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The Sezin School
Raison d'être




"The students, whatever the age, should be looked upon as the adult they will be in the future and should be treated accordingly." 


Sabahat Sezin organized a contest for the bust of Atatürk that would take its place in the school garden in 1965. The Sculptor Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Gezer was the winner of the competition.





We believe schools are the soil where the seed of the future thrives. Therefore, we think schools must be transformed into an ecosystem where individuals get support in line with their talents, grow amongst abundant choices and develop their emotional competence. Only then, with affection and courage, will they be able to discover their potential, just like sprouting seeds.

As The Sezin School, our purpose is to support our students, parents, teachers, and everyone else in our community, providing them with the resources and connections they need, inspiring them, and securing them a space to fulfill their respective potentials.

 

The Sezin School, one of the oldest primary schools in Istanbul, was founded by Sabahat Sezin in 1963. The kindergarten and primary school, both located in a small apartment in Erenköy, continues as an established K-12 institution spread over a 20.000 m² campus in Çekmeköy today.

The Sezin School, one of the oldest primary schools in Istanbul, was founded by Sabahat Sezin in 1963. The kindergarten and primary school, both located in a small apartment in Erenköy, continues as an established K-12 institution spread over a 20.000 m² campus in Çekmeköy today.

 

Early Years

Sabahat Sezin organized college preparation courses at her home for her daughter Pelin Sezin and her friends. The success of the courses was heard throughout the neighborhood.

1962

Sabahat Sezin decided to make her business official and applied to the Ministry of Education. She got the licence to open both a primary school and Kindergarten.

Ali Sezin in front of the primary school

1963

The Sezin Primary School opened its doors. Ballet and music classes were integrated into the student-centred curriculum.

Sabahat and Gülin Sezin playing with students in the schoolyard, 1966

1965

The Sezin Primary School had its first graduates, including Ali Sezin, Sabahat Sezin's son.

1970

The Second Generation

Following Sabahat Sezin's early loss, her daughters Gülin and Pelin Sezin took over the school management, which they had been a part of since childhood.

1976

The Sezin School took important steps to become a deep-rooted, innovative institution by continuing its academic and social achievements throughout the years. Gülin Sezin, who completed her university education at Sorbonne University in Paris, continued to follow educational developments and put them into practice at The Sezin School.

Former school building, 1980s

1980s

Çekmeköy Campus

The introduction of the 8-year compulsory education necessitated the move to a bigger campus, more staff and the provision of the necessary equipment. On September 15, 1998, the school opened its doors as a K-8 school on its new campus in Çekmeköy. During this period, Muattar and Candan Saydam, who are the cousins of the family, joined the board of directors.

Çekmeköy campus, 1998

1998

High School was opened.

2001

The third generation, Pelin Sezin's son Can Vuran (in 2004) and Gülin Sezin's son Nedim Güzel (in 2010), joined the school management.

2004 and 2010

50th year of Sezin

50.th year documentary directed and produced by Sezin parents Coşkun Aral and Müge Aral released.


The book named ''Love is hidden inside '' , telling the story of 50 years of Sezin written and edited by our parents Cem Akaş and Esra özdoğan is published.

2013

started designing planning and construction new innovative learning areas

2014

''Open Roof '' received Arkitera special jury prize.

2017

Can Vuran became Chief Board of Director

2018

Sezin redesigned corporate logos and uniforms inspired by original 1970 logo and based on sustainibility principles.

2019

Kintergarten and Primary School received '' Best Interior Design '' award by World Architecture Foundation.

2020

Sezin Hign School became world IB school and is accepted to Internationall Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program

2021

Sabahat Sezin


Sabahat Sezin, our founder. 

Gülin Sezin
Founder Representative

 

As a person who has been devoted to education for many years, I have always seen that happiness is the key to success. Our main goal is to raise our students as well-rounded individuals, ensuring both their social and emotional development, and guiding them to achieve their utmost potential.

It is crucial that our students embrace ethical values such as respect, compassion, empathy, humility, honesty, justice and freedom, and are happy and strong. Our aim is to integrate knowledge into daily life so that our students are equipped with 21st century skills and competencies. While empowering ourselves with our founding values and traditions, we are renewing and developing ourselves to meet the needs of  the changing world.

We are closely following the achievements of our alumni. Their appreciation of The Sezin School’s role on their road to success is our greatest pleasure as educators.

 


 

Can Vuran graduated from Işık University’s Computer Engineering Department and received his Master’s Degree in Communication Strategies at Galatasaray University. He started to work at The Sezin School in 2004 and led the establishment of the IT Department. Since 2010, he has been focusing on corporate development and strategic planning and has been the Chairman of Board of Directors since 2018.


