ISB is committed to providing its students with the knowledge, skills and understanding to live in, and contribute effectively to, a global society.
ISB offers its students an international education and stimulates in them an understanding and enthusiasm for international citizenship.
Engagement with students of different cultures within school
ISB students value and gain strength from the diversity of their nationalities and cultures. We attract students from multinational backgrounds, encouraging them to work in multicultural groups and to actively share knowledge of their own culture and values with others. We encourage students to have pride in their own background, and to show respect and understanding for all cultures.
A curriculum that promotes international-mindedness
Where possible, a multicultural and multinational dimension is introduced to the teaching and learning of the curriculum. Students are knowledgeable about world geography, and contemporary political, economic, and environmental issues. They possess an understanding of major world cultures, including political and religious philosophies. Thai and Southeast Asian studies are taught as part of the core curriculum to enhance students’ experiences in Thailand and the region. We cultivate every student’s listening, speaking, and conflict resolution skills so they are able to actively discuss issues of global concern and interdependence.
Through a rich balance of curricular and extra-curricular activities, students study, compete athletically and share artistic and creative talents. They become friends and learn about one another as individuals and as national citizens. Students appreciate the arts, both visual and performing. They are able to identify, participate in, and enjoy the arts of other cultures as well as their own.
All students learn at least one modern language other than their mother tongue. Students are encouraged to maintain literacy in their mother tongue, enhancing both cognitive and second language development. English is learned by non-native speakers using a sheltered immersion approach which provides rich language experiences, services in mainstream and ESL classrooms, teacher collaboration, and the use of effective teaching strategies which facilitate academic and social success.
It is the norm that students graduate from ISB with an internationally recognized qualification. At present this means the International Baccalaureate Diploma and/or the American High School Diploma.
Engagement with others of different cultures outside of school
Students engage with people of different cultures by spending time outside of the expatriate and school environment in both urban and rural Thailand and elsewhere, gaining insights into the culture and family life of others. ISB students are expected to play an active part in community service activities and to view these as an essential part of their education.
Teachers and administrators as exemplars of international-mindedness
Faculty members are open-minded and interested in other cultures, encouraging students to consider issues from more than one perspective. Toward this end, ISB actively recruits internationally-minded teachers and administrators. ISB also provides professional learning opportunities that enhance teachers’ intercultural knowledge and attitudes, and equips them with the skills to improve student learning in a culturally and linguistically diverse setting.
Leadership and school ethos that are value consistent with an institutional, international philosophy
Administrators, teachers, students and parents in leadership positions are exemplars of international-mindedness as they guide the school in the development of learners who demonstrate cross-cultural understanding and an enthusiasm for world citizenship and service to others. The school leadership ensures that ISB’s Vision and Guiding Principles are an integral part of the school’s ethos. This involves the alignment of our mission, school improvement processes, professional learning, measurable endpoints, allocation of resources, recruitment, staffing, and curriculum to maximize the achievement of the Vision.
