Press Release - Global Service
For Immediate Release: 2-7-08
Contact: Laura Smythe
Cell: 920-851-0005
Office: 920-750-0414
APPLETON INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL TO EXPERIENCE KALAHARI DESERT
The Academy, Fox Cities to Partner with Frankfurt International School in Global Service Project
Appleton - Diana Durrance, a senior at The Academy of the Fox Cities, will travel to South Africa this April to participate in the "Kalahari Experience," an international service learning project founded by the Frankfurt International School to support the educational and health needs of the Tswana people in the Northern Cape Province of South Africa.
"Our mission is to prepare students to be successful as citizens and leaders in a global society," said Jody Marriott Bar-Lev, Head of School at The Academy of The Fox Cities. "We encourage and require local, national and global service opportunities as a part of our international curriculum."
The Academy is the first school in the United States selected to partner in the 18-year-old project. Diana will be joining a group of teachers and students from various schools to teach middle and high school students in the Moshaweng Valley. She will be accompanied by Laura Smythe, Director of Global Service at the Academy, and Gary Varney, a Global Service Assistant.
"We have incorporated service learning into our 1st - 12th grade curricula in order for our students to engage with, and perceive themselves to be a part of, their community," Smythe said. "We want our students to understand that their community is not just the Fox Valley, but also their nation, and our world."
The Academy will join schools from Germany, Switzerland and Australia to help improve educational opportunities in the region. Since the project's inception, founder and director of the project Ambrose Kelly of the Frankfurt International School has led efforts to build two complete schools, 15 classrooms, and raise over a half million dollars, positively impacting the lives of the roughly 25,000 people living the Moshaweng Valley.
"The key thing is that we always consult with the people and listen to their requests and fulfill them where possible," said Kelly. "We are committed to respond to the AIDS crisis in the area, and to improving the final graduation percentage of students."
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International Education at The Academy of the Fox Cities
International Education at The Academy of the Fox Cities
By Jody Marriott Bar-Lev
Executive Director, Cambridge International Academies USA, Inc.
Head of School, The Academy of the Fox Cities
The Value of International Education
The value of international standards in education is twofold; to ensure that all students receive a standard of education that will prepare them for future success, and to ensure that all students have the opportunity to develop a global perspective. As Margaret Spellings, US Secretary of Education states, "Education is the key to progress and development - the development of a region, a nation and an individual life."
The National Center for Education Statistics shows that fewer than half of U.S. educated high school graduates are ready for college-level math and science. Almost half of U.S. college freshmen struggle with fundamental writing skills. Over 30% of U.S. undergraduates must take remedial coursework during their college career. It is perhaps not a surprise, then, that the graduation rate for 4-year colleges and universities is only 56%.
About 90 percent of the fastest - growing jobs of the future will require some postsecondary education or training (U.S. Department of Labor). College graduates in the U.S. earn nearly twice as much as workers with just a high school diploma (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development).
In this highly competitive global economy, a college education has never been more important. The best support we can provide for our children is to send them to university prepared for rigorous, college- level coursework - prepared for success. The Academy of the Fox Cities' mission is to prepare students to be successful as citizens and leaders in a global society. Education is the foundation for that future success. Challenging academics delivered in a nurturing environment, where each child is instilled with a love of learning by knowledgeable and caring teachers, provide every child the opportunity to reach his optimum potential.
The curriculum at the Academy of the Fox Cities is accredited by the University of Cambridge, UK for primary through high school. Cambridge qualifications are known worldwide. Cambridge requirements are recognized by universities and employers worldwide. International education through standard and approach present a challenging and relevant approach to education based on critical analysis and application. The result is an engaged student applying challenging syllabi through local and international applications.
Assessment and achievement examinations from the University of Cambridge International Examinations Department (CIE) ensure that curriculum quality and student learning is maintained at an international standard level from primary through high school. Graduating students will receive the Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE) Cambridge diploma which is recognized throughout the world as a superior pre-university qualification and enables the student to enter prestigious universities worldwide.
The Necessity for International Education in the U.S.
In order for the United States to remain globally competitive in the 21st century, young minds must be challenged and constantly engaged in learning. Students must be encouraged to achieve their optimum potential in whatever their chosen field may be. Good universities in the U.S. are among the best in the world. Why would we want college-bound students in the U.S. to be less prepared to meet the challenges and opportunities of these excellent places of higher learning, than children from other countries?
By international standards of education, the end of 10th grade is equivalent to a U.S. high school honors diploma. Children from around the world are challenged and engaged by these standards. Why would less be expected from students in the United States who are obviously equally able if given the opportunity?
