IGA Building for the Future
History
International Gateway Academy (IGA), has served the expat community in Istanbul for more than 20 years. What started as a homeschooling cooperative has grown into a MSA accredited international K-12 university preparatory school
However, IGA’s vision and mission have never changed: to develop wise and healthy individuals who use their academic proficiency and character to engage with and influence society.
Community Impact
Looking at the IGA community, you see a diverse group of people. Many of our families have moved to Istanbul from another city when their children entered middle school or high school age for the specific purpose of IGA’s values based education. IGA has had a significant contributing impact on the overall expat community in the city of Istanbul and beyond.
Through a primary focus on the character development of the students of IGA, the next generation of committed passionate young men and women are equipped to positively impact many communities in Istanbul and later, the world.
Crossroads
Since 2003 IGA has leased a former textile manufacturing building in Ümraniye, Istanbul, which was refurbished to function as the K-12 school. The lease ran until 2015 but was extended up to 2020 and then again. The existing building could scarcely accommodate the growing student population (hitting highs of more than 280 students in 2015-16) and property prices in the mega-city of Istanbul continued to skyrocket. Realizing these factors and understanding the critical role that IGA plays for expats in this community, in 2016 the IGA Board with the help of the Development Committee launched a sustained strategic effort to purchase property and build a school.
Moving ahead…
The Board led the school through the process of joining and coming under Gateway Education Global, and went through an exhaustive property search.
On May 29, 2018, a new vacant property was purchased in Esenşehir, Istanbul for $2.5 million (USD). This was paid for completely by funds saved from student fees from the previous 15 years!
What lies ahead
The total funds needed for the completion of the entire project of a top-notch school capable of accommodating 325 students is $5.7 million (USD). IGA would like to raise the entire amount as we believe we can and securing loans here has not been possible. This money includes furnishing and equipping the school and building a competition gymnasium.
What is needed is for committed groups and individuals to join with IGA in this strategic work.
Will you commit to be part of Build for the Future? For more information please contact: Please contact Vance with our Advancement Team at 704-791-3339.
The need is now. The impact is for generations to come.