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Liceo Italiano di Istanbul

Turkey, Istanbul

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The school at a glance
Instructs in Italian, Turkish, English
Fees TRY 300 - 550,000
Ages Not listed
Type Co-educational
Opened 1888
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum IB (PYP), IB (MYP)
Taught languages Italian, Latin, English, Turkish, Spanish, French, German
Strengths Languages, STEM, Outdoor Education
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language
Stages Middle School, Secondary School, High School
Introduction

IMI Istanbul is a private Italian lyceum (Özel İtalyan Lisesi) in Beyoğlu, Istanbul, affiliated with Italy. It offers a combined Scuola Media and Liceo Scientifico programme aligned with the Indicazioni Nazionali for Italian lyceums abroad. For Italian students, the curriculum runs four years, with a second biennium option (Turco‑Matematico) prioritising humanities. Turkish students study largely in Italian with Turkish guidance; two-thirds of lessons are in Italian and one-third in Turkish, with English available for conversation or advanced study in certain subjects. The school includes a preparatory year and CLIL and ICT components, with emphasis on multilingualism and competency certification. Facilities include laboratories for Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Informatics and CAD, a 110-seat theatre, two outdoor sport fields and a covered gym; classrooms feature touch-screen monitors, wifi, and a tablet program. Extras include after-school clubs, counseling, university and study-abroad assistance, summer programs, and exchanges. Extracurriculars span theatre, MUN, sports, music, ecology, and travel exchanges.

Tomtom, Tomtom Kaptan Sk. No:3, 34433 Beyoğlu/İstanbul, Türkiye

The Essentials

Liceo Italiano di Istanbul has instruction in Italian, Turkish, English.

Location
Beyoğlu, Istanbul, Turkey. Tomtom Kaptan Sokak No. 3, 34433 Beyoğlu, Istanbul, Turkey.

Stages
Scuola Secondaria di Primo Grado (middle school) and Liceo Scientifico Statale I.M.I. Istanbul. The Liceo has two study tracks: Scientific and Turkish-Mathematical, and is preceded by a preparatory year called 'Classe preparatoria' to learn Italian. The curriculum emphasizes Italian, Turkish, and English language learning.

Type
Private Italian lyceum (Özel İtalyan Lisesi) in Beyoğlu, Istanbul.

Additional learning support
The school promotes inclusive education and provides pathways to support students with learning difficulties, social disadvantage, and disabilities.

Country affiliation
Italy

School day structure
For Scuola Media, the day runs 08:00 to 14:00 with six lessons (1st 08:00–09:00, 2nd 09:00–10:00, 3rd 10:00–10:50) and a pause, then 4th 11:10–12:00, 5th 12:00–13:00, 6th 13:00–14:00. There is a midday pause between 10:50 and 11:10.
Diving Deeper

Food Options
Mensa is available on site as a self-service cafeteria. The meals are self-service and the cost is borne by the families.

Governance and Ownership
The school is Liceo Italiano IMI. Governance is led by Dirigente Scolastico Prof. Giuseppe Finocchiaro, Preside Prof. Özgür Doğu, and Vicepreside Prof.ssa Nida İntiba; the General and Administrative Director is Giovanni Ubaldo Rosa. The Organigramma lists class coordinators for 2025/2026 and department coordinators, reflecting the school's formal leadership and organizational structure.
Fees

Annual tuition at Liceo Italiano di Istanbul ranges from TRY 300 to TRY 550,000 for 2026/27.

Application / registration fee

- No separate application fee is published. Italian-citizen students are required to pay a one-off contribution of EUR 300 when a full tuition exemption is applied.

Tuition fees (annual amounts) — fees shown include VAT where indicated

- Preparatory class (Hazırlık): TRY 500,000.00 + 10% VAT = TRY 550,000.00 (total).
- Grade 9 (9. sınıflar): TRY 410,000.00 + 10% VAT = TRY 451,000.00 (total).
- Upper high‑school classes (Lise sınıfları): TRY 200,000.00 + 10% VAT = TRY 220,000.00 (total).

