The fondation

The secondary school.

The primary school.

In 1850, the two Ratisbonne brothers, who had both converted from Judaism to Catholicism by different paths and 16 years apart, joined one another to work together. Their ancestral experience allowed them to assess the ravages that prejudices, a prioris, transmitted ideas can cause… Thus, in Paris, they opened a school for girls where these could learn to live together with the differences in their nationalities, their religions and their social milieus.

Soon, they had the opportunity to replace the Sisters of Charity in a boarding school in… "Constantinople". Pushed forward by two considerations, they accepted the offer (1856):
- the fact that they would be at the heart of the Ottoman Empire would greatly facilitate administrative formalities if other foundations in this great Empire became possible (which did happen);
- the prospect of opening other houses in the Middle East, where Christians of many rites live, all too often with misunderstandings and in opposition to one another.

Today, the Our Lady of Sion secondary school, with about 500 students, continues its mission with dynamism; this mission is based on principles of quality and excellence. The Our Lady of Sion secondary school always worked to form young people who are able to assume a role in the life of the country, going beyond the family. It aims at forming young people with character, with an enlightened conscience, who are open to the world thanks to simple and trusting relations between the pupils and the teachers, on the one hand, and on the other hand, thanks to the mixture of children from various milieus, cultures and religions, which was dear to the founder, Father Theodore Ratisbonne. The young people, who are accustomed to living in an egalitarian atmosphere, learn there to know the other, to respect and to love him or her for what he or she is. Thanks to this clear-sighted and tolerant spirit, the institute wants to inculcate love and respect in the young people, without fanaticism or exclusivity, in a constant search for what unites rather than for what divides.

You can find out about the school's history, evolution and present life in the website:

www.nds.k12.tr

In 2001, we opened a small Turkish primary school, Neslin Degisen Sesi, which means "Voice of the rising generation." You find there the secondary school's initials. At present, this primary school has 142 pupils. We are hoping for its development.

Here is its website:
www.ilkokul.nds.k12.tr