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The International School of Arizona (ISA) located in North Scottsdale, is shifting gears and turning heads in the summer camp world. This summer, ISA has chosen to focus on providing a fun, safe, and engaging environment for campers of all ages. With exciting weekly themes, new interactive specialty camps, and energetic counselors, summer camp at ISA offers an experience kids won’t want to miss. A traditional summer camp in Scottsdale reimagined with diverse offerings such as coding, entrepreneurship, and fashion design. A chance for campers entering grades 1st-5th to dive deep into their interests, develop new skills, and discover passions they may not have explored before. Groups are intentionally tailored by age to ensure developmentally appropriate challenges, meaningful collaboration, and a dynamic learning environment.  Open to campers 18 months to 5th Grade, ISA’s traditional program stands out among North Scottsdale summer camps by focusing on the camper. Each week centers around an exciting theme and includes a wide range of activities designed to meet the diverse interests of their campers. Every day, children participate in STEM activities, art projects, water play, and outdoor adventure, creating a balanced and engaging summer camp experience.  Known for its French and Spanish language immersion program during the school year, the International School of Arizona carries that global spirit into the summer. While camp instruction is conducted entirely in English and the program is not a language immersion camp, campers still experience fun, natural moments of language throughout the day. These small touches give children a playful introduction to French and Spanish while keeping the focus on summer fun. With a thoughtful balance of creativity, learning, and classic summer fun, ISA Summer Camp offers a place where children can explore new interests, build confidence, and make lasting memories. For families looking for a dynamic and engaging summer experience in Scottsdale or North Scottsdale, ISA’s program stands out as a camp where curiosity, friendship, and adventure come together. Families interested in learning more about ISA’s Scottsdale summer camp program can explore weekly themes, specialty camps, and registration details on the school’s website isaz.org

(Scottsdale, Arizona) - The International School of Arizona (ISA), a private nonprofit school located in North Scottsdale, is proud to announce a remarkable series of