The Guide
Sat, 16 May 2026

Cities / Istanbul / Robert College

Robert College

Historic American-Turkish flagship in Arnavutköy, Beşiktaş. High school only (Y9-Y12).


Curriculum
IB, American
Fees, annual
TRY 744–1729k
Ages
14 to 18
Pupils
~1,000
Founded
1863

Fee Age Type Amount
Hazirlik / Prep Year 13 Annual TRY 1,728,900
Grade 9 14 Annual TRY 1,622,000
Grade 10 15 Annual TRY 1,126,100
Grade 11 16 Annual TRY 952,200
Grade 12 17 Annual TRY 743,600
5-Day Boarding & Meals (annual) One-time TRY 427,700
7-Day Boarding & Meals (annual) One-time TRY 631,300

  • Listed consistently among Turkey's most selective high schools, alongside Üsküdar American Academy and Koç. Admits roughly the top 0.3 percent of the national high-school entrance exam.
  • US college outcomes draw the loudest praise. One commenter said the school sends students to "Harvard Yale Princeton MIT Stanford" every year, with strong financial-aid placements abroad.
  • Teachers at the school are described as well-supported. One international teacher said students are "hardworking and respectful" and the campus and housing are beautiful.
  • The school requires Turkish-language proficiency for entry. Dual-citizen families with weaker Turkish are repeatedly told the entrance test is the binding constraint.
  • Co-curricular life is unusually broad. Over 130 student-led clubs are commonly cited.
  • The Bebek campus is described as the best-located among Istanbul's elite high schools. Some students describe a high-pressure peer culture given the selectivity.

Head of school

Whitman Shepard

Whitman Shepard became Head of School at Robert College in 2025, bringing decades of leadership and teaching experience in Türkiye and abroad. He attended schools across Türkiye, including the Robert College Community School in Istanbul, and earned a B.A. in Mathematics from Middlebury College in 1977. After teaching assignments in Swaziland and Tarsus American College, he joined Robert College in 1983 as a mathematics teacher. He later served as Head of Üsküdar American Academy from 2001 to 2010. Mr. Shepard brings to his leadership a deep understanding of Turkish and international education, along with a lifelong commitment to learning, community, and global citizenship.

Accreditations

  • Council of International Schools 01

  • SAT average for class of 2025 1446

Arnavutköy, Kuruçeşme Cd. No:87, 34345 Beşiktaş/İstanbul, Türkiye

School website