MEF International School Istanbul

At MEFIS primary there are approximately 256 students.[11] There are at least 39 cultures.[12]

In middle school there is Cambridge[5] curriculum for grades 6-8.[13][10]

The high school IB program[14] started in 1998, 30 years after it was founded in Switzerland.

The MEFIS science program uses the Cambridge program, which has an emphasis on human biology, and enables candidates to better understand the technological world in which they live, and take an informed interest in science and scientific developments. Candidates learn about the basic principles of biology through a mix of theoretical and practical studies. Chemistry and Physics are also sciences taught at MEFIS.[15]

Throughout the year, students' artwork is showcased in ongoing art exhibits around the school. The end of the year MEFIS Annual Primary Art Exhibition is a favorite school event. Each child has a selected artwork on display for the community to appreciate and reflect upon.[16] For secondary there is an Art Exhibition and an IB2 Exhibition.

At MEFIS, students learn many types of sports including soccer, basketball, tennis, swimming, running, ping pong, dodge ball, handball, swimming gala, sports day, cross country run. The school has a swimming pool that is shared with the National School. There are 2 small gyms where the students normally do their P.E. and every week in primary we have 2 lessons and for secondary 2 periods on 1 day.[17][18]

The MEFIS library provides curriculum support and meets the recreational reading needs for the whole school from Pre-School PYP programme to the IB Diploma. The Library Catalog can be accessed at any time, from anywhere where there is internet access.

"Physical education in primary school is an integral part of the IB Primary Years Programme (IBPYP). Its purpose is to develop a combination of transferable skills promoting personal, social and physical development; to encourage present and help future choices that contribute to long-term healthy living; and to understand the cultural significance of physical activities for individuals and communities.

Students identify and develop appropriate skills and strategies when playing a variety of team games. These games vary from simple, organization games for the primary grades to football, basketball, and volleyball for the upper primary classes. Students recognize the importance of teamwork; identifying and developing appropriate skills and strategies; recognizing the importance of rules and how they define the nature of a game; modifying existing games and creating new games.[18][21]

MEFIS has many diverse and unique clubs. The clubs for Primary are: Little Brainiacs, Ballet, Ceramics,[22] Mad Science[23] Sculpture, Lego, Construction, Modern dance, Modern Turkish Dance, Guitar/Piano, Movie Making, Flow Yoga, Chess, Running & Fitness, Fashion Design, Modern Dance/Tap, So Lets Sew, Film Club, Code Monkey, Violin, Green Club and Drama.

The clubs for Secondary are: International Culture Club, Community Service Club, Photography, Stained Glass, Sculpture, Rockets, World Cinema, Newspaper, MUN, Chess, Math Olympiad, Student Government, Ultimate Frisbee, Basketball, Animal Lovers, Football, Volleyball, Table Tennis, Code Monkey, Coding Computer, Short Movie and Photography.[24]

MEF's teachers are mostly American and Turkish. While the campus is large, there is a strong, inclusive community atmosphere upon entering the front doors of the school. The primary school, grades 1-5, is situated on the first three floors of the building and grades 6-12 are on the upper two floors. The primary school includes a primary assembly area where monthly assemblies are held, a computer lab, and whole school library, which houses a rich collection of books and electronic resources for students and families. The secondary school also has a fully networked computer lab,[8] chemistry, biology and physics laboratories, and canteen for purchasing small snack foods.