We are an international school rooted in our local community. We value the different languages, experiences and perspectives that families bring to ICS while honoring the cultural values, beliefs and aspirations of Iraq. Our vision is to be well recognized internationally and fully trusted locally. That trust must be earned through good teaching, honest communication and the care families experience each day.

A Place to Learn, Belong and Grow

Two ideas are central to my educational philosophy: Happy Brain Education and a Culture of Care. These are not alternatives to academic achievement. They describe how we intend to help children pursue it.

Happy Brain Education means creating classrooms in which students feel safe, connected, curious and appropriately challenged. It does not mean that every lesson is easy or that children will never experience frustration. Learning takes effort. Sometimes it means trying again, correcting a mistake or working through something that does not make sense immediately. Our responsibility is to provide clear teaching, encouragement and useful feedback so that students can face those challenges without fear of embarrassment.

A Culture of Care means that children should be known as individuals, not simply as names on a class list or marks in a gradebook. Their interests, strengths, questions and difficulties matter. We want students to feel comfortable asking for help and confident that the adults around them want them to succeed.

Care also means having expectations. We expect students to make an effort, treat others respectfully, take responsibility for their actions and take pride in their progress. We do not lower expectations because we care about children; we provide the support that helps them meet those expectations.

Families Are Part of the School Community

You know your child in ways that a school cannot. Your observations, hopes and concerns are an important part of understanding how best to support their education. We want a partnership in which families feel welcome to ask questions, share information and discuss their child’s progress.

That partnership should not begin only when something goes wrong. It should include conversations about achievement, effort, growing confidence and the next steps in learning. As principal, my commitment is to listen carefully, communicate honestly and keep students’ interests at the center of our decisions. Our school motto expresses this shared responsibility: We are recognized because we SHARE, and we are trusted because we CARE.

Come and Visit Us

The best way to begin getting to know a school is to visit. We warmly welcome families with school-aged children to arrange a tour of ICS and a placement test for their child. A visit is an opportunity to see our learning environment, speak with our team and discuss what you are looking for in your child’s education. A placement test gives us an opportunity to begin understanding your child’s current learning before discussing the next steps with you.

You do not need to have made an enrollment decision to begin that conversation. Bring your questions, tell us about your child and take the time to get to know us.

Please contact our Admissions team to arrange your school tour and placement test. I look forward to welcoming you and your family to International Community School.

Warm regards,
Dr. Robert Sawyer
Principal