Page 7 - Quintile_37 web

QSI Quintile • Issue 37 • • • 7

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QSI International School of Minsk

A new Chapter

The 2017–18 school year started off with the
opening of a new school facility in Minsk. After
several years of research, planning, and hard work,
the school now offers families an upgraded facility
to meet the needs of our growing population. With rigor: new Advanced
plans for expansion, the new building and grounds Placement Course
will allow a stable home in Minsk for many years to Pathways
come. Currently home to more than 170 students
from 36 countries, we are excited to offer a world- Rigor is a big buzzword in education today. The
class education in the “hidden gem” of Minsk. term rigor is widely used by educators to describe
instruction, schoolwork, learning experiences, and
educational expectations that are academically,
intellectually, and personally challenging.
Nurturing and supporting our students through
rigorous tasks will better prepare them for their
academic and career lives after they leave our
school.

The secondary school at QSI International
School of Minsk holds its students to the highest
level of rigor. Students are constantly challenged,
engaged, and exposed to the latest information
and technology in our classes. Graduates from QSI
Minsk attend outstanding
universities throughout
the world, and go on to do
amazing things. The quality of
instruction, and the successes
of our graduates—from such a
small school—bear testament
to the outstanding work of our
wonderful staff.

Starting in 2015–16, we
were one of only 10 interna-
tional schools worldwide to
be given the distinction of an
Located on a former sports and cultural camp Advanced Placement Cap-
in the center of Minsk, the school building will be stone school. Since that time,
equipped with the latest technology, while at the The outside grounds provide ample opportunity dozens of international schools around the world
same time allowing for interaction between all for students to get outside and be active, even on the have embraced this program, and are offering stu-
grade levels—from 2-year-olds through Secondary coldest winter days! Our sports court was designed dents rigorous courses including research and pre-
IV. This unique opportunity allows for growth and built for multiple uses, including basketball sentation. The AP Capstone ensures that over two
and development in our younger students, and and soccer. For the first time, we have a dedicated years students engage in two integrated courses:
leadership and role-model experiences for older soccer program for students aged 10 through AP Seminar and AP Research. The Seminar and
students. With a dedicated Makerspace, we will Secondary IV to train three days per week with a Research courses allow for students to be exposed
continue to provide students opportunities to push professional coach. to the demands of university-level courses in a
themselves in developing 21 -century skills. A safe, small environment. Both courses have final
st
technology plan will be implemented in 2018–19 The other two playground areas, constructed products and examinations that are conducted by
to further improve students’ ability not only to use with a special rubber surface to protect against the College Board, and can be used for university
technology as a tool for learning, but to imagine, scrapes and scratches, reduce the amount of mud placement and credit, depending on the score and
invent, and create—using the latest tools and and dirt brought into the school. Our indoor gym admitting institution.
innovations. provides space for students to learn the basics
To complement the AP Capstone, we have
worked to introduce other Advanced Placement
courses that will allow our students to be both
competitive and prepared for university life. In
2017–18, we have introduced Advanced Placement
Having a school building that is safe, secure, and meeting the needs of a highly Art into our curriculum. AP Art allows students
to get a sense of what university level art courses
technological world is truly important. However, the community makes the entail—with high-quality pieces needing to
school more than a building. At QSI Minsk, our outstanding community is truly be produced every third week, this course is
what makes us special! From dedicated and experienced teachers, to an amazing challenging even for the artistically inclined. Led
by teacher with proven success in this subject, these
support staff, we are committed to educating the whole child—each and every students will produce exciting work.
day in Minsk!
Seeing the need for greater preparation in
computer sciences, we introduced AP Computer
Science Principles. Complementing our traditional
Creative and energetic kids also need healthful of fitness, team-building, and competition. Our AP Computer Science course, “Principles” allows
sources of nutrition to keep them alert and gymnastics program, held after school, regularly for students with more basic knowledge to build
attentive. Each day, our kitchen prepares healthful, travels to competitions, both in the Minsk region up the skill sets needed for higher-level computing
handmade meals for nearly 200 students and staff. and abroad. courses at the university level. We are excited to
Selections include both international and local offer this course as a standard course for all students
fare, with a salad-and-fruit bar offered each day. While the current school meets our needs, to access in future years.
Our health committee regularly works with staff, there is flexibility in our new space for additional
students, and parents to teach healthful eating building expansion. A committee of dedicated By taking steps to ensure that all graduates are
options. The expanded cooking space also allows us teachers, parents, and QSI administrators is prepared for the next phase of their lives, we ensure
to incorporate better preparation of meals for those currently designing what an additional floor to that we can take a “backward design” approach
with food allergies or vegetarian preferences. With the building would look like. Community input to learning at QSI Minsk. The skills being taught
healthy energy, ready to burn, our students are is highly valuable as we look to the future at QSI in our highest-level courses translate into skill-
excited to use our new gym and outdoor facilities. Minsk! building throughout our school!