Global Education
Our global education educates students with a sense of curiosity and social responsibility for the world around them, making them ready for success anywhere in the world. Through a rigorous and experiential curriculum, students adopt a culture of compassion and respect, a thirst for understanding new cultures, and spirit of philanthropy. Our students explore global themes outlined by the International Baccalaureate programme, UNESCO, and travel to locations considered off the beaten path, experiencing first-hand, the needs in other parts of the world.
INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE
The International Baccalaureate (IB) develops lifelong learners who thrive and make a difference. CFIS has been authorized to deliver the IB Diploma Programme since 2019, making us uniquely positioned to offer a Bilingual lB Diploma for all grade 11 and 12 students. The IB allows us to ensure the best standard of international education with teachers that are connected to the best educators in their subject area. Our IB senior high curriculum and learning experiences are consistent with the best pre-university preparation available around the world.
Beginning in the 2022-23 school year, CFIS entered into the candidacy phase of the International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme (PYP), moving us closer to being a full IB Continuum school. This exciting approach to student learning encourages children, in preschool through Grade 5, to develop their critical thinking through inspired curiosity and wonder. The PYP is an authentic, inquiry-based learning and teaching programme that is engaging, challenging, and relevant. It promotes students’ learning by inquiry and reflecting on their own learning. PYP students develop knowledge, conceptual understandings, and skills to make a difference in their own lives and their communities, and beyond.
CFIS is also currently in the consideration phase for the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP). This will continue through 2023, at which time we can submit a ‘Request for Candidacy’ from the IB. Once approved for the candidacy stage, our teachers and staff will expand upon their training with an IB Consultant. Upon completion of candidacy, and authorized by the IB, CFIS will be officially recognized as an IB Continuum school!
UNESCO
CFIS is the only independent school in Calgary to be named a United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) associated school. UNESCO has four pillars of learning that are incorporated into our everyday approach of instruction: learning to know, learning to do, learning to live together, and learning to be. Each of these four areas help develop internationally minded pupils that understand themselves but respect others for who they are, finding value in diversity. Implemented as a framework throughout our ECE and Elementary programs, UNESCO experiences deepen student learning.
ROUND SQUARE
As a full Global Member of Round Square, CFIS secondary students experience a global landscape, receiving a robust academic education while being able to experience elements of the vast world around them, in experiential ways that spark their imagination and passions.
Round Square offers countless opportunities to open student minds to life beyond their school. Students can host an international student, go on a reciprocal exchange, or attend a conference. Our students have already made numerous strong connections with students in countries as far-flung as Australia, Scotland, Argentina, Singapore, Colombia, South Africa, India and Peru. As Round Square Global Member, CFIS can make further connections with schools from around the globe, through a combination of student exchanges, attendance at conferences, and teacher networking and collaboration.
TRAVEL STUDIES
Travel studies at CFIS support the development of CFIS students as active, engaged learners. Beginning in Grade 7, the CFIS Travel Studies program is one way our students put their knowledge and fluency in three languages into action. Leadership and interpersonal relationships are nurtured. Personal independence flourishes as students travel throughout the world, interacting in multiple languages, leading within the community and making a difference through their actions.