International School
Invite reviews
My son is in Kindergarten and he has learned to speak and write sentences in Chinese as if it is the most natural thing! He is also learning to add and subtract double-digits. His dad and I are English-only speaking Caucasians, so I think some of his success comes from the fact that he is aware he is learning something we don't know! I am thrilled with the skill and professionalism of his teachers....and the sincere love and care they show my son every day.
Daniela - mom
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Seeing daily how much my son has learned!
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
None
Language rich, dynamic teachers, global-minded and future-driven. Very welcoming to new families. Love the cross-cultural opportunities with Chinese, Japanese, and Spanish tracks.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
The social, emotional, and intellectual growth of my child.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
give it a spacious new facility.
This is now my older daughter's 6th year at TIS (she started when she was 3 years old). I'm still astounded at her mastery of Spanish conversation and her total comfort reading complex material and doing math and social studies homework in Spanish. My youngest daughter is in her 3rd year of Mandarin immersion and is now learning to write characters. What an incredibly rewarding learning experience they each are having! As a parent, I am impressed with the skill and dedication of the administration and teaching staff. As a Board member (my second year), I am impressed with the all-volunteer Board's dedication and willingness to set sights on the long-term interests of the school.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
seeing the achievements of my kids.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
ask more parents to volunteer their time.
My daughter started in the Japanese track one year ago. With no previous exposure to the language and no native speaker at home, we were curious to see how she would do. Her experience at The International School has been phenomenal. She speaks Japanese fluidly, speaking to her teachers, her classmates and even their parents only in Japanese. She is excited to go to school each day and comes home excited to tell us about things she has made and the things she has learned. The spirit of inquiry and intellectual curiosity that is natural at her age is encouraged and nurtured by her teachers and the curriculum.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
My daughter's growth - she has matured and learned to interact with others, she has learned to think critically and ask important questions, and she has learned it all in a second language.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Continue to promote the Japanese track - great progress has been made in the last year but it remains the smallest of the three tracks. And help it to find a better location - the current site offers limited space for growth.
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
Watching my daughter's confidence grow to the point that she initiates conversations with native speakers of Japanese. Seeing how excited she is to go to school each day.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
Without exception dedicated to the success of the school and each individual child.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
Improve existing buildings and replace modular classrooms.
Ways to make it better...
The location were more accessible and more attractive.
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
Improving the facilities or moving to a new site. Maintaining enrollment in the Japanese track at a sustainable level.
One thing I'd also say is that...
My son can't wait to start as soon as he's three and already loves the pre-K teacher!
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
My daughter just entered 1st Grade in the Spanish Track. The school has a great atmosphere, and the implementation of an IB primary years program encourages a healthy learning style. After only one year at the school our daughter is comfortable speaking Spanish, and has also been exposed to the Chinese and Japanese cultures in the other tracks at the school. The teachers are enthusiastic and motivated, leading to motivated children. Involved music, art and PE programs. Also found an involved group of parents who go above and beyond to support the school.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
observing my child learning and being excited by their school environment.
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
becoming involved with the enthusiastic and involved teacher and parent group, and seeing my daughter grow in confidence over her language knowledge and her ability to learn new things.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
wonderful, all trying to do the right thing.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
find a new location.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every week
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
We have 3 children at the International School, in both Spanish and Chinese tracks. We've been at the school for 8 years so far, and expect to continue to be for another 8 years! The teachers have been wonderful - caring, supportive, pushing the kids to achieve far more than they would at most other schools. The expectations are high with two languages! Our experience is that some supplemental English reading and writing practice at home seems to be necessary to keep up with English skills especially in the upper grades. However, the experience and growth of learning/experiencing other cultures and exiting 5th grade with a command of two languages is too great to pass up!
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Seeing our children master Spanish and Chinese. Our children understand and are interested in other languages and cultures.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Location is on a hill, not ideal. Not clear how they will accommodate the continuous growth. Needs an auditorium, larger gymnasium, a grassy field for sports.
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
The wonderful teachers.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
Wonderful! Everyone is dedicated to the school, puts in extra hours, tries to do the "right thing".
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
Find a better location!! This school really needs a better location.
Ways to make it better...
The location was better. Needs more room for classrooms, a better library, an auditorium, a larger gymnasium, a grassy field for sports.
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
Room to grow! This school has experienced enormous growth, even with the economy in a serious slump, the attendance keeps increasing.
One thing I'd also say is that...
The children seem to thrive.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
My elder daughter started 3rd grade today and her sister 1st. This is the start of our family's 6th year at TIS. We have had the most amazing learning experience at TIS. My girls are fully immersed in Mandarin Chinese language and culture while at the same time being exposed to Spanish and Japanese languages and cultures. They are getting a true global education. The school recently implemented the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program which is an inquiry based teaching method across all 3 langauge tracks. They learn the same topics in their target language as the other tracks and can then discuss them in their common language, English, outside of class. It has been phenomenal. It is very fun to go to places where mandarin is spoken and watch the amazment and dare i say disbleif that my daughters speak chinese so fluently and without accent. The dedication of the teachers and staff at TIS is heartwarming. They truly belive in the mission of the school and love teaching our children. The community of parents is strong and cohesive and we all work together to continue to better the learning environment and show the teachers how much we appreciate them. I highly recommend the school to other families!
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
The success of my daughters' education and global awareness.
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
the learning experience my kids have received, the dedication of the teachers and the cohesiveness of the school community.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
very dedicated to the teachers, the school community and our kids! And they were a lot of fun to work with!
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
buy a new building that would house the school through middle school and maybe even high school!
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every week
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010