Middle School Principal

Dear Mothers and Fathers,

In line with our vision and mission, our school is an innovative institution that integrates the Ministry of National Education curriculum with the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (IB MYP), embracing an inquiry-based and research-oriented approach to learning. Through experiential learning, we aim to raise students who build bridges across cultures, are academically strong, socially and emotionally healthy, aware of their own learning processes, independent thinkers, and respectful and sensitive to differences.

The middle school years are a unique stage in which students transition from childhood to adolescence and experience the intense effects of this developmental period. During this time, each student’s pace of growth and individual needs vary. We take care to shape our educational approaches according to these needs, recognizing and respecting individual differences.

With our rich and multifaceted curriculum and strong guidance and counseling services, we support the physical, emotional, social, and cognitive development of our students while working together to enhance their learning skills. Within the curriculum, students transform individual and group work into process-oriented projects and present their outcomes. Interdisciplinary activities, excursions, and hands-on practices make the learning process more meaningful and lasting.

Furthermore, through national and international projects, community service, student council activities, conferences, and after-school programs, we foster not only the academic growth of our students but also their social, cultural, artistic, and athletic development. Our school has a strong physical infrastructure that supports learning, including classrooms, workshops, laboratories, a gymnasium, a swimming pool, a library, and social spaces designed to meet students’ needs. This learning environment plays an important role in enhancing both academic success and social skills.

Throughout middle school, students explore their interests and talents and gain the opportunity to know themselves better through various activities. Alongside our strong English program, we also offer second foreign language courses to help them grow into multilingual, multicultural individuals with international awareness and understanding. Throughout this process, our students integrate knowledge and skills with effective communication, make meaningful use of technology, and move steadily toward their personal goals.

One of the cornerstones of our educational approach is parent collaboration. Celebrating students’ achievements together and overcoming challenges hand in hand are both of great importance to us. Open and direct communication with our parents is always a priority. Please know that our doors are always open should you wish to learn more about the opportunities we provide for our students.

Regards,

Our Educational Approach

Project-based, modern educational methods developing individual differences are used In Işıkkent Middle School, which provides student-oriented education. Educational programmes are structured by considering students’ academic, social, cultural, physical development and individual differences. Accordingly, class teachers follow each student’s academic and social development. They act as consultants in parent-student-teacher relationships.

The IB-MYP (Middle Years Programme) is applied in Işıkkent Middle School in order to enrich the Ministry of Education curriculum. With this programme, students prepare themselves for life and higher education as respectful, confident and responsible individuals who inquire, reflect and communicate effectively, who are informed about world problems, and who are aware of similarities and differences between themselves and others.

Intensive studies using different educational techniques are carried out in order for the students to be prepared for national joint exams. Studying hours are organised to provide a full education, enhance learning and offer reflection. Extra working hours are organised according to the needs of students within the weekly lesson programme. Special programmes for each student are developed and applied.

Students are guided to social awareness activities and projects. They have the opportunity to proceed in their academic and social lives by carrying out individual and group work, preparing written and oral presentations, conducting national and international projects and participating in competitions. They identify their scientific, social, cultural, artistic and sports skills in club activities and improve themselves in those areas.

English is given as the first foreign language at Işıknnet, whereas Spanish, French and Italian are the second languages the students can choose from. Foreign language teaching methods include communication, proper language use, project based learning, diverse research techniques, individual and group presentations and thematic learning. Our school believes that curiosity is the core of learning. Students enjoy lifelong learning through engaging activities, workshops, experiments and projects.

Learning Environment in Middle School

At Işıkkent Middle School, the lesson content included in the Ministry of Education programme is taught by branch teachers who are experts in their field.

Teachers apply modern teaching methods to diversify the students’ learning experiences, to provide students with an environment where they can learn through experimenting and surface their full potential.

Classrooms at Işıkkent are designed considering the various components of the learning process. Middle school classrooms provide a cozy and friendly environment where learning becomes an enjoyable process through student interaction. Classroom tools, which are accessible to all students, are designed to contribute to their development, and to support and enhance the learning outcomes.