Sultan Abdulaziz (1861-1876) was the first Ottoman sultan to travel to Europe. He was impressed by the French educational system during his visit. On his return to Istanbul he announced the Edict of Public Education, which established a free compulsory education system for all children until they became twelve. In September 1868, influenced by the French Lycee model, a school was established under the name “Lycee Imperial Ottoman de Galata-Sérai”, it means Galatasaray Mekteb-i Sultanisi. The students included members of all religious and ethnic communities of the Ottoman Empire. Many students of school became prominent statesmen, academicians, educators, writers, doctors, architects, engineers, journalists, artists, film directors, poets, painters and many other professionals in Turkey during both Ottoman and Republic periods.
After the proclamation of the Republic of Turkey in 1923, the name of the school was changed to “Galatasaray Lisesi”. The school became co-educational in 1965. In the 1990s, Galatasaray entered another period of transformation. The signing of the Turkish-French Bilateral Agreement of 1992 led to the foundation of Galatasaray University which essentially grew out of the Lycee. With the addition of a new primary education school, the three units have emerged as autonomous components of an integrated education system under the aegis of the University.
Galatasaray, being a boarding school, has a richly diverse student body, with boys and girls coming from every corner of the country. The current curriculum consists of a blend of Turkish and French curricula, plus a number of additional language and elective courses. Being an Anatolian High School, access to the school is open to students with a high Nationwide High School Entrance score.
Galatasaray Lisesi is one of the most important members of Galatasaray Community as Galatasaray University and Galatasaray Sport Club. The first players of Galatasaray football team were members of this school.
Galatasaray High School on Google Maps