“IST is such an AMAZING place for learning! My child has had some of the most caring and challenging teachers. They take their time to understand my child just as they understand the class. The school and teachers focus on the whole child. My child has soared as an inquiry based student and taken on Singapore Math with gusto. The specials teachers go above and beyond and often leave me in awe with what the children can do. IST is the place for my kiddo for many years to come, I can’t thank you enough for all you do for each and every child.”
A Message from Our Head of School
Dear IST Students & Families,
As I reflect upon the last school year, I am truly impressed with the vibrant life that we lived together, the rich learning in which we engaged, and the progress we made in developing our institution In many ways, the current season of our school's growth can best be described as a "coming of age " Having just crossed the 10th anniversary of our school's founding, we entered last year with our eyes fixed on the next decade of our growth and maturation as an institution What an exciting time to be a Trailblazer!
Last year, we dove head-first into this chapter with an ambitious portfolio of projects, initiatives, and events We began the year by reviewing and rewriting our Mission and Vision as a school, an essential step in ensuring our North Star was aligned with the community we serve. This led to a Strategic Institutional Review where we worked with stakeholders to bring clarity around the DNA of the school and how to align this with our new Mission and Vision. We rebranded the school, we piloted three new major events with the Trailblazer Parent League, and we began preparations for the redesign of our middle school program and the launch of our high school. The year culminated, of course, in the grand move from Hudson Bend to our new Bee Cave Campus.
Our slogan for the year, Forward as One, served as a rallying cry for the most important part of maturing as an institution: ensuring that we tackled all of this work together as a community Last year was marked by an inspiring level of parental support, engagement, and volunteering in every aspect of life As the new Head of School, it was an invaluable resource and support to have such an engaged parent community that was willing to try new things, be patient and understanding in our transition, and continue to invest in our community
The heart and soul of our school is and will always be the students, their learning, and the excellent faculty who help them on their educational journey. Both inside the classroom and out, our students tackled deep, meaningful questions at all levels of the school from "Does it float?" in PreK to "Did the egg crack?" in Grade 4 to "How can we serve?" in our NJHS club, our students were living out the IB learner profile attributes on a daily basis.
Amidst the hustle and bustle of all the work we tackled last year, we can indeed look back and be proud of the great work we did together as a community We entered the 2024-2025 school year with an even clearer understanding of what it means to be a Trailblazer, and we got there by living out our slogan: we moved Forward as One We have much about which we can and should be proud from last year I invite you to enjoy the review of last year presented in this Impact Report and celebrate the great accomplishments of our Trailblazer community
In Gratitude,
Brian P. Couch Jr., EdM Head of School
Student Life and Achievements at IST
Academics
All of our Grade 8 students met or exceeded grade level norms on both the NWEA MAP Mathematics Test and the ERB CTP Test
All Middle School students participated in The Stock Market Game during math class Of 2,000 teams nationally, one of our teams placed in the Top 5
Two-thirds of our middle school students were accepted into the National Junior Honor Society
Four middle school Mandarin students participated in the 2023 CLASS National Essay Contest, earning Honorable Mention for their outstanding efforts
We hosted 40+ field trips across the region for our primary students to connect classroom learning to real-world experiences
Grade 5 Students hosted NYT best-selling author Varsha Bajaj for a day-long visit featuring writing workshops and discussions
Co-Curricular and Service Activities
Our Destination Imagination team won 1st place in Regionals with a High Instant Challenge Award, 1st place in Texas with a prestigious Renaissance Award and won 1st in the middle school engineering challenge at the Global Finals in Kansas City, against over 2,000 teams from across the globe!
Our competitive First Lego League Robotics Team, won 2nd place in the regional competition for robot design, achieving the highest score in IST history. Coach Jeff Zollner earned the Coaches Award for skill and expertise mentoring the team
IST Student Council attended the LEAD Conference in Arlington, Virginia organized by the National Association of Secondary Schools Principals
A Grade 4 student participated in the National Science and Geography Bee, winning the championship for Science and earning 2nd place in Geography
He received an invitation to compete internationally
IST’s annual food drive resulted in over 4,045 pounds of food donated to the Central Texas Food Bank
All of our middle school students participated in the worldwide Kahoot! Cup 2023
Middle School students embarked on an enriching Travel Week: 6th graders delved into nature and science at the Teton Science School in Wyoming, 7th graders experienced history and culture in Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia, and 8th graders immersed themselves in the natural wonders of the Florida Everglades.
