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Judging a School Year
Measuring success goes beyond scores
As the current school year comes to a close, it is natural for parents to wonder whether the year has been a success. One way to answer this question is to review a student’s report card to see if they are meeting the expectations of both their teachers and their parents. But there is so much more to a school year.
Student reports are incredibly valuable and represent a huge investment of time from FIS teachers who have shared their insights. While the reports summarize how FIS teachers view a student’s learning, it is also important to take stock of how students view themselves, which can sometimes be gleaned during student-led conferences. For instance, has the school year increased their confidence? Are they more willing to take appropriate risks to further their learning? Do they have a better sense of their own talents and gifts, and the desire to achieve their potential?
The success of a school year is also made up of the stories a student brings home about the friends they have made and the laughter they have shared in the halls or on the playground. Experiences that may seem relatively insignificant at first glance, like a team win on the sports field, a collaborative classroom presentation or tasting a new dessert at Worldfest, may surface years later as a sudden but positive reflection of time spent at FIS.
As a family-oriented school, we hope that a reflection upon the year also considers the experience of our FIS parents. Did the school keep you up to date with events and give you opportunities to further your own relationships within our community? Did you feel welcomed when coming to school and was your participation
as true partners in the learning process respected? Do you feel that we, your elected Board of Trustees, appropriately represented your aspirations as we endeavored to usher the school forward?
The success of a school year is also made up of the stories a student brings home about the friends they have made and the laughter they have shared in the halls or on the playground.
On behalf of the FIS Board, I want you to know that it’s of the utmost importance to us that you feel this academic year has been an exceptional experience not just for your child, but for your entire family. We take seriously the trust you have placed in our ability to ensure FIS remains a world leader among international schools and you have our commitment that as good as this year may have been, it is our intent to make next year even better!
Julia Heraeus-Rinnert Chair, Board of Trustees
Student success goes far beyond grades
at FIS, as illustrated by this year’s Mark E. Ulfers Award being presented to a student for his outstanding work surrounding leadership and service
June 2023 FIS World 3