“Where students are prepared to make a difference” THE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF AZERBAIJAN PROFILE 2011-2012 CEEB Code: 661000 * UCAS Code: 45160 * IB School Code: 001303 Website: www.tisa.az Tel: (99412) 4973028 Fax: (99412) 4972194 Director: John Gillespie director@tisa.az Primary Principal: David Harrold pprinciapl@tisa.az Secondary Principal: Lesley Peacock ssprincipal@tisa.az IB Diploma Coordinator: Nigel Gardner ibdiploma@tisa.az MYP Coordinator: Nadine Mains myp@tisa.az Counselor: Cheryl Travers travers_cheryl@tisa.az MISSION STATEMENT TISA seeks to provide a high quality, well-balanced educational program to its diverse student body in accordance with the universally recognized educational principles, practices and beliefs of the International Baccalaureate Organization. Our Mission is to prepare our students for higher education, to enable them to become life-long learners and positive contributors to their local and global communities. Accreditation and M embership TISA is accredited by: CIS Council of International Schools IB International Baccalaureate TISA is authorized to offer all three IB Programs: DP Diploma Program MYP Middle Years Program PYP Primary Years Program SRAA Silk Road Activities Association Our School The school is organized into three sections: the Baku Toddler Klub (age 2), the Primary School (ages 3-10) and the Secondary School (ages 11-19). The Baku Toddler Klub is located next to the main campus. The Primary School classrooms and specialist areas are located in TISA 1 and 2 and in the new purpose-built Early Learning Centre. Secondary School classrooms are in TISA 3 and 4. Admission Admission is determined by previous school reports, an admissions screening procedure, and the school’s ability to provide a suitable program within class size limitations. Azerbaijan International Operating Company (AIOC)/BP employees have priority for admissions. Curriculum TISA is an IB World School and offers the Primary Years Program (ages 3-10), the Middle Years Program (ages 11-15) and the Diploma Program (ages 16-19) as well as the TISA High School Diploma. Students who have successfully completed the final two years of the MYP Program will receive an MYP certificate. All secondary students enrolled in the Post-16 Program follow one of three tracks: the IB Diploma track, the IB Certificate track or the TISA High School Diploma track. Instruction is in English. Student Body TISA is a non-sectarian, co-educational collegepreparatory day school of 550 students from ages 2 to 19 years. It serves both the expatriate community and those in the local community that are seeking an international education. Over 40 nationalities are represented with the highest percentages being from the UK, USA and Azerbaijan. Our Faculty TISA has 85 highly committed faculty members representing 18 countries. All teaching staff members are university certified, and most hold advanced degrees. Extensive professional staff development opportunities are available during the school year, and funding is provided for continuing education overseas during summer recess. The student-faculty ratio is 7:1. The maximum class size for all Primary School classes is 18 and 20 for Secondary School courses. English Language Support (ELS) is available for non-native speakers up to age 13, as well as for some native speakers who may also benefit. TISA has no special provision for children with significant learning disabilities, but is able to offer support for those with minor learning needs. The school has a full-time Learning Support Coordinator who is supported by a consultant educational psychologist. Extra-Curricular Activities TISA strives to meet the academic, social, physical and aesthetic needs of students. As students are encouraged to achieve their highest academic levels, individual interests are encouraged through a variety of activities including music, art, theatre, sports, Student Council, Model United Nations, community service activities, overseas study trips and various other activities. TISA High School Graduation Requirements To obtain a TISA High School Diploma, students are required to accrue a minimum of 22 credits over the four years of High School based on the following distribution. One full credit is earned by completing two semesters of each course. Subject First Language Math Science Social Studies Second Language Electives/Arts/Technology P.E. Community Service (CAS) Personal Project (M5) Creativity, Action & Service Credit 4 4 4 3 2 3 1 0.5 Passing grade required 0.5 TISA operates on a three term calendar year. The school year consists of 180 teacher-student contact days from the end of August through late June. Reports are distributed in December, March and June. IB Score 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 IB Description Excellent Very Good Good Satisfactory Mediocre Poor Very Poor Grade Point Averages (GPAs) and class rank are not recorded on report cards or transcripts. In the Secondary School, however, students are eligible for progress, achievement and subject awards. Secondary School Course Selection 2011/2012 All courses in the Secondary School are taught within the IB Curriculum framework. The courses in the Middle Years Program (MYP) are integrated. IB Diploma/Post16 courses are available at SL and HL, except for Spanish Ab Initio, Math Studies and any Self-Taught Language, all of which are offered only at SL. Languages M4-5: English, Russian, French, Spanish IB: English A1/A2/B, Russian A1/B, French B, Spanish B/Ab Initio, IB Self-Taught Language SL Social Studies M4-5: Integrated Social Studies IB: History, Economics, Psychology Math M4-M5: Integrated Math IB: Math, Math Studies Science M4-M5: Integrated Science IB: Biology, Chemistry, Physics Arts and Electives M4-M5: Music, Art or Drama Design Technology or Computer Technology IB: Visual Arts, Theatre Information Technology IB: ITGS Other M4-M5: PE, MYP Personal Project, Community & Service IB: Theory of Knowledge (TOK) Creativity, Action & Service (CAS) Extended Essay M4=Grade 9 M5=Grade 10 IB1=Grade 11 IB2=Grade 12 Testing: All students planning to attend North American colleges and universities are able to take the PSAT and ACT at TISA, or the SAT I or II at a local university. UNIVERSITY/COLLEGE ACCEPTANCES UK: Aston University, Chelsea College of Art & Design, City University London, European Business College, Guildhall School of Music & Drama, King’s College, Kingston College, The American University in London, Queen Mary University of London, University of Plymouth, Richmond University, University of Bristol, University of Cardiff, University of Edinburgh, University of Glasgow, University of Leicester, University of Portsmouth, University of South Hampton, University of York, Westminster University Australia: University of Western Australia Canada: University of Calgary, Vancouver Institute of Media Arts BC France: ESEC Film School, Parsons School of Art and Design USA: Brigham Young University, Colorado School of Mines, Colorado State University, Drury University, Guildford College, Ithaca College, Montana Tech, New York University, Pennsylvania State University, Rutgers University, Sam Houston College, Savannah College of Art and Design, Stanford University, Texas A and M University, University of Southern California Los Angeles, University of Texas at Austin, University of Utah, University of Washington The Netherlands: Inholland University of Applied Sciences Russia: MGIMO, Moscow State Institute of International Relations, Moscow State Law Academy Switzerland: University IFM, Franklin College, University of Lugano, École Hotelier de Lausanne