Üsküdar American Academy Istanbul

Üsküdar American Academy is one of Istanbul's most storied educational institutions, founded in 1876 by American missionaries. Located on the Asian side of Istanbul in the Altunizade neighborhood, the school offers a rigorous high school education (Grades 9-12) to a selective group of Turkish and international students. The Academy's curriculum blends American educational traditions with the Turkish national curriculum and offers Advanced Placement (AP) courses recognized by top universities worldwide. UAA students are known for exceptional outcomes in international university admissions, with graduates attending Harvard, MIT, Yale, Oxford, and comparable institutions. The school maintains small class sizes, a dedicated faculty, and strong alumni networks. Though smaller than many Istanbul international schools — with around 500 students — UAA is considered among the most academically prestigious, valued for its century-long tradition of bilingual education and intellectual rigor.