Athletics
Our Grade 4 student placed 1st in Cross Country championship for G3-4
Two of our girls on the Cross-Country team were recognized for their performance in the APSA championship
Our Co-ed Soccer Team advanced to the APSA League Championship and won the APSA conference championship for the third year in a row
Educational Excellence: Leadership and Innovations
IST welcomed international school recruit, Brian P. Couch, Jr. as Head of School to lead the institution into its next decade Head of Middle School, Chad Hyatt, was selected to participate in a curriculum review at the IB's Office in The Hague, Netherlands with an elite group of educators from around the world
Head of Primary, Ashley Swindle, hosted a roundtable for Texas International Baccalaureate Schools (TIBS) welcoming approximately 120 educators and professionals from schools statewide, with a breakout session featuring Grade 1 lead teacher Amy Munson
IST hired a dedicated full-time school counselor to help implement a new social-emotional learning program and support student well-being
Processes and Systems
MYP leadership introduced a streamline student intervention and tracking system and introduced Student Learning Records
MYP leadership introduced a reading buddies program to bolster peer-topeer learning
IST educators expanded mathematics extension groups for our students, including those in need of extra time and those with exceptional abilities
Revamped the PYP assessment data framework to more effectively track and analyze student progress
A New Era for IST
IST began its journey in 2013 on our picturesque Hudson Bend campus, a serene setting overlooking the beauty of Lake Travis. This campus became a vital stepping stone in our school’s growth and a nurturing environment for our students. It was a place where cherished memories were made: sunsets over the lake, sports days, vibrant Holi celebrations, Thanksgiving feasts, promotional ceremonies under the warm sun, collecting 4,000 pounds of food for the food drive, marveling at the eclipse, and hosting inspiring exhibitions Hudson Bend will always hold a special place in our history, symbolizing the foundation of our community and the start of our remarkable journey.
We are deeply grateful to the dedicated team and countless volunteers who facilitated “The Great Move” from Hudson Bend to Bee Cave, even while we were simultaneously operating summer camps at our new campus. Your tireless efforts sorting, organizing, cleaning out, and packing ensured a smooth transition and set the stage for the next chapter in IST’s story
By completing this great move, IST has embarked on a new era filled with pride, progress, and boundless possibilities
Our dream of a new campus in Bee Cave was transformed into a reality because of gifts from generous Trailblazer families to our Here We Grow capital campaign. These educational spaces are a testament to a shared belief in our mission, and the potential of the next generation of globally minded problem solvers.
Investing in Excellence
We continue to be inspired by the extraordinary generosity of our community, which raised over $600,000 in donations last year These contributions have been instrumental in strengthening the school’s financial position and enhancing the opportunities we provide to all of our students.
Thanks to the community’s generous support last school year we were able to establish and accomplish the following:
Launched a Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) program and hired a dedicated school counselor to support student well-being
Recruited new Director of Admissions and Enrollment from top-tier competitor
We increased salaries to position ourselves as a leading contender in attracting and retaining top talent
We invested in a comprehensive phonics curriculum, strengthening our literacy instruction and providing students with a solid foundation in reading and language skills
Covered essential IB fees, allowing us to expand and sustain our academic programs
Introduced 1-to-1 devices for Grade 2 students and new iPads for Grade 1, enhancing digital learning opportunities
We prioritized the growth of our teachers by sponsoring our educators’ professional development through opportunities including IB training and the Key West Literary Seminar
We are profoundly grateful for the collective generosity that has made these achievements possible and look forward to building on this success together.
Total Revenue
Total Expenses
Tution&Fees84%
Donations&Fundraising10%
AuxiliaryPrograms6%
CapitalExpense3%
Salaries&Benefits59%
Administrative5% Facilities23%
Instruction10%
Giving to IST
Gifts to IST expand possibilities for the next generation of globally minded problem solvers. Last year was a pivotal chapter in IST’s journey: saying goodbye to our first home at Hudson Bend, building a new facility and moving into our next home in Bee Cave, welcoming a new Head of School, and most importantly, supporting 206 students reaching for – and attaining – their own ambitious goals as shown on this Report’s preceding pages.
