WCEP in the Press
Kabataş Erkek Lisesi Becomes the First Public High School in Turkey to Implement the International AP Curriculum
Kabataş Erkek Lisesi has made history as the first public high school in Turkey to implement the Advanced Placement (AP) curriculum—one of the most pr
Kabataş Erkek Lisesi has made history as the first public high school in Turkey to implement the Advanced Placement (AP) curriculum—one of the most prestigious international high school education programs in the world. This groundbreaking development follows the establishment of the Kabataş Erkek Lisesi International Projects Academy, initiated through a formal cooperation protocol between Kabataş Erkek Lisesi and WCEP (Worldwide Cultural Exchange Program).
Approved by the Ministry of National Education and the Board of Education and Discipline, the AP program's official implementation was confirmed through its publication in the Journal of Communiqués. This milestone enables students to take five AP courses across four subject areas, aligned with their individual interests, and equips them with native-level foreign language proficiency.
Recognized by the Council of Higher Education (YÖK) and Turkish universities, the program offers not only academic acceleration—allowing students to complete university in three years—but also the opportunity to graduate with a dual diploma.
“Our Students Will Be More Visible on the Global Stage”
Volkan Cerrahoğlu, General Manager of WCEP Turkey, reflected on the significance of this achievement:
“After eight months of dedicated work, we are proud to see our efforts rewarded. The goal of launching such flagship projects in public schools is to enable students to express the education they receive in terms that are internationally recognized. We will continue to introduce new initiatives to further globalize public education for our youth.”
“A Historic Step for Public Education”
Selman Küçük, Principal of Kabataş Erkek Lisesi, shared his thoughts on this collaborative success:
“We are honoured to be the first public high school in Turkey to adopt the AP International Curriculum. As an institution with a 112-year legacy, Kabataş Erkek Lisesi continues to lead in educational innovation. We extend our sincere gratitude to the Ministry of National Education, the Board of Education and Discipline, and the WCEP team for their support in this transformative project.”
The Power of Advanced Placement (AP)
Originating in the United States and now implemented in over 60 countries, the Advanced Placement Program has been a global benchmark in secondary education since 1955. Administered by the College Board, which also oversees the SAT exams, AP provides ambitious high school students the opportunity to engage in university-level coursework, both in content and academic rigor.
The AP curriculum is widely recognised for enhancing university admissions prospects and often enables students to gain credit or exemption from first-year university courses, especially when applying to institutions abroad. As a pre-university program, AP fosters academic excellence, independence, and readiness for higher education, positioning students for success on an international scale.