Per‑payment / per‑instalment detail (billing alternatives offered)

- Single payment: full tuition may be paid in one lump sum by credit card or by bank transfer (EFT/Havale).
- Split payment: the school accepts a 50% down payment; the remaining 50% may, where chosen, be repaid in up to 5 equal instalments via approved credit‑card or a bank credit account arrangement. Instalment facilities are available through the school's partner banks (Yapı Kredi and Garanti). Example instalment amounts if the annual total is split into five equal payments:
- Preparatory class (total TRY 550,000.00): five instalments of TRY 110,000.00 each.
- Grade 9 (total TRY 451,000.00): five instalments of TRY 90,200.00 each.
- Upper high‑school classes (total TRY 220,000.00): five instalments of TRY 44,000.00 each.

Billing schedule and payment terms

- Payment options offered: 100% single payment by credit card or EFT/Havale; or 50% up front with the possibility to pay the remainder using credit‑card instalments or a kredili mevduat (bank credit) account in up to five equal instalments. Taksit (instalment) arrangements are subject to bank approval and the school's payment plan procedures.
- The school publishes specific deadlines for payment to qualify for single‑payment discounts and for registering/renewing places; late payments or late renewals forfeit discount eligibility. Refunds of qualifying discounts are processed after the deadline and are scheduled to be issued from the month specified by the school (e.g., September).
- Bank transfer details for EFT/Havale payments are provided for the school's Yapı Kredi account (payments must include student name, surname, class and academic year in the transfer description). Credit‑card online payments are processed through the school's online payment portal and bank instalment options are limited to the partner banks named by the school.

Boarding fees

- The school does not operate a boarding programme; no boarding fees are published.

Other costs and incidental charges

- Textbooks: parents purchase all required textbooks.
- Canteen: canteen services exist but canteen charges are paid by families (not included in tuition).
- Transport: school transport is organised by the parent association; transport/bus costs are separate and billed outside the tuition.
- Insurance: student insurance for accidents/illness on‑ and off‑site is included in school services covered by the tuition.
- Extracurricular activities, certain trips and optional after‑school activities may carry additional fees; these are billed separately when applicable.

Discounts and fee reductions

- Italian‑citizen students: full tuition exemption is applied for Italian citizens; families pay a EUR 300 contribution where the exemption is applied.
- Sibling discount: a discount is applied for families with more than one child at the school (sibling discount percentage as published by the school applies).
- Staff children: children of staff receive a significant reduction (the school publishes the applicable percentage).
- Merit / language‑certificate discounts: the school offers time‑limited merit and language‑certificate discounts for certain admissions; the percentage varies by certificate level and by year of admission and is applied once according to the published schedule. Refunds for successful certificate‑based discounts are processed after the school's deadline for submitting certificates.

Refund policy (summary of applicable rules)

- Discount or certificate‑based refunds: eligibility depends on meeting the school's published conditions and deadlines; refunds that are due are scheduled for issue starting in the month the school specifies (examples note refund processing from September after the deadline). Late payments or late documentation submission disqualify entitlement to certain refunds.
- Cancellation / withdrawal and instalment refunds: registration cancellation and instalment‑refunds are governed by the national regulation cited by the school (the Special Education Institutions Regulation). The school's published procedures and deadlines for registration, renewal and withdrawal determine any instalment refunds or charges.

Accepted payment methods

- Online credit‑card payments via the school's payment portal.
- Bank transfer (EFT/Havale) to the school's Yapı Kredi account (the school requires payer to include student name, class and academic year in the payment description).
- Credit‑card instalments through the partner banks named by the school (Yapı Kredi and Garanti) and kredili mevduat (bank credit) arrangements where bank approval is granted.

Practical notes on amounts and VAT

- Published tuition figures are shown before VAT and as the VAT‑included total; VAT is calculated at 10% in the published figures and any change in the applicable VAT rate announced by the government is passed through to the tuition charged. Hourly lesson‑cost equivalents are also published by the school (calculated on a standard number of school days).

(End of fees overview.)
Academics

Liceo Italiano di Istanbul teaches IB (PYP), IB (MYP).

Curriculum
The IMI Istanbul offers a combined Scuola Media and Liceo Scientifico programme. It adopts a curriculum and timetable approximately aligned with the Indicazioni Nazionali for Italian scientific lyceums abroad, and can confer the Italian diploma to Italians and Turkish students who meet the curriculum. For Italians, the curriculum is four years, and the first year is equivalent to the first two years of Italian lyceums. In the second biennium, students can choose the so‑called Turco‑Matematico option, which differs from the Scientific track by seven weekly hours and prioritises the humanities and social sciences over the scientific domain. For Turkish students, two‑thirds of these lessons are in Italian and one‑third in Turkish; when Italian students share classes with Turkish peers taught in Turkish, they may have English (conversation) or advanced study in certain subjects (Italian and mathematics, Earth sciences). The curriculum includes CLIL and ICT components, and the school emphasises inclusive practices and the certification of competencies throughout the learner's journey.

