Russian schools in Turkey: Features and Cost of Education

Life by the sea, new opportunities for development, ease of obtaining a residence permit – the reasons for moving to Turkey can be different. Regardless of them, for families with children, secondary education will become one of the most pressing issues. Fortunately, the choice is large: in addition to Turkish and international schools, there are also Russian schools in Turkey.

Features of Russian schools

Compulsory secondary education in Turkey is 12 classes, and children go to school if they are already 5.5 years old. For Russian children, there is an opportunity to study in Russian schools in Turkey in their native language. Russian schools in Turkey adhere to the Russian education program, so children study in them for only 11 years, and go to the first grade at the age of 6.5-7 years. Upon graduation, graduates take the exam and receive a certificate of complete secondary education.

As a rule, in Russian schools, the class size does not exceed 10 people, so the learning process is most efficient. In addition to the Russian language, children learn English and Turkish. Schools often invite native teachers to teach foreign languages.

In most private Russian schools, classes are equipped with modern technology – from interactive whiteboards to video projectors, and computer classes. Grades are posted in an electronic diary, so parents always have the opportunity to monitor progress. During the extracurricular time, excursions and various types of outdoor activities are organized in schools.

Cost of education

Education in a private Russian school in Turkey will cost about 4000-6000 dollars a year. The price usually does not include stationary and uniforms. Depending on the school, lunches and textbooks may be provided for an additional fee, as well as the use of school facilities such as a swimming pool.

Also, for an additional fee, you can attend optional classes: for example, learn other foreign languages, engage in creativity, sports or music.

Russian schools in Turkey: top 5

School	Peculiarities	Tuition fee, per year
International Russian School, Antalya	Small classes (up to 10 people), international environment, boarding school, Cambridge curriculum.	From $ 4500
Classic-M, Alanya	Certified centre for taking Cambridge exams, summer language and sports camps, a branch of a school near Moscow.	From $ 4250
International Russian School. A.S. Pushkin, Istanbul	Small classes (10-16 people), excellent transport accessibility, developed infrastructure.	On request
General Education School. Hero of the Russian Federation A.G. Karlova at the Embassy of the Russian Federation, Ankara	Location in the protected area of ​​the embassy, ​​numerous circles and sections, participation in international competitions and competitions.	On request
School at the Association of Russian Culture. M.V. Lomonosov, Ankara	Experienced teachers, a school for bilingual children, modern classroom equipment, creative circles.	On request

Where can you go after graduating from a Russian school?

After graduating from a Russian school in Turkey, graduates take the Unified State Examination and receive a certificate of complete secondary education, which allows them to enter universities in Russia, Turkey and other countries.

When entering Turkish universities, children from Russian schools have an advantage: instead of the usual entrance exam for Turkish citizens, they take the YÖS exam for foreigners. The classic version of the exam includes two parts: the first one tests basic school knowledge and mathematical abilities, and the second one tests the ability to understand the Turkish language. Previously, the YÖS exam was required for admission to public universities, but over time, private universities adopted this practice.

However, the YÖS for public and private universities is different. In the latter, its content is often changed, so you cannot enter a public university with YÖS results for a private one. It is important to note that this exam is taken only for admission to the bachelor’s degree.

Some universities hosting YÖS:

• Istanbul University
• Adiyaman University
• Balikesir University
• Ege University
• Akdeniz University
• Çukurova University
• Ankara University
• Marmara University
• Yildiz Technical University
• Izmir Katip Celebi University

Private schools in Turkey

Turkey has a wide range of private schools: there are private international and Russian schools, schools at universities or embassies, bilingual schools, American or British. Children can study according to programs such as IGCSE and International Baccalaureate or the curriculum of the USA, Great Britain, France, Germany and other countries. The cost of education in private schools starts from $ 1,500 per year and can reach 15-20 thousand.

Private schools often have a swimming pool, playgrounds, dance and music studios, creative spaces, science learning labs, and more. Up to ten people usually study in classes, which positively affects the assimilation of educational material and allows you to constantly interact with teachers. Depending on the form of education (day or board), children are provided with a full hot meal two to five times a day.

Schools in Turkey have a well-developed school bus transfer system. Children are daily brought to school from home and driven back at the end of the school day. As a rule, this service is paid additionally – $ 15-60 per month, depending on how far from the school you live.

Language courses, cultural centres and camps for Russians in Turkey

Turkey is a popular destination among Russians not only for tourism, but also for permanent residence, so there are many educational programs for children from Russia in the country.

Options for educational programs in Turkey:

• Language classes
• Summer and sports camps
• Preparation for international exams
• Mugs (creative, sports, scientific, etc.)
• Preparation for admission to local universities
• Preparation for school
• Studying Russian culture

In cultural centres, you can attend language courses, where the child will not only learn to read and write in Russian but will also participate in various activities: visit a ballet studio, drawing, a theatre group, do gymnastics, music, needlework. Teachers in such centres are most often invited by specialists from Russia or the CIS countries, for whom Russian is their native language.

Also, such centres offer courses in Turkish as a foreign language, so that it would be easier for children from Russia to adapt to the new environment and, possibly, start studying in a Turkish educational institution.

In large cities such as Istanbul, Ankara, Antalya or Alanya, summer and sports camps for children are organized at schools and educational centres. There you can learn foreign languages ​​(English, German, French, Turkish, etc.), and go in for sports and outdoor activities. As teachers, many camps invite native speakers from the UK and the USA.

Children are provided with all the conditions for a comfortable and safe stay, full-fledged three to five meals a day are provided. Campuses are usually located in historical locations or in picturesque places on the seashore. The entertainment program includes excursions, trips to the water park, boat trips, and visits to ancient cities and national parks.

FAQ

Does religion influence teaching in Turkish schools?

Turkey is a secular state, but in public and private schools, Muslim children attend religious classes. For children from non-religious families or representatives of other faiths, attendance at such lessons is optional.

In Russian schools in Turkey, children study in accordance with the Russian education system, so there is no need to study Islam there either.

When does the school year start and end in Turkish schools?

Usually, in schools in Turkey, the school year begins in mid-September and lasts until mid-June. In Russian schools, the academic year can begin on September 1, as in Russia, and end at the end of May. Holidays in Russian schools are the same as in Russia, in addition, during some local holidays, such as Eid al-Adha, children also have a rest.

How long are the lessons and the school week?

In local schools, one lesson lasts 40 minutes, and the school week is five days long. Saturday and Sunday are days off. In Russian schools in Turkey, the duration of the lessons, as in Russia, is 45 minutes. Classes usually start between 8:30 am and 9:30 am and end at 2-4 pm.

Study in Turkey with Allterra Education

When choosing a school abroad, many parents face a lack of information, difficulties in preparing documents or interacting with educational institutions. Allterra Education specialists are ready to help you with the selection of a school and take care of the admission process.