The Özel Bilkent High School is an IB World School, authorised in November 2008. The first IB Diploma students entering into Grade 11 started their IB diploma program in September 2009, and the first IB Diploma students graduated in June 2011.
As part of the process of being an IB World School the school has taken part in international training seminars, visited a range of IB schools in Turkey and beyond, invited a range of expert inspections looking at its structures and systems, appointed an IB Diploma Programme Coordinator and a Creativity-Activity-Service (CAS) Coordinator, and worked with each department on developing subject curriculum to match the IB philosophy, systems and policies. The school also invested heavily in new equipment and facilities. Many seminars, external workshops led by specialist consultants e.g. Dr Richard Lagemaat on Theory of Knowledge (ToK) and John Cannings on CAS and the Extended Essay, local and international training courses for staff, and planning sessions have taken place since the 2007-8 academic year, and investment in such activities areas is continuing.
In the 2008-9 academic year a process was started whereby students who wished to study on the IB Diploma Programme were able to take preparatory lessons and work on their language. This foundation programme continues as an integral part of Grade 10. It allows potential students to study some of their courses in English and become familiar with the IB systems, prior to finally committing themselves to the whole program in Grades 11-12.
Therefore, the high school runs two programs: a program for those students wishing to focus on the national university exam; and a program for those wishing to focus on the IB Diploma Programme. The latter does not exclude students doing the Turkish university exam which is a must for all students who graduate from high school.
The school is strengthened by the mutual benefits that both systems offer. The national programme is taught mainly in Turkish, whereas the IB Diploma Programme is mainly in English, yet
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IB DP students must take Turkish Literature and can choose to also take the ‘Turkey in the 20th Century’ course, a subject specific to Turkish IB DP schools. Some staff work across both programmes and are able to share their experiences of both programs to contribute to the school’s pedagogical development. The overarching aim is to foster successful integration of both programmes into the general culture and educational approach of the high school.
About 30 to 40% of the cohort in grades 11 and 12 opt for the IB DP program, and this proportion is growing by the year. Certain universities in Turkey, Bilkent University included, offer advantages to IB graduates once in their university departments as the IB, according to research, is particularly relevant to the type of study expected in the better universities. Since the 2013-14 academic year the Özel Bilkent High School graduates have had an average score well above the world average. The school offers excellent teaching, small class sizes, and a tightly knit community, which ensures students receive individual attention when needed.