 

Gülin Sezin graduated from Notre Dame de Sion French High School and the Violin Department at Istanbul Municipality Conservatory as a student of Ekrem Zeki Ün. She studied Department of Educational Science and Educational Psychology at Sorbonne University with a scholarship for Social Sciences that was awarded to only three Turkish students by the French government. She graduated in 1975. She has been working as The Sezin School’s Director of Education since 1979.


 

Pelin Sezin graduated from Üsküdar American Academy and Decorative Painting at the Faculty of Fine Arts at Marmara University. After graduating from the Piano Department of the Istanbul Municipality Conservatory, she studied with esteemed piano teachers at the Mozarteum Academy of Music in Salzburg and École Normale de Musique de Paris. She has been working as The Sezin School’s Director of Operations since 1997.

Candan Saydam graduated from Saint-Joseph French High School and received his Bachelor’s Degree from Istanbul University Faculty of Economics. He was the President of AIESEC Turkey in 1968 and worked at Mensucat Santral Inc. as an Export Manager between 1970-1988. He established Cast International Textile Industry Co. Ltd. in 1988 and managed the company until 2015. Since 2015, he has been the Chairman of Board of Directors at Octet Turkey.


 

Muattar Saydam graduated from Üsküdar American Academy and University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology. She received her Master’s Degree in Management Science from Imperial College, London. Between 1977 and 2007, she led the international export agency that she founded. Since 2007, she has been working as the Corporate Communication Officer at The Sezin School.


 

Ali Sezin is one of the first graduates of The Sezin School. He graduated from Saint-Joseph French High School and received his Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Engineering from the Technical University of Berlin. He has been working as a Board Member at The Sezin School since September 2019. He is currently managing “Bilgi Interface,” the information technology company that he founded in Berlin.


 

After graduating from The Sezin School, Nedim Güzel received his Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology from Istanbul Bilgi University. He is among the first graduating class of both The Sezin Middle and High School. Since 2010, he has been working as a Board Member at The Sezin School.


 

Bahadır Özkan received his Bachelor’s degree in Control Technology and Computer Education Department from Marmara University Faculty of Technical Education. He has been working in the education sector since 1998. He took part in curriculum development and European Union’s school administration programs in England, Poland and Spain. Since 2012, he has been contributing to Turkey Private Schools Association’s educational development programs. He has been working at Private Sezin School since 2009 and as the General Manager since 2015.

Melek Kepecigil graduated from Istanbul University Faculty of Economics. Since 1981, she has been working as the Financial and Administrative Affairs Coordinator at Private Sezin School.

Our Educational Philosophy

We believe that "All children are talented in their own way." Therefore, our mission is to guide our students to reach their highest potential by nurturing their passions, goals and abilities.

The Sezin School is a “living school” with all of its students, teachers, parents and partners.

Tradition and Future

The Sezin School, one of the most well-established schools in Istanbul, is a "futuristic" school where traditions meet innovation. We draw strength from our past while encouraging our students to create their own future.

Trust-Based Community

We think that the path to happiness and success is paved with love. Therefore, it is very important for us that our students love their school and teachers.

At The Sezin School, each and every child is recognized and grows up in a family-like environment feeling safe and loved. We believe that this approach reinforces the sense of trust.

Only One Campus

Sezin is a single campus spread across 20,000 m² in Çekmeköy. We use our resources to improve the quality of our curriculum rather than increasing the number of our campuses.

Spirit of Unity

At The Sezin School, all students, from Kindergarten to Grade 12, are on the same campus. Students from different class and age groups carry out several projects and participate in activities together, which intensifies the solidarity and spirit of unity.

Generous Outdoor Space

Each school division has its own sports and playgrounds in our 14,000 m² garden. Our students interact with nature while having hands-on classes outdoors.

Botanical Diversity

On our campus, there are a total of 667 plants belonging to 87 species, including 82 trees belonging to 31 species. We also have a vegetable patch where students develop an understanding of nature and play an important role in taking care of it.

Global Perspective

In order to give our students a global perspective, we organize various conferences, field studies and projects with schools and companies abroad and offer the opportunity to study in different countries through exchange programs.

Innovative Learning Areas

Our school's innovative learning areas provide a glimpse of the future of education. Our 1,700 m² Open Roof space is an area that facilitates alternative learning and working styles beyond the classroom walls.

Our Kindergarten and Primary School areas are being redesigned as new spaces for dreaming and creating our future in education.
Private Sezin School
Raison D'être
Raison D'être
About
Raison D'être History Founder Board of Directors Why Sezin?