One continuous thread has made all this possible: the philanthropic spirit and contributions by individuals committed to the success of future Trailblazers. Thanks to the dedication, generosity, and support of families, friends, and community members like you, IST has continued to grow, excel and inspire as we blaze a new trail in Austin’s education landscape. Together, guided by a new strategic plan, we are laying the foundation for the school’s future one that promises great potential for current and future students to meet tomorrow’s challenges and opportunities.
2024 Spring Benefit
The Spring Benefit held on April 20, 2024, was a time of celebration in our community, unifying all of us around a shared vision of building an innovative, enduring educational institution that cultivates globally minded leaders, ready to serve our world. Thanks to generous attendees, we raised a record-shattering $471,367 during the benefit. These funds help ensure that we are delivering on our promise to cultivate a global-minded community of leaders, prepared for an ever-changing world Special thanks to co-chairs Caroline Harris and Zoie Itkin, whose time, energy, and dedication made the event a smashing success.
IST teachers continued a beloved tradition of volunteering special experiences for students during the auction – private art lessons
TRAILBLAZER FUND
With leadership by board member Ashley Tuck and Diane Kwon, the 2023-2024 Annual Fund Chair and class parent, the Trailblazer Fund provided essential support to enhance our curriculum, retain talented educators, and provide enrichment opportunities that foster student growth beyond the classroom. Contributions to the Annual Fund are vital to the organization’s operating health, directly impacting students, educators, and programs. These gifts are often matched by donors and employers and help us cover the costs of an IST education. Forward as one! Every Family. Every Year. Every Gift Matters.
“Contributing to the Trailblazer Fund is an opportunity for us to make a direct impact on our children’s academic journey, allowing IST to access top educational resources and talent which tuition alone does not cover. The community, academics, and environment we help build at IST will leave a lasting imprint on our children, and in many ways, shape who they will become.”
-Diane Kwon, 2023-2024 Annual Chair
TPL Officers/Leads
President Annie Tufton
MYP VP - Michelle Waterbury
PYP VP - Ashlie Dulien
Treasurer - Lindsay Rincon
Secretary - Jackie Sandoval
Class Parents
JPK - Natalie Malnor
PK / K - Zoie Itkin
K - Moon Wang
1 - Connie Ditto
2 - Debra Doliner
3 - Lindsey Sendlein
4 - Sarah Warren
4 - Holly Bunnell
5 - Leah Wardle
6 - Emily Reich
6 - Anna Robinson
7 - Laura Kuchinsky
8 - Anniina Jokinen
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our faculty and staff for their unwavering dedication and commitment to our school and community. Your hard work and passion are the foundation of all that we achieve, and we are deeply appreciative of all that you do.
