The International School of Minnesota]] (ISM) is an independent, non-denominational, college-preparatory school for Preschool through Grade 12 students located on a 55-acre campus in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, a suburb of Minneapolis. As a member of the SABIS^® School Network and one of over 61 schools world-wide, ISM is a part of a system long recognized by premier colleges and universities for outstanding academic achievement.

The school includes a Lower School consisting of grades preschool through four, a Middle School consisting of grades five through eight, and an Upper School consisting of grades nine through twelve. Rigorous academics are the cornerstone of education at The International School of Minnesota, and the school is well known for its strong Math, English and World Language programs. The College Board Advanced Placement Program offers students the opportunity to take challenging, college-level courses while still attending high school, and to receive college credit, advanced placement, or both, for successful performance on the AP^® exams. ISM students consistently outperform their peers in Advanced Placement Exam results. In 2008, eighty-one percent of our 11th and 12th graders took The College Board AP^® Exams and 50% earned recognition as AP^® Scholars, compared to only 18% of the 1.6 million high school students across the United States who took the exams.

AP^® courses are offered in:

• Art History
• Art: Studio Drawing
• Biology
• Calculus AB
• Calculus BC
• Computer Science A
• Computer Science AB
• English Language & Composition
• English Literature & Composition
• European History
• French Language
• French Literature
• Music Theory,
• Physics C (Mechanical and E & M)
• Spanish Language
• Spanish Literature
• Statistics
• US Government & Politics

ISM offers its students the advantages of a high-quality, college-preparatory education that prepares them for success in college and beyond. In its 24 year history, ISM has graduated 253 students; 100% have gone on to pursue degrees at universities in the United States and around the world.

One out of every three ISM graduates has earned acceptance to a college or university ranked among the world’s top 200 by the UK Times Higher Education Supplement in 2008.^[1] These include Dartmouth College, Duke University, Georgetown University, George Washington University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Northwestern University, Princeton University, Stanford University, Johns Hopkins University, Columbia University, and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

The story of SABIS^® dates back to 1886 when the International School of Choueifat was founded in the village of Choueifat, a suburb of Beirut, Lebanon.^[2] There, the founders Reverend Tanios Saad and Ms. Louisa Proctor brought together their vision, dedication, and ambition to provide basic education for Lebanese girls. Soon thereafter, the school became co-educational in response to market demand.

Despite two world wars, The International School of Choueifat continued to grow over the years and embarked upon an expansion program outside Lebanon in the mid-1970s. The expansion was met with substantial success, which is currently reflected in a well-reputed global network consisting of schools in 15 countries with over 47,000 students and 4,000 employees.

Roots in the 19th century have provided SABIS® with a solid foundation in the world of global education management. Today, the SABIS^® School Network is managed by a knowledgeable team of skilled individuals and overseen by two regional corporate offices located in Beirut, Lebanon and Minnesota, USA.

SABIS® Educational Systems, Inc. was established in 1985 in Minnesota and owns the exclusive rights in North America, South America, and Europe to the SABIS® Edge Education Program, an educational system with roots in the 19th century.

Following its incorporation in 1985, SABIS^® Educational Systems, Inc. established a range of schools starting in the private sector and expanding into the public sector. The first of these schools was The International School of Minnesota (ISM) in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. The establishment of ISM, a private school, was followed by the founding of several charter schools in states with charter school laws. The schools managed by SABIS^® Educational Systems, Inc. are part of the worldwide SABIS^® School Network including 61 schools in 15 countries with over 47,000 students in the 2008-2009 academic year.

Science

The International School of Minnesota science curriculum is designed to teach true science, rather than information about science. The emphasis is on higher order thinking and is not limited to hands-on only projects.

In Grades 6-8, Science includes Earth, Life and Physical Science classes.

In Grades 9-12, unusual opportunities exist, not only for the science-oriented students, but also for those whose interests are more broadly based. A three-track science curriculum is offered, including survey coursework in Biology, Chemistry, Astronomy and Conceptual Physics, as well as extensive Advanced Placement classes in Biology and Physics extending into third year college level classes. The school will soon be offering an AP course in Environmental Science.

The International School of Minnesota offers intensive, small-group experience for students, and there are opportunities for enrichment by being a part of the robotics team.

Language Programs

The International School of Minnesota’s language program, French and Spanish, extends over a fifteen-year period and includes eighteen age-proficiency levels, which stresses reading and writing, as well as the acquisition of scholarly skills. Learning takes place in the target language with teachers who are native speakers, or who have native proficiency. Long-term students will be functionally bilingual at the time of graduation and be able to pursue their studies in a foreign university, should they choose to do so. Graduates routinely place at exceptionally high levels at the beginning of their university studies. Students are actively encouraged to continue their foreign language studies in college, and consider ways in which it might be incorporated into their primary field of interest.

Performing Arts

Performing Arts instruction is a strong component of the ISM curriculum. Ninety percent of the student body is involved in choir, band, orchestra, or drama. Beginning in Early Childhood through the Upper School, students receive instruction and performance experience, under the guidance of an exceptional faculty.

The department’s goal is to develop students’ creativity and self-expression, to equip them with the skills and knowledge to be performers or patrons of the arts, and to provide numerous opportunities to experience the joy of performing.

There are instrumental, choral, and drama opportunities in both the Lower and Upper School. Our High School Concert Choir and Show Choir participate in many competitions and performances throughout the year and tour in the spring. Instrumental students perform in community and school concerts. Drama students study acting and perform in the fall musical, the one-act play, P.A.C. Rats, and Jr. P.A.C. Rats Theater Workshops.

ISM performing arts students are active members in the Greater Twin Cities Youth Symphonies, MacPhail Center for Music Prelude Program, MacPhail Orchestra, Salon se Leve Concert Series, Brave New Workshop Youth Improv Troupe, Stages Theater and participate in many competitive dance programs throughout the Twin Cities as well. Graduate Doua Moua can be seen in the Clint Eastwood's movie Gran Torino and Brittany Everitt is a performer in the Medora Musical a Troupe America Production.

The SABIS^® Student Life Organization™ (SABIS^® SLO™) is a student-led society that empowers students to contribute to the management of the school, to make a positive difference, and to play an active role in their education as well as the education of others.

While providing opportunities for social and moral growth, Student Life helps students develop academic, managerial, organizational, and leadership skills. Student Life also gives students the chance to get involved in a variety of academic and non-academic activities such as tutoring of other students, planning sports and social events, organizing community service projects, and being involved in the school newspaper.

The International School of Minnesota is part of the Eastern Minnesota Athletic Conference (EMAC) and the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL). Many of our athletes go on to have successful college careers. We sponsor the following wide range of boys and girls athletic activities at our school: Basketball, Crew, Cross Country, Golf, Sailing, Soccer, Tennis and Track and Field. Our coaching staff is highly trained and many have had successful college and even professional careers. To see our athletic schedule please see The International School of Minnesota athletic calendar.

1. The Times Higher Education UK official website The Top 200 World Universities