Mission and Educational Philosophy
SIS Vision
Our vision is to foster passionate, independent, highly-motivated learners who actively contribute to world peace.
SIS Mission
Our mission is to provide a multicultural learning community which nurtures passion for academic, social, and personal success.
SIS Educational Philosophy
SIS aims at educating each of its students to be:
- inspired and independent life-long learners.
- academically, artistically, socially, and physically balanced.
- inquirers and problem-solvers.
- multilingual communicators.
- responsible and principled internationally-minded citizens.
- appreciative of our local community.
IB mission statement
The International Baccalaureate aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect to this end the organization works with schools, governments and internationalorganizations to develop challenging programmes of international education and rigorous assessment. These programmes encourage students across the world to become active, compassionate and lifelong learners who understand that other people, with their differences, can also be right.
IB learner profile
The aim of all IB programmes is to develop internationally minded people who, recognizing their common humanity and shared guardianship of the planet, help to create a better and more peaceful world.
IB learners strive to be:
Inquirers: They develop their natural curiosity. They acquire the skills necessary to conduct inquiry and research and show independence in learning. They actively enjoy learning and this love of learning will be sustained throughout their lives.
Knowledgeable: They explore concepts, ideas and issues that have local and global significance. In so doing, they acquire in-depth knowledge and develop understanding across a broad and balanced range of disciplines.
Thinkers: They exercise initiative in applying thinking skills critically and creatively to recognize and approach complex problems, and make reasoned, ethical decisions.
Communicators: They understand and express ideas and information confidently and creatively in more than one language and in a variety of modes of communication. They work effectively and willingly in collaboration with others.
Principled: They act with integrity and honesty, with a strong sense of fairness, justice and respect for the dignity of the individual, groups and communities. They take responsibility for their own actions and the consequences that accompany them.
Open-minded: They understand and appreciate their own cultures and personal histories, and are open to the perspectives, values and traditions of other individuals and communities. They are accustomed to seeking and evaluating a range of points of view, and are willing to grow from the experience.
Caring: They show empathy, compassion and respect towards the needs and feelings of others. They have a personal commitment to service, and act to make a positive difference to the lives of others and to the environment.
Risk-takers: They approach unfamiliar situations and uncertainty with courage and forethought,and have the independence of spirit to explore new roles, ideas and strategies. They are brave and articulate in defending their beliefs.
Balanced: They understand the importance of intellectual, physical and emotional balance to achieve personal well-being for themselves and others.
Reflective: They give thoughtful consideration to their own learning and experience. They are able to assess and understand their strengths and limitations in order to support their learning and personal development.
Admissions Philosophy
- International mindedness: SIS seeks shared understanding of educational philosophy from parents. International mindedness is the bonding feature of our school community and it is vital for our prospective families to demonstrate this perspective as well.
- Inclusive Education/Diversity: SIS welcomes families from various cultures, countries and linguistic backgrounds.
- Holistic Approach: SIS not only takes the academic background of a child into consideration, but also their disposition and their self-management, social and communication skills, before making the final enrollment decision.
- Transparency: SIS expects families to share all the required and related information about social, physical, emotional, and academic development of their child.
- Support: SIS expects families to be fully aware of the school rules and regulations and be supportive of, and involved in, their child’s education journey.
Admission Policy and Student Placement
Course Structure
Preschool through Grade 6
Enrollment Age
Standard Admission
A child with the appropriate age for the grade level before 1st September of that academic year is eligible for standard admission. Appropriate ages for the grades are:
| Grades | Ages |
|---|---|
| *Preschool | 3 years old |
| Preschool | 4 years old |
| Kindergarten | 5 years old |
| Grade 1 | 6 years old |
| Grade 2 | 7 years old |
| Grade 3 | 8 years old |
| Grade 4 | 9 years old |
| Grade 5 | 10 years old |
| Grade 6 | 11 years old |
Exceptional Admission
A child whose birthday is on or after 1st September of that academic year but has exceptional academic skills and appropriate social maturity may still be considered for admission into a particular grade. Acceptance is contingent upon a successful interview and previous school records.
Enrollment Time
Most children are admitted in September, but if vacancies exist the school will normally admit children throughout the course of the year.
Enrollment Interview and Assessment
All students must go through a trial class and an individual interview in order to be accepted into SIS. As a part of the application process all parents must sit the enrollment interview, which is to ensure the school’s philosophy and programs match parent’s educational beliefs and expectations.
Factors that contribute to acceptance depending on the grade are:
Preschool/PreK
Ability to separate from parents, social maturity, self-help skills, language ability, fine and gross motor skills and the current makeup of the class. Students must be able to toilet themselves independently.
Kindergarten
Ability to separate from parents, social maturity, self-help skills, language ability, fine and gross motor skills, academic ability and the current makeup of the class. Students must be able to toilet themselves independently.
Primary School
Age-appropriate social skills, language ability, academic ability and the current makeup of the class.