Choosing a private school is a decision a family lives with for years. Brochures tend to look alike; the difference shows in concrete, written answers to your questions. You can ask the 12 questions below at every school you visit and compare the answers side by side. Under each question we share TED Üsküdar College's answer as an example.

1. Has the building been inspected for earthquake safety?

In Istanbul, this is the first question to ask. Ask for the building's construction year, the soil survey and an independent inspection report.

At TED Üsküdar: The building was constructed in line with earthquake-safety requirements, including soil surveys (opened 2022-2023). Istanbul Technical University's Department of Civil Engineering carried out a structural inspection on 17 February 2023. The report is published on the website.

2. How large are the classes?

Class size directly affects how much time a teacher can give each student.

At TED Üsküdar: High school classes are limited to 24 students. Classes are re-formed at the start of each year to keep an academic and social balance.

3. How does the foreign language programme work?

Instead of "intensive English", ask concrete questions: how many hours a week, which subjects are taught in English, is there preparation for international exams?

At TED Üsküdar:

  • The school is a Cambridge exam centre (Young Learners, KET, PET).
  • Primary grades 1-4 have 12 hours of English a week, with CEFR A1-A2 targeted by the end of grade 4.
  • The high school preparatory year has 21 hours of English a week. Science and maths subjects in high school are taught in English.
  • German or French is chosen as a second foreign language in middle and high school.

4. Is there an international programme?

If university abroad is a possibility, ask about the school's international programmes and authorisations.

At TED Üsküdar: The school has been an IB World School offering the IB Diploma Programme since 2025. The TED-Canada exchange programme also lets students study in Canada for a month, a term or a year. See our IB guide for details.

5. What do the fees include, and is VAT included?

Ask in writing for tuition, meals, transport and stationery separately, with their VAT status. Ask until when the fees are valid and how they are updated afterwards.

At TED Üsküdar: Tuition for 2026-2027 is published by grade on the Registration Fees page. Meals are charged separately (TRY 204,500). 10% VAT is added to both.

6. What discounts and scholarships are available?

Ask about options such as sibling, advance payment and merit scholarships, and whether they can be combined.

At TED Üsküdar:

  • Discounts: 5% for siblings, 10% for students whose mother or father graduated from a TED high school; early registration and advance payment discounts are announced each year.
  • Merit scholarships: an LGS Merit Scholarship, merit scholarships based on TOGS held every January, and internal scholarships for the top three students at each level; rates are announced each year.
  • If a student is eligible for more than one, the highest rate applies.

7. How does admission work?

Find out about exams, interviews and available places. A good admissions process shows that the school is trying to get to know your child.

At TED Üsküdar: Kindergarten and primary pupils are admitted based on a Student Assessment by the Psychological Counselling and Guidance Unit. Middle school adds the TED Schools Entrance Exam (TOGS); high school uses TOGS and/or the LGS result.

8. What does the guidance service do?

Ask about counselling, career guidance and how the school communicates with parents.

At TED Üsküdar:

  • There is a four-year high school guidance programme; every student builds a career portfolio by graduation.
  • University visits and career workshops are organised from grade 11.
  • A separate counselling office (YEDO) supports applications abroad.

9. What facilities does the campus have?

See the laboratories, library, sports and arts spaces for yourself.

At TED Üsküdar:

  • 80 classrooms, science and robotics labs, two libraries
  • Indoor swimming pool, professional-size indoor basketball and volleyball courts
  • Ballet and modern dance studios, music rooms, art and ceramics workshops
  • Two conference halls (460 and 230 seats)

10. How do the school and parents communicate?

Ask how grades, attendance and announcements are shared and how meetings with teachers are arranged.

At TED Üsküdar: Grades and announcements are shared instantly through the K12NET portal, where parents also book meetings. There are also individual parent meetings and parent seminars.

11. How does transport work?

Ask about bus routes, journey times and whether there is an attendant on board.

At TED Üsküdar: Transport runs in line with the Ministry of National Education's school transport regulations, with a trained driver and an attendant, in buses with seat belts and climate control. Call the school for routes.

12. What about meals and health services?

Find out who plans the menu and whether there is a nurse or infirmary at school.

At TED Üsküdar: Meals are prepared in the school kitchen under the supervision of a food engineer, with menus set by a dietitian. The campus has a fully equipped infirmary. Height and weight measurements and eye and dental screenings are carried out every year.

See TED Üsküdar College in person

To see the answers for yourself, plan a campus visit: +90 216 424 44 44 or the information form. For all the key facts on one page, see TED Üsküdar College at a Glance.