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21st century learning.
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Internationally accredited and verified curriculum.
ISE is the leading innovation school in Estonia that
The International School of Estonia’s curriculum is the
implements a program for the important skills of now
only program of study in Estonia that is accredited
and the future: critical thinking skills, collaboration,
and verified by three separate groups: the Council of
creativity, and innovation. 21st century learning is not
International Schools (CIS), the New England Associa-
about computers; it is how children learn to adapt to
tion of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) from the USA,
quickly changing circumstances through experience.
and the International Baccalaureate (IB). ISE is an IB
Our pedagogy is based on the power of inquiry; it is
World school that offers three separate programs;
project based and mobile. Hands on learning produces
the Primary Years Program (PYP) for children aged
deep thinking, not surface level memorization skills.
2-11, we are a candidate school for the IB Middle
Our students are prepared for the future. We are a 1:1
Years Program ages 12-15, and the challenging IB
iPad school and have been visited from schools around
Diploma program ages 16-19.
the world to look at our pedagogical practice.
High quality learning through caring, personal attention.
True international learning experience in Estonia.
We differentiate our instruction in our small classes by
We have children from over 29 different countries with
a child’s individual needs for both review and accelera-
an international staff. A mix of cultures brings synergy to
tion. We offer additional resources to families: special
the classroom and celebrates the differences we all share
needs services, counseling, and gifted learning pro-
as global citizens. We embrace the IB learner profile that
grams. ISE prides itself on its family environment where
encourages children and our community to be balanced,
children are safe and respected by all.
principled, open minded, thinkers, knowledgable, caring, reflective,communicators, risk takers, and inquirers. We celebrate internationalism!
Distinguished staff.
Success.
Our international and local staff is the most experienced
Our students are accepted to top universities worldwide
and highest trained in Estonia. Most hold advanced de-
such as Oxford, London School of Economics, and the
grees and all receive international training experience.
University of Edinburgh. 100% of our students go on to
Our staff contributes to international academic journals
further learning and gain entrance with our accredited
and gives trainings in international conferences.
high school diploma and/or IB Diploma.
Develop inquirers, communicators, risk-takers and leaders Provide an environment of creativity, innovation and care Foster intercultural understanding and respect Empower students to implement positive change in the face of future challenges
ISE is internationally recognized as a school that develops and empowers future innovators and leaders
The International School of Estonia’s secondary school (grades 6-12) is a comprehensive program accredited by the Council of International Schools (CIS) and New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). ISE is authorized to offer the International Baccalaureate Diploma to students in grades 11-12 and is a candidate school for the IB MYP program for grades 6-10. ISE is a full participant in international school organizations such as the European Council of International Schools (ECIS) and the Central and East European Schools Association (CEESA).
The Middle Years Program Using the the IB curriculum framework, ISE provides a rigorous, high-quality, international education for students in grades 6-10. It is designed to inspire passion for learning while challenging intellectual curiosity, encouraging inquiry, and maximizing individual potential. The community of learners (parents, students, and staff) share responsibility for developing life-long learners and active, compassionate world citizens with a genuine commitment to affect positive change in the world. The International Baccalaureate® (IB) Middle Years Programme (MYP) comprises eight subject groups: •
Language acquisition
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Individuals and societies
• Sciences
• Mathematics • •
Physical and health education
Language and literature Arts
• Design
The MYP requires at least 50 hours of teaching time for each subject group in each year of the programme. ISE exceeds these standards. Each year, students in the MYP also engage in at least one collaboratively planned interdisciplinary unit that involves at least two subject groups. MYP students in grade 10 also complete a long-term personal project, where they decide what they want to learn about, identify what they already know, discovering what they will need to know to complete the project, and create a proposal or criteria for completing it. Instruction aims at developing higher order thinking skills and preparation for success in the IB Diploma program. ISE offers the IB Diploma and the ISE Diploma to students in grades 11 and 12.
The Diploma Program The rigorous IB Diploma is recognized worldwide as the best and most competitive qualification to enter international universities. Our individual attention from staff helps each students reach their dreams to succeed in its completion. 95% of ISE students in grades 11 and 12 are enrolled in the IB Diploma Program, and 90% of those complete the full diploma with most achieving a bi-lingual certificate. (This compares with the international average of 80%.) ISE students have been accepted to 25+ universities worldwide, including Oxford, London School of Economics, and the University of Edinburgh.
The International School of Estonia is authorized to provide the prestigious International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program (PYP) for children in preschool through grade 5. The PYP program emphasizes an inquiry-based learning program that educates the whole child. The core of all IB programs is the IB Learner Profile: Inquirer: Acquires skills for purposeful, constructive research Thinker: Applies thinking skills critically and creatively to solve complex problems Communicator: Receives and expresses ideas in more than one language including the language of mathematical symbols Risk-taker: Approaches unfamiliar situations with confidence Knowledgeable: Explores themes which have global relevance and importance Principled: Displays integrity, honesty, and a sense of fairness and justice Caring: Develops a sense of personal commitment to action and service Open-minded: Respects the views, values, and traditions of other individuals and cultures and is accustomed to seeking and considering a range of points of view Balanced: Understands physical, mental, and personal well-being Reflective: Analyzes own strengths and weaknesses At the heart of the Primary Years Program’s philosophy is a commitment to structured inquiry as the best approach to learning. Giving more ownership to the students in planning and assessing their learning. By providing time, space, resources and support, integrating subjects, exploring big themes, we have moved toward more authentic learning.
ISE has friends all over the world and our international community is continually expanding – former students, former teachers, members of other international schools, etc. To fulfil our mission and to foster intercultural understanding and respect, we organize different activities and communicate regularly with all of our friends. ISE encourages participation in after-school activities as an extension of the academic program. A varied and interesting list of offerings is established at the start of each semester. Past offerings have included archery, karate, ballet, tap dancing, programming & robotics, piano, handicrafts, basketball, volleyball, and more. ISE is one of the founding members of the Central & Eastern European Schools Association (CEESA). It was established as a result of the growth of American and International Schools in Central and Eastern Europe. A unique offering of our association is that CEESA sponsors student activities, focusing on a variety of academic and non-academic areas, and a full schedule of internationally organized sporting events. For over 10 years, ISE has hosted the Friendly Olympics for our middle school, where students from 5 or more international CEESA schools come to compete in various events at the Kalev indoor stadium next to our school. Students look forward to this wonderful event of competition and making new friends around the region.
Our teachers come from 7 different countries and our students represent 29 different nationalities. Together, we make up the Learning Community that is ISE. We are very happy to have the support of our Parent Teacher Association (PTA) which plays a vital role in school life.
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Our student/teacher ratio at ISE is 6 to 1. Our teachers come from 7 different countries. Our students represent 29 different nationalities. 72 % of ISE teachers hold advanced degrees. Each student at ISE is provided with an iPad. 95% of ISE students enroll in the IB Diploma program. 100% of our IB Diploma students achieve the full diploma in the past 5 years- compared to the international average of 80%.