Annual Report 2014 • 2015
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Mission Statement:
The International School of Minnesota is recognized as a provider of top-quality education to a highly diverse student body. ISM prepares all students for success in college, equips them with the ability and desire for lifelong learning, and strengthens their civic, ethical, and moral values. ISM maintains high standards of efficiency and accountability throughout its organization.
Give them the world. The International School of Minnesota (ISM) is a private, college-preparatory school housed on a beautiful 55acre campus in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. Our students in Preschool through Grade 12 receive a premier education within a vibrant, multicultural community universally committed to academic excellence. It’s in this inclusive, collaborative environment that our students are challenged to grow in intellect, character, and global understanding as they prepare to impact the larger world. The benefits of an ISM education last a lifetime and open up a world of opportunity. 2
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Table of Contents
Letter from the President Letter from the Director Parent Connection 2015 Parent Survey Results ISM Community School Profile 2015 ISM Graduating Class
10 Academics 12 Athletics 13 Clubs 14 The Arts 16 Student Life Organization 18 World Languages 20 Residence Hall
2014-15 Awards and Distinctions
Academics • Named #1 Most Challenging School in Minnesota by The Washington Post • National Merit Finalists (3) • Le Grand Concours National French Contest - Gold (5) Silver (5) Bronze (7) Honor (14) • A Vous la Parole French Speaking Contest - First (13) Second (9) • National Spanish Exam: Gold (5) Silver (6) Bronze (2) Honor (3) Athletics, Clubs and Performing Arts • Girls Soccer Team Placed Second in Conference • Boys Middle School Basketball Conference First Place Team • Track and Field Individual Third in State 110m Hurdles • FIRST Robotics State Qualifier • Destination Imagination Global Qualifiers, Davinci Award and Torchbearer Award Winners • Hennepin Theatre Trust Spotlight Award Winners Social Responsibility • 42 ISM Students Invited to Attend WE Day 2014 in Recognition of Social Responsibility Efforts • Hennepin County $20,000 Grant Award for Composting and Recycling • ISM Students Collected 2,100 pounds of food and packed 27,000 meals throughout the year
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Dear ISM Community: Established in 1985, The International School of Minnesota recently completed its 30th year of operation. As the first SABIS® Network school to open in the U.S., ISM was established to bring high-quality, private education to a state already known for its strong public education system. Undaunted by the challenge this presented, SABIS® third generation leaders, Mr. Ralph Bistany and Mrs. Leila Saad, knew that if they could be successful in Minnesota, they could be successful anywhere in the U.S. Thirty years later, ISM, has graduated hundreds of highly-educated, well-rounded students and draws on a solid reputation for equipping its students for success. With the support of the talented ISM faculty, staff, and administration, SABIS® plays a central role in making sure that ISM students are equipped for success. The SABIS® system features a proven, time-tested approach to education that uses a dynamic curriculum, detailed teaching plans, the latest delivery systems, targeted textbooks, and frequent assessment to build a solid foundation of knowledge for ISM’s community of learners. Through the ongoing collection of meaningful educational data and access to cutting-edge IT tools, ISM administrators and teachers carefully monitor student learning and then draw upon the SABIS Student Life Organization® at the school to provide additional, valuable learning support. The effectiveness of the SABIS® Educational System in equipping ISM students for success is evident in the school’s achievements in the 2014-15 academic year: Twenty residential students completed their first year in the school’s new boarding facility; ISM students continued to distinguish themselves as community service leaders, innovators, performers, athletes, artists, and academics; results on AP® exams taken by ISM students in high school remain outstanding; 2015 graduates were accepted to a long list of top colleges and universities in the U.S. and abroad; and the school improved its ranking among “America’s Most Challenging Schools” – 10th in the U.S. and 1st in Minnesota! I invite you to read about all these accomplishments and more in this annual report, and I take this opportunity to thank everyone in the ISM community for contributing to the school’s reputation for excellence. Happy 30th anniversary, ISM! SABIS® is proud to be part of your legacy, your success, and your future. Regards,
Carl Bistany SABIS® President