The international standard Cambridge curriculum at the Academy of the Fox Cities, is a strong foundation for future success. Building on the high level of knowledge and the facts inherent in each subject (whether it be mathematics, science, arts and humanities, world languages, technology, etc.) which are imparted through international education standards, students learn how to research, how to critically analyze and apply facts, how to think for themselves and extrapolate the information learned to produce fresh ideas.
The Global Perspective of an International Education
"More than ever, being prepared to contribute to a better world is about what you know, not where you live. International education enlarges our perspective, as individuals and as a nation. By transcending the comforts of what is familiar, we gain access to exciting new ideas, rich cultures and traditions, and innovative ways of thinking. Schools around the world recognize the importance of helping students develop strong character and the skills they will need to be responsible and productive citizens." (Margaret Spelling)
The Academy of the Fox Cities, as a school, nurtures the global perspective of education. The school is accredited by the University of Cambridge, faculty and administration are members of the European Council of International Schools (ECIS). Faculty members are internationally trained through ECIS and Cambridge, and professional training on both national and international levels is ongoing.
Specifics within the Cambridge curriculum at The Academy of the Fox Cities, nurture a global perspective. The world language program begins in Pre-K with daily Spanish. Latin, French and Japanese are added in 1st grade. Along with daily language classes, The Academy world language department has developed a curriculum continuum which utilizes language immersion camps on a national and international basis. Social studies from the earliest grades include both U.S. and world history, and geography as well as international culture.
Education in global perspectives is supported by both Cambridge syllabi and The Academy's global service model. The "Global Perspectives" curriculum component for the high school students (required class during each of the four years), is specifically designed to help students think critically about the global and regional challenges people face today, equally important, challenges students to consider how they can participate in the resolution of the world's current challenges. In conjunction with this goal, The Academy's students take part in global service on a local level in elementary school, national level in middle school, and international level in high school. The international opportunities include participation in the Kalahari Project in South Africa, and working with the Global Issues Network through the European Council for International Schools (ECIS).
"We all have a responsibility to make sure our high education system continues to spur innovation and economic growth and gives more Americans the chance to succeed in the knowledge economy."
U.S. Secretary of Education, Margaret Spellings
The Academy, a School of Distinction
- The First University of Cambridge International Examinations Department, England K-12, independent, college preparatory, international-standard school to be certified primary through grade 12 in the United States
- Cambridge International Education (CIE) operates in 150 countries around the world including the UK and Europe, South Asia, and the Middle East, Asia Pacific, North America, and Central and South America and Africa
- The only school in the Midwestern United States to be accredited by University of Cambridge International Examinations Department, England for the Cambridge high school curriculum and international examinations.
- The Flagship school of the Cambridge International Academies USA, Inc.
- Awarded status as an official Core Knowledge school for Pre-K through 8th grade.
Posted 11/12/07
Academy gains Cambridge certification (Post-Crescent 11/16/05)
Private school first in Midwest to win college's approval
By Kathy Walsh Nufer
Post-Crescent staff writer
Grand Chute - The Academy, this area's first private, secular elementary and secondary school, has added another first to its repertoire.
In its fourth year, the school is now the only one of its kind in the region to have its grades 9-12 program accredited by the University of Cambridge in England.
"We are now the first school in the entire Midwest to receive the certification from the University of Cambridge, UK, for the High School International Curriculum, and the first school in the entire U.S. certified for the Primary through High School Cambridge International Curriculum," said Jody Marriott Bar-Lev, co-president and co-director.
Sherry Reach, U.S. representative for University of Cambridge International Exams, made her final site visit in September.
"They will join a network of 8,000 schools in over 150 countries," Reach said, noting that the Cambridge program came to the United States in 1994, starting on the East Coast.
The Academy would become the 26th Cambridge International Center in the United States authorized to offer primary, middle and high school programs.
For Bar-Lev, accreditation is a key to The Academy "opening global doors" for students.
This international course of study is recognized worldwide, giving Academy graduates access to universities and employers abroad, she said. "Also, the in-depth level of the curriculum is such that students would be able to skip their first year in a U.S. university."
Gary Varney of New London teaches Latin and French at The Academy and has two daughters there.
Varney said he enjoys teaching the international curriculum's "hardcore academic" courses, and he thinks his oldest daughter, Sierra, who is doing the 10th grade Cambridge curriculum, is gaining a competitive edge.
"She is looking at Ivy Leagues, selective colleges that are very, very competitive, and I feel this will give her a boost," Varney said.
The Academy also has Core Knowledge status for its pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. Core Knowledge is a sequenced curriculum developed by nationally known educator E.D. Hirsch. The Appleton Area School District's Classical School also uses the curriculum.
Parent Jeffrey Bentson, Oshkosh, sends his three children to The Academy.
