Annual Impact Report Celebrating 30 years
2025 - 2026
About PSI Pechersk School International (PSI Kyiv) is a not-for-profit international school that was opened in Kyiv in 1995 by a group of parents seeking a genuinely international education for their children. Today, 30 years later, PSI is the only school in Ukraine that has authorisation to teach the three International Baccalaureate ® (IB) programmes: Primary Years Programme, Middle Years Programme and Diploma Programme. In addition to that, PSI offers an additional general education programme accepted by the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine. We strive to be a school where every voice is heard, every passion is encouraged, and where we connect with the wider world, both locally and globally.
Leadership Team School Director Primary School Principal Secondary School Principal Director of Teaching & Learning
Trae Holland Bryan Reardon Dr David Freeman Andrew Weston
Contacts Address Phone Website
Viktora Zabily Street 7A, 03039, Kyiv, Ukraine +380 44 377 52 92 https://enrol.psi.kyiv.ua/
Social Media
Editors Design
Mykyta Vasyliev, Marharyta Feshchenko Dave Low
Scan the QR code to learn more
Contents Leadership & Vision Foreword from the School Director Message from the Board Chair A Place Where We Belong Global Recognition of Resilience
6 7 8 10
Academic Innovation & Student Impact Joyful, Challenging... and Impactful Brave Tech: Future-ready Learning at PSI Service Learning in Action: A Year of Profound Impact Learning Beyond the Classroom: Athletics, Aquatics and Activities
14 18 20 22
Our Community A Flourishing Global Community Rebuilding a World-Class International Team
28 30
Advancement, Strategic Partnerships & Philanthropy Professional Synergies Scholarship Programme ‘PSI for Good’ Power for PSI The 2025–2026 Giving Summary
34 38 40 42
Financial Stewardship & Future Outlook Financial Health & Operations
46
Leadership & Vision
Director’s Foreword
Operating an international school in Kyiv amidst an ongoing war is an exercise in immense faith and daily courage. It demands a level of resilience that no community should ever have to summon, yet it is a challenge our students, families, and staff have met with quiet, unyielding grace. When you read through the pages of this Annual Impact Report, you will see a school that has not merely survived, but thrived. You will see a vibrant, rebuilt community that proudly welcomes exceptional educators and families from across the globe, united by a shared purpose. You will read of a graduating class that delivered a flawless IB Diploma pass rate with scores that dramatically outpaced global averages. From our community-supported efforts toward campus resilience to the breathtaking, record-breaking charitable action led by our own students, the academic and personal achievements of this past year are nothing short of extraordinary.
6
This year holds immense emotional weight for me as my tenure draws to a close. It is nearly impossible to find sufficient words to share the depth of my gratitude on a single page. To our dedicated Board of Governors, led by Peter Erben, and to our tireless faculty, operational staff and deeply supportive parents, I thank you. Most importantly, to our students: you are the absolute best of us. Your bravery, brilliant minds, and joyful spirits have been the greatest inspiration of my career. While my time as Director is ending, my belief in the future of this magnificent school, and the beautiful, inspiring nation it calls home, remains absolute and will steward my future as the benchmark of what it means to build, along with others, something bigger than self. Though PSI will never leave my heart, I move to the next chapter knowing that the foundations of PSI are stronger than ever, and that it will forever remain A Place Where We Belong.
Trae Holland School Director
Message from the Chair of the PSI Board of Governors
The 2025-2026 school year marked another important chapter in PSI’s story - a story increasingly defined not simply by resilience, but by continuity, confidence, and our shared commitment to the future. Since returning to Kyiv in August 2023, PSI has maintained a sustained and robust presence in the city. In circumstances that continue to test our community in ways few schools could ever anticipate, PSI has remained here: educating, growing, adapting, and planning for the future. Each successive school year has strengthened our conviction that PSI’s place in Kyiv is not only part of our history, but central to our future. Resilience, however, does not mean simply enduring difficult circumstances. It means continuing to move forward with purpose. Throughout 2025-2026, the Board of Governors remained focused on ensuring that PSI has the governance, strategic direction, and institutional strength necessary to do exactly that. Our responsibility has been to look beyond the immediate challenges around us while remaining responsive to them - safeguarding the school today while making thoughtful decisions for the PSI of tomorrow. Good governance becomes particularly important in times of uncertainty. It requires difficult conversations, careful stewardship of resources, transparency, accountability, and a willingness to adapt. Most importantly, it requires keeping the mission and long-term interests of the school at the center of every decision. The Board has continued to strengthen these foundations while working in close partnership with the School Director and leadership team. What gives us the greatest confidence, however, is our community. Our students continue to learn, explore, compete, create, and grow. Our faculty and staff continue to bring extraordinary dedication to their work. Our families continue to place their trust in PSI and contribute actively to school life. And throughout everything that surrounds us, PSI continues to be a vibrant, international community here in Kyiv. That is perhaps the most meaningful measure of our impact. As we reflect on 2025-2026, we do so with immense gratitude to everyone who has contributed to PSI’s strength and continuity. We also look forward with confidence. There will undoubtedly be challenges ahead, but the past several years have demonstrated something fundamental about this community: we do not simply respond to change - we continue to build through it. PSI is here. PSI is moving forward. And together, we remain deeply committed to ensuring that this remarkable school continues to thrive in Kyiv for many years to come.
