IST Programmes and Curriculum
IST provides outstanding support to your children helping them achieve their unique and individual learning goals.
To best facilitate the global educational opportunities for our students, we follow the IB curriculum programmes in the Elementary and Secondary years, as defined by the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO). Introduced in 1983, IST has an extensive history with the IB Programme and inherently the academic excellence exemplified from the students who have graduated from it.
Over the almost 40 years of teaching the IB Programme, we’ve mastered how best to ensure your children will leave IST ready for a successful future. After graduating, they will be:
- Inquirers — their natural curiosity has been nurtured and they actively enjoy learning.
- Thinkers — they exercise initiative in applying thinking skills critically and creatively to solving complex problems.
- Communicators — they receive and express ideas and information confidently in more than one language.
- Risk-takers — they approach unfamiliar situations without anxiety and have the confidence to explore new ideas.
- Knowledgeable — they have explored themes that have global significance and have acquired a critical mass of knowledge.
- Principled — they have a sound grasp of the principles of moral reasoning and have acquired integrity, honesty and a sense of justice.
- Caring — they show sensitivity towards the needs and feelings of others and have a sense of personal commitment to helping others.
- Open-minded — they respect the values of other individuals and cultures and seek to consider a range of points of view.
- Well-balanced — they understand the importance of physical and mental balance and personal well-being.
- Reflective — they give thoughtful consideration to their own learning by constructively analyzing their personal strengths and weaknesses.
To ensure this, our faculty are not only experts in their field and often hold advanced degrees, but they are also trained extensively in our core IB programmes.
Following graduation, 95% of students receive admission to four-year university programmes or colleges.
The IB curriculum is balanced and holistic, providing varied opportunities for your children to learn and demonstrate their learning. It enables students to gain understanding and skills in ways that are disciplinary, trans-disciplinary and inter-disciplinary. It encourages students to be reflective and to act upon their learning.
Primary Years Curriculum
The Primary Years Programme (PYP) curriculum stresses the importance of determining the existing knowledge that students bring to new experiences in order to allow children the opportunity to make connections between their previous and current perceptions.
It’s an inquiry-based, concept-driven programme for students ages three to 12. Students learn about the interconnectedness of big ideas, all while grasping the essential elements of concepts, knowledge, skills, attitudes and actions. The goal of the PYP is to help children form the foundation for a future of learning.
Middle Years Curriculum
The Middle Years Programme (MYP) curriculum is designed for students aged 11 to 16 and aims to help students develop their personal understanding, their emerging sense of self and responsibility in their community.
Our teachers frame the curriculum in such a way that encourages your children to embrace and understand the connections between traditional subjects and the real world. Your children will become a critical and reflective thinker and develop the qualities and attributes of internationally-minded global citizens.
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IB Diploma Curriculum
The IB Diploma Programme (DP) curriculum is an academically rigorous two-year programme intended for students in Grade 11 and 12. Courses lead to the IB Diploma or IB Certificates and therefore, course selection is of the utmost importance and should be chosen according to your children’s passions and career goals.
IST offers a wide range of Standard and Higher Level courses and these important decisions should be made in consultation with parents, teachers and a counselor. These choices must take into account each student’s long-term education and career goals, demonstrated skills and strengths as well as current interests.
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Extra-Curricular Activities
As a not-for-profit school with exceptional campuses and facilities, IST is able to offer your children a robust selection of after school extra-curricular opportunities consisting of a range of activities that fall under Creativity (Arts and Technology), Action (Sport) and Service (Community and Service).
Through the extra-curricular activities, your children will have the opportunity to compete with other students throughout Africa, around the world and locally within Tanzania. Alternatively, your children can use these opportunities to set their own personal goals for achievement in an area outside of, but often complementary to, subjects covered in the classroom.
Learn more about our extra-curricular activities
An IST education ensures your children have access to a rigorous IB curriculum, extensive extra-curricular activities, and that students learn in a balanced and holistic way.
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“It is because of IST that I now walk into lectures, sit and relax because I already know what we are learning … The academic exposure I got from the IB DP curriculum, together with the hardworking and caring teachers, helped me to see that the field I love, science, was obtainable.”
Silvanus Kaserwa, IST Class of 2015, New York University (Shanghai, China)
“Doing thesis work for our Extended Essay, taking leadership roles in community service activities, studying biodiversity in the Pare Mountains with our Biology teacher, these were all preparatory for the types of experiences we would have in college.”
Neechi Mosha, IST Class of 2004, Harvard University, Duke for Medical School and MIT for his MBA
“I love IST because it genuinely changed my life. It helped me find who I am through the various learning opportunities [both academically and in the extra-curricular activities]. I learned to learn, it taught me that education isn't cramming rather it is applying. I love IST because it is a place where one is introduced to reality thus providing a place to grow.”
IST student Roohina Ismail
How to inspire your child to face and overcome challenges
From academics to after-school activities, excellence can be nurtured to lead a balanced education and lifestyle. Download the eBook below to learn how you can encourage your child to achieve excellence inside and outside of the classroom.
