Çapa Science High School

Çapa Fen Lisesi is one of Türkiye’s oldest secondary education institutions, located in the Fatih district of Istanbul. Established on 16 March 1848 as Darülmuallimîn to train male teachers, the institution has operated under various names and statuses throughout its history and currently functions as a science high school.^【1】

The institution was founded on Thursday, 16 March 1848 (Hijri 10 Rebîülâhir 1264), under the leadership of Ahmet Kemal Efendi, with the purpose of training teachers for rüştiye schools within the Ottoman Empire. Information regarding its opening was published in the Takvim-i Vekayi newspaper on 29 March 1848. The first principal was Yahya Efendi of Denizli, and instruction began in the first year with 30 students. Ahmet Cevdet Efendi (Pasha), appointed director on 14 August 1850, prepared a regulation in 1851 that defined the institution’s legal and educational structure.

^{Çapa Fen Lisesi} (Çapa Fen Lisesi)

Under the 1869 Maarif-i Umumiye Nizamnamesi, the school expanded to include primary, intermediate, and imperial sections. On 26 April 1870, Darülmuallimat was established to train female teachers. Following the Great Fatih Fire of 1917–1918, which destroyed the Derviş Paşa Mansion used by the school, the institution relocated to its current building in Çapa. During the Republican era, on 1 September 1924, the school’s name was changed to Erkek Muallim Mektebi; the same year, under the Tevhid-i Tedrisat Law, Darülmuallimîn was closed and replaced by the Istanbul Erkek Muallim Mektebi.

The institution resumed operations on 1 March 1951 in its Çapa building under the name Yüksek Öğretmen Okulu. In 1991, it adopted the name Çapa Anadolu Öğretmen Lisesi. In accordance with a decision by the Ministry of National Education in 2014, the school was transformed into a science high school and renamed Çapa Fen Lisesi.^【2】

Çapa Fen Lisesi is a public institution under the Ministry of National Education of the Republic of Türkiye. The school’s institutional identity is built upon the teacher training tradition dating back to 1848. In 2022, the Çapa Alumni and Affiliates Association (ÇAPAMDER) was established to unite graduates and members under one umbrella.^【3】

^{Çapa Fen Lisesi} (Çapa Fen Lisesi)

Education at the institution follows a full-day schedule. The language of instruction is Turkish; however, students receive English as their first foreign language and German as their second foreign language. The school’s educational vision is structured around preparing students to meet 21st-century demands, keeping pace with technological advancements, and cultivating future scientists. The school utilizes a fiber-optic internet infrastructure under the Fatih Project.^【4】

Student admissions are conducted through a centralized examination system. The school’s annual student quota is set at 150. Minimum admission scores vary by year: in 2021, the minimum score was 473.4353 (0.30 percentile); in 2023, it was 489.0049 (0.36 percentile); and in 2025, it was 487.9282 (0.40 percentile).^【5】

^{Çapa Fen Lisesi Mescidi} (Çapa Fen Lisesi)

The school’s main building was constructed in 1901 (Hijri 1315) by architect Kemalettin in a classical Turkish style. The four-story structure features turquoise Kütahya tiles and plaster decorations, with the "Çinili Mescit" located on the ground floor. Due to ongoing restoration of the historic building, educational activities are currently being conducted temporarily in a facility located in Zeytinburnu’s Merkezefendi neighborhood.^【6】

The campus includes 20 classrooms, physics, chemistry, and biology laboratories, an information technology classroom, a music classroom, an art classroom, and a library housing 17,832 books. Additionally, there is a conference hall, two multipurpose halls, a sports hall, and a medical clinic. Student dormitories are located in Fatih’s Molla Gürani neighborhood.^【7】

^{Çapa Fen Lisesi Labaratuvar} (Çapa Fen Lisesi)

The current teaching staff consists of 43 educators. Throughout its history, prominent figures such as Ahmet Cevdet Pasha, Satı Bey, and Said Bey have served in leadership roles. Additionally, Tevfik Fikret, Selim Sırrı Tarcan, Hamdullah Suphi Tanrıöver, Osman Zeki Üngör, and Ali Ulvi Elöve have either served on the teaching staff or delivered lectures at the school.^【8】

A total of 512 students are currently enrolled. The institution accepts both boarding and day students, with separate dormitory buildings designated for male and female students.^【9】

^{Çapa Fen Lisesi Okul İçi} (Çapa Fen Lisesi)

Regular competitions in table tennis, futsal, volleyball, and chess are organized at the school. The school has 200 licensed athletes. Social and cultural activities include the "Anadolu Mektebi Yazar Okumaları," "Çapa Gençlik Günü," and various graduation ceremonies.^【10】

Scientific projects are conducted within the school under the auspices of TÜBİTAK, İSBO, and other research initiatives.