Peter Erben Chair, PSI Board of Governors
7
A Place Where We Belong At Pechersk School International (PSI), our motto is far more than a simple tagline—it is a lived reality and a promise to our community. “A Place Where We Belong” signifies our unwavering commitment to providing a secure, uninterrupted environment for learning, personal growth, and connection, ensuring that students and staff quickly feel included and valued. In our current reality, this motto has taken on an even more profound meaning. It actively shapes our daily lives and provides the foundation for our resilience, guiding everything from our classroom environments to our highest-level strategic decisions:
8
In the Classroom
In Strategic Decision-Making
The motto ensures that our students always feel safe and cared for within a challenging and motivating learning environment, no matter what external disruptions we face.
Our core values define our aspirations and expectations, providing clear parameters for how we interact, how we allocate our resources, and how we make decisions. This ensures that students’ best interests remain at the centre of all decision-making, and that we continue to approve and maintain programmes that promote the overall wellbeing of our students.
Our Guiding Statements These foundational statements serve as the compass for our institution, ensuring we remain a diverse and inclusive community that adapts to challenges without losing its core identity.
Our Motto
A place where we belong.
Our Mission
Joyful, challenging, and personalised learning in an inclusive international community.
Our Vision
Voices valued. Passions nurtured. Worlds connected.
Our School - drawing by Platon, KG student at the Early Years Centre.
9
Our Core Values Integrity, Honesty, Trust: We value acting on strong moral principles that build trust within our community. Respect, Empathy: We value respect and understanding for each other’s individualities, cultures, beliefs, and ideas. Belonging: We value a community where everyone is safe, included, appreciated, and feels free to be themselves. Happiness, Joy: We value a joyful environment that promotes a happy and motivated community. Passion, Courage: We value creativity, inspiration, risk-taking, and passion in everything we do. Voice, Agency: We value voice, choice, and agency in empowering the ownership of learning.
You can explore our complete guiding statements and defining principles in full detail here: PSI Website -> About us -> Guiding Statements
Global Recognition of Resilience The enduring spirit of Pechersk School International (PSI) Kyiv has resonated far beyond our campus, transforming our community’s lived experience into an internationally recognised testament to institutional strength and courage. This journey was captured in Learning Against the War — a poignant documentary retrospective created to communicate how PSI continues to provide high-quality learning in Kyiv during wartime. Developed entirely in-house through a close collaboration between our School Director, Secondary Principal, Communications and Advancement Manager, and videographer, the project ensured the finished piece remained emotionally truthful, institutionally aligned, and deeply grounded in resilience. Reaching an international audience of current and prospective families, alumni, partners, and the wider educational community, the film has achieved over 1,500 views worldwide. More than a retrospective, it exemplifies how thoughtful, resource-conscious storytelling can elevate a school’s mission far beyond traditional communications.
10
Silver CASE Circle of Excellence Award In recognition of its message and craft, Learning Against the War was honoured with the prestigious Silver CASE Circle of Excellence Award, celebrating world-class advancement and storytelling in international education.
From the Judges “This moving video powerfully captures the daily realities of a school community continuing to educate during wartime. Judges were impressed by its emotional opening and closing, strong interview soundbites, and authentic portrayal of people supporting one another through difficult circumstances. The result is an uplifting and persuasive story that clearly communicates the school’s mission.”
Scan the QR code to watch the video
11
The Team & Voices Behind the Film A story this candid and meaningful was made possible by the collaborative effort of our in-house team and the courage of our community storytellers: Production Team Executive Producer: David Freeman Producer: Trae Holland Videographer & Editor: Serhii Siviakov Editor: Mykyta Vasyliev Interviewers: Olha K., Olha H., and Lera Interviewees & Storytellers PSI Students: Mariia, Marharyta, Mark, Maksymilian, Maxim, Oleksandra, Sasha, and Yelyzaveta PSI Faculty Members: Bryan R., Brendan C., David B., Gary B., Mariia T., Natasha S., Olga I., and Paul T.
Academic Innovation & Student Impact
Joyful, Challenging… and Impactful
By Andrew Weston, Director of Learning and Teaching
At Pechersk School International, our mission describes what we do every day. We create a learning environment that is joyful and challenging, where each student receives the support they need in a diverse and welcoming community.
The Class of 2026: Extraordinary IB Results Behind every grade achieved by our students lies a profound narrative of inquiry, rigorous drafting, intellectual growth, and steadfast perseverance. This year, we proudly celebrate a remarkable milestone for our Diploma Programme cohort, who achieved a 100% pass rate alongside an outstanding average score of 37 points — well above the global average of 30.88. Furthermore, our students attained an impressive 5.8 out of 7 average subject grade, surpassing the global benchmark of 4.93, with two candidates earning bilingual diplomas. Reflecting upon these accomplishments, Secondary Principal David Freeman observed, “That would be remarkable during peacetime. During a war, it is extraordinary.” This success belongs not only to the students but to a faculty and leadership team that continually showed up for one another.