"The students, whatever the age, should be looked upon as the adult they will be in the future and should be treated accordingly." 


Sabahat Sezin organized a contest for the bust of Atatürk that would take its place in the school garden in 1965. The Sculptor Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Gezer was the winner of the competition.
01
Raison D'être

We believe schools are the soil where the seed of the future thrives. Therefore, we think schools must be transformed into an ecosystem where individuals get support in line with their talents, grow amongst abundant choices and develop their emotional competence. Only then, with affection and courage, will they be able to discover their potential, just like sprouting seeds.

As The Sezin School, our purpose is to support our students, parents, teachers, and everyone else in our community, providing them with the resources and connections they need, inspiring them, and securing them a space to fulfill their respective potentials.
02
History

 

The Sezin School, one of the oldest primary schools in Istanbul, was founded by Sabahat Sezin in 1963. The kindergarten and primary school, both located in a small apartment in Erenköy, continues as an established K-12 institution spread over a 20.000 m² campus in Çekmeköy today.

The Sezin School, one of the oldest primary schools in Istanbul, was founded by Sabahat Sezin in 1963. The kindergarten and primary school, both located in a small apartment in Erenköy, continues as an established K-12 institution spread over a 20.000 m² campus in Çekmeköy today.

 

Early Years

Sabahat Sezin organized college preparation courses at her home for her daughter Pelin Sezin and her friends. The success of the courses was heard throughout the neighborhood.

1962

Sabahat Sezin decided to make her business official and applied to the Ministry of Education. She got the licence to open both a primary school and Kindergarten.

Ali Sezin in front of the primary school

1963

The Sezin Primary School opened its doors. Ballet and music classes were integrated into the student-centred curriculum.

Sabahat and Gülin Sezin playing with students in the schoolyard, 1966

1965

The Sezin Primary School had its first graduates, including Ali Sezin, Sabahat Sezin's son.

1970

The Second Generation

Following Sabahat Sezin's early loss, her daughters Gülin and Pelin Sezin took over the school management, which they had been a part of since childhood.

1976

The Sezin School took important steps to become a deep-rooted, innovative institution by continuing its academic and social achievements throughout the years. Gülin Sezin, who completed her university education at Sorbonne University in Paris, continued to follow educational developments and put them into practice at The Sezin School.

Former school building, 1980s

1980s

Çekmeköy Campus

The introduction of the 8-year compulsory education necessitated the move to a bigger campus, more staff and the provision of the necessary equipment. On September 15, 1998, the school opened its doors as a K-8 school on its new campus in Çekmeköy. During this period, Muattar and Candan Saydam, who are the cousins of the family, joined the board of directors.

Çekmeköy campus, 1998

1998

High School was opened.

2001

The third generation, Pelin Sezin's son Can Vuran (in 2004) and Gülin Sezin's son Nedim Güzel (in 2010), joined the school management.

2004 and 2010

50th year of Sezin

50.th year documentary directed and produced by Sezin parents Coşkun Aral and Müge Aral released.


The book named ''Love is hidden inside '' , telling the story of 50 years of Sezin written and edited by our parents Cem Akaş and Esra özdoğan is published.

2013

started designing planning and construction new innovative learning areas

2014

''Open Roof '' received Arkitera special jury prize.

2017

Can Vuran became Chief Board of Director

2018

Sezin redesigned corporate logos and uniforms inspired by original 1970 logo and based on sustainibility principles.

2019

Kintergarten and Primary School received '' Best Interior Design '' award by World Architecture Foundation.

2020

Sezin Hign School became world IB school and is accepted to Internationall Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program

2021
03
Founder

Sabahat Sezin


Sabahat Sezin, our founder. 

Gülin Sezin
Founder Representative

 

As a person who has been devoted to education for many years, I have always seen that happiness is the key to success. Our main goal is to raise our students as well-rounded individuals, ensuring both their social and emotional development, and guiding them to achieve their utmost potential.

It is crucial that our students embrace ethical values such as respect, compassion, empathy, humility, honesty, justice and freedom, and are happy and strong. Our aim is to integrate knowledge into daily life so that our students are equipped with 21st century skills and competencies. While empowering ourselves with our founding values and traditions, we are renewing and developing ourselves to meet the needs of  the changing world.

We are closely following the achievements of our alumni. Their appreciation of The Sezin School’s role on their road to success is our greatest pleasure as educators.

 
04
Board of Directors


 

Can Vuran graduated from Işık University’s Computer Engineering Department and received his Master’s Degree in Communication Strategies at Galatasaray University. He started to work at The Sezin School in 2004 and led the establishment of the IT Department. Since 2010, he has been focusing on corporate development and strategic planning and has been the Chairman of Board of Directors since 2018.


