It was established in 1868 as German and Swiss Citizens School Based upon Equality Principle, to serve to the German-speaking community in the city. In 1871, a building near Galata Tower was built for the school. The building took serious damage during the 1894 Istanbul earthquake, therefore, in 1897, the school moved to another building which is still being used by the school. After a few years, the school also started to accept Turkish speaking students also. In 1918, after World War I, the school was closed and the building was used by the occupation forces. After the declaration of the Republic on Turkey in 1923, the school was opened again in 1924. In 1925, it moved back to its actual building. It was closed once again in 1945 because of Turkey's political position against Germany during World War II, and the building was used by Beyoğlu High School for Girls. In 1953, the building was given back to Deutsche Schule Istanbul and the school is using the same building since then.