"Wisconsin public schools are great but we always wanted to give the best to our kids," he said, citing the maximum 10 pupils per teacher, Core Knowledge, foreign language offerings, advanced course work, and now the international accreditiation.
As early as first grade, his children have learned "stuff we never got," he said, "and they love to go to school. I think this is a win-win all around."
Curriculum opens global doors (Post-Crescent, 1/3/05)
By Jody Marriott Bar-Lev Co-President/Co-Director of The Academy
When students enroll at The Academy, they discover a world of academic opportunities awaiting them. A strong, international standard curriculum small classes with a maximum of 10 students individual attention from teachers and constant parent-teacher interaction ensures an environment where each student -- from pre-kindergarten through high school -- can reach his or her optimum potential.
Throughout the day, a comprehensive curriculum of rigorous classes -- strong in both the sciences and the arts -- keeps active minds excited about the learning process. Each course is taught by a specialist in that subject, able to answer the probing questions from inquiring minds and to keep the critical thought processes flowing. U.S. and world history and geography classes are further enhanced by the international culture projects where students from pre-k through high school gather to learn about the "country of the month."
All students enjoy world language classes. Three-year-old pre-kindergartners begin with Spanish. In first grade, Latin, Japanese and French are added. Students from third grade and up enjoy participating in the national Latin and national mythology exams. Science classes, both theoretical and laboratory, are taught daily, beginning in first grade. The science and mathematics curricula also draw on international text resources.
Currently, more than 90 percent of our student body is working at least one grade level ahead in mathematics. International O and A level examinations, accredited by the University of Cambridge in England, will be taken by our students in 10th and 12th grade. These qualifications will enable Academy students to attend prestigious universities anywhere in the world -- truly opening the door to opportunity.
Love of learning runs deep. The motto of The Academy is "eruditio, studium, inventio," meaning knowledge, learning and discovery. These words are at the core of the reason that The Academy came into existence with the goal of providing an option for educational excellence, which will instill a love of learning in every student. Now in our third year, The Academy seems to be meeting its goal. Just two years after opening, The Academy received its official accreditation from the Core Knowledge Foundation for the curriculum through eighth grade. We also are working closely with the University of Cambridge, England and are on schedule to receive official status as the first International Cambridge School in the Midwestern United States. This is due to the quality and dedication of The Academy faculty and staff as well as the wonderful students and parents who make up The Academy family.
As our student body has grown significantly since 2002, we have been lucky to be able to welcome new students from the Fox Cities, other states and even other countries. It is a privilege to be able to share each day with all of these young students whose minds are eager for knowledge, watching them bloom as they meet their academic challenges. And, perhaps best of all, finding that even when the school day is done, they don't want to leave!
School Profile:
Location: 555 N. Lynndale Drive, Appleton
Opened: 2002
Enrollment: 56 pupils
Co-Presidents / Co-Directors: Jody Marriott Bar-Lev & Beth Wendt
Here's the good news from The Academy
"I like going to school at The Academy because of the personal attention each student receives from the teachers." Sierra Varney, Grade nine
"I like going to The Academy because of its welcoming atmosphere and all of the challenging classes." Diana Durrance, Grade nine
"I like The Academy because I love the art projects we get to make." Lizzie Rohricht, Kindergarten
"I like going to The Academy because I love science and I love reading. We get to do science every day and I get to read a lot of books." Shaeli Joya Bar-Lev, Grade three
"I love The Academy because of library time with Miss Janet and when the third-graders read stories to us." Thomas Otto, 3-year pre-k
"I like going to The Academy because I like taking Latin, Spanish and Japanese." Ramsey Wendt, Grade three
"I like going to The Academy. It is a good school. I like all my teachers and my favorite thing is that The Academy has more classes than my old school." Sarina Chawla, Grade six
"I like going to school at The Academy. I like the teachers and my favorite classes are ethics, Spanish and Japanese." Ana Knighten, Grade one
"I like The Academy. It has nice teachers. Latin, math, history, drama, science and computer science are my favorites." Iain Hood, Grade two
"I like The Academy because it's fun, the principals are really nice and you get to go to different subjects in different rooms." Bakhtawar Mirza, Grade four.
Academy raises the bar (Post-Crescent 11/2/02)
Expectations are high at first secular school in area
By Duke Behnke
Post-Crescent staff writer
November 2nd, 2002
NEENAH
"Do you have any Monets?"
"No, go fish. Do you have any van Goghs?"
The exchange among first graders at The Academy might seem a tad pretentious until one realizes that the variation of the popular children's card game has helped these 5 and 6-year olds recognize not only famous paintings but the art movements associated with them.
