The International School Gala Raises $240,000 for Kids

Portland, February 6th, 2016. The International School gala raised nearly $240,000 for students and teachers. The International School (TIS) is Portland’s first International Baccalaureate elementary school. It was founded in 1990 and today educates over 480 students from age 3 through 5th grade. The school is in the middle of a big construction project.

The foundation is in for for the new building which is south of Waterfront park near SW Sherman Street. TIS families and friends have contributed over $2.85 million towards the project.

This is the foundation for the new building which is south of Waterfront park near SW Sherman Street.
TIS families and friends have contributed over $2.85 million toward the project so far.

The total cost for the new building, including construction and soft costs like classroom furniture, is estimated at $6 million. TIS is in the fortuitous position to be able to finance part of the project. Most of the funds will come from philanthropic gifts.

The total cost for the new building, including construction and soft costs like classroom furniture, is estimated at $6 million. TIS is able to finance part of the project, but most of the funds will come from philanthropic gifts.

The International School provides a multicultural environment where children are fully immersed in Spanish, Japanese or Chinese from preschool through 5th grade. Its small classes and inquiry-based, International Baccalaureate curriculum enable children to acquire language and culture.

Here’s a video about the new master plan:

From The International School:

The International School inspires children to become global citizens by providing a rigorous and comprehensive education within a nurturing, student-centered environment of full immersion in multiple languages and cultures.

Core Values & Guiding Principles

Honesty. Honesty forms the foundation of our everyday behaviors.
Respect. We will strive to understand others so that we may treat them in a way acceptable to them.
Collaboration. We promote meaningful inclusion and participation in a team-oriented, student-centered, and cooperative environment. We work together in genuine partnerships to find creative solutions to problems with the goal of achieving superior results.
Responsibility.We are accountable for our actions and their consequences.
Diversity. We honor the uniqueness of each individual and embrace diversity in peoples’ backgrounds, values, and points of view. We are aware of a wider world and have a sense of our own place in it as individuals and as a community.
Passion for Learning. We inspire enthusiasm for excellence, knowledge, and learning.

Vision

The International School will be recognized as a center of excellence in multicultural education. Graduates of the school are true global citizens who excel in a diverse and multicultural society. The International School fosters a culture that reflects its core values. Active and effective planning is the foundation on which the school achieves its success.

Our FacultyMembers are passionate professionals and leaders in language immersion education who inspire our children and create a safe and nurturing environment for them to achieve excellence.
Our Students excel academically; are fluent in another language and versed in different cultures. They attain leadership skills that enhance their confidence and self esteem and represent cultural, ethnic, economic and social diversity.
Our Programs support academic excellence through small robust class sizes, year round enrichment programs, and international education.
Our Facilities are clean, green, safe and welcoming in the centrally located urban environment.
Our Finances provide long-term stability through non-tuition endowments and other sources.
Our Leadership and Management demonstrate vision, transparency, and accountability.
Our TIS Culture values our intimate and unique environment, global and local partnerships, and service to the community.
Our Families and Alumni provide broad based support to the school through active volunteerism to sustain a positive learning environment

The Board of Directors is responsible for safeguarding the mission, values and vision of the school. Click here to learn about the TIS board.

Elisa Klein

I’ve been a professional journalist and writer since 1987, (and long-time reporter for KOIN-TV.) As a nationally published reporter, with a Master’s Degree in Journalism, I love to report positive news and information. Journalism has also connected me with another non-profit where I served as a leader; the Northwest’s biggest writer’s organization: The Willamette Writers.