# Atatürk High School of Science, Istanbul

Atatürk High School of Science, Istanbul (Turkish: İstanbul Atatürk Fen Lisesi) is the second high school of science in Turkey, which was founded by a presidential directive and under the legislation of the High School of Science Project in 1982. Atatürk High School of Science is a co-educational, boarding high school located in Kuyubaşı, Kadıköy, Istanbul next to the Marmara University.
İAFL's main aim is to educate students who will fulfill Turkey's need for scientists, engineers and medical doctors in Turkey.

## Faculty

İAFL teachers are selected through a series of tests and are from the most successful in their respective areas of teaching in Turkey. They are not only excellent tutors for the students but also teach them how to think analytically and trained in the methods of scientific questioning.
In the first two years, students go through intensive science and math courses which cover the three year national high-school curriculum. During their final year, they take advanced courses to help them pursue their knowledge on research projects that they would like to participate in and to advance their freshmen courses at university. The curriculum also enables the students to pass the nationwide University Entrance Exam supervised by YÖK.

## Classes

Foreign language education is taken as seriously as science courses at İAFL. When the students enter the school, they take a test to determine their level of language in English, German and French; and each student will attend to at least one of these courses.
Each class has no more than 30 students, which enables students' active participation and discussion. The laboratories and the library resources supplement the course work providing practical knowledge in addition to students' theoretical information on the respective subject. Physics, chemistry, biology, computer and language laboratories are equipped with up-to-date material and are also available to students outside class hours as well.
For leisure time the school supports social clubs, managed by students themselves, that arrange local or national visits to popular locations, theatrical events and concerts.
The 600-seat theatre hall gives the students the opportunity to put on amateur plays. There is a conference room facility in the main building for special occasions. During their leisure times, students benefit from the sports ground with its football, basketball, volleyball opportunities.
The Music Room is available to those who wish to pursue their interest in music.
The parents association, "Koruma Derneği", stands by the school management to support the school and its students in all aspects.
After the four years of intensive education, every graduate of IAFL may be a member of the Atatürk High School of Science, Istanbul Alumni Association (AFLİM). The alumni society aims to bring together and continue the communication among the graduates through social events and to do so, organizes new year celebration dinners, barbecue gatherings annually. AFLİM also supports the students by bridging between the graduates and the students, providing scholarships for the high school and university students.

## Notable alumni

* Duygu Sag, Turkish immunologist
* Sema Salur, Turkish mathematician
* Ozge Samanci, Turkish-American media artist
* Ahmet Yildiz, Turkish-American physicist
* Seyfi Teoman, Film director