MEF International School - Istanbul was opened in 1999 to serve the needs of the ex-patriot community in Istanbul. MEF International School has a fully authorised PYP & Diploma Program. It is well equipped to serve international students in Istanbul, and is an embodiment of its Motto, "Building Bridges Between Countries and Cultures," and its Vision, "To be a world-class school with a vision to the future."
Cambridge
International Examinations:
The Cambridge Checkpoint is a unique service and an invaluable
tool for schools and colleges. It enables
access to standardised tests that provide
feedback on a student's strengths and
weaknesses in key curriculum areas. Students
at international schools have a transferable
indication of their academic progress.
This assessment is offered to students
at Grade 8. It covers all major areas
of learning required in the first years
of an international secondary education
in three subject areas, English, Mathematics
and Science.
The International General Certificate
of Secondary Education (IGCSE) has been offered worldwide and is the
most popular international qualification
for 14 to 16 year-olds. It develops successful
students, giving them excellent preparation
for their next steps in education, including
progression to the IBO Diploma programme.
IGCSE has widespread international credibility
as an educational qualification and is
accepted by many universities and employers
worldwide. The IGCSE is a curriculum and
examination system which is taught as
a two-year course; usually through Grades
9-10. The programme takes into account
different abilities allowing teachers
to decide on the most suitable level of
the course and the examination for their
students. The curriculum and examination
has been specially designed by Cambridge
for students whose first language may
not be English. The IGCSE provides a broad
study programme (60 possible subjects)
which is offered in a balanced mix of
practical experience and theoretical knowledge.
MEFIS is currently offering 15 subjects
of which 5 are second languages and 3
are Arts. First Language exams can be
taken at anytime during the 4 years of
High School Education.
COIS/NEASC
Since May 2007 MEF International School has been a candidate status school in the accreditation process of the Council of International Schools and the New England association of Schools and Colleges. We are currently in the Self Study period which will last throughout this academic school year. The Team visit should take place in November 2008 and we hope for accreditation on successful completion from January 2009.
Accreditation would allow us to establish ourselves amongst schools in the world whose education provision fulfils benchmark international standards. The process presents the opportunity for us to review and build on current practice, improving our long-term development planning for an ever changing future.
CoIS provides a programme of evaluation especially developed for international schools which leads to accredited status with the Council. Accreditation sends out many positive messages both within the school community itself and externally to prospective parents, students and teaching staff as well as universities, governments and multinational companies. They also offer advice and guidance on establishing new international schools and other educational matters including post secondary educational planning, training for governors and assistance in teacher recruitment.
American and International schools located in foreign countries are eligible to seek regional accreditation through the NEASC’s Commission on American and International Schools Abroad (CAISA). These schools must offer an educational program at the pre-K through grade 12 level following an American-style or International program of studies using English as the primary language of instruction.
Accreditation by NEASC, recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, indicates that a school meets or exceeds established criteria within the profession for the assessment of institutional quality through a periodic process of self-study and peer review. An accredited school has the resources to achieve its stated purposes and provides evidence that its students are benefiting from the curricular and co-curricular program offered at the school. Presently, more than 160 American and International schools in 65 countries outside the United States are involved in some aspect of the NEASC accreditation process through CAISA.
ECIS
As an international school membership
organization, the European Council
of International Schools provides
services to support professional development,
curriculum and instruction, leadership
and good governance in international schools
located in Europe and around the world.
ECIS creates opportunities for education
and dialogue, encourages alliances with
other organizations, and acts as a catalyst
for the advancement of international education.
ECIS members and affiliate members serve
and support member schools through an
ongoing process of professional renewal
characterized and facilitated by networking,
research, sharing and collegiality.
NESA
The Near East South Asia
Council of Overseas Schools ("NESA") is a non-profit, voluntary association
of more than 75 international schools
in the Near East and South Asia, a region
stretching from Greece and Egypt in the
west, to Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka
in the east. Our regular member schools
follow a US-style curriculum and typically
serve students of more than three dozen
nationalities. What unites us is our commitment
to offering students the best possible
education following a North American model
by promoting professional and personal
links among educators. In a challenging
region full of cultural, historical and
geo-political significance, collaboration
and the spirit of collegiality among our
schools is something that we're proud
of and upon which we try to build.
