Through Continuous Improvement, IST Makes its Mark in the Global International School Arena

As one of the finest international schools in the region, IST strives to continuously improve itself to guarantee students a superior education.

This sentiment has been experienced by faculty members, students and parents, one, in particular, being Sona Shah.

Shah is the current Vice Chair of the Board of Directors and this is her second term on the Board, spending four years as part of the Executive Committee of the Board prior. 

Her son joined EC2 in 2008 and her daughter joined IST’s Grade 1 three years later. 

“I have been an involved parent right from the start and was part of the group of parents to initiate the Parent Network at the school,” Shah said. 

When Shah and her family first joined the school, they were unfamiliar with both the Primary Years Programme (PYP) and the Middle Years Programme (MYP). Coming from a traditional British educational background, the teaching methods of the International Baccalaureate (IB) Curriculum seemed foreign.

She loved the facilities and the way her children grew in confidence, but wanted to gain a deeper understanding of the academic standards that came with the IB Curriculum. 

As she spent more time at the school, got involved with the forming of the Parent Network and had important dialogue with school leadership, she witnessed the transparency and the consistent development of all areas in the school. 

“As my questions began to be answered and more effort was made to communicate what and why we learn things the way we do, I began to get an understanding of the IB Curriculum.”

According to Shah, it was in Grade 5 where she began to see a culmination of answers to her initial questions.

“I began to see the foundations that had been laid come to positive fruition in my child,” Shah said. “Efforts made by the school were much more visible.”

Shah has also loved getting to be part of the decision-making and dialogue occurring in the school community.

“IST is a great school and the community is welcoming and friendly,” Shah said. “To be in service on the Board has been a positive learning experience and I have been privileged to work with some great members on the Board during my tenure.”

According to Shah, even though the work they do is often in the background of the school, seeing the results come into fruition is extremely rewarding. 

“It's great when you see the school and the students reap the rewards,” Shah said. 

Since that first moment back in 2008, Shah has seen IST continuously improve itself, specifically through its executed mission and vision statements and rigorous strategic planning.  

“The school has gone from strength to strength in academics, sports and leadership opportunities for students, and the facilities on both campuses are continuously being renovated or built to meet the needs and demands of our student population.”

Shah quoted the replacement of ISA testing with MAP testing as an area of academic improvement. The introduction of MAP testing at IST was to provide a more timely and ‘quick’ picture of student progress. According to Shah, this has helped the school better align with international standards in the delivery of their academic curriculum. 

Through MAP testing, faculty note gaps and address student needs through differentiation. 

“Introducing [these tests] has led to some great teamwork amongst faculty members and leadership to plan and improve our taught academic curriculum, the culmination of which we see with well above world average grades from our students at the IB Diploma level.”

According to Shah, another area of development and continuous investment in the last few years is in the school’s Learning Support Program.

“This development means that students, at all spectrums of the learning curve, are having their needs met to ensure successful learning outcomes.”

The communication within the Board, with school leadership, with students and with the school community have made lasting changes within the school. 

“[This] communication within the school and beyond, especially in the last couple of years, has really seen IST make its mark in the global international school arena,” Shah said.

According to Shah, this mark is due to the investment in the school’s marketing through a presence online and on social media. 

“When people search for our school, specific and targeted information highlighting successes, achievement, history, etc. are easily accessible, allowing potential students, parents, faculty and even alumni to connect and see what IST is all about,” Shah said. “Our school is recognized for the exceptional educational institution it is and globally attracts a high caliber of faculty and management.”

When asked if IST is a school she would recommend to a friend, Shah answered without hesitation.

“Absolutely, IST is one of the finest international schools in the region and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it to anyone.”

Sona Shah isn’t alone in wanting to recommend IST. Click the link below to discover nine detailed reasons people are quick to recommend IST to a friend.