Located in Lahore, Pakistan, the International School of Choueifat – Lahore (ISC-Lahore) opened its doors in September 1992 as an independent, co-educational day school. Today, 23 years later the school has an enrollment of over 900 students in Kindergarten through Grade 12 and has a reputation for providing its students, aged 3 to 18+, with a top-quality international education that prepares them to achieve future success.
In addition to educating students from Kindergarten through graduation, ISC-Lahore also offers a Playgroup Program for pre-Kindergarten-aged children. Operating for two hours daily from March through May, the program offers toddlers the chance to take part in a variety of educational activities, exposes them to many aspects of school life, teaches them how to follow a routine and listen to instructions, and introduces them to phonics and math, all in preparation for a smooth and happy transition into life in Kindergarten.
Raising Academic Standards
Like all SABIS® member schools, ISC-Lahore implements the SABIS® Educational System, a comprehensive and challenging academic program with an internationally-oriented curriculum that emphasizes the core subjects of English, mathematics, and world languages.
Supporting ISC-Lahore students in their acquisition of the English language in a country where English is not the mother tongue and public libraries are scarce, ISC-Lahore offers the Accelerated Reader Program. As soon as students are of an age to read independently – as early as Kindergarten – they are introduced to exciting Accelerated Reading books, acquiring English language comprehension skills as well as a lifelong love of reading and learning.
A number of academic programs at ISC-Lahore ensure that all students, from a very young age, take their education seriously and take an active role in helping their peers excel academically. Students who master particular subjects regularly volunteer as Shadow Teachers®, positioning them to assist teachers by taking the lead in presenting material in class.
“Shadow Teachers® play a vital role in my classes. Their efficiency enables the class to stay on track.. They help me make sure that the students’ work is completed and up to the mark,” said a Primary School English Teacher at ISC-Lahore.
During the 2013-14 academic year, ISC-Lahore operated the school for three consecutive days using only Shadow Teachers®. One hundred and forty (140) Shadow Teachers® in grades 4 to 12 ran all the lessons, demonstrating strong classroom management and efficient use of the latest classroom technology.
Students at ISC-Lahore have another opportunity to contribute to raising overall academic standards in the school. They can also volunteer as peer tutors, helping their fellow classmates to fill gaps in their knowledge base. Through both Shadow Teaching® and peer tutoring, students at ISC-Lahore play an important role in raising academic standards at the school and develop essential life skills.
Achievements
Through the rigor of the SABIS® Educational System and its rich curriculum, ISC-Lahore students are prepared to excel on external exams. In the 2013-14 academic year, 89% of ISC-Lahore students in Grade 12 were awarded AP® Scholar, Scholar with Honor, or Scholar with Distinction awards.
On British-based external exams, taken in the Spring of 2014, 80% of ISC-Lahore students earned grades of A*-C on their GCE O Levels and IGCSEs. On the Diplôme d'études en langue française (DELF) exams, 22 out of 22 students from ISC-Lahore who took the DELF test in April 2014 scored A with one student becoming the only candidate in the whole of Lahore to earn an A on the DELF B1 exam.
Equipped with outstanding results, ISC-Lahore students go on to attend the most prestigious universities around the world including the University of California at Berkeley, McGill University, Stanford University, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, and the Agha Khan University to name a few.
Raising Environmental Awareness
In addition to instilling a lifelong love of learning, ISC-Lahore is also committed to helping students develop a love and respect for their environment. In line with this commitment, ISC-Lahore signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF) Green School Program in Pakistan at the onset of the 2013-14 academic year. Through the WWF-Pakistan Green School Program, ISC-Lahore students receive regular insights into the eco-dynamics and environmental challenges faced at a global and national level and develop an understanding of their role as custodians of valuable natural resources. Through participation in an array of very exciting environmental projects and activities including Eco-Magazine, Nature Photography, Documentary Making, ISC-Lahore students develop an acute awareness of the importance of living in harmony with nature.
ISC-Lahore also rolled out a successful recycling campaign designed to teach students that every little bit counts and that it only takes small changes in daily life to make an impact on the environment.
“The 3Rs Campaign (Recycle, Redo, Reuse) we launched at the beginning of the year was a huge success,” explained Ms. Margo Abdel Aziz, ISC-Lahore School Director. “At ISC-Lahore we are committed to raising environmental awareness. From a very early age, our students are exposed to hands-on activities on diverse topics ranging from renewable energy, biodiversity, climate change, sustainable development, and environmental law.”
An Active SLO®
The active SABIS Student Life Organization® (SLO®) at ISC-Lahore offers students a large number of opportunities to explore their interests and talents. Through SLO®, students can participate in a wide range of activities and clubs outside the classroom that include sports, music, drama club, embroidery, and board games.
The ISC-Lahore soccer team, ISC-Relentless, proved at the Karachi United Tournament that it has the will, determination, and skills to conquer all obstacles. In 2013, ISC-Relentless brought home the Lahore School Championship trophy. ISC-Relentless qualified for the final match in Karachi, where they came in second place in the Schools Football championship for the whole of Pakistan.
Academic events are also an important part of the activities on offer. The SLO® Academic Department organizes an annual spelling bee as well as a number of math quizzes. ISC-Lahore students also have the opportunity to participate in SABIS® School Network academic events, such as the SABIS® STARS tournament, a biennial contest that challenges students’ knowledge and critical thinking skills through debate, public speaking, spelling bee, science fair, and advertising. In participating in the 2014 SABIS® STARS tournament, ISC-Lahore won second place in the advertising, public speaking, and science fair competitions and third place in the art category.
In addition to academic and sports activities, the SLO®organizes numerous projects and social activities with the aim of giving back to the community. The first bake sale that was organized by the 2014 graduating class surpassed all expectations, with half the proceeds donated to a local charity that works with handicapped children.
Through SLO®, students create a community in which each and every individual can grow, excel, and take pride in their individual and collective accomplishments. According to one student in Grade 11, “The SLO® is a place of happiness, a group of friends, a helping hand, and a safe haven. It is more than an organization to us students; it is both a second family and a second home.”
Through a comprehensive educational program, ISC-Lahore provides its students with multiple opportunities to acquire knowledge, explore their interests, and give back to the community. ISC-Lahore graduates are well-rounded individuals who are ready to achieve future success and become global citizens of the world.
For more information about ISC-Lahore, visit isclahore.sabis.net.