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On behalf of the entire team at The International School of Minnesota, I am pleased to share the 2014-15 Annual Report, a report that celebrates the excellence achieved by The School and our community of learners. ISM is equipped for success, building a solid academic foundation with the implementation of SABIS® Educational System’s proven instructional methods, high expectations for all members of the ISM community, and the commitment of our dedicated and talented faculty and staff. The mission of The International School of Minnesota is to provide the highest quality education to all our students, guiding them as they reach their full potential and become well-rounded individuals and socially-responsible citizens of the world. The 2014-15 academic year kicked off with the successful opening of ISM’s new state-of-the-art Residence Hall with 20 residential students studying and living at ISM from China, Ivory Coast, Korea, Nigeria, Spain, and the USA. Students enjoyed the residential student program throughout the year as they experienced the culture of The International School of Minnesota as well as the United States. Upper School students joined residence hall students in the dorm for retreats and our homecoming dance and are frequent visitors. We look forward to welcoming new and returning residential students back to ISM. Once again ISM students earned impressive college acceptances, outstanding exam performance, and participated in a wide range of extracurriculars that empower students to hone excellent leadership skills and self-confidence through active participation in athletics, performing arts, Robotics, Destination Imagination, ISM Science Fair and most importantly, the SABIS Student Life Organization®. SABIS Student Life Organization® spectacular student initiatives for 2014-15 yielded great results both locally and globally during the year. The Adopt-aFamily Program donated more than 400 gifts to 19 families in the Minneapolis area over the holiday season. Parents, guardians, students, and staff helped to pack more than 7,667 pounds of food for global distribution, and the We Scare Hunger initiative collected 2,177 pounds of food which was donated to local food shelves. Global initiatives also included We Race for Change, earning a total of $18,000 throughout the year which was donated to Free the Children. ISM students also took on a huge project for Green Initiatives by writing a grant for a new composting program. Due to the efforts of the students, ISM was awarded a $20,000+ recycling grant from Hennepin County. ISM once again earned recognition as the #1 Most Challenging School in Minnesota on The Washington Post’s Challenge Index. You can find all this information and more in this Annual Report. I hope you will feel as much pride as I do in our school and our students’ accomplishments. Happy reading! Best Regards,
Christi A. Seiple-Cole ISM Director 5
Parent Connection Supported Programs and Events:
The ISM Parent Connection The ISM Parent Connection is a non-profit, volunteer organization committed to providing enrichment for students, parent volunteer support, and facilitating communication and social interaction among parents, students, administration, and staff at ISM.
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International Food Court and Fashion Parade
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Cultural Winter Market
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Staff Appreciation Luncheon
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Winter Warm Up
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Graduation Stoles
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Accelerated Reader Book Blast
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Art Adventures Program
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Framing of Student Art
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Prom DJ and Photo Booth
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Class Parties
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Rewarding Academic Responsibility (RAR) Parties
The School motivates my child to learn.
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Student Clubs
The SABIS Student Life Organization® contributes to a positive school environment. 91%
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Indoor Play Equipment
ISM keeps me well informed about my child’s academic performance, behavior issues, and attendance. 89%
During the 2014-15 school year, the ISM Parent Connection organized its annual fund-raising event “Once Upon a Time” at the Chanhassen Dinner Theater. Proceeds from this enjoyable evening helped fund many programs which support The School’s mission. Parents have many opportunities to get involved at ISM and support both academic and extra-curricular enrichment programs. Assisting students in taking Accelerated Reader quizzes on the computer and Robotics are popular volunteer activities.
ISM SABIS® Parent Survey Results 2015 In our ongoing effort to continuously improve and never become complacent, SABIS® surveys all ISM parents requesting their valuable feedback in areas critical to helping all students reach their full potential. The School has high expectations for my child’s learning.
Agree 98%
86%
Teachers at The School help my child work toward achieving his/her full potential. 92% My child’s school makes sure that classrooms and school grounds are safe.
92%
ISM keeps me informed about school news and activities through WebSchool, Friday Folders, Friday E-mail. 94% WebSchool helps keep me informed about my child’s academic performance, behavior issues, and attendance. 89%
My child is in a diverse learning environment and ISM promotes a global perspective. I like the fact that all the teachers and AQC know my child as an individual. 4
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–ISM Parent
My child looks forward to going to school.