Beth Wendt of Appleton said her first-grade daughter, Ramsey, recently noticed a copy of a painting by Monet in a hotel. She was quick to share her assessment.
"She said, 'That's a French Impressionist painting,'" Wendt recalled. "'You know how you can tell? You see the way everything is all blurred?'"
The Academy is the only private non-church affiliated elementary school in the Fox Cities. It opened in September with six pupils in kindergarten and first grade and operates from leased space at the Congregational United Church of Christ, 1511 Nicolet Blvd., in Neenah. It is not affiliated with the church, however.
The school was founded as a nonprofit organization by Wendt and another mother, Jody Marriott Bar-Lev of Hortonville. They didn't set out to start a school, but they couldn't find one that met their expectations as parents either, so they took matters into their own hands.
"I want to give my children the ability to do whatever they want when they become adults," Wendt said. "If they decide they don't want to go to college, fine. But if they want to go to Harvard and become a doctor or something, I want them to have that choice."
The Academy is the only elementary school in Wisconsin working for accreditation from the International Baccalaureate Organization, a nonprofit educational foundation based in Geneva, Switzerland.
There are only 20 International Baccalaureate-accredited elementary schools in the United States and Canada.
Bar-Lev said the foundation combines the best of the national curriculums from countries around the world into its standards.
The classical core curriculum at The Academy included English, literature, mathematics, science, geography, world history, economics, computer science, foreign languages, art, music, drama and media literacy.
The Academy limits classes to 10 pupils to promote more personal instruction. Many public schools have 25 pupils per class.
Classroom teacher Laura Ritchie said the small class size allows her to adapt the pace of the curriculum to the pupils' learning. She can double up on science one day and math the next, if needed.
Ritchie said the support from Wendt and Bar-Lev has been exceptional. When she requested a bean-bag chair for each child for more comfortable reading periods, they arrived the next day.
"You just don't have that bureaucracy," Ritchie said. "It's not like it takes 10 years to make a decision. If you think of something, you can just do it. It's so exciting and empowering to be a part of that."
A color-coded Internet computer is built into every desk. The children are learning keyboarding and already have designed a PowerPoint presentation of one of their poems.
Monica Lanska-Kostman, who teaches music and foreign languages at The Academy, said the goal is for each child to excel to his or her fullest potential. She said the first-grade music program goes far beyond "Old MacDonald" and "Oh! Susanna." The syllabus includes solfege, daily Suzuki violin lessons and music history, including discussions of composers and the type of music they wrote.
"They can identify Sergei Prokofiev, Camille Saint-Saens and Edvard Grieg," Lanska-Kostman said. "They can differentiate the music among them."
The pupils' receive French and Spanish instruction every day and Japanese and Latin instruction every other day. Lanska-Kostman said pupils have no difficulty separating the languages.
"They just recognize the way the different languages sound," she said. "It's like listening to the difference between rock 'n' roll and jazz and classical music."
Sheldon Hampton heads the school's media literacy program, which teaches children to understand the purpose behind messages they see via the Internet, television, movies, books and magazines.
The instruction dissects stereotypes in commercials, for example, to determine the people and reasons behind them.
"We are starting at an early age so they can make informed decisions as they go through school and go off into life," Hampton said.
Hampton also leads the school's drama program, which includes puppetry, Kabuki and live theater. He is working with pupils to stage Prokofiev's "Peter and the Wolf."
The school's physical education program includes yoga, ski instruction and trips to Gym Kids Gymnastics & Dance in Menasha.
Bar-Lev said The Academy is geared toward children who are highly motivated and love to learn.
"Most children do love to learn," she said. "People sometimes think this is too much for them, but they just love it. They soak it all up."
Kris Schneider of Appleton chose The Academy for her 5-year-old daughter Mary Kate and has been thrilled with the curriculum and personal attention in the classrooms.
She said Mary Kate already knows all seven continents and the animals and landmarks associated with them.
"Your mind is so open to learning at that age," Schneider said. "Why not introduce those things now?"
The school has a live video camera that allows parents to watch the classroom via the Internet at any time. "I do peek in," Schneider said. "It's fun to see what they are doing."
Parents also can use the Internet to review daily reports on their children's progress.
Tuition at The Academy is $6,500 a year for full-time students, more than four times the tuition cost for elementary schools in the Appleton Catholic Educational System. The school is working to establish scholarships to help those with financial needs.
"We don't want to leave anyone out because they can't afford it," Wendt said. "That's why we are applying for grants."
Bar-Lev said The Academy has plans to expand to all elementary grades next year. She is negotiating to lease space from the now-closed St. John's Elementary School in Menasha to accommodate the anticipated growth.
Eventually, the school will serve students through grade 12, Bar-Lev said.