Exam Results
To obtain the Italian diploma, admission to the next grade is governed by both Turkish and Italian assessment systems. The Italian assessment uses decimal marks, with six as passing; a conversion table translates Turkish marks to Italian standards. The Esame di Stato for the Liceo Scientifico in 2022 begins on June 22 with an Italian written paper, followed on June 23 by a mathematics written paper and then oral examinations; the Italian written component can award up to 15 points, the second written up to 10, the oral up to 25, and up to 50 points can be earned for credits. A national standard table provides the Turkish‑to‑Italian score conversion. The document also outlines the 2022 State Exam structure and scoring, including the national and local components and the requirement to combine results to determine the diploma. The State Diploma framework and conversion rules are described in the same section.

Higher Education Progression
The plan foregrounds ongoing university and career orientation, including pupil participation in university and professional orientation activities, conferences, and meetings with experts. It notes that candidates often pursue higher education in Italy, with examples of Italian universities considered by families, including Bocconi, Politecnico di Milano, and the Scuola Normale Superiore di Pisa, reflecting the school's Italian‑linked pathway. The natural continuation after completing the Liceo is to pursue higher education in Italian universities, with additional pathways outlined for cross‑border study and recognition within the Italian system.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The Psychological Counseling and Guidance Service operates within the institute, providing counseling and diagnosis on topics related to learning, developmental psychology, relationships among teachers, students and parents, and university orientation. The service is coordinated by a psychologist and a guidance counselor. Initiatives include a Listening Center offering private sessions for students, parents, and teachers to discuss emotional, relational, or learning concerns; class formation and training; the creation of an educational network with staff and families; development of individualized learning plans in collaboration with families; collaboration with class councils; university orientation; class meetings; facilitation of communication among professionals; and meetings with parents.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
The service provides diagnosis on learning and development topics and creates individualized plans to adapt learning processes to the student's characteristics and difficulties, in collaboration with the family. It collaborates with class councils to analyze cases and supports continuity of education across grade levels.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
The school is a reference point for Italian, Turkish and English languages.

Mental Wellbeing
Mental wellbeing is supported by the psychological counseling service, which offers individual and group support and coordinates with families and teachers to address emotional and developmental needs.
Parent Experience

History
Under the Ottoman Empire, Genoese, Venetians and Sicilians had permission to trade along the Golden Horn and in Galata, and education for the wealthy was provided by private tutors or foreign schools, while the poor were educated by Catholic religious. In 1861, thanks to the Italian Diplomatic Corps, a night school opened for the Italian community, followed by a nursery and elementary school. The Regia Scuola elementare e media opened in 1885 on Rue de Pologne (now Istiklal Caddesi) and was officially recognized in 1888, serving both Turkish and Italian citizens; 1888 is considered the founding year of Istanbul's first Italian state school. In 1895 the Italian Commercial Institute opened; by 1900 it offered a three-year program with a four-year course, and in 1910 a four-year liceo course was added for Turkish and Italian students, with the Italo-Turkish War interrupting activities in 1911. After WWI, the school moved to its current Tom Tom Kaptan Sokak site in 1919 and later gained official Turkish recognition as Özel Italyan Lisesi; in 1998–1999 a preparatory Italian-language class began and the middle school was gradually phased out, so today IMI includes both a lyceum and a middle school, with the lyceum offering four years in two tracks (scientific and Turkish-mathematics) and a preparatory year, the Turkish-mathematics track having been introduced in 1998.