A Note of Gratitude
As I reflect on this extraordinary year, I am filled with gratitude and pride. The 2023–2024 school year was a milestone for the International School of Texas, embodying the Trailblazer spirit by charting bold new paths. I view two important factors to IST’s success as being the remarkable IB education administered by great teachers and the strong, close-knit bonds within our community
Thanks to our senior leadership team and their partnership with the Board of Trustees, IST sharpened the focus of its Mission, Vision, and Values, launched a rebrand, laid the groundwork for a high school, leveled up the middle school program, completed our new purpose-built campus and sold our old campus, all while faculty remained steadfast in their commitment to the education of our students
One initiative from this year that truly resonated with me was our reaffirmed commitment to neutrality in education, creating a space where students can freely explore ideas, challenge perspectives, and grow as critical thinkers. With this we initiated internal trainings and engaged in discussions to help guide the institution through multifaceted topics. This helps IST provide an environment that is a neutral ground for our students to develop into not only productive members of our society but passionate leaders with the tools to propel themselves in their life journey. IST fuels students with the knowledge on how to navigate through today’s and tomorrow’s complex problems Of course, this cannot be done without our beloved faculty and staff I cannot express enough of the profound gratitude I feel for these Trailblazers in education, whose dedication creates these opportunities for our students
Beyond the distinguished pedagogy, the sense of community at IST is truly remarkable, and events like this year ’ s Spring Benefit highlight its strength Families and educators came together to volunteer, share their talents, and generously support the Annual Fund, exemplifying the collaborative spirit that defines us However, building and sustaining a strong community requires constant care and focus, as it is the foundation our students will emulate in the future By prioritizing connection, generosity, and shared purpose, we create a legacy that shapes lives I encourage all families to join in this vital work with your time and resources ensuring IST’s community remains a model for our children. As it is said, it takes a village…
We have accomplished in one year what many schools hope to achieve in five a testament to the resilience and passion of our administration, faculty, families, and students. Thank you for your trust, support, and belief in our mission. Together, we are building not just a school but a
n Waterbury 2024 Chair, Board of Trustees
Donor Recognition
Donors in 2023-2024 School Year (7/1/2023 - 6/30/2024)
**Total giving exceeded the 2024 tuition gap amount
Madeeha Abdulla and Atif Siddiqi **
Irina and Michael Ajouz**
Darcy Alkus Barrow and Christopher
Barrow**
Amanda and Jonathan Allen**
Kelly and Josh Avigael**
Tyler Babb and Allie Kern
Bruce and Terilynn Babb**
Greg and Kaitlyn Bae
Charissa Bates
Hope and Cleve Bellar
Adi and Rebecca Bereshkovsky**
Rosalie and Brian Berg
Ambra Bourne-Dumas and Jean-Pierre
Dumas
Judy Bowen
Barbara and Jeremiah Boyle
Ansley Bridges
Holly and Anthony Bunnell
Sudeep Burman and Haley Carter**
Eric Cheung and Marlena Lee
Rahul Chhatwal and Jasmine Thakkar
Jen and Rob Cohen
Donna Combs-Williamson
Brendan Costello and Diane Kwon**
Timonthy Costello
Bill and Meagan Cotton
Mary and Brian Couch
Crystal and Jamaal Crayton
Josh Davenport
Chauntae Davies
Jenn and Jason De Jong **
Connie and Shey Ditto**
Debra and Adir Doliner
Deepa and Sapana Donde
Ashlie and Louis Dulien III **
Martin Eberle and Kathrin Fluegel**
Carol Elias
Karina and Andrew Farthing**
Magda and Michael Fazio**
Carol and Rob Fondren**
Jenna and Tyler Frost
Alicia and Bruce Furst
Zhuo Gao and Na Jia**
Michelle and Sam Gerzon
Antonia and Charles Giefer
Claudia Goldberg
Sara and Ali Golshani**
Caroline and Jeremy Harris**
Johnny Harris
Debbie Hobbs
Ariel and Tommie Hobbs
Sherry Hunter
Chad Hyatt
Zoie and Andrew Itkin**
Marsha and Phil Itkin
Fatou Jagne and Cherno Njie**
Bettina and Ariel Jakobovits
Donor Recognition
Angela and Adam Jaskolski**
Kasey and Michael Johnson
Brian and Carli Jones
Jason Jones
Alegra Haynes
Thore and Neesa Karlsen**
Jeremi Karnell and Cindy Schultz
Lawrence Keepers
Danny Kievit
Ema Kisel
Maha Khan and Hamza Saigol
Marina Khattak and Aly Orady**
Addison Miller and Kim Kneen-Miller
Cara and Vu Kong
Molly and Stephen Kosoris**
Sophia Leakas and Vitor Menezes
Laura and Ari Kuchinsky
Susan and David Laitala**
Dean Liotta
Christina and Derek Lothringer
Sana Syed and Shahbaz Malik**
Natalie and Dan Malnor
Tommie McClain
Pamela Moore
David and Patricia Nicol
Michael and Sherri Nicol**
Robert Nicol
Maria Ortiz and Jesus Vargas
Hani and Anthony Overfield
Chuong Pham and Sovichear Noch
Elizabeth and Thomas Phariss
Vikram Phatak and Anniina Jokinen
Jayprabha Prabhu and Rohit Mainkar
Kristin Ray
Emily and Michael Reich**
Lindsay and Jeremy Rincon**
Anna and Russell Robinson
Jayanthi Sampathi and Abhishekh Neeraty
Nora Sanchez and Luis Landois, Jr.
