THE IVY INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL
A SPANISH IMMERSION SCHOOL
ABOUT THE IVY SCHOOL
WELCOME TO THE IVY INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL
The early childhood years are the most important time in the life of a family and the most influential time for children as they start on the road to learning. Children of this age are naturally curious and interested in the world around them. This magical time of extraordinary cognitive, emotional and physical growth combined with an excellent early childhood program, sets the foundation for later learning and social relationships. At the Ivy School, we welcome both children and parents into a community and a partnership with teachers. Starting preschool for the first time is a big leap for both parents and children. This experience must be a process of establishing trust with parents and teachers so children can become independent as they grow in their confidence to manage the world outside of home. We want children to feel safe to explore a new environment, new materials and new relationships. Children need to feel valued when others listen to them and learn that what they say and do is important and has an effect on others. We look forward to being partners with you as we guide and encourage your children to grow and discover themselves as young learners.
Esmeralda Estep
Head of School
Students Are Our Number One Priority
Our core philosophy of principles that guides our policies and goals focuses on the students’ ability to learn academically, physically, and emotionally. We promote an environment that is classical in education, disciplined in work, respectful of institution, physical in activity, and innovative in spirit. Students are evaluated at least three times a year to help teachers and parents individually adapt instruction style and academic goals.
Students Excel When Academics Have Purpose.
We believe in creating a learning environment where students are challenged to excel with academic purpose. We believe that education in the early formative years must be familial, encouraging, and small in classroom size. We believe that as students progress within three-year cycles, confidence in their language, math, and science skills builds. As this confidence builds, students become more aware that knowledge imparted has purpose in an innovative world.
Students Who Are Well-Prepared Have More Global Opportunities
We believe students must be prepared for all domestic and international higher educational institutions and have a mastery of critical thinking and problem solving in order to live and compete in our dynamic world. Students are immersion-taught in Spanish with at least one additional language such as Chinese.
Students Must Be Taught Good Citizenship
We believe that a curriculum must include what it means to be a good citizen in our local and increasingly global community. We believe students must be taught cultural awareness, tolerances for others, and be instilled with a profound sense of generosity to all humans. We accept students, teachers and staff of all cultural backgrounds to aid in the acquisition of this awareness, tolerance and generosity.
Students Must Have Equal Opportunity For Excellent Education
We believe every child has the capacity to be academically well-educated in a multi-lingual environment, respectful of cultural differences. We encourage a sense of belonging to a collegial community independent of race, religion, and socio-economic background.
Our Philosophy
Why Choose Ivy School
Our world has become global. As your children grow, they will not only be citizens of their own country, but of the world. As citizens of this new "global country," they will need new skills. They will face daily challenges that you as parents may not have experienced — understanding, communicating and working among other cultures to learn from and succeed through increasingly international relationships. Both the children of families native to Austin and those who have made Texas their home need to learn to become global citizens.
At Ivy International School we educate our students with these new challenges in mind, by:
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Teaching other languages: Spanish and Chinese.
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Following the principle that to really master a language you have to study the culture that goes with it.
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Incorporating the best aspects of the American School System.