Community
The Liceo IMI Istanbul hosts cross-cultural programs, including a language and culture exchange called Ponte Culturale tra Sudamerica e Bosforo: Missione Linguistica a Istanbul, held February 1–10, 2026, where a delegation of teachers from South American Italian-language schools visited to strengthen international cooperation and Italian-language knowledge. The mission featured Italian educators from Buenos Aires and Asunción and focused on intercultural dialogue and collaborative practice. The school also runs a traditional ski camp at Sarıkamış, held February 5–10, 2026, with 76 students guided by Turkish and Italian teachers to develop both sport and social skills. In addition, Club IMI 2024 and various travel/exchange programs (Viaggi / Scambi / Campus Estivi) are part of the school's community life, inviting participation from students and families.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
The school holds regular parent-teacher meetings (Incontri Scuola-Famiglia / Veli Toplantıları). A dedicated Parents section on the site provides calendars, school hours, communications, and admissions information to keep families informed. The Lavora con noi! page confirms the presence of parent engagement through announcements such as Incontri Scuola-Famiglia / Veli Toplantıları. The Genitori portal further supports family involvement with resources like Cominicazioni, Calendario Scolastico, Orari della scuola and Iscrizioni, as well as information on Scholarships. The site also shows a guest-student program (Uno di Noi) and a Parents area (Veliler) to facilitate ongoing family participation in school life.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
The school has laboratories for Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Informatics, and CAD, plus a music room and a 110-seat theatre (aula magna). It has two outdoor sport fields and a covered gym. Classrooms are equipped with touch-screen monitors and wifi; a video-wall is installed in the theatre, and a tablet is provided for educational use. A self-service cafeteria and a bus service are available, and there are after-school clubs and remedial activities, as well as psychological counseling and university and study-abroad assistance. There are summer programs and opportunities for student exchanges.

Sports Facilities
Two outdoor fields and a covered gym. Afternoon sports include basketball, volleyball, table tennis, and futsal.

Academic Facilities
The Liceo Italiano IMI Istanbul offers a five-year program including a preparatory class. Italian is the language of instruction in Mathematics, Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Philosophy, Italian Language and Literature, Latin Language and Literature, Drawing and History of Art, World History and Physical Education. English is the language of instruction in English Language and Literature. Turkish is the language of instruction in Geography, History, Sociology, Logic, Religious Studies and Moral Education. The curriculum emphasizes multilingualism with intensive English language courses and English literature; each student must prepare at least one research project in English annually. The Liceo consists of four sections in each academic year, with about 16-17 subjects per year and about 40 hours per week.

Extra Curricular Facilities
From the first year, students participate in a wide variety of activities such as Theater and Drama, Model United Nations, Sports, Music, Library, School Paper, Turkish Culture, Ecology, Photography, Yearbook, E-sport, and Gastronomy. Extracurricular activities include afternoon clubs and remedial activities on request. Lessons are taught by native Italian teachers, except for Turkish curriculum subjects. Afternoon sports include basketball, volleyball, table tennis, and futsal. Travel and exchange programs are available for all classes, with student stays hosted by families in reciprocal hospitality.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
The school has Robotic Competition and Invention Challenge as ongoing projects to engage students in engineering and creative problem solving. The Duke of Edinburgh's Award offers Bronze, Silver, and Gold levels and includes four to five components: Volunteering, Physical, Skills, Expedition, and Residential for Gold, aimed at developing leadership and service. The Young Masters Programme provides a four-part, distance-learning experience focused on sustainability, culminating in a Global Environmental Youth Convention. The I-SWEEP program presents international science projects, with hundreds of projects and thousands of participating students, fostering collaboration across countries.

Arts & Creative
The school has permanent clubs in the arts and creative fields, including a Rock Band Club, a Theatre Club, a Music Club, and a School Magazine Club. The Rock Band Club forms one or two bands and rehearses on Wednesdays for performances with Turkish and Italian students and teachers. The Theatre Club explores acting and stage work, while the School Magazine Club develops research and writing for publication; the Translation Club and Debate Club also build linguistic and rhetorical skills, and the Murals and other music-related activities are part of the arts program.

Cultural & Language
The school has cultural exchanges and language-learning initiatives, including a Linguistic Mission to Istanbul that strengthens international cooperation and Italian language learning. The Ponte Culturale tra Sudamerica e Bosforo brought a delegation from South American Italian schools to Istanbul to foster intercultural dialogue and linguistic immersion, using Italian as a bridge for collaboration. The program featured class observations and workshops, and the school participates in exchanges and summer campuses to promote intercultural understanding across languages and cultures.

Social & Hobbies
The school has a broad roster of afternoon clubs and activities including Gastronomy (Cooking) and the Turkish-language Theatre, Model United Nations (MUN), Rock Band, Futsal, Fashion, Debate, Chinese, After Effects, and a Musicians' Club. The programs emphasize experiential learning, collaboration across Turkish and Italian students, and intercultural exchange. Students pursue creative writing, journalism, translation, and other non-academic interests through these clubs, all designed to complement the academic program.

