Located in Sarıyer, Istanbul, Darüşşafaka Schools (also known as Darüşşafaka Eğitim Kurumları) is a historic boarding institution operating under the Turkish national education system. Unlike standard private schools, it is uniquely defined by its historic philanthropic mission, providing full scholarships, residential care, and comprehensive education to talented students of limited financial means who have lost one or both parents. This dedicated focus on educational equality and social mobility makes it an exceptional, purpose-driven community within Istanbul's academic landscape.
What teachers and parents say
Positives
- All-inclusive full scholarships that cover tuition, boarding, nutrition, healthcare, and university bursaries, offering life-changing opportunities for disadvantaged families.
- Extensive campus infrastructure and extracurriculars, offering high-quality STEM laboratories, robotics workshops, and diverse arts and sports facilities.
- Strong English language education combined with holistic student development that builds self-reliance, social consciousness, and a tight-knit lifelong alumni network.
Negatives
- Emotional challenges of boarding at a young age, with parents noting difficult adjustment periods, homesickness, and strict dormitory discipline for 10-year-olds.
- Demanding staff workload and compensation issues, where teachers report heavy duties—including boarding supervision—relative to private-school compensation levels.
- Address
- Darüşşafaka Mah. Darüşşafaka Cad. No:5/9 SarıyerIstanbul, 34457Turkey
- Website
- www.dek.k12.tr
- [email protected]
- National education system
- Turkey
- Enrollment
- 1,038
- Faculty
- 163
- Boarding
- Boarding
