What Our Parents Say

My son Nate is in the inaugural Chinese (Mandarin) immersion program and it is phenomenal. Lao-shi was trained in education in Taiwan and did a Masters in the US in second language learning. She is lovely and talented (she just returned from a Chinese Teacher's conference in NYC to keep up her training). And it is clear that she adores the children in her class and they her.

I've never seen my son happier and he asks to go to school (he attends M,W, & F) when it's his day off. This is markedly different from our experience last year at [name deleted] and at [name deleted] prior to that. Both of those schools are wonderful with excellent teachers and curriculum, but for some reason were not right for our kiddo (and I work for [that] school district). There would be days he'd scream and he was never interested in going on his own accord. If you have visited one of these schools, you know what an amazing playground facility they have. This made no difference for Nate-he'd stand there staring or flipping through a book. It broke my heart to see this as I drove away. At IST, he immediately loved the outdoor space and couldn't wait to tell me all the things they imagined with this ugly piece of rope I saw (Did anyone catch the NPR segment about the best toy being a cardboard box?). I simply couldn't believe it when Lao-shi (teacher) told me that he wasn't shy at all.

I also love the inquiries they do. During his last unit they did a comparison of families that live in urban vs rural areas. They also take a field trip every 5 weeks that fits in with what they study (though Nate's first time on a school bus was more exciting than the actual trip). And everything is in Mandarin! It's amazing how much of the language he has picked up after only 8 months. He is in the background right now reciting Chinese. I think many of the families in the Chinese program are returning next year and if they are not I think it is because the Foundation students are required to attend 5 days (there is no part-time option).

The tution is a bit high and I do not like the policy that you've got to commit for the year. Every place is not right for every child and families need flexibility. However, Doug and I have decided that we'll eat peanut butter and jelly every night if need be to make sure our boys can be in the Chinese program.

I taught public school for 5 years before giving it up to focus on raising my Angel (Nate) & Miracle (Simon). I learned that pretty bulletin boards and a lovely campus are nice, but fostering an interest in learning, stimulating imagination, and successfully conveying to the kids that they are cared for and loved was way more important. This is what we feel our son receives at IST and we couldn't be happier.

Holly Crawford

I wanted to commend the staff at IST for the wonderful communication they have with the parents!  Recently, I had to meet with my son’s teacher and the school director about some social problems.  The meeting was so helpful!  As a teacher, I understand how difficult it is to meet with parents.  I will admit that meeting with my son's teacher and the head of his school was intimidating as well!  I was pleasantly surprised that they could meet with me at such a short notice.  This shows how much they care about communication with the parents!  I truly appreciated all the information and suggestions that they gave me in the meeting.  Even though I am a teacher; in my experience, I believe it's easier to see a problem and possible solutions to that problem when it deals with your students rather than your own child.  They addressed every concern I had with their vast knowledge of child development.  Throughout the meeting, it was evident that they cared about my son’s well-being above all.  I really appreciate all that the staff has done for my son and for giving me some insight into his behavior!  I believe he is in the right school for all his needs; emotional, physical, and academic.  I am glad I had the opportunity to talk to his teacher and the director and am ecstatic that he goes to such an amazing school!  I know when my son is at school, I have nothing to worry about.  It’s a wonderful peace of mind!

Artesia Ulrich

I would like to thank IST for the great job they did with my son Marius. When he arrived in Tucson he was very shy and no really selfconfident and above all he did not spoke a word of English. After two years at IST with their way of teaching and the attention brought to students my Marius is now no more shy, very self... confident and he speaks English. Thanks to the IST team for all that. We will miss you back in France.

William Mourey

We are part of the Department of State family. While my husband was overseas for a year, we came ‘home’ to Tucson. We were delighted to find IST. Moving from Chile, at the time, my son probably knew more Spanish than English. Not only did we find a school that met our academic needs, but we also found a home. I often tell Mr Young, that if we could, we would bring IST with us to all of our overseas posts. Not only did IST provide my son with a nurturing environment to learn, but they also provided my family with a welcoming community. Our family truly believes in having more than one language, and being that my husband and I only speak English fluently, IST provided the diversity and culture we could only have dreamt of providing.

Michelle Michaud

Yesterday afternoon, my daughter was drawing on her white board (a favorite pastime of hers) and I was watching her. She drew a circle and was about to make it into a face (as she usually does before she decides what she's going to draw - a person, a mouse with ten whiskers, a cat...it varies) when suddenly she paused, as if to think. Then after a moment, she said, "Mira, Mama... Mira el circulo..." Another pause. “It doesn’t have an end. It doesn’t have points like a square or a triangle; it just keeps going.” She paused for another couple of moments and I could tell she was still thinking as she looked at the circle, so I didn’t dare break the silence. Then she said, “Cars couldn’t drive on circles, Mommy. They would crash. The have to drive where they can take turns.” I’d say that’s pretty good proof that my little girl who just turned 3 a couple of weeks ago has been in an inquiry-based instructional environment, a place where her imagination is encouraged. Every day as I listen to them, I am thankful that we found IST. Thanks for all you guys do.

Amy MacDonald

When we moved from Germany to Tucson 1 ½ years ago our son Fabian was 3 and spoke only German. To make the transition for him as easy as possible we were looking for a school where someone would be able to speak German – and we were so happy to find IST with a German Pre-School class and a native German teacher. Fabian had no problems to feel home at IST and he picked up a lot of English and some Spanish and French, too. (Vamanos Mama) All the teachers are so nice and friendly and so motivated to teach. They really love their work. But not only Fabian, our whole family found friends and support in a really International Community at IST. And his little sister Sophie can’t wait to start Pre-School at IST next year.

Anja and Olaf Koester

When our son started at IST at the age of 4, he knew a few words of French. Now, after a year, he speaks it quite well. In France and Belgium this summer, John Henry wowed us by ordering in restaurants, conversing with people in stores, and regaling our friends with stories (in French) about the amazing Monsieur Uhling, his teacher/ hero at IST. In addition to knowing French, John Henry has an astounding understanding of math concepts, and an exceptional awareness of cultural differences. No other school in Tucson could have given him so much.

Amy and Jeff Clashman

“The sense of community enfolded me today as two parents [I dind't know] spoke to me [after a recent tragedy]. Previously, I had thought of the community for the children. Clearly I was wrong: it's a community for the whole family.”

Peg Flaherty

This is my daughter's third year and my son's first year at the International School. We only speak English at home so attending IST has given our children something we never could--being bilingual. In addition, the teachers at IST are wonderful. They are so diverse and bring so much culture to the classroom. We love it! Kyra (P-5 Spanish) and Connor (P-3 Spanish).

Joanne Szabo

I was very happy to be able to enroll Benjamin in an immersion language program as I have always felt the right time to learn languages is during early childhood when it can be a natural process. The school's policy of hiring only native speakers as teachers and having them teach entirely in the target language has been incredibly effective. Although Ben did not start until he was five, he began to truly speak French in his first year here and has since really taken off with it and loves it! The teachers are wonderful and fun, and responsive to both the children and the parents. I am so happy we found this school.

Chrystina Cook

Our daughter Megan is growing up bilingual at home (English/German), and the opportunity for her to attend a language immersion pre-school class at such an early age was incredibly important to us. During frequent visits to family in Europe, Megan will benefit understanding different languages, and at some point she will be exposed to the European school system. The opportunity to get her started with an internationally-grounded bilingual program (with fabulous and loving teachers and a great curriculum) right here in Tucson, was clearly one our family couldn't pass up!

Marlan & Stefanie Holland