14
Global Pathways: University Destinations The calibre of our graduates continues to be recognised by some of the world’s most distinguished academic institutions. The Class of 2026 has secured offers across the United Kingdom, including the University of Glasgow, University of Sussex, University of Liverpool, University of Manchester, University of Bristol, Durham University, The University of Edinburgh, Newcastle University, and King’s College London. In the United States, our alumni have been welcomed by Northeastern University, the University of Arizona, and Rutgers University.
Tailoring the Student Experience The MYP Exploration Programme: Breadth and Approaches to Learning (ATL) Alongside core academic subjects, the Middle Years Programme incorporates dedicated Exploration sessions, meeting twice weekly for 40 minutes. Designed to broaden the student experience and cultivate essential Approaches to Learning (ATL) skills, the programme rotates quarterly, immersing students in four experiential pillars:
• • • •
Social and Emotional Learning (SEL): Guided by our school counsellor, this tailored curriculum meets students at their specific developmental stages, providing essential emotional literacy, selfregulation, and coping strategies amidst challenging circumstances. The Arts: Nurturing creative expression, aesthetic appreciation, and imaginative exploration. Speech & Debate: Developing rhetorical confidence, critical inquiry, and persuasive oratory skills. Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS): Translating empathy into practical student agency. Working collaboratively, students organise and lead purposeful action to make a tangible difference in the world—from curating auctions and designing charity fundraisers to producing engaging informational videos championing environmental stewardship and energy conservation, such as mindful daily habits like turning off lights.
15
Assessments Meaningful personalisation rests upon accurate, multifaceted diagnostic insight. PSI tracks student progress and gradelevel attainment in Mathematics and Literacy against American Common Core Standards. Within the Primary School, foundational mastery is continuously monitored through Developmental Reading Assessment (DRA) benchmarks and Global Strategy Stage (GLOSS) testing for mathematical understanding. To augment daily classroom observations, Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) assessments in reading and mathematics are administered from Grade 3 through to Grade 9. These external benchmarks provide objective, longitudinal reference points that illuminate specific areas where a student may benefit from further challenge or bespoke scaffolding. To reinforce this personalised approach, we integrate specialised digital tools such as IXL, offering targeted, controlled practice tailored to individual mathematical needs. In response to recent diagnostic MAP data, the school systematically restructured mathematics instruction across the Middle Years Programme. By deliberately increasing the teacher-to-student ratio, our faculty provides more intensive, highly differentiated tuition and responsive small-group guidance, ensuring that every student rebuilds conceptual mastery, closes identified gaps, and approaches complex mathematical inquiry with renewed confidence.
16
Mathematics: Curiosity, Collaboration & Competition Over the past academic year, our students demonstrated exceptional analytical acumen on the international stage. In the Secondary School, our scholars participated in the ASMA Math Contest 2026, an esteemed international mathematics competition that has engaged schools globally since 1982. Competing against more than eighty international institutions, both our Junior and Senior PSI teams secured second place. Such an achievement is a reflection of the vibrant intellectual life within our mathematics classrooms, where students are taught to approach complex challenges with curiosity and to resolve them with confidence—fostering a resilient mindset that extends far beyond the curriculum. Similarly, in a historic first for the school, our Primary Mathematics team travelled to Skopje to participate in the CEESA Primary Maths Olympiad. Representing PSI with infectious enthusiasm and remarkable teamwork, our younger students relished the opportunity to engage with their international peers, sharpening their mathematical reasoning through friendly competition. We remain deeply grateful to Nova International School for their warm hospitality as hosts of the event.
Academic Innovation: Pioneering AI Education To prepare our students for an increasingly complex future, we must equip them with sophisticated technological proficiencies today. Last spring, PSI hosted the inaugural Data Analytics & AI for Young Changemakers course, delivered in collaboration with Data Wise Academy and the Fisher Centre for Business Analytics at the Haas School of Business, UC Berkeley. Under the expert guidance of Professor Gauthier Vasseur, this intensive three-day programme gathered forty participants to cultivate a practical mastery of data analytics, generative artificial intelligence, and machine learning. Carefully adapted from an executive-level syllabus to suit our students, the course empowered participants to author their first Python programmes, execute machine learning operations, and devise solutions for eight real-world business cases. The students subsequently delivered their findings in polished, professional presentations, demonstrating not only their newly acquired technical expertise but also their refined communication and storytelling skills. We extend our sincere gratitude to Professor Vasseur for sharing his profound expertise and generous spirit.
17
Brave Tech: Future-ready Learning at PSI
By Andrew Weston, Director of Learning and Teaching and Lyle Bobyk, Interim Director of Technology
The design space has been overhauled to better support the skills and requirements of a 21st-century classroom. ‘Space’ is a vital component in the workspace when designing, planning and prototyping projects. With that in mind, the new layout for the design space incorporates larger tables designed to allow for standing or sitting on tall stools, as well as being on casters so we can move them around the space. Having mobile tables allows students to join tables for larger projects and prototyping, as well as move them out of the way so that a large floor space can be accessed quickly and efficiently. Shelving in the space allows for better storage of materials and projects, so students can quickly find the materials needed for project-based inquiries. Storage of projects, whether they be at a beginning phase or nearly complete phase, is also accommodated within the new space. Having a practical and efficient design space is an asset to our students so that learning and engagement are prompt and efficient.
