Facts & History

Istanbul International Community School (IICS) is one of Europe’s most noteworthy independent schools. IICS is an independent, co-educational day school, offering a full IB program from pre-kindergarten through grade 12 for international students (holders of non-Turkish passports). Founded in 1911, it is one of the oldest international schools in the world.

With nearly 100 years of academic excellence, IICS offers impressive facilities, a friendly environment, engaged and enthusiastic students, and an involved parent body.

HISTORY

1911
The Robert College Community School (RCCS) was formally founded in 1911 to provide education for the children of Robert College's foreign faculty members. Though 1911 is the official establishment date of RCCS, it is said to have existed informally for many years prior to this date. In either case, this makes it one of the oldest, international school in the world. There is no existing record of where the school was located in 1911, though it is thought to have been in Anderson Hall, on the campus of what is now Bosphorus University.

1914
The school was closed during World War I.

1919
The school began accepting all international students in Istanbul.

1939
The school was closed for the duration of World War II.

1945
Under the newly established republic, the school received permission from the Turkish Ministry of Education to establish a primary school for the children of foreign nationals.

1955
The school was temporarily closed.

1958
The school moved to its main building in Rumeli Hisar.

1960
The school expanded to include grades 1-8.

1979
RCCS formally separated from Robert College and changed its name to the Istanbul Community School.

1980
A volunteer governing board of parents was created and convened for the first time in March 1980.

1985
The school's name was officially changed to the Istanbul International Community School (IICS). On December 18th, the main building of the school burned down (no one was injured). This main building had been the childhood residence of the first full-time editor of National Geographic Magazine, Gilbert Hovey Grosvenor, whose father once taught at Robert College. Following the loss of the main building, IICS acquired what was later known as "the Corner House" and "the Kuran Building". IICS also constructed prefabricated classrooms on the site of the main building, which were used until the Marmara Campus was built.

1987
IICS received permission from the Turkish government to form a corporation.

1989
IICS' incorporation was granted permission to operate a school for foreign nationals under the supervision of the Government Planning Organization.

1991
Headmistress Carol Fonger retired and new Headmaster Ken Hillman took over.

1996
Due to considerable growth, plans for a second, purpose-built campus were made.

1997
IICS was authorized by the IB to offer the Middle Years Program for grades 7-10. This made IICS one of the first schools in the world authorized for all three of the IB programs.

IICS was internationally accredited by the Council of International Schools (CIS).

1998
IICS' first class of grade 12 students graduated. For a list of universities to which IICS students have been accepted, click here.

1999
IICS opened its 16 hectare Marmara Campus, located 25 miles west of the city center amid rolling hills, overlooking Buyukcekmece lake. The IICS Marmara Campus serves students from 3-18 years old (grades PK-12). The Hisar Campus continued to serve students from 3-9 years old (grades PK-3).

2001
Headmaster Luis Alfonso took over for Ken Hillman.

2002
IICS was internationally accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, making it the only PK-12 international school in Istanbul globally recognized by European and American accrediting organizations.

2004
IICS joined the Central and Eastern European Schools Association (CEESA).

2005
Headmaster Jeremy Lewis took over for Luis Alfonso.

2007
IICS was re-authorized by IB.

2008
IICS was re-accredited by CIS and NEASC.

2009
After increasing enrolment by 30% from 2004-2009, IICS expanded the Marmara campus, constructing a new gym and multipurpose building, a new art atelier building on the south lawn, expanded the library to nearly double the size, designed a new centrally located college counseling office, and created a new secondary student lounge. 

2010
Headmaster Peter Welch took over for Jeremy Lewis.

Due to steadily increasing enrolment and the need for additional classrooms, IICS constructed early childhood center for Preschool and Prep classes on the south lawn. 

IICS launched a 1-to-1 laptop program in August 2010 which provides each student in grades 6-12 with a free netbook computer to use. All classrooms on both campuses were outfitted with data projectors. Many classrooms were also outfitted with interactive whiteboards.