Key Facts About TISA

TISA provides an international curriculum taught in English and is authorized by the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) to offer the Primary Years Programme (PYP) for ages 3-10, the Middle Years Programme (MYP) for ages 11-15, and the Post-16 Programme (PSP) for ages 16-18. All Secondary students enrolled in the Post-16 Programme work toward earning a TISA High School Diploma, and follow one of three tracks: the IB Diploma track, the IB Certificate track or the TISA Graduation track. Each of the three tracks of TISA’s Post 16 Programme involves courses that are included in the IB Diploma Programme of study, a rigorous pre-university programme.

Founded: 1996

Location: Azerbaijan is situated on the western shores of the Caspian Sea and is bordered by Georgia and Armenia to the west, Iran to the south and the Russian Federation to the north. Baku, the capital city, is situated on the Apsheron Peninsula and has 2 million inhabitants.

Climate: Azerbaijan has a varied climate; notably hot summers, warm autumns and short cold winters

Projected Enrolment for 2010-11: 500 students

Faculty: There are 4 administrators and 63 full time faculty, representing the following countries: USA, UK, Canada, Spain, Russia, Australia, New Zealand, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Israel, South Africa, Sri-Lanka, The Netherlands, Lebanon, Ireland, and Nepal.

Students: The student body is 34% UK, 18% USA, 15% Azeri, and 33% from 46 other nationalities.

Class size: Class sizes range from 10-20, allowing for significant personal attention. A teacher assistant supports each primary class.

Campus: TISA is located about 25 minutes from the downtown area of Baku. There is a residential compound adjacent to the school. Campus facilities include a gymnasium, soccer field and separate laboratories for Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. There are two well resourced libraries and fully equipped IT rooms in both the Primary and Secondary schools. There are facilities for Art, IT, Music, PE, Drama, and Design Technology which are taught by specialists during the school day. An Early Learning Centre on the campus accommodates 3 and 4 year olds. There is a Baku Toddler Klub for 2 year olds adjacent to the main campus.

Support Services: English Language Support (ELS) is available for non-native speakers up to M5 (age 15). The school has no special provision for children with severe learning disabilities but a learning support specialist is on staff. College counseling is available.

Overall student/teacher ratio: 8 to 1

Extra-curricular activities: TISA runs an after-school activity programme for children ages 5-18. A wide variety of activities, taught mainly by teachers, is offered five days a week. Students can choose up to two activities a week, depending on their interests.

Transportation: There is no school bus service. Most companies provide private transport for children attending TISA.

Security: TISA has as a professional security force. All visitors to the site pass through two checks and has in place a photo ID and car sticker system. The campus is equipped with security cameras. The general consensus of the Embassies and the companies operating in Azerbaijan is that the risk of terrorist incident is low.

Parent Publications and Groups: The “TISA Times” school newsletter is published once every three weeks. There is also a weekly “Look Ahead” school news e-mail update. There is an active Parent Association of TISA (PAT) that meets monthly.

Accreditation: TISA is an IB World School, and is fully accredited by the Council of International Schools (CIS).