Sila and Sendur Sellakumar**
Elena and Jason Senior
Bindia and Parag Shah
Yara Cantu Sittler and Tim Sittler
Jennifer and Brendan Smith
Sara Solomon
Maria Solovieva-Nelson and Justin Nelson**
Kristin and Shawn Strickler
Breanna and Colin Sweeney
Jay and Danielle Taylor**
Lindsay Taylor
Mary Ann and Khristopher Thayer
Nicole Thomas
Crystal and Glenn Thompson
Allison and Dayne Thornicroft**
Reginald Tuck
Ashley and Cody Tuck**
Rhonda Tuck
Annie and Richard Tufton
Eefje Van Minsel and Collin Chan
Paula Cortes and Jorge Vela**
Moon and Kean Wang**
Sarah and John Mark Warren
Leah and Stephen Wardle
Michelle and Jason Waterbury**
Nicole and Steven Welch**
Izabella and Michael Wentz
Shannon Williams
Tasha and Brian Yacktman**
Kimberly and Michael Yacktman**
Donor Recognition
Business Donors to IST and the IST Spring Benefit
Adel Vardell Photography
Alejandro Ospina
Austin Bounce House
Austin Elite Gymnastics
Baylie Beebe Photography
Blazer Tag Adventure Center
Card My Yard
Caylee Dearth Performance Horses
ChampionsTX – Lakeway
Cyced
Dart’Em Up
Fairmont Austin – Garrison
Free Rein Coffee Company
Harmony Lab
High Five
iRoc Space Radio
Kerri Meigs Photography
Kitestring Pediatric Therapy
KGS Studios
Korman Fine Jewelers
Lake Travis Laser Skincare & Aesthetics
Leave It to Kievit
Lee’s Kitchen & Cocktails
Margaret Webb Life Coach
Muse Med Spa
Nordstrom
Pikopyes Town – Lakeway
Pretty Kennels
Restora Austin Plastic Surgery Centre
Restore Hyper Wellness & Cryotherapy
Robin Jackson Photography
Sarah Warren Sea World – San Antonio
Serasana – Bee Cave
Serene Hills Dentistry
Shipley Do-Nuts – Lake Travis
Skydive-Spaceland – San Marcos
Southern Tire Mart
Steiner Ranch Steak House
Surflift ATX
TenTen
The Hills Country Club
Tiff’s Treats
Thrive Hormonal Health & Business
Toothbud Pediatric Dentistry
Truluck’s
Wild Heart Yoga
Y6 Family LLC
YCG Investments
Every effort has been made to recognize donors according to their wishes – if we misspelled your name, you wish to remain anonymous, or any name needs correction, please contact Sumaya Saati at s.saati@istexas.org or 512.351.3403 extension 1025.
Paths to Contribute
The Trailblazer Fund is at the heart of IST’s giving efforts. Gifts to the school ensure that our students have access to the very best educational resources. Supporting best-in-class educators, cutting-edge technology in the classroom and innovative extracurricular programs, your contributions to the Trailblazer Fund help deliver promises set out in our new strategic plan and enhance every aspect of our students’ experience.
The Trailblazer Family grows stronger when we support each other. Our goal is to have 100% participation from our community. Every gift counts, no matter the amount, and shows your commitment to IST’s mission of inspiring global citizens and leaders oriented towards service.
Ways to Give
Gifts may be made online by clicking here, or by check addressed to:
International School of Texas Attn: Development
15506-C TX. Highway 71 Bee Cave, Texas 78738
IST also accepts gifts of stock, charitable annuities, and donor advised funds
Business sponsorships are available for specific school events and offer marketing and visibility opportunities, while affiliating your business with the school’s community and supporting our mission.
Every contribution directly impacts our students by supporting innovative programs, state-of-the-art facilities, and transformative experiences that make IST a school like no other.
International School of Texas is a 501(c)(3) with Tax ID: 46-2877379