18
Return of the Design Subject in the Diploma Programme (DP) We are happy to have the return of DP Design as an IB component for our grade 11 and 12 DP classes. Diploma Programme Design is being offered for the first time since the school returned to Kyiv in 2023, and we are delighted to reintroduce it as an exciting opportunity for our PSI student body. We feel that the improvements to the design space, as well as 21st-century technological devices, will allow DP Design students the opportunity to engage in a class that not only challenges them but also prepares them for a practical role in future endeavours. In a rapidly changing world of technology and innovation, understanding the world around us and being able to utilise the Design Cycle in developing transferable skills through design projects is an essential component of future-facing education.
19
MacBook Neo laptops in the Middle School
Growing our Brave Tech Programme
PSI is proud to pilot the new MacBook Neo laptops with our Grade 6 class this year. This initiative is designed to put the technology students need into their hands to enhance their learning. Having devices prepared and managed by the school means that all students in Grade 6 have equitable access to the technology they need to succeed.
Our investments in technology are helping to bring more tech into classrooms. Students have already engaged with 3D printing as part of various projects, from models of the brain used with Grade 4 in the PYP, to Grade 9 students designing and creating products for a charity auction.
With the MacBook Neos, we are able to provide ready-tailored opportunities to engage with technology that develops a deeper understanding of tech and empowers students to produce work digitally whilst continuing to grow their IT skills. As we grow this pilot, we are looking to expand software provision that enables teachers to more quickly and efficiently connect students with opportunities to produce digital work - be it written, voice recorded, visual, or AI enhanced.
Thanks to a generous donation from a PSI family, this year we are also beginning a handson project with students to install and run a hydroponics-farming garden. As part of this project, students will engage in transdisciplinary learning - combining understanding from biology, sustainable development, and also design and technology. We will also be challenging our students to consider how we could use such technology to bring a ‘greener’ touch to our shelter environments.
Service Learning in Action: A Year of Profound Impact The mission of the International Baccalaureate is to develop inquiring, knowledgeable, and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world. Over the past year, our students brought this philosophy to life, demonstrating that compassion carries profound weight and that dedicated efforts can uplift entire communities. United by a shared sense of purpose, our community raised an unprecedented amount of funding for charitable initiatives, achieving the largest collection in PSI’s history. Our students sustained their longterm commitment to the visually impaired children of School #11, engaging them through crafts, sports, drama, and English tuition. Furthermore, with the creative and generous support of the PSI Cafeteria team, they provided vital assistance to the Dacha Centre for children battling cancer, whilst the Studentsto-Heroes initiative successfully secured essential funds for medical devices and life-saving materials.
20
A Record-Breaking Book Drive In conjunction with Literacy Fortnight, PSI families orchestrated a remarkable Book Drive. In partnership with Ukrainian writer and volunteer Ruslan Horovyi, the community gathered over 600 books for internally displaced children, comfortably exceeding our initial target of 500. We owe a particular debt of gratitude to Grades 2 and 6 for their outstanding contributions. These volumes of imagination and comfort have already found new homes in libraries across Pohrebyshche, Zavodske, and Dobryi Koziatyn.
Celebrating Dedicated Leadership At the very heart of our service learning programme is Dr Tetiana Isakova (Dr I), our Diploma Programme Mathematics Teacher and Service Learning Coordinator. This year, Dr Isakova was distinguished as the regional winner for Africa, Europe, and the Middle East of the inaugural IB Community Inspiration Award. A foundational pillar of PSI since its inception, Dr Isakova’s steadfast leadership and profound belief in the potential of young people continue to serve as a beacon for our community. Reflecting on the honour, she eloquently noted:
Scan the QR code to watch the video
“Receiving the IB Community Inspiration Award means a lot for me and for our community. It is a heartfelt confirmation that our work truly matters. It serves as recognition of an entire community’s effort and brings deep satisfaction that we have lived true to our values. And what is most important, it deeply supports the belief that our students carry the joy of service as an ‘emotional footprint’ on their future paths. This award is an opportunity to share our story and is considered by me as a sign point for new actions and developments, and a great inner inspiration for Pechersk School International and me.”
21
Learning Beyond the Classroom: Athletics, Aquatics and Activities By Peter Hausz, Athletics & Activities Director
During the 2025–2026 school year, PSI continued to provide a diverse co-curricular programme designed to promote student agency, wellbeing, creativity and belonging. Across the year, students could choose from 42 athletic, academic, creative and recreational activities, with 67% of students participating in at least one activity. The programme included competitive sport, aquatics, performing and creative arts, academic enrichment and recreational clubs. Opportunities ranged from football, basketball, volleyball, cross-country running and swimming to drama, music, MathCounts, speech and debate, and other student-interest activities. Seven new activities were introduced during the year in response to student feedback and participation trends. PSI students represented the school through both the Kyiv Schools League (KSL) and the Central and Eastern European Schools Association (CEESA). During the year, 27% of students participated in competitive school teams and represented PSI at local and international tournaments and events. Students travelled to Kraków and Skopje to compete, build friendships and engage with the wider international-school community.
