What do the International School tiers mean?




What do the International School tiers mean?
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British Education

A big part of choosing a school for your child is making sure that school provides opportunities for students to excel and reach their full potential. These opportunities will differ depending on the type and tier of school.

But what are the different international school tiers, and what does that mean for your child? Read on to learn more about that and how your child benefits from an international Tier 1 school.

What are the international school tiers?

There is no standardised, universally agreed upon criteria to categorise international schools into official tiers, they vary school to school, country to country.

Also known as a Top Tier school, a Tier 1 institution is one that is widely regarded in the international community as one of the best schools in the area. While there are no official standardised systems for what qualifies as a Tier 1 school, this designation is based on a number of subjective factors.

At Alice Smith, we take great pride in what we do: we support each and every student, setting them up for success in their future. Our students are at the forefront of our decision making, and as a not-for-profit Tier 1 international school, our students have a multitude of amazing opportunities at their fingertips. 

International schools ranked as Tier 1 attract the best teachers

Research shows that students taught by highly experienced, quality teachers are more likely to enrol in university or college and have a higher earning potential post-graduation than non-graduates do.

Tier 1 international schools attract high-quality teaching staff, benefitting the local community and enriching the lives of their students far beyond their years at school. Most of these schools invest a large portion of their funding into their teachers, through hiring and through ongoing development of their academic skills. This investment offers great benefits directly to the students they teach.

Tier 1 international schools are innovative 

Great teachers can only go so far without a great curriculum, as it is the foundation of a good education. These international schools research what goes into their curriculums thoroughly to ensure they are rigorous, broad, and enriched.

Curriculums at Tier 1 international schools are often modelled on internationally-recognised curriculums, such as the English National Curriculum. This means they are able to replicate the same success for their students but in an international setting, giving students an educational foundation that can take them anywhere.

International Tier 1 schools offer an international experience

With a diverse student body and staff, Tier 1 international schools can introduce children to new experiences and new cultures from all over the world. In addition to fostering a sense of global mindedness in students, a multicultural learning environment has numerous benefits, including teaching children to be more empathetic, more curious and to have a deeper awareness of the world and their place in it.

When your children earn an education from a Tier 1 international school, they will be able to seamlessly integrate back into a school setting in their home country or anywhere else in the world. 

Tier 1 international schools Have Close Ties to Embassies 

Relocating to a different country can be a difficult, stressful experience for families, even if theyโ€™ve done it before.

Most Tier 1 international schools are US and UK Embassy-assisted, making them a top choice for expats and families of diplomats working internationally. Ensuring the community keeps close ties with local embassies and other expat societies means that children maintain a connection to their home country, whilst immersed in another culture and an international school environment. 

Overall, international schools ranked Tier 1 provide the best education and offer incredibly unique educational opportunities to set your children up for a successful future.

Learn more about what makes Alice Smith a tier 1 international school and why we provide the very best education and opportunities for our students. Alternatively, you can book a tour to come and visit our campuses or contact us to talk more about what offer.

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