About US
Education is the best instrument to build a better world. Living in peace is achieved by working together and celebrating our cultural diversity and similarity.
Welcome to ISA
SINCE 1951
WHO WE ARE
The International Schools Association was founded under Swiss Law in 1951 and as such is the most senior organization in the world of international education. It is an international non-governmental organization and the first educational NGO to be granted consultative status at UNESCO.
Since 1951, ISA has been dedicated to consulting and providing educators with the necessary guidance needed to help schools define their understanding of the term “international” in education.
1867-1967
THE FIRST 100 YEARS
HISTORY
There is a lack of consensus as to the identity of the first international school. Some would suggest that this honour should go to The International College (also known as Spring Grove School) in Hounslow, London, which was formally opened by the future King Edward VII in July 1867.
The school, whose official name was: London College of the International Education Society, was the brainchild of the politician Richard Cobden, the scientist Thomas Huxley and the novelist Charles Dickens, among others. It had its origins in an essay competition associated with the London International Exhibition of 1862 entitled “The advantages of educating together children of different nationalities”. Cobden was a leading advocate of free trade and he regarded the new school, with its international mix of students, as a nursery for ‘ambassadors’ who would improve international understanding and thereby encourage the efficient flow of world trade.
Our values
MISSION STATEMENT
The International Schools Association works to promote international and intercultural understanding. In so doing the Association espouses a number of values – peace, freedom, equality, tolerance and the celebration of both diversity and similarity – which express for the Association the essential meaning and purpose of multiculturalism and international mindedness.
The Association believes that young people should face the challenges arising from the acceptance of these values and is supportive of all organizations which share its conviction about internationalism, international mindedness and international education in all its forms and wherever it may be found.
LOOKING TOWARDS THE FUTURE
ISA OBJECTIVES
PEACE AND EDUCATION
To further world peace and international understanding through education.
TEAMWORK
To encourage co-operation among international or internationally-minded schools through consultation on teaching and administrative matters.
DEVELOPMENT
To encourage the creation of new international
schools.
INTERNATIONAL UNDERSTANDING
To nurture interest and awareness of
international issues in
school settings
INVESTIGATION
To facilitate or undertake the study of international educational issues
TOGETHER
To publicize the aims and principles of international schools and promote international understanding among national schools.
PROUD OF OUR ACHIEVEMENTS
ISA ACCOMPLISHMENTS
In the 1960’s ISA was instrumental in the development of the International Baccalaureate Organization.
In the 1980’s ISA created an international program for middle schools (11 to 16 year old students), which with further development by the IBO became the IBMYP (International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program).
The establishment of a curriculum framework for Peace Education and Sustainable Development, designed as an instrument for schools to become more internationally minded.
The publication of “Internationalism in Schools – a Self-Study Guide” a document designed to help schools understand the extent to which they are international or internationally-minded.
Every year the ISA sponsors a “Youth Encounter” for students from member and non-member schools. Its purpose is to promote leadership within global and cultural themes.
Every two years a World Conference is organized around a theme dealing with International Education – its characteristics, development and promotion.
The ISA sponsors Oral English Examinations. These cover the Elementary, Primary, Intermediate and Secondary Stages. It combines oral communication skills, comprehension, and oral reading in English as a foreign language.
The annual nomination of both the ISA International Humanism Award and the ISA Distinguished Service Award.
A current project is the development of an accreditation system based on self-study. Schools who complete successfully the self-study process will be certificated by the International Schools Association.