88%
The school staff actively and effectively reinforces moral, ethical, and civic values. 98% I am satisfied with The School’s Extended Day/After School Activities/Extracurricular Activities. 86% Overall, I am satisfied with the quality of education my child is receiving.
92%
The ISM 2014-2015 student body represents more than 40 nations Algeria
Australia
Belgium
Brazil
Bulgaria
Chile
China
Columbia
Cuba
Czech Republic
Dakota
Denmark
Egypt
France
Gambia
Germany
Greece
Guatemala
India
Iran
Italy
Ivory Coast
Japan
Lebanon
Mexico
Nigeria
Norway
Pakistan
Peru
Philippines
Romania
Russia
Sierra Leone
Singapore
South Korea
Sudan
Sweden
Switzerland
Thailand
Turkey
Ukraine
United Kingdom
United States
Vietnam
The International School of Minnesota values cultural diversity and inclusion and offers students unparalleled opportunities to share and expand global experiences. Our student body represents over 40 countries and 30 languages. Our close-knit community values this distinction and enjoys building global friendships, demonstrated by participation in annual international events such as International Day and Winter Market. In September, participants at The International School of Minnesota’s International Day visited country exhibits to view student projects, participate in activities, sample food, and enjoy a scavenger hunt. Concerts and performances took place throughout the day with songs, dances, and instruments representing this year’s focus nations: Brazil, Chile, Korea, Pakistan, Philippines, Sweden, and Turkey. The ISM Parent Connection organized native dishes representing nine nations Each year ISM trips are planned to that were served in the global village international food court, as well as a parade of nations with allow students to explore language families in traditional costumes. In December, families were invited to escape from the cold and snow and travel to paradise for ISM’s 11th annual Winter Market. Visitors learned about the many different cultures that have influenced the traditions of people of the Caribbean Islands with island cuisine, steel drums, games, and crafts.
and culture firsthand. During the 2014-15 school year students travelled to Boston, New York, China, and Ecuador.
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School Profile Academic Year 2014-2015 The International School of Minnesota is a proud member of the SABIS® School Network, recognized for its proven, global curriculum taught around the world. In the spirit of inclusion, and also because we believe our system of learning can help students at all levels achieve academic mastery, our admissions policy is not exclusive. Teaching Staff: Teachers are specialists in their respective fields, with degrees in the subject area/areas of expertise. The teaching staff at ISM includes three AP Readers for the College Board’s Advanced placement tests. World Language teachers are native speakers or of equivalent fluency. World Languages: All students have daily instruction in Chinese, French, or Spanish. Athletics: Basketball, Soccer, Track & Field, Volleyball, Baseball, Cross Country, Ultimate Frisbee, Golf lessons and racket sports Clubs, Teams, and Leagues: Math League, Husky Snow Club, Foxjets Club Swimming, Robotics, Debate, Mock Trial, and Destination Imagination The Arts: Studio Art and Performing Arts, including: Concert Choir, Show Choir, Jazz Ensemble, Festival Band, Festival Strings, Symphonic Strings, Symphonic Band, Show Choir Band, Theater Workshop, and Drama SABIS® Technology: ISM is using technology in the most meaningful manner in order to bring The International School of Minnesota value added to the delivery of learning. ISM uses is accredited by the unique and proprietary Integrated Testing and Learning (ITL) facilities to assess students’ • Middle States Association of progress and to aid in re-teaching concepts. Colleges and Schools Interactive White Boards utilize ISM-specific • Accreditation International SABIS®-generated curricula, lesson plans, and instructional content. Mobile language lab • National Council for Private School tablets are used to deliver world language Accreditation curriculum. At the heart of The School’s academic ® quality assurance processes is its SABIS Student Management System (SSMS); the SSMS powers the school’s data-driven decision-making process. Our WebSchool tool keep parents informed of student assignments, grades, volunteer activities and more. Summer Programs: Summer Adventure Camp is offered weekly at ISM for children from age three and a half through those entering eighth grade, including a new Counselor-in-Training program for our older campers. Campers from ISM and the extended community enjoy camp programs including daily world language lessons. Summer Enrichment Classes include Photoshop, Video Editing, Math and English boosters, and more for Upper School students. Extended Day: ISM offers a wide range of enriching and engaging after-school, extended day activities to students in Preschool through grade five. Classes include swimming, karate, yoga, music, dance, and crafts. Private music lessons are also offered through our Music Conservatory.
