Welcome to the American Collegiate Institute in Izmir. Founded by American educators and philanthropists in 1878, ACI is an independent, co-educational day and boarding high school that prepares students for higher education in Turkey and abroad. ACI’s mission is to support students in achieving academic excellence, gaining fluency in Turkish and English, and growing into positive leaders equipped to navigate our ever-changing world.  Our motto is "Enter to Learn, Depart to Serve." We strive to develop the skills, attitudes, and sense of responsibility necessary for our students to serve both their country and humanity. We achieve this by maintaining a balanced program that combines academics with extracurricular activities, supporting our goal of nurturing well-rounded global citizens. 

We are part of the Health and Education Foundation (SEV), a Turkish non-profit organization. Besides ACI, the SEV Foundation supports other prominent high schools such as SEV American College, Tarsus American College, and Uskudar American Academy. Please visit www.sev.org.tr for more details.

Students gain admission to ACI by scoring in the top 5% on the nationally administered eighth-grade exam. We are considered one of the top schools in Turkey. ACI offers both the Turkish National Curriculum and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program. We were the first IB school in the Aegean region. We provide an intensive English preparatory program for all students before they enter grade 9. ACI holds accreditation from the Turkish Ministry of Education and is distinguished as the first school in Turkey accredited by the Council of International Schools (CIS). Our alumni go on to attend colleges and universities around the world, including Oxford, Imperial College London, University College London, Harvard, Yale, and other top-rated universities globally.

With 900 students enrolled, ACI is situated on a beautiful 12-acre campus surrounded by trees, offering students and staff the opportunity to experience a natural environment. Known as the “Pearl of the Aegean,” the city of Izmir is Turkey’s cultural, commercial, and industrial hub along the Aegean Coast. Izmir, home to approximately four million people, is situated on a large and beautiful bay surrounded by mountains. Nearby are the world-famous beaches of Cesme and the ancient city of Ephesus. 

International teachers typically stay an average of four years, with some staying more than ten years. Our teachers value ACI’s collegiality, engaging students, and the sense of being part of a larger family.

If you are looking to be part of a community that is more than just a place to work, I encourage you to consider ACI and experience the outstanding quality of life in the beautiful coastal region of Izmir, Turkey!

Best Wishes

Brad Bell

Head of School