International School Aberdeen (ISA) has received outstanding feedback following a successful accreditation visit from two of the world’s leading educational bodies, the Council of International Schools (CIS) and the Middle States Association (MSA).
ISA is one of the first schools in the world to be evaluated under the new CIS ‘Pathway 2’ accreditation, a rigorous process with a special focus, and their chosen area was developing Global Citizenship.
For a week, the school hosted the distinguished five-member team of international educators from leading schools in Germany, Switzerland, the UK, and the USA. The visit involved a deep dive into school life, with the team observing classes, meeting with parents, and speaking extensively with staff and students.
The school, which serves local and international families in Aberdeen with its globally-minded IB curriculum, was praised for its projects focusing on student voice, advocacy, and reflection. The visiting team’s final report concluded that ISA has a “kind and inclusive” community, affirming the school’s mission statement. Students received special commendations for their confidence, passion, and their ability to reflect on their own learning.
Nick Little, head of school at ISA, expressed his pride in the outcome: “I am absolutely delighted with the feedback, which is a testament to the hard work of our entire community. I was particularly proud of our students, who spoke so enthusiastically and authentically about their school. The team heard from staff, students, and parents, and they were presented with a positive and, most importantly, a very real perspective on life at ISA.”
He added: “Achieving dual accreditation from CIS, a largely European-based organisation, and MSA from North America, provides truly global recognition of the quality of education at ISA. While the majority of our students go on to Scottish universities, the MSA accreditation also formally accredits our US High School Diploma for universities worldwide.”
This visit marks the two-year point of ISA's current five-year accreditation cycle. The school will now take on board the advice from the visiting team as it continues to work on the central themes of student voice and advocacy, which form the core of its five-year development plan.
For more information about International School Aberdeen and its programmes, please visit https://isa.aberdeen.sch.uk/.