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Campus: ISM is situated on a stunning 55-acre campus on Bryant Lake with a new, 32-bedroom residence hall, woods, trails, track and field, and indoor pool.
ISM Graduating Class of 2015 Scholarships Butler University Presidential Scholarship Butler University College of Liberal Arts French Department Scholarship University of St. Thomas International Student Scholarship (2) University of Minnesota Iron Bridge Scholarship Hamline University Scholar Award University of Minnesota Scholar Award National Merit Corporation Scholarship Iron Range Scholarship
Class of 2015 College Acceptances
American University Beloit College Boston University* Bradley University Butler University CA Poly State University San Luis Obispo Carleton College Chapman University Coe College College of Wooster Columbia College Connecticut College Creighton University California State University Fullerton California State University Los Angeles DePaul University Drake University Drew University Drexel University Duke University* Eckerd College Emory University Fairfield University Fordham University George Mason University George Washington University* Georgia Institute of Technology Grinnell College Gustavus Adolphus College Hamline University Hobart & William Smith College Hofstra University Indiana University Bloomington*
Class of 2015 Majors
Indiana University Purdue Indianapolis Johnson & Wales University (Providence) Kalamazoo College Knox College Lawrence University Lewis & Clark College Loyola Chicago Loyola Marymount University Loyola University New Orleans Luther College Macalester College Manhattanville College Marist College Marquette University Miami University, Oxford Minnesota State University Mankato Muhlenberg College North Carolina State University Northeastern University* Pace University, Westchester Campus Pennsylvania State University* Pepperdine University Quinnipiac University Rochester Institute of Technology Rutgers University-New Brunswick Saint Louis University St Olaf College St Xavier University St. John’s University Stonehill College SUNY Albany SUNY Stony Brook* Syracuse University*
Biology Economics and Biology Biology, Pre-Med track Electrical and Mechanical Engineering Business Electrical Engineering Business and Journalism English Business Management Environmental and Sustainability Studies Communication and Advertising Finance Communication, Law, Economics, and Government French and Elementary Education Costume Design French and Political Science Criminology Kinesiology: Exercise and Movement Science Economics Marketing
University at Buffalo (SUNY)* University of California Merced University of California Davis* University of California Irvine University of California Riverside* University of California Santa Barbara* University of California Santa Cruz* University of Connecticut University of Denver University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign* University of Maryland Baltimore County University of Michigan* University of Minnesota Duluth University of Minnesota Morris University of Minnesota Twin Cities* University of Missouri Columbia University of North Dakota University of San Francisco University of Southern California* University of St. Andrews University of Wisconsin Eau Claire University of Wisconsin Madison* University of Wisconsin River Falls University of St Thomas Ursinus College Villanova University Wagner College Washington University in St Louis* Wellesley College Wentworth Institute of Technology Wesleyan University Western New England University Westminster College Wheaton College MA * Worlds’s Top 200 Universities as reported in the U.K. Times Educational Supplement, 2014
Math Music Nursing Physics Political Science Pre-Medicine/Biology Speech Language and Hearing Sciences Theatre Arts and Pre-Med
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ELA ACT ASPIRE 2015
90
The ACT® is America’s most widely accepted college entrance exam. It assesses high school students’ general education development and their ability to complete college-level work. ISM students’ performances far exceeded state and national scores with several students scoring 34 out of 36.
61 45
50
44
35
26
61 45
50
44
35
30 69
700
Reading
500
Math Writing
300 200 100 0
ISM
Minnesota
National
2015 ISM Graduates - ACT® Averages (ISM high score was 34 out of 36)
30 25
ISM 6 or more years
20
Minnesota
15
National
10 5
ISM
6 or more years
Minnesota National
31
41 30
800
600
31
41
69
76 34 76 34
33
38
(Three ISM students scored 800 out of a maximum score of 800)
0
10
26
90 90 33
100 38
37
77 35
37
77
94 35
29 72 29
72 32
2015 ISM Graduates - SAT®Averages
6 or more years
ACT®
26
42 38 26
19
18 16
100
94
72
National
32
35 35
31
34
72
88
88 31
100 34
43 95 43
40
45
65
76
National
ISM
77
89
40
45
50
65
76
77
89
95
100
ISM
MATH/SCIENCE ACT ASPIRE 2015
400
ISM students significantly outperformed state and national averages in all three areas of the test with three ISM students achieving a perfect score of 800.
