International School

International schools promote the diversity of people and cultures, provide an optimal environment for learning and teaching, and offer a global curriculum. The focus of these institutions is to inspire students to be aware of the world in which they live in order to foster understanding, independence, tolerance, and cooperation between cultures. The benefits of attending an international school are numerous. The key benefit is that students gain historic and modern knowledge of the world through intellectual endeavor. Students acquire this benefit by interacting on a daily basis with fellow students from other cultures and belief systems. Hereby students can experience a bit of what God had intended when he created mankind, "That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear. ...even to him shall men come" (Isaiah 45:23-24).

Most such institutions allow the foreign student to retain fluency in their mother tongue, while valuing the acquisition of other languages. This is best seen in any number of foreign exchange programs, where a student attends an international school for a short period of time, usually one term to one year. During this time they experience the language and culture of another country through immersion in the daily life around campus and the community. International schools can be an elementary, middle, secondary, or a post secondary school. If a student is considering attending a place for learning outside of their own country, then a thorough investigation must be conducted into the quality and safety of the institution and the region in which it is operated.

One of the widest known organizations for assessing quality and offering service to schools around the world is the Council of International Schools (CIS). The Council is a not-for-profit association of primary, secondary and post secondary institutions working together for the continuous improvement of international school education. The CIS offers a wide range of services. In keeping with the diversity of membership and the constant change associated with international education, their services are varied and flexible. Probably the most important service offered by the CIS is that of accreditation. Since 1970, CIS evaluation and accreditation has been the required standard for institutions seeking worldwide recognition and acceptance.

For such an institution to become accredited by the CIS, an internationally based evaluation must be done at all levels. This accreditation can be kept current through regular monitoring of its operations. The CIS also offers a job board. CIS pre-screens and evaluates prospective teaching and administrative applicants so international schools can recruit only the highest quality educators. CIS also offers leadership and governance training, workshops, and seminars. These training programs help establish and maintain administrative boards while outlining their job functions. There are over 460 post secondary institutions listed as members with CIS and over 240 lower division institutions. Careful research and preparation should be taken before enrolling in any international school program.

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