22
Notable competitive and academic experiences included:
• • • •
A cross-country meet in Kyiv involving PSI and other international and local schools The CEESA Middle School Girls’ Football Tournament in Kraków The CEESA Primary Mathematics Competition in Skopje Online mathematics competitions organised by the American Scholastic Mathematics Association
Aquatics remained an important part of school life. Students participated in structured swimming activities focused on water confidence, stroke development, fitness and competitive performance. The programme also provided recreational swimming opportunities for staff and members of the wider PSI community. Despite periods of disruption caused by air alerts, staffing challenges and infrastructure limitations, PSI maintained a safe and consistent programme wherever possible. Coaches and activity leaders adapted sessions, used alternative spaces and provided shelter-based activities, allowing students to remain connected to their teams and clubs. Through sport, aquatics, arts and clubs, students developed much more than activity-specific skills. They practised teamwork, leadership, resilience, creativity and responsible decision-making. These experiences helped students discover new interests, form relationships across grade levels and make meaningful contributions to the life of the school.
23
2025–2026 at a Glance
42 67
%
athletic, academic, creative and recreational activities
of students participated in at least one activity
7
2
new activities introduced
competitive networks: KSL and CEESA
27
%
of students participated in competitive school teams
International student experiences in Kraków and Skopje
Our Our Community Community
1995
1995
1998
1999
2002
2001-2002
1997 1997-1998
2000s
2022
2005
Scan the QR code to learn more
A Flourishing Global Community
By Olha Karashchuk, Admissions Coordinator
In the 2025-2026 school year, Pechersk School International continued to grow and strengthen its diverse community. Despite the ongoing war in Ukraine and the profound challenges it brings to everyday life, PSI remains a vibrant, thriving educational haven in Kyiv. Our students and families come from a wide array of cultural backgrounds, creating an enriching environment.
187 130 13 Total Students
28
Total Families
Nationalities
Enrolment Highlights At the beginning of the academic year, PSI welcomed 187 students representing 13 distinct nationalities. The ongoing presence of both Ukrainian and expatriate families forms the bedrock of our community, underscoring the school’s truly international character.
• •
We have had 65 new students whose arrival highlights the strong interest of new families in joining PSI. While we celebrate a strong core of Ukrainian students (comprising 88.24% of the student body), our community represents international students from Canada, Czechia, Estonia, Italy, Lithuania, Portugal, Spain, the Republic of Türkiye, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
29
Rebuilding a World-Class International Team
By HR Office
The true heart of Pechersk School International has always been its people. When we returned to our Kyiv campus in August 2023, our most vital priority was rebuilding the vibrant, international community of educators and operational staff that defines the PSI experience. Today, we are immensely proud to share a story of remarkable growth, steadfast retention, and successful global recruitment.
30
A Story of Steady, Strategic Growth In the 2023-2024 academic year, our dedicated operational and academic team stood at 52 members. Through careful strategic planning and an unwavering commitment to our educational mission, that number has grown consistently year upon year. As we look ahead to the 2026-2027 school year, our staff community has flourished to an impressive 82 exceptional professionals. This deliberate expansion is most visible within our academic teams. Over this period, our core faculty has grown significantly from 24 to 43 educators, whilst our Teaching Partners have more than doubled from 5 to 12. This targeted investment in educational support ensures that our classrooms remain intimate, highly personalised, and deeply nurturing environments for every learner. Working alongside them, a robust team of 27 operational staff continues to work tirelessly to maintain a secure, modern, and welcoming campus infrastructure.
A Diverse Tapestry of Global Talent PSI remains a genuinely international institution, enriched by a magnificent diversity of global perspectives. For the 2026-2027 school year, our faculty proudly represents 10 nationalities.
“Being part of this team in Kyiv feels particularly meaningful to me. I’ve worked with educators in many communities and countries, and being here has reminded me how important school is when the world around us feels uncertain. Our job isn’t only to teach; we have the opportunity to give students a sense of connection, curiosity, and hope. I’m grateful to be part of a team that is helping students navigate today while also preparing them to shape a future they will help shape. I am excited to see what we can build together as a team.” Larissa D’Avignon, Student Support Coordinator Our Staff Growth 100
100
75
75
50
50
25
25
0
31
0 2023-24
2024-25
2025-26
Our Diverse Faculty
Ukraine USA UK Canada Columbia Others
14% 7% 42%
7% 7%
(combined across Netherlands, Spain, Zimbabwe, Hungary,
23%
and New Zealand)
We are honoured to maintain a strong core of local expertise, with 42% of our faculty (18 teachers) originating from Ukraine. This local brilliance is seamlessly integrated with an incredible array of international talent, including educators from the United States (23%), the United Kingdom (7%), Canada (7%), and Colombia (7%), alongside outstanding colleagues from the Netherlands, Spain, Zimbabwe, Hungary, and New Zealand. Ultimately, these figures represent far more than successful recruitment metrics. They reflect a profound belief in the future of our school, a shared commitment to Ukraine, and a testament to our retention efforts. By attracting and nurturing top-tier international and local talent in the midst of challenging circumstances, we continue to prove that PSI is not merely a place to work, but truly A Place Where We Belong.
Advancement, Strategic Partnerships & Philanthropy
Professional Synergies
By Olya Yarmoliuk, Fundraising & Development Officer and Mykyta Vasyliev, Communications & Advancement Manager
At Pechersk School International, our mission extends well beyond our campus perimeter. Over the past year, we have actively expanded our network into a dynamic ecosystem of national innovation partnerships, corporate alliances, and global thought leadership. By uniting our Kyiv community with the international educational vanguard—our Global PSI Rodyna—we continue to demonstrate how educational resilience can inspire organisations worldwide.