Community & Service
The school has community service and social projects as part of its extracurricular offering, including the Duke of Edinburgh's Award with its emphasis on volunteering and community impact. The program includes activities that develop leadership and civic responsibility, with Bronze, Silver, and Gold levels and the associated project requirements. Other solidarity and social initiatives are described in the program materials, encouraging students to contribute to the wider community through organized activities.

Leadership & Professional
The school has leadership and professional development pathways through the Duke of Edinburgh's Award and participation in Model United Nations (MUN) and debates. Students engage in MUN conferences and organized debates to develop research, argumentation, and public speaking skills, supporting admission to Turkish and international universities. The Duke of Edinburgh's Award also builds leadership, teamwork, and project management capabilities across the student body.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
The school has an annual Ski Camp (Sarıkamış) as part of its outdoor education and wellbeing program; the 2026 edition is scheduled for February 6–11, with up to 80 students and all logistics arranged through the program. The camp includes round-trip travel, hotel accommodation, and ski equipment, with options for lessons as needed. In addition, the school offers afternoon sports such as basketball, volleyball, table tennis, and futsal to promote physical health and well-being.
Languages

Language Provision
The school teaches Italian, Turkish and English. It operates under both the Turkish private-school system and the Italian state system, with a preparatory year to learn Italian. The curriculum includes two study tracks, Scientific and Turkish-mathematical. The Italian diploma is available and recognized in Italy.

Bilingual Teaching
The school is a bicultural Italian-Turkish Liceo. Education integrates Italian and Turkish cultures and languages, with linguistic mediation across the curriculum. The school aims to be a reference for Italian, Turkish and English languages.

Immersion Programs
CLIL (Content and Language Integrated Learning) pathways are offered across the curriculum. The curriculum also incorporates ICT-based teaching approaches as part of the offering.
Admissions

Admissions
1. Deadline for enrollment: February 27, 2026 at 12:00. The notice to families specifies the closing date for applications to the first year of middle school and the first year of high school. 2. Where to obtain forms: Enrollment forms are available on www.liceoitaliano.net. The forms are to be completed as part of the admissions process. 3. 4. Automatic enrollment for current students: For students already attending, enrollment is processed automatically by the office, unless a transfer and Nulla Osta request are made. 5. Documentation required: The enrollment documents include the enrollment form and attachments; copies of the passport or identity documents for both parents and the student; copies of the tax code for both parents and the student; the Turkish residence permit; the form indicating the choice to avvalersi or non avvalersi of Catholic religious instruction; any request for the aptitude exam for entry to the first class or to subsequent classes; vaccination certificate; Nulla Osta for students coming from other schools; and a printout from E-Devlet showing non-registration in the E-Okul system (only for middle school admissions). 6. Nulla Osta for cross-school enrollment: Students transferring from other schools who have completed online enrollment at an Italian school must request the Nulla Osta from the head of the chosen institution; the release of the Nulla Osta is a condition for enrollment acceptance. 7. Voluntary contribution: For enrollment of Italian students in the first year and in subsequent years, a voluntary contribution of €300 is requested to fund extracurricular activities and technology subsidies. 8. Payment details: The payment must be made to the euro-denominated account with the following details: Account name Milli Eğitim Bakanlığı Özel İtalyan Lisesi; Bank Yapı Kredi Bankası; Branch 495-GALATASARAY SUBESI; IBAN TR78000670100000085933807 (account denominated in EURO). 9. Catholic religious instruction option: The form indicating the choice to avvalersi/non avvalersi of Catholic religious instruction is to be signed by the student and the parents; the chosen option applies for the entire school year. 10. Waiting lists and data handling: If class capacity is saturated, data may be transferred to the second or third preferred school, and waiting lists may be used to fill vacancies.

Scholarships
Exemptions and scholarships are regulated by Turkish law and awarded by an internal commission (3% of the total enrolled). Additional scholarships are provided by the school's sponsors.

Waitlist
Waitlists may be used to fill vacancies when classes are full. If admission cannot be offered immediately, the school may use waiting lists and may transfer enrollment data to second or third preferred institutions to facilitate placement.
School Events
The school has not added events
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