26
26 90
61
45 53
53
72
18 16
19
38 34 34
42 38
53
61
72
81
41
35
38 34 34
33
37
34
41
68
81
85
33
34 95 37 77
85 60
National
45 53
68
85
77
63 62
60
ISM
63 62
88 73
71
68
68
85
95
100
100
88
73
71
100
68
68
100
100
71
69
100 90 71
69
English 2015 ACT ASPIRE
Math and Science ACT ASPIRE 2015
SAT® The SAT® and SAT IITM are a suite of tools designed to assess academic readiness for college. Exams are designed to keep pace with what colleges are looking for today, measuring the skills required for success in the 21st century.
National
MATH/SCIENCE 2015 Grades 3-10 ACT Aspire®
50
• Is linked to ACT College Readiness Benchmarks and aligned with the Common Core State Standards • Identifies a student’s predicted path through individualized reporting • Highlights gaps between what students have learned and what they need to learn and uses robust online reporting that enables timely intervention strategies • Familiarizes students with the format and structure of the American College Test (ACT) • Provides students in the Upper School with a predicted score for the ACT • Provides results for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) score, an English/ Language Arts score, as well as a Progress toward Career Readiness feedback.
90
ISM chose to administer the ACT Aspire in grades 3-10 beginning in 2015. The baseline data in our first year administering the test indicates strong academic subject proficiency for ISM students in all grade levels. The ACT Aspire Assessment:
100
100
ISM
ELA ACT Aspire® 2015 Grades 3-10
35
ACT Aspire®
Advanced Placement (AP) ISM offers AP courses in all subject areas. With 19 AP courses currently available to our Upper School students, we offer more AP learning opportunities than any other area private school. On average, our students complete seven AP courses by the time they graduate. Over 92 percent of students taking AP exams received scores of 3 or higher and many received AP Scholar awards. 51 percent of ISM students sitting for AP exams earned AP Scholar recognition. The AP examinations are administered in May and represent the culmination of college-level work in a given discipline in a secondary school setting. Rigorously developed by The College Board, the AP exams test students’ abilities to perform at a college level. Three ISM teachers are distinguished as AP Readers in AP Chinese Language and Culture, AP Spanish Language and Culture, and AP Human Geography.
2014-15 AP Scholars * 14 AP Scholars 2 AP Scholars with Honor 12 AP Scholars with Distinction 3 National AP Scholars
3 Year AP Results - Percentage of Students Scoring 3s, 4s and 5s 90
93
90
92
80 70
65
% of Total AP Students
60
67
66 61
61
61
50 40 30 20 10 0 2013
2014
The International School of Minnesota Minnesota Global
2015
AP Classes at ISM Art History Biology Calculus AB Calculus BC Chinese Language & Culture Computer Science A English Language & Composition English Literature & Composition European History French Language & Culture Government & Politics: United States Human Geography Music Theory Physics B Physics C Spanish Language Spanish Literature & Culture Statistics Studio Art: Drawing
Scholars - Granted to students earning 3 or higher on three or more AP Exams *AP AP Scholars with Honor - Granted to students earning an average of 3.25 on all AP Exams taken and a 4 or higher on four or more of these exams
AP Scholars with Distinction - Granted to students earning an average of 3.50 on all AP Exams taken and a 4 or higher on five or more of these exams National AP Scholar - Granted to students earning an average of at least 4.0 on all AP Exams taken and a 4 or higher on eight or more of these exams
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The International School of Minnesota Athletic Department promotes lifelong fitness, confidence, and skill development in a variety of team sports and athletic endeavors. Sportsmanship, teamwork, and school pride are cultivated through daily practice and organized competition.
