Attitudes Toward Learning
We believe that more learning will occur if the student has a desire to learn, has positive feelings concerning his/her school environment, and succeeds in his/her work. A comfortable atmosphere of caring and acceptance established by the school is considered important, so that each student is encouraged to strive for excellence and to be creative. An aesthetically pleasing environment with a view to appreciation of beauty and order enhances this. Each student’s possibility of success increases when he/she works at the appropriate level of difficulty and senses positive expectations from his teachers.
Functions Of Administration
QSI school administrators will recruit teachers who have a love for children, who have positive expectations of children, and who are willing to give the time and energy necessary to meet the needs of individual students. QSI also commits to employ teachers who have acceptable values and who believe that their lifestyle should be a positive influence on their students. To this end, QSI will employ teachers directly from outside of the country, if necessary, to provide experienced and successful teachers for specific positions and will employ enough teachers to maintain reasonably small class sizes. To help teachers meet the individual needs of students, selected paraprofessionals will be included in the school staff, and spacious buildings and classrooms which are functional yet include local architectural designs with a view to blending into the local environment will be provided. Each student will be tested in reading and mathematics upon initial enrollment to assure a proper entry level in these classes. Parental support of the school will be encouraged with a view to enhancing the learning and the development of positive attitudes of the students.
Functions Of Teaching Staff
QSI teachers are expected to continually assess the student in all areas of learning to assure appropriate learning tasks leading to challenging work, but work in which he is capable of experiencing success. Teachers will let the student know what learning tasks are expected, provide appropriate learning experiences, and allow each student sufficient time on a task to be able to experience success. Teachers will also provide additional learning experiences, if mastery is the goal and if the task is not mastered after the initial teaching/learning experience. Students will be rewarded equally for mastering learning tasks regardless of the path taken to mastery and will not give a higher reward to one who required a greater input of energy nor to one who easily and quickly attained mastery. Students will be evaluated in a way in which a student competes against himself rather than against a fellow student, and teachers will inspire students to help them see what they can be and what they can accomplish with a view to excellence and creativity. Teachers at QSI are committed to providing a positive school atmosphere by working with a cooperative spirit, giving support to one another, and encouraging a high morale and efficiency within the staff.
Areas Of Learning
Mastery of basic skills is considered a vital part of education, essential for success in studies of other subjects as well as in most situations in life. A broad and varied program of physical education, fine arts, and other activities is also considered important to enhance the interest and education of the students. Area objectives include providing learning situations leading to mastery of appropriate topics in English and mathematics. Quality instruction in science, cultural studies, physical education, computer literacy, music, and art will also be offered to all students, and classes in Intensive English will be provided as appropriate. Local and foreign languages will be offered as appropriate along with selected courses in national studies with a view to the needs of particular nationalities and to academic adjustment upon repatriation. Varied activities and electives which are not part of the regular academic program will be offered, including field trips and activities related to their classes, but away from school. QSI commits to provide the appropriate materials, resources, and equipment for all areas.
Social Behavior
For a useful and meaningful life we encourage the development of personal qualities leading to acceptable values and harmonious relationships. Area objectives include encouraging an understanding of one’s self with a view to developing acceptable values such as patience, kindness, unselfishness, honesty, and consideration for others. Further, QSI will provide a positive and secure atmosphere, treating the students honestly and fairly. Each student will be encouraged to feel good about himself and to promote similar feelings in fellow students. QSI teachers and staff will provide guidance in problem solving and decision making situations, so that students will develop a sense of responsibility and be encouraged to take leadership roles.
Cultural Awareness
An understanding and acceptance of the different cultures represented in the school are considered important. We believe emphasis should be placed on gaining an appreciation and knowledge of the region and the local country in particular. Area objectives include encouraging each student to recognize in a positive way his own nationality. An atmosphere of cultural acceptance and understanding will be promoted with a view to building healthy international relationships. To this end, studies of the local region and the country itself will be integrated into the classroom curriculum.
Environmental Awareness
We believe it is essential to have an awareness of the value of protecting and improving our environment. Area objectives include developing an awareness of environmental concerns such as overpopulation, pollution, waste of natural resources, destruction of wildlife and natural areas, and personal health. QSI will promote concern for the protection of the natural world and will provide activities and projects for students which involve them in improving the environment.
