Profile: Antwerp International School

 

A Proven Record for Success

 

Although its history stretches back for over 40 years, according to Alun Cooper Headmaster, “Due to its location and smaller-size, AIS has remained somewhat unknown.” But as the only international school in Flanders, AIS offers students a unique learning experience.

“We have a proven record of success,” says Cooper. “Our dedicated teachers and in-depth understanding of what children need combine to create a unique and welcoming atmosphere here at AIS.”

As a pre-K through high school institution, AIS focuses its curriculum on providing students with a skill-based education. “Our students can attend a university of their choice,” says Cooper. “It’s our job to work with students to make that choice a reality, and to do this we offer a rigorous academic program that supports, excites and challenges all of our students.”

With its “culture of learning” that includes academic work and extracurricular activities, the school offers a holistic approach that fosters a recipe for lifelong learning. And in the end, AIS students graduate securely and comfortably with the skills they need to succeed not only in college, but in life.

Teaching with Technology

AIS is currently in the process of overhauling its IT and e-learning curriculum, with the aim of taking the school to the level where other international schools have gone years ago. The core concept of the plan is to expand the schools walls – virtually – so students and teachers can have access to AIS outside of the physical school. To do this, every aspect of the school must be digitized to allow for a 24/7 learning environment. As Cooper says, “we’re not only changing our IT platform, but the way we think.”

That’s not to say AIS remains in the Stone Age when it comes to technology. In fact, if one thing is clear from our tour, the opposite is true: technology is everywhere.

For starters, each classroom is equipped with a Smart Board – a high-tech hybrid of the classic white board and overhead projector. This piece of equipment enhances interactive learning – particularly in maths – by allowing teachers and students to collaborate together using a combination of “pen and paper” and digital support.

And let’s not forget about the science curriculum – with the middle and high schools each having advanced science labs. Besides the Bunsen Burners and test tubes, AIS’s labs are wired, allowing the teacher to enhance lessons with computer learning. Each lab has a computer station at the teacher’s desk and each student area is wired for individual computers – taking the lab into a virtual realm.

AIS also has several computer labs, both for IT learning and individual student use. IT plays a significant role in the school’s curriculum, meaning even second graders know how to create Power Point presentations… with sound! Every student is assigned a gmail account and – starting next year – individual laptops will be assigned on a rolling basis.

All of this is in furtherance of the school’s goal of integrating the classroom with the web and taking its record for success beyond the traditional classroom walls.