INSCIENCE Conference 2026 In June 2026, Pechersk School International served as General Partner and host venue for INSCIENCE Conference 2026 - Ukraine’s largest science and innovation event, bringing together 1,519 participants, 47 speakers and moderators, 25 talks and panel discussions, and 3 workshops. Hosting an event of this scale in Kyiv during a full-scale war is itself a statement - one that reflects PSI’s commitment to keeping intellectual and educational life alive in Ukraine.
34
This was not a coincidental partnership. PSI has been building its identity as an innovation hub for education in Ukraine - through the STEM Lab, training in AI and Data Analytics, and a curriculum that prepares students for a rapidly changing world. INSCIENCE is proof that this strategy is already visible beyond our walls. When Ukraine’s leading scientific community chooses PSI as its home, it affirms that our campus is more than a school -- it is a platform for the country’s future. PSI students, teachers, and parents attended the conference as participants -- walking the same halls, joining the same sessions, and connecting with scientists and innovators side by side with over 1,500 members of Ukraine’s scientific community. For our students, this is a glimpse of the world they are being prepared to lead.
Looking ahead, PSI students will be at the heart of this partnership, with dedicated Science Kids sessions planned for the 2026-27 academic year.
“PSI represents an educational community that values curiosity, openness, and the creation of opportunities for young people to explore the world around them. We believe this spirit aligned beautifully with the mission of INSCIENCE and made our partnership especially meaningful.” Viktoriia Hapchuk, Head of INSCIENCE conference
The Union of Ukrainian Entrepreneurs (СУП) Our civic and economic integration was further affirmed through our ongoing partnership with the Union of Ukrainian Entrepreneurs (СУП). In December 2025, PSI was officially nominated for the prestigious SUP Award in the “Resilience” category— one of the country’s highest distinctions for enterprises that have preserved operations, protected employment, and invested in Ukraine’s reconstruction throughout the conflict. Named among the top four finalists nationwide, the school was honoured on stage during the official awards ceremony. This recognition acknowledges PSI’s unbroken record of operational continuity: maintaining 100% of local jobs in Ukraine, steadily rebuilding our enrolment from 87 students during the initial Warsaw relocation to over 180 in Kyiv, and remaining the sole school in Ukraine authorised to deliver three International Baccalaureate programmes.
“PSI is more than just a school. At this critical moment in Ukraine’s history, we have become a leading force and architect of democratic principles, raising the future leaders of our country. When peace comes, it is this generation that will bear the responsibility of leading Ukraine toward the more promising future for which its people have sacrificed so much. In raising this generation of leaders, we constantly ask ourselves what kind of people they will become -because qualities like critical thinking, innovation, teamwork, integrity, and compassion will define the future of the Ukrainian nation.” Trae Holland, School Director
35
Sharing Lessons of Resilience As PSI perseveres through unprecedented operational challenges, international school associations and advancement networks have turned to our leadership team to understand the practical methodologies of institutional endurance, safety, and care.
CASE Global Webinar: Lessons from Ukraine (December, 2025)
In late 2025, we were invited by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) to address a global network of advancement and school development professionals. In the webinar “How to Build Resilience: Lessons from Ukraine,” our leadership candidly examined the realities of campus life—including managing operational continuity amid persistent air alerts and shelter sessions, and coordinating long-term development initiatives. The session showcased how authentic, mission-aligned community engagement and clear philanthropic priorities (including targeted scholarships and strategic reserves) can sustain an educational community through crisis.
AAIE Global Leadership Conversation (Toronto, February 2026)
36
At the Association for the Advancement of International Education (AAIE) Annual Conference in Toronto, PSI contributed to the global dialogue on TraumaInformed Practice (TIP). In an environment shaped by frequent alerts, shelterbased instruction, and prolonged collective strain, PSI’s journey since August 2023 provides a practical case study in embedding trauma awareness across every school domain—from curriculum delivery and counselling to policy-making, human resources, and family support. Authentic TIP implementation enables students to regain academic focus and empowers educators to sustain their wellbeing while supporting others.
CEESA Conference: Teaching Under the Gun (March 2026)
At the Central and Eastern European Schools Association (CEESA) Conference, Secondary Principal David Freeman and Primary School Principal Bryan Reardon led the specialist seminar “Teaching Under the Gun: How to Run an IB School in a War Zone.” Addressing international educators, the session provided actionable insights on crisis management:
• • •
Rethinking spatial planning and pre-positioning learning materials for instantaneous transitions between classrooms and bomb shelters. Actively combating cognitive fatigue, desensitisation, and student anxiety through proactive pastoral routines. Harnessing lessons learned during remote learning alongside modern AI tools to deliver purposeful, engaging lessons underground.
Through these corporate integrations, civil recognitions, and global presentations, PSI affirms that our resilience is not a solitary effort—it is a shared, generative force shaping both Ukraine’s future and the international educational landscape.
