On August 17, 1999, western Turkey was struck by a devastating magnitude-7.4 earthquake. Many thousands of people were killed, and many more made homeless by the quake that was centered near Izmit.

Contributing to the rebuilding process, ATASC initiated an effort in February 2003 to build a new school for the children of Izmit. Phase One of the project, construction of the building exterior, was completed in May 2003. The Izmit municipality joined the effort by providing electricity, heating, water, sewage and landscaping to the school site.

The school admitted its first class on September 13, 2004.