Athletics ISM students have many opportunities to compete in team sports in the Minnesota State High School League (MHSL) and the Eastern Minnesota Athletic Conference (EMAC) for varsity and junior varsity sports and the South Side Youth Organization (SSYO) for Lower School sports. The 2014-2015 year was full of firsts, highlights, and new teams. The fall season included several firsts as ISM added a varsity cross country team that participated in the inaugural Eastern Minnesota Athletic Conference (EMAC) Cross Country meet. The girls’ soccer team also had a first as they participated in the inaugural EMAC girls’ soccer league. The girls placed second out of four and showed tremendous growth throughout the year. The girls’ volleyball team also turned a corner this year as they were able to schedule JV games for a growing program. It was a transitional year for boys’ varsity soccer, with boys demonstrating tremendous effort and gaining valuable experience. The boys’ varsity basketball team had a solid year and were represented well in the new All-Conference format that debuted in boys’ basketball. Two senior players earned 1st and 2nd team All-Conference. The winter also saw our Middle School level basketball teams celebrate great success as the 7th/8th graders won their league and the 6th graders placed second overall in their respective league. The spring season saw new highs and a new competitive sport. Perhaps the biggest highlight of the year was an ISM sophomore placing 3rd overall in the 110m Hurdle event at the Minnesota State High School League Track and Field Meet. This success is a new best for the boys’ varsity track and field team. Another highlight for the student body was the addition of Ultimate Frisbee as a competitive sport. The team had been practicing as an intramural sport the past two years, and were excited to test their skills. The team did well and recorded wins against teams from Prior Lake and Hopkins. 12
Clubs The ISM Robotics Team, We Robot 2705, participated in this year’s FIRST Robotics competition titled “Recycle Rush”. The goal of the game was to stack plastic boxes as high as possible with bonus points awarded to teams that were able to put a plastic trash can at the top of their stack. We Robot 2705 students designed an innovative and unconventional robot that used a lazy susan type device to maneuver and stack multiple boxes simultaneously. Our students competed in the Northern Lights Robotics Competition in Duluth and in the 10,000 Lakes Regional Robotics Competition at the University of Minnesota finishing 14th out of 63 teams. It was a challenging year filled with technical difficulties but ultimately the students worked hard and had a fantastic season. ISM’s Destination Imagination (DI) 5th and 7th grade team “Free Singing Alpacas” competed in DI’s community service challenge, projectOUTREACH. At the Minnesota State tournament, they placed 1st in their team challenge and 2nd overall. They received special recognition, including DI’s most prestigious award, the Da Vinci Award. The criteria for this award is having a unique approach to a solution, for risk taking and/or for outstanding creativity. The team also received The Torchbearer Award, a coveted award given only to projectOUTREACH teams whose solutions had a greater impact than anyone envisioned. At Global Finals, they joined 1,468 teams from 17 countries and came in 22nd place in their challenge and level. The ISM (International Space-balloon Mission) team launched a weather balloon in December with a payload of video cameras, heaters, barometers and thermometers, and an iphone with a Find My iPhone app so they could locate the payload after landing to retrieve their data. Students patiently waited for ideal weather conditions before the launch to ensure a successful flight and retrieval. Improvements were made in design and payload for a second launch in June. Students enjoyed locating the payload at a farm in western Wisconsin. The video is posted on the ISM YouTube page for viewing. 13
Performing Arts This banner year began in the fall with the play, Alice Through the Looking Glass. Audiences loved this highly inventive, creative show filled with truly outstanding performances by our student actors. Lower school drama students presented Journey of the Noble Gnarble in October. In December K-5 shared their concert, A Caribbean Seas and Greetings. The Instrumental Concert and Upper School Choral Concert gave us music throughout the winter months. Half of the high school student body participates in a choral or instrumental ensemble. In February, our High School Show Choir performed a musical revue, Don’t Stop Me Now for the local community and travelled to Puerto Rico where they performed in various venues around the island. The highlight of the year was the All-School Musical, Shrek the Musical, which was presented in April. Over 100 students, parents, and staff worked together to present this spectacular performance. Our students received “Outstanding” and “Honorable Mention” acting awards from the Hennepin Theater Trust which recognizes student performers from across the state of Minnesota. The year ended with spring choral and instrumental concerts and the annual Kindergarten Letterland concert. In addition to all of these events, our students participated in the Minnesota State High School League Solo and Ensemble contest where they won top awards. Our Musical Conservatory provided lessons throughout the year, culminating in five musical recitals in May.