Scan the QR code to watch the video
37
Scholarship Programme ‘PSI for Good’ Education has the power to heal, uplift, and transform. In response to the devastating realities of the war, we re-established our Scholarship Programme (founded in 2017), renaming it ‘PSI for Good’. Working in close collaboration with the “Children of Heroes” Charity Foundation, this initiative provides fully funded access to PSI’s world-class international education for children who have tragically lost a parent in the conflict. This programme is about far more than academic access; it is about providing a safe, joyful, and deeply supportive haven where children can rediscover their passions and build a hopeful future. The true measure of ‘PSI for Good’ is best expressed through the voices of the families whose lives it has touched.
Transformative Impact: Stories from Our Community 38
The Antonenko Family: A Canvas for New Opportunities Originally from Kharkiv, the Antonenko family was displaced to the town of Oleksandriia for two and a half years. In 2022, Oleksandra’s father, Dmytro, who had bravely volunteered for the military, was killed in action. Seeking a brighter future and greater opportunities in Kyiv, her mother, Tetiana, applied for the PSI scholarship programme upon the recommendation of the “Children of Heroes” foundation. Since joining PSI in 2024, Oleksandra’s daily life has been completely transformed. Embracing our balanced academic environment, she now has the time and resources to explore a wealth of new passions. She actively uses the school pool, has earned her orange belt in karate, takes singing lessons, and even plays the electric guitar in a newly formed student rock band, “Chestnuts,” which recently celebrated its debut performance. Beyond these incredible extracurricular achievements, Tetiana finds profound peace of mind knowing that her daughter is safe, well-cared-for, and able to continue her education uninterrupted in the school’s secure shelter during air alerts.
“I am very calm when she is at school. During an alert, she is in a safe place where classes continue... It is a very good initiative to support children through your scholarship programme; it gives children more opportunities to receive a high-quality education.” Tetiana, Oleksandra’s mother
39
The Syhnaievska Family: Finding a New World of Support Before the war, the Syhnaievska family lived a happy, peaceful life in Vyshhorod. Tragically, in October 2024, Oleksandra’s father, Serhii, was killed. While navigating this unimaginable loss, her mother, Svitlana, connected with the “Children of Heroes” Foundation, through which they discovered the PSI scholarship programme. Upon Oleksandra’s acceptance, the family’s anxieties about transitioning to a new environment quickly dissolved. Svitlana fondly recalls how Oleksandra was welcomed at the school gates with smiles and hugs from the School Director and teachers, immediately setting a tone of profound care. Oleksandra joined PSI in 2025. Within her very first week, Oleksandra formed wonderful friendships with students from diverse backgrounds, including Turkiye and Estonia. Svitlana highlights that at PSI, educators are viewed as trusted mentors rather than figures of fear, creating an empowering atmosphere where Oleksandra is excited to learn, engage in projects, and return home with a smile every day.
“After the loss of her father, you were able to give my child a happy smile every day. As hard as it is for me to live with the loss of my husband, my child has the right to a happy future, and you are helping to make that happen. Thank you so much, you are incredible.” Svitlana, Oleksandra’s mother
Power for PSI
By Olya Yarmoliuk, Fundraising & Development Officer
In late 2025, following damage to local energy infrastructure, Pechersk School International experienced a temporary loss of heating and power, resulting in a short suspension of in-person learning, the first since our campus reopened in August 2023. In response, we launched an urgent winter campaign to protect what matters most: uninterrupted, safe learning for our students. The response came from every corner of the PSI family. Online, through our RallyUp campaign, 47 alumni, former teachers, parents, and friends of PSI around the world contributed $6,055 USD. Closer to home, members of our own school community came together to raise $25,256 USD. Combined, these gifts brought the campaign to $31,311 - proof that belonging to PSI means showing up when it matters most.
“My eleven years at PSI were some of my best professional and personal memories. I commend the school for continuing to teach about international perspectives and global citizenship. I’m proud to say that PSI has always been a ‘place where we belong.’” Patricia Puia, Former Secondary School Principal (2009-2020).
40
Every name on this list, seen or unseen, is part of the same story: a global community choosing, again and again, to keep PSI’s doors open.
PSI Community The Mardoian Family The Yurchenko Family The Ilchenko Family Kateryna Nonka The Prokofiev Family The Melikian Family The Volkovetskyi Family The Klymov Family The Bondarenko Family
Faces of the Campaign: Our generous supporters
Supported via RallyUp Campaign Melissa Schaub Alesia Kladava Betty Bai Kate Waterfall Catherine Godin Erica S Olga Gapochenko Amber Russell Catherine Dick Molly Moore john Littleford Kelli Karg James Young Amanda Cooper Marco Marengo Barbara Cohen Melissa Hooper Elias D Jane Lueders Michele Basu Alexander Best Olga Popova Cary Hart Michael Merrick Mikel Lataburu ReardonFamily NZ Olenka Bodnarskyj Sarah Goldman Ashley Larsen Jillian McGuire Shauna Koperski Kelsie Kimberlin Foundation Marita Lynch Joanne Foster Patricia Puia Linda Schwartz Kim Holland La Mor Amelia and Travis Hall Anonymous Ellen Mahoney Michelle Barrios Danielle Sargent Sarah Browne Olha Makara Eileen Vincett Zette Mykyta Vasyliev
41
The 2025–2026 Giving Summary By Olya Yarmoliuk, Fundraising & Development Officer and Mykyta Vasyliev, Communications & Advancement Manager
During the 2025–2026 academic year, this collective solidarity translated into $253,667 of direct philanthropic and in-kind support, ensuring our campus remained a safe, well-resourced, and forwardlooking environment for every student.