 

Gülin Sezin graduated from Notre Dame de Sion French High School and the Violin Department at Istanbul Municipality Conservatory as a student of Ekrem Zeki Ün. She studied Department of Educational Science and Educational Psychology at Sorbonne University with a scholarship for Social Sciences that was awarded to only three Turkish students by the French government. She graduated in 1975. She has been working as The Sezin School’s Director of Education since 1979.


 

Pelin Sezin graduated from Üsküdar American Academy and Decorative Painting at the Faculty of Fine Arts at Marmara University. After graduating from the Piano Department of the Istanbul Municipality Conservatory, she studied with esteemed piano teachers at the Mozarteum Academy of Music in Salzburg and École Normale de Musique de Paris. She has been working as The Sezin School’s Director of Operations since 1997.

Candan Saydam graduated from Saint-Joseph French High School and received his Bachelor’s Degree from Istanbul University Faculty of Economics. He was the President of AIESEC Turkey in 1968 and worked at Mensucat Santral Inc. as an Export Manager between 1970-1988. He established Cast International Textile Industry Co. Ltd. in 1988 and managed the company until 2015. Since 2015, he has been the Chairman of Board of Directors at Octet Turkey.


 

Muattar Saydam graduated from Üsküdar American Academy and University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology. She received her Master’s Degree in Management Science from Imperial College, London. Between 1977 and 2007, she led the international export agency that she founded. Since 2007, she has been working as the Corporate Communication Officer at The Sezin School.


 

Ali Sezin is one of the first graduates of The Sezin School. He graduated from Saint-Joseph French High School and received his Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Engineering from the Technical University of Berlin. He has been working as a Board Member at The Sezin School since September 2019. He is currently managing “Bilgi Interface,” the information technology company that he founded in Berlin.


 

After graduating from The Sezin School, Nedim Güzel received his Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology from Istanbul Bilgi University. He is among the first graduating class of both The Sezin Middle and High School. Since 2010, he has been working as a Board Member at The Sezin School.


 

Bahadır Özkan received his Bachelor’s degree in Control Technology and Computer Education Department from Marmara University Faculty of Technical Education. He has been working in the education sector since 1998. He took part in curriculum development and European Union’s school administration programs in England, Poland and Spain. Since 2012, he has been contributing to Turkey Private Schools Association’s educational development programs. He has been working at Private Sezin School since 2009 and as the General Manager since 2015.

Melek Kepecigil graduated from Istanbul University Faculty of Economics. Since 1981, she has been working as the Financial and Administrative Affairs Coordinator at Private Sezin School.

05
Why Sezin?
Our Educational Philosophy

We believe that "All children are talented in their own way." Therefore, our mission is to guide our students to reach their highest potential by nurturing their passions, goals and abilities.

The Sezin School is a “living school” with all of its students, teachers, parents and partners.

Tradition and Future

The Sezin School, one of the most well-established schools in Istanbul, is a "futuristic" school where traditions meet innovation. We draw strength from our past while encouraging our students to create their own future.

Trust-Based Community

We think that the path to happiness and success is paved with love. Therefore, it is very important for us that our students love their school and teachers.

At The Sezin School, each and every child is recognized and grows up in a family-like environment feeling safe and loved. We believe that this approach reinforces the sense of trust.

Only One Campus

Sezin is a single campus spread across 20,000 m² in Çekmeköy. We use our resources to improve the quality of our curriculum rather than increasing the number of our campuses.

Spirit of Unity

At The Sezin School, all students, from Kindergarten to Grade 12, are on the same campus. Students from different class and age groups carry out several projects and participate in activities together, which intensifies the solidarity and spirit of unity.

Generous Outdoor Space

Each school division has its own sports and playgrounds in our 14,000 m² garden. Our students interact with nature while having hands-on classes outdoors.

Botanical Diversity

On our campus, there are a total of 667 plants belonging to 87 species, including 82 trees belonging to 31 species. We also have a vegetable patch where students develop an understanding of nature and play an important role in taking care of it.

Global Perspective

In order to give our students a global perspective, we organize various conferences, field studies and projects with schools and companies abroad and offer the opportunity to study in different countries through exchange programs.

Innovative Learning Areas

Our school's innovative learning areas provide a glimpse of the future of education. Our 1,700 m² Open Roof space is an area that facilitates alternative learning and working styles beyond the classroom walls.

Our Kindergarten and Primary School areas are being redesigned as new spaces for dreaming and creating our future in education.
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