Yusuf Riza School

Yusuf Riza School

We are in the area where Yusuf Riza Primary School, which provided the longest education service and is one of the most famous private schools of Izmir, is located. Attendees of this school include Adnan Menderes (famous Turkish singer), Sukru Saracoglu (former Prime Minister of Turkey), Sezen Aksu (probably the most popular Turkish singer) and Gonul Yazar (Turkish singer and actress).

The school was opened with 40 students in 1899 by Yusuf Riza Effendi, Deputy Manager of Izmir High School, on the corner of Medina Street, renamed to 436 Street today. Its name at that time was Darulirfan, the door of wisdom. Two years later, the building was transferred to Bedraka-i Irfân (wisdom guide) School founded for girls by Yusuf Riza Effendi, and Yusuf Riza School was relocated into the area where we are now.

In addition to the curriculum defined by the Ministry of Education, the school also taught English and French classes, while Music and Physical Education classes were also important. Non-Muslim students were also accepted to the school.

In 1926, co-education was introduced and Bedraka-i Irfan and Darul-irfan schools were united. In 1934, Darul-irfan school, one of the two private primary schools in Izmir, was rebuilt after a fire. The school, which was called 'Private Yusuf Riza School', has been active as an infant school and primary school since then.

In the days following the proclamation of the Constitutional Monarchy, the school started first student transport services on horse cars. In the 1930s, the school provided private student transport services with buses. In the 1940s, 4th and 5th grades had English classes.

Kestelli Street has gone through a rapid transformation in the 1970s. Once it was one of the city's major hubs, but then mansions started to be abandoned and replaced by shoes and clothing workshops. As a result of this transformation, Private Yusuf Riza School closed its doors on the 101st anniversary of its establishment.

On historic school premises, which are now used as a car park, it is planned to build a design development centre in partnership with Yusuf Riza Effendi's grandson Yusuf Riza Duvenci and TARKEM.