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Visual Arts The ISM art curriculum offers all students a fundamental experience of a range of media, balancing free ideas with strict observational work and a strong multicultural emphasis. Areas of discussion include elements of art, principles of design, creative art process, art history, and art criticism. Skills are taught sequentially and are strengthened and augmented with each successive grade level. Every year Upper School Students study a theme of work for Terms I and II. This year’s theme was about mythological creatures titled, “The Zoology of the Imagination.” Students created sketch sheets from references on mammals, birds, insects, reptiles and marine life. Each sheet was done in a different medium. Using only these studies, they created an imaginary creature in an imaginary environment. Although these turned out to be fantastical, they were also believable because all the elements were based on realistic features from the sketch sheets. The final picture was done in the students choice of medium. An annual tradition and ISM favorite, the Term III still life this year consisted of two installations, Human Biology and Rusty Bike and Robot. Students were challenged to produce finished pencil drawings from both set-ups, spending five weeks on each.
ISM is a gem!
– ISM Parent
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Student Life Organization® Emphasizing the acquisition of “life skills” through real-life experiences, the SABIS Student Life Organization® is a student-led society that empowers students to be responsible for many aspects of school life. Each student is given the opportunity to get involved and by doing so, make a difference as class prefects, tutors, shadow teachers, activity leaders, discipline prefects, and more. In addition to these opportunities, many choose to join the SLO® Management Team and become SLO® Prefects, volunteering in one of the eight departments that make this organization one of a kind. The Academic Department This year, the academic prefects continued implementing the Shadow Teacher® program and encouraged students to get involved in their learning while developing new skills and abilities. The popularity of this program is increasing and we know that we will hear more success stories in the years to come. This department continues to work in collaboration with the AQCs, coordinating study groups and managing peer tutoring to ensure that no student is left behind. The Discipline Department This department played an important role in the implementation of various bullying prevention activities including the PACER Walk/Run, encouraging ISM students to participate for the second year in a row. Through the Olweus bullying prevention program, they organized various events throughout the school year. In collaboration with Free The Children’s We Are Silent, for one day students took a vow of silence against bullying.
Hennepin County Grant
ISM students petitioned for and were awarded a $20,000 grant from The Hennepin County Department of Environment and Energy to improve our current recycling and implement a new composting program at ISM. Our new recycling program will include new signage, bins, training sessions for students and staff and even visits to recycling plants. SLO® is proud to be making a difference and keeping our planet green!
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The Management Department Proactive communication is one of the priorities of this department. Through the morning announcements, SLO® yearbook, Weekly Update, posters, etc. prefects keep the student community up-to-date on news and events in The School. They are also responsible for rewarding student prefects with Student Life Points used as a means of measuring student involvement in their school.
I just knew
The Sports & Health Department The goal of this department is to encourage students to be active and adopt a healthy lifestyle. This year, the department organized pepfests and sports events as well as offering weekly health tips. This year’s field day event had a carnival theme and was a great success.
when we came here
on a tour that this was the place for me.”
– New ISM student
The Social Responsibility Department Through many fund-raisers, the Social Responsibility prefects were able to raise over $19,000 which was donated to the international organization Free The Children to support our friends in the Mendoña community in Ecuador. A team of students, staff, and parents travelled to Ecuador for the second year to continue their work helping to build a school and clinic for the community. It is rewarding for students to realize the global impact of their efforts. Other successful Social Responsibility initiatives combatted hunger in the our local community. All upper school students were given the opportunity during their respective retreats to support local organizations. Over twenty one hundred pounds of food were collected and twenty-seven thousand meals were packed throughout the school year. The Outreach Department In creating relationships between students, the Outreach department was able to reach out through various programs. All new students were assigned an ambassador to welcome them and ensure a smooth adjustment to ISM and the SABIS® system. We also introduced the Big Sister/Brother program where high school students were paired with lower school students to develop relationships through games, activities or simply sharing a meal. They also organized themed school spirit days every month and made sure that every student birthday was acknowledged. The Activities Department The club and activity department organized the Student Life Period, offered to all grade 6-8 students to learn and develop new life skills. The event sub-department organized all the SLO® related events including homecoming dance, retreats, activity nights and prom. Student prefects developed organizational skills through community outreach. The Lower School Department Since its implementation just a few years ago, this department continues to offer additional activities and opportunities to Lower School students. Upper school students organized a spelling bee for lower school classes, planned activity nights, and assisted during retreats.
