade. The equivalent of this score in the education system in Turkey is between 55 and 60.
Examples of people who graduated from the Private Italian High School include:
- Aldo Kaslowski (Chairman of Organic Holding, Deputy Chairman of TÜSİAD),
- Ayşecan Tatari (Actress),
- Cinuçen Tanrıkorur (Udi, Composer),
- Çağla Kubat (European Slalom Windsurfing Champion, Model),
- Giovanni Scognamillo (Author),
- Hazal Kaya (Actress),
- Leyla Gencer (Opera Artist),
- Mehmet Gunsur (Actor),
- Dream Sunder (Pianist),
- Sedat Bornovalı (Art Historian) and
- Zeynep Bodur Okyay (Kale Holding Chairman of the Board) can be shown.
