The address-based school placement system identifies schools near students’ registered residences, eliminating the need for parents to search for options. This registration method is used for preschool programs, primary school grades 1–5, middle schools, and high schools that do not require entrance exams. For preschool and primary school (grades 1–5) placements, the MERNİS (national population registration) database is used.
Using MERNİS data, the residence information of students and their guardians is considered to determine school assignments. For high schools, the Ministry of National Education configures nearby schools as part of the address-based placement system and, according to demand, creates the option for students to be automatically assigned to those schools. For detailed information about address-based school inquiry procedures, review the headings within this article.
How Is the Address-Based Registration System Used for Primary and Middle Schools?
For primary and middle school registrations, the MERNİS database is used to determine schools close to students’ and families’ registered addresses. Once addresses are verified, enrollment quotas for preschool, primary and middle schools are updated annually. Registration typically opens during the last two weeks of June and proceeds based on residential address. Schools set quotas each year to determine which students can register, with support from the national address database during the process.
Address information from the system is transferred to the e-Okul platform to prepare registration lists. Through e-Government services, registrations for preschool, primary and middle schools are completed and the academic year begins. Students transferred from MERNİS into the e-Okul system need only present their identity document at the school during registration. Guardians are not asked to provide any fees or additional documents during initial registration.
How Does the Address-Based System Work for Preschool Programs?
State institutions that provide preschool and practice-class education accept registrations for children who have completed 36 months and are not older than 66 months. Each year registrations begin in the last week of September and take into account children’s address information for seat allocation. Kindergarten registrations typically include children who have reached 48 months but are not older than 66 months. If sufficient numbers are not reached in one grouping, registrations may be opened for children aged 36 to 47 months as well.
Registrations for kindergarten and practice classes are processed through the e-Okul system. Guardians of children with confirmed placements in kindergarten or practice classes are asked to sign emergency contact information forms. The emergency application form is completed as Annex-1 and Annex-2 is signed as a contract. Once all registration steps are finished, children can start attending school during the academic term.
How Does the Address-Based System Work for Primary School Enrollment?
Registrations for first grade in primary school start at the end of September each year. By the end of September, children who have reached 66 months are eligible to enroll in first grade. Children assessed as developmentally ready may be enrolled between 60 and 66 months. For children aged 60–66 months, a written request from the guardian is required for early enrollment. Guardians may need to submit a petition for children aged 66–68 months, and for those aged 69–71 months a medical report may be required to determine whether they are suitable to begin school. Children deemed not ready to start will begin formal schooling one year later and may be directed to additional preschool education in the meantime.
How Does the Address-Based System Work for Middle and Imam Hatip Middle Schools?
After completing primary education, students transition to middle schools or Imam Hatip middle schools; registrations for these placements are processed via the e-Okul system in the last week of September. To be assigned to a school based on address, students must still be of school age by the end of September. If families prefer Imam Hatip middle schools, their petitions are recorded and any required transfers are processed accordingly. During the specified period, compulsory middle school registrations are carried out automatically as part of the education system.
How Is the Address-Based System Applied to High School Enrollment?
A law introduced for high school placements allows certain students to be registered at nearby high schools without taking an exam. After identifying high schools near students’ residences, an automatic registration mechanism is prepared for secondary education. High school placement and registration procedures, particularly those connected to the secondary education transition system, follow a more detailed process compared with other school levels.
The steps and features of the address-based high school registration process are outlined below:
- For schools admitting students based on centralized exam scores, placements are made according to score rankings and registrations are finalized accordingly.
- High school registrations connected to the secondary education system take into account the e-Okul platform and allocate placements based on available quotas and student preferences.
- For boarding schools, suitability is assessed according to distance and proximity criteria.
- Admissions to specialized high schools such as fine arts, sports, memorization (hafızlık), music, contemporary visual arts, or Anatolian Imam Hatip high schools consider combined achievement scores. Students enrolled in ARGEM special primary programs are directly transferred into ARGEM special secondary programs and their high school placements are completed.
According to the Ministry of National Education, approximately 90% of students will be placed in high schools through the address-based system. Students will be given between 2 and 5 preferences to choose from for address-based placement. Assignments are based on residence records, and schools that match the registered address are listed for selection.
What Criteria Does the Ministry Consider in Address-Based High School Placement?
The Ministry considers the following criteria for address-based high school placement:
- Year-end achievement scores from grades 6, 7 and 8.
- The number of unexcused absences recorded for the student.
- Placement is made according to the priority order on the student’s preference list.
These evaluations determine whether a student meets the criteria set by address-based schools.
How Can You Check Address-Based School Placement?
The e-Okul system operated by the Ministry of National Education is used to check address-based school placements. To access e-Okul, use the ministry’s e-Okul login page provided by official channels.
When the e-Okul login page opens, the following fields should be completed:
- Entry Code
- Entry Code
- Turkish ID Number
- Date of Birth (DD/MM/YYYY)
After filling in the required fields and logging into e-Okul, the student preference page will appear showing which schools are available for registration. Complete all fields on the preference page and wait for placement results. Once placement results are announced, you can check which school was assigned through the same system. After confirming the address-based school placement, final registration must be completed at the assigned school.