*** Thank you to Jon Springer for brainstorming this list with me. This list is not a "prerequisite list." It is a list to provoke thinking and to generate conversation.
- Low turnover of teachers and leaders (happy and fulfilled employees)
- Maintains two accreditations (Or one accreditation and the school is actively involved in an international organization such as EARCOS, AMISA, BSME, and COBIS)
- Equity in pay between local and foreign hires (check out Liam Hammer’s work)
- A positive collaborative describable school culture
- A strong parent SUPPORT organization
- Great relations (trusting and supportive relationships) between management and staff
- Great relations (trusting and supportive relationships) among staff in general
- Diverse faculty and staff
- Investment in professional development ranging from inclusive education practices to teacher and student wellbeing
- Offers a wide range of extracurricular activities
- Actively engages with the local community
- Maintains strong connections with alumni
- Good school community turnout and engagement at community events
- Board governance has systems for onboarding new board members and archiving board history that sustain both consistent board direction/agenda and culture
- Mission statement and values are widely known and can be seen in the lived school experience
- School advancement trajectory informed by its vision statement
- Senior leadership team has the agility and capacity to implement schoolwide changes
- Anonymous feedback systemized and welcome from all community members on all issues ranging from school safety to curriculum.
- A sense that’s once you’re part of the school’s community, you’re always part of the school community
- Has known school strengths
- Provides alternative high school diplomas (Thank you, Claire Gaul and Steven Stander)
- A student code of conduct (example) that is followed consistently; enforcement doesn't take into account a family's wealth or status
- Designates resources to support EAL students (Thank you, Peter Clements)
- Systems and practices for sustained growth (Thank you, Dave Curran)
- Innovative learning spaces (Thank you, Dave Curran)
- Provide need-based scholarships
- Offers tasty food options 😁
What else makes a GOOD international school GREAT?