Donations - $31,311 Grants - $47,514 In-kind support - $174,842 Total - $253,667
42
Power for PSI As we navigated the severe infrastructural challenges and winter blackouts that tested Kyiv, our community stepped forward to ensure that learning would never be interrupted. Between January and March 2026, the Power for PSI campaign successfully raised $31,311 in direct donations. These crucial funds were immediately deployed to secure reliable power generation and maintain a warm, safe haven for our students and staff during the darkest months of the year. We are deeply humbled by the grassroots and major donor support that kept our lights on and our classrooms functioning. Through these corporate integrations, civil recognitions, and global presentations, PSI affirms that our resilience is not a solitary effort—it is a shared, generative force shaping both Ukraine’s future and the international educational landscape.
$ 6,055 - RallyUp (global fundraiser) $ 25,256 - PSI Community Total - $31,311
A Global Network of In-Kind Support Beyond direct financial contributions, PSI was the recipient of an unprecedented wave of in-kind support valued at $174,842. Educational partners, international accreditation bodies, and local enterprises waived essential fees and donated vital infrastructure, allowing us to redirect critical funds directly into our educational programmes and campus security.
9% Educational Technology: 62.4% ($109,137) Campus Facilities: 28.6% ($50,000) Global Memberships: 9.0% ($15,705) 28.6% Total - $174,842
Some of the friends that stood with PSI:
43
Financial Health & Enrolment Trends
Financial Health & Enrolment Trends
By the Business Office team
As a private, non-profit school founded in 1995, Pechersk School International (PSI) has historically maintained a strong financial basis thanks to many years of good management and responsible corporate governance. The accompanying enrolment trend chart provides a transparent look at our current situation, capturing both our historical strength and the unprecedented challenges we are currently navigating.
A Successful Trajectory Interrupted Historically, PSI enjoyed a remarkably successful and stable trajectory, growing steadily to reach a milestone of 546 students — operating at 99% of our total capacity — by the end of the 2021-2022 school year. We were incredibly proud of this robust growth, but going into the semester, our reality abruptly changed. The sudden outbreak of the war fundamentally disrupted our operations, leading to an immediate drop in numbers. However, the accompanying enrolment trend chart demonstrates the remarkable resilience and steady recovery of our school.
46
From a baseline of just 101 paying students in the 2023-2024 school year, we have rebuilt our community to 175 paying students in 2025-2026, with our total actual enrolment reaching 193 students by June 2026. This consistent month-over-month and year-over-year growth illustrates renewed confidence in PSI’s continued excellence.
PSI Enrolment Trend 600
600
400
400
200
200
0
0 2021-22
2022-23
2023-24
2024-25
2025-26
PSI Enrolment Actual
2023-24
2024-25
2025-26
August
97
134
181
November
99
141
186
January
104
146
188
April
106
152
192
June
106
167
193
Paying Students
101
139
175
Commitment to International Staff
3% 2%
Despite these immense financial hurdles, our strategic priorities remain clear. We have always maintained that our educators are the greatest asset of the school. Historically, staff provision has been our major expense, and this remains true today; for the 2025-2026 school year, staff expenses account for 69% of our total actual expenses.
10%
13% 5% 69%
Rather than compromising on the quality of our educational provision, we made deliberate, necessary investments in retaining and supporting our international staff. Ensuring that our teachers were cared for and capable of delivering uninterrupted, high-quality IB programmes required significant resource reallocation, even during a period of reduced income. Additional educational allocations include 5% dedicated to programme expenses and further investments in technology and equipment.
Staff Expenses Brave Tech Project Equipment & Software Utilities, Maintenance (excl. depreciation) Programme Expenses Other
Navigating the Energy Crisis In addition to the immediate impact of the war and our vital investment in faculty, our financial standing was further tested by severe infrastructural hurdles. The ongoing energy crisis placed an extraordinary strain on our resources, demanding unforeseen operational expenditures to secure reliable power and maintain safe, functioning environments for our community. As a result, utilities and maintenance currently account for a significant 13% of our total expenses. However, the sound corporate governance that has characterised PSI for decades continues to provide a solid basis for our recovery. We are strategically managing our resources to ensure that PSI remains resilient, sustainable, and ready to rebuild alongside the nation we call home.
Tuition Fees Strategic Development
11%
89%
Investing in Our Campus: The Strategic Development Fund To ensure we can continue overcoming these infrastructural hurdles, we rely on the remaining 11% of our income chart: the Strategic Development Fund. Since 2006, PSI families have contributed to this dedicated reserve, which is strictly ringfenced for campus improvements and major facility upgrades. This fund has historically allowed us to maintain and improve our learning environment, ensuring that it remains safe, modern, and aligned with our long-term goals. In recent years, the Strategic Development Fee stood at $1,250 and was included seamlessly within the tuition payment. As part of our ongoing efforts to address essential infrastructure needs—including specific enhancement projects requested by parents—we raised this fee by $250 for the 2025-2026 school year. This proactive adjustment guarantees that our campus will continue to evolve and meet the high standards our students deserve.
47
Pechersk School International (PSI Kyiv)