The Reşadiye School building in Istanbul's historic Eyüpsultan district is among the important structures in the history of education extending from the Ottoman era to the present, with a history spanning more than 115 years. The building also became part of covert activities supporting the transfer of weapons and ammunition from Istanbul to Anatolia during the years of the Turkish War of Independence.
It began its educational life in 1911
The idea of establishing the school emerged in 1910, when Ottoman Sultan Mehmed V commissioned Kemaleddin Bey, one of the leading architects of the period. The building was constructed near Eyüp Pier, on the site of the Eyüp Sultan Secondary School opened during the reign of Sultan Abdülhamid.
The school admitted its first students under the name Reşadiye Numune School in the 1911-1912 academic year and operated within Eyüpsultan's historic fabric, overlooking the Golden Horn. In the following years, the building housed different levels of education and operated under different names.
It witnessed the early years of scouting and school sports
The school's role in Ottoman educational history was not limited to classroom instruction. In 1912, scouting activities began at Galatasaray and Reşadiye Numune schools after the internal regulations governing the establishment of scouting teams entered into force. The activities were conducted under the supervision of experts brought from Europe.
The school administration encouraged students to engage in physical activities. During the 1915-1916 academic years, Meki Bey, one of the school's first administrators, formed a football team from talented students and took it to interschool matches in Kağıthane under the name Eyüp Reşadiye School.
After the team failed to achieve the expected results in matches in the Kağıthane area, Selim Sırrı Tarcan, known as the Ottoman Empire's first physical education teacher, and Ahmed Hamdi Bey, a sports writer and football coach, began teaching at the school.
It supported covert shipments during the War of Independence
One of the important turning points in Reşadiye School's history came during the years when Istanbul was under occupation. Together with the Eyüp Sports Association, the school building became one of the locations where covert activities supporting the War of Independence were conducted.
The building, overlooking the Golden Horn, helped remove weapons and ammunition needed by the national resistance forces from areas under the control of the occupying forces and then transport them to Anatolia. The school building thus contributed to the War of Independence as part of the covert shipment network established between Istanbul and Anatolia.
The school's name and educational structure changed
The school was renamed Eyüp Mixed Secondary School in 1927 and Eyüp Secondary School in the 1931-1932 academic year. After secondary education classes were added in the 1956-1957 academic year, the institution began operating as Ebussuud Middle School in the 1972-1973 academic year.
The school was renamed Ebussuud Imam Hatip Middle School in the 2012-2013 academic year. Following restoration in 2019, the name Reşadiye, reflecting the school's historic roots, was reinstated, and the institution became Reşadiye Imam Hatip Middle School.
Quran memorization and foreign-language programs are offered
Today, Reşadiye Imam Hatip Middle School runs Quran memorization and intensive foreign-language programs alongside formal education. The school has 14 teachers, with two classes at each grade level.
One of the classes follows a Quran memorization program alongside middle school education. Students enrolled in the program attend Quran classes until noon and then move on to academic courses after 12:00. In the other class, foreign-language lessons begin at 9:00 and end at 15:30.
School principal Muzaffer Ekke said Reşadiye School admitted its first students in 1911 and evolved into an Imam Hatip middle school after passing through the middle school, high school and primary education stages. Ekke said the school took its current name after its restoration in 2019 and that two educational projects are implemented alongside the formal curriculum.
Ekke described working at the historic school as a blessing and working in the building next to Eyüpsultan Mosque, with views of the Golden Horn, as a source of honor, happiness and peace.
Admission to the school is determined through an examination held in May and June. Students and parents are invited to see the building, the school's atmosphere and its programs before deciding to enroll.
The school also organizes reading activities; the projects "Deep roots in Istanbul" and "My roots in the sky," which introduce students to civilizational and cultural heritage; and social, cultural and sports activities such as archery and chess.