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World Languages All students at ISM have daily World Language instruction by teachers with native fluency. By graduation, ISM students master at least one World Language in addition to English, with the opportunity to complete Advanced Placement (AP) Language and Literature courses. Currently World Language instruction is provided in French and Spanish, with Chinese available to Upper School students in grades 8-12. Students not proficient in English take ELL courses of instruction to help them gain fluency and excel in the classroom.
Spanish language students in Upper School participated in the National Spanish Exam this year. This exam is taken by approximately 2,200 students nationwide. Of these, only 81 received a Premio de Oro (Gold) medal, while 190 received a Premio de Plata (Silver) medal. ISM is very proud to have been awarded five Premios de Oro and six Premios de Plata this year. In fact, one of our Premio de Oro winners received a perfect score. In addition, ISM had two students awarded the Bronce (Bronze) medal and three students received an Menciones Honorificas (Honorable Mention). This year in lieu of the Festival Quijote, our state Spanish cultural competition, ISM participated in a statewide poster contest, winning a first place award. Lower School grades 4 and 5, and Middle School grades 6, 7, and 8 students travelled to Concordia Language Villages, a nationally-recognized language camp, and once again returned with ribbons of recognition and accomplishment for their language proficiency. French language students, beginning in grade 3 participated in Le Grand Concours, a national contest held each year. Of our 44 participants, 31 students received awards. Gold medals were awarded to 5 students, Silver medals awarded to 5 students, Bronze medals awarded to 7 students, and Honorable Mentions were given to 14 students. All award winners were honored at a breakfast ceremony at the University of Minnesota in May. In addition, 21 ISM Middle School and High School students participated in the annual A Vous la Parole French-speaking contest held at the University of Minnesota in April. Sponsored annually by the Minnesota Chapter of the American Association of Teachers of French, with the support of the University of Minnesota Department of French and Italian, the contest recognizes excellence in French-speaking skills. This year’s contest drew more than 1,100 entries among students in grades 7-12. We are pleased to report that 13 ISM students placed 1st earning a blue medal and 9 ISM students placed 2nd earning a red medal. In the spring, Lower School and Middle School students attended a weekend-long camp at the Concordia Language Villages. They were fully immersed in a francophone setting and came back with great memories! Upper School Chinese language students and native Chinese students organized a whole-school celebration event for the Chinese New Year in February which has become an annual tradition. 18
ISM Residence Hall Inaugural Year On August 14, 2014, The International School of Minnesota’s founders vision of providing a premier education to both day and boarding students came to fruition with the opening of ISM’s first residence hall. A ribbon-cutting ceremony, residence hall tours and a reception marked the milestone. Speakers included George Saad, Vice President – Operations; Christi Sieple-Cole, Director; Laurence Reszetar, Director of Foreign Investment, Minnesota Trade Office; and David Edmiston, Senior International Trade Specialist, U.S. Commercial Service. Attendees included ISM students and staff; ISM families, friends and alumni as well as representatives from the Eden Prairie Chamber of Commerce and business community. Always looking to the future for expanded opportunities for cultural exchange in our already diverse school community, the new 20,000 square foot, 3-story residence hall was home to 20 students from China, Ivory Coast, Korea, Nigeria, Spain and the USA. Residence hall managers planned weekly outings for sightseeing and Friendship Families welcomed students to their homes for informal visits and holidays. We continue to recruit internationally to further diversify and look ahead to further expansion in the years to come. As Amy Klobuchar, U.S. Senator – Minnesota, wrote for the residence hall ground breaking, “It is important that we continue preparing our youth for the challenges and opportunities that come with globalization. With this new project, you will enable students from across the country and all over the world to learn from one another by cohabiting together. The experience they will I’m very gather as they receive their education while impressed by the level of learning from each other’s cultures will commitment of the teachers. create thriving professionals and sensitive global citizens”. We couldn’t agree more. They are personally invested in helping our kids succeed. –ISM Parent
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The International School of Minnesota
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6385 Beach Road Eden Prairie, MN 55344 USA telephone (+1) 952 918 1800 website: internationalschoolmn.com