1. How is The International School different from other schools?
While there are several factors that distinguish The International School of Minnesota (ISM) from other schools, the world-renowned SABIS^® Educational System is what sets ISM apart from all other ISM’s proprietary SABIS^® Educational System offers students a carefully planned, sequential, and rigorous college-preparatory curriculum based on over 123 years of international “best practices. ”

The SABIS^® Educational System and other points of distinction tend to attract an extensive breadth and depth of students and families of different cultures, religions, languages, and perspectives prepare them for global citizenship.


2. What makes The International School of Minnesota “International?”
SABIS^® is a worldwide network of schools having originated in Lebanon in 1886. The curriculum is based on international “best practices”and carefully structured to give students mastery of all the essential concepts in the core subjects of English, Math, and World Language. The curriculum is designed to prepare students for colleges and universities all over the world.

The student body of The International School of Minnesota currently consists of nearly 600 students enrolled for the 2009-2010 academic year. Approximately 30% of our community represents over 40 nationalities within one generation of the student or staff member. Approximately 3% of our students are here on international student visas or have relocated to Minnesota with their parents who are here on job postings.

3. Are there other International Schools in the United States?
The International School of Minnesota was the first SABIS^® School to be opened in the United States. It is also the only private SABIS^® school in the United States. SABIS^® operates 7 charter schools in Arizona, Louisiana, Michigan, Massachusetts, and Ohio.

4. How many students are in a classroom?
At ISM we stress group rather than individual instruction but focus on individual follow-up and remediation through regular structured testing and tutorials. The SABIS^® approach strongly relies on larger class groups to be most effective. Taking these points into consideration, maximum class sizes range from 20 students in Early Childhood Education (ECE) to 34 students in grades 9-12. In ECE classes, ISM follows the state-mandated ratio of 10 students per teacher/teaching assistant.


5. Does ISM offer financial assistance?
The purpose of ISM’s financial aid is to promote diversity of all kinds within its student body and to enable students to obtain a World Class Education. ISM offers financial aid to qualifying students in grades 6-12 on a financial need basis only.


6. Does ISM include an Extended Day program?
ISM offers an exceptional Extended Day program. The program runs before school starting at 7am and after school until 6pm, during which students can participate in outdoor and indoor play, games, computer lab activities, library time, and a quiet room to do homework. The basic Extended Day program is included at no additional cost. All areas are well supervised by the Extended Day staff. For additional fees, students can choose from a vast selection of activities, clubs, music lessons, and a variety of Extended Day classes.


7. Does ISM have a transportation system?
ISM does not own/operate its own school buses. Parents arrange the transportation for their ISM student(s) either with an independent busing company, or with other ISM parents who are interested in carpooling.
Parents may call 952-918-1840 for details regarding current pricing and bus routes.

ISM families interested in participating in a car pool submit their completed car-pooling form to The School. The School then generates and distributes the list to those ISM families.


8. What is the Admissions deadline?
The International School of Minnesota has an open enrollment admission policy. As long as students meet the academic criteria, they are accepted throughout the school year. Students are enrolled on a space-available basis.


9. Does ISM offer tuition payment options?
ISM has 3 tuition payment plans from which families can choose for the school year.

Plan A) Two-thirds of the total school tuition is billed on or before August 1st and due by August 31st. The remaining one-third is billed on or before December 1st and due by December 31st. Families choosing this plan are required to participate in the Tuition Refund Plan.

Plan B) The total school tuition is divided into nine payments and is payable monthly, beginning in April. There is an additional $200 processing fee due with Plan B.Families choosing this plan are required to participate in the FACTS Tuition Plan and Tuition Refund Plan.

Plan C) The total school tuition is billed on or before August 1st and due before the start of the student’s school year. Families choosing this plan are not required to participate in the Tuition Refund Plan.

10. Are there other costs in addition to the tuition?
Yes. The annual tuition covers the cost of instruction, tutor labs, and the basic Extended Day program. The costs for textbooks, uniforms, field trips, Extended Day classes, special activities and optional hot lunches are additional. Tuition is prorated for families enrolling students at ISM after the start of the school year, and subject to a processing fee.