What does Educational Excellence Looks Like at AIS?
Updated based on Phase I discussions
IB Curriculum
Purposeful pursuit and optimal achievement of internationally recognized academic standards, the International Baccalaureate
What this means:
- A coherent 4K 12 continuum, with a shared philosophy and pedagogy
- Focus is on "whole child" development, including physical education, ethics and service to others
- A broad liberal arts curriculum with depth as well as breadth
- Development of core competencies and essential understanding in languages, arts, sciences, mathematics, humanities and technology
- Tracking assessment of achievement and feedback over multiple years
- Maintain internationally recognized accreditation standards
- Students and teachers alike must be highly motivated and curious
What this does not mean:
- A program of studies focused solely on one area such as language
- Just for students with high intelligence
- The only route to an excellent education
- Unproven or experimental or being all things to all people
RAVA
Mutually respectful and nurturing relationships
What this means:
- Teachers and staff must know their students well
- Motivating each student to his or her highest level of achievement
- Commitment to "RAVA" in all aspects of school life
- Size of school sections and classes should allow for sense of community
- Teacher role as student mentor just as critical as the role as an academic instructor
- Parents are seen as partners with the school and with the student
- Deeply understanding that "other people, with their differences, can also be right"
- Fully living the AIS mission and values joy, diversity, respect, effort
What this does not mean:
- A singular focus on the outcome; the process matters
- Value-free moral relativism of everything and anything goes
International
Global perspectives and understanding of multiple points of view with a challenge to serve others in small and large ways
What this means:
- School is truly an international school
- All students engaged in service learning programs
- In all subject areas, as appropriate, international perspectives will be incorporated
- Proficiency in at least two languages and development of ones mother tongue
- Being familiar with world religions and ethical, moral issues
- Exposure to contemporary local and global issues
- Creation of a diverse population of students, faculty and staff
What this does not mean:
- A particular dogma
- An American, French, German or Spanish school