In its 2015 Quality Counts report, Education Week ranked Arizona as 47th out of 50 states and the District of Columbia on quality of education. That probably doesn’t come as a great surprise to most Arizonans, who have grown accustomed to our state’s dismal education report card. But what may astonish some is that our great state does have a top-ranked international school right here in Scottsdale-Phoenix.
The International School of Arizona offers an academic excellence program in early childhood, lower and middle school, catering to students age 2 through eighth grade. Offering students a second-language immersion program, global curriculum and cultural enrichment studies, ISA is striving to become a world-class international school recognized for academic excellence, exceptional teaching and state-of-the art facilities.
Dr. Etty Zilber is ISA’s head of school. After long stints in international schools in Israel, Singapore, Spain, Guatemala and China, she was tapped to join the ISA team to help prepare students in Arizona for global citizenship in an academic institution that celebrates differences, nurtures students and teachers, and instills a deep understanding of the relationship between culture and language.
“I was so pleased to learn that Scottsdale-Phoenix had its own international school,” Dr. Zilber remarks. “This made me realize that there are people in the Valley who understand and value the competencies and skills that come from a multilingual environment.”
Dr. Zilber explains that the value of an international school includes high academic levels in both English and the target language as well as gaining a deep understanding of the world and its diversity. Problem-solving, acceptance of ambiguity and creativity are just a few of the values stressed at ISA.
Dr. Zilber also believes that ISA offers an economic benefit to Arizona.
“Having an international school in the city has put Phoenix-Scottsdale on the radar of multinational companies wishing to attract and recruit the best talent from around the world,” she says. “They know the importance of quality international schooling for the children of their employees.”
Since many employees coming to Arizona have families in tow, it is crucial for them to be assured that their children will have access to high-quality international schools. “In addition, the Arizona students in our school will eventually become the leaders in their future professions; their multilingualism and multiculturalism will connect Arizona to the rest of the world,” Dr. Zilber says.
The skills students learn at ISA go well beyond traditional studies. “Students who interface with an environment or a culture which is different from their home culture, develop skills which cannot be found in textbooks,” says Dr. Zilber. “They become tolerant of those different from themselves, they learn that there is always more than one way to understand a word or a concept, they are comfortable with ambiguity and change, and they are curious about the world.”
Academics are rigorous at ISA. Students achieve fluency in both English and their target language of either French or Spanish. They also score one to two years ahead of the general population on national English standardized exams. In addition to traditional academics, ISA offers a variety of extracurricular activities such as judo, chess, coding, art, dance, robotics, tennis and many others.
ISA recently purchased a 3.7-acre property in Scottsdale where they plan to relocate in June of 2016. They presently enroll 266 students and are hoping to reach their target population of 500 students with their upcoming relocation. ISA is a private institution with tuition ranging from $11,050 to $13,800 annually. But many scholarship opportunities are available.
“We believe in strongly offering this unique education to as many children as possible,” says Dr. Zilber. “We have financial aid funds, which we distribute to those who apply.”
ISA offers students a culturally and ethnically diverse environment where differences are not only recognized, but are celebrated and nurtured. This open environment of mutual respect among students, teachers, staff and parents allows for a deep understanding and respect for multiculturalism while grooming today’s students for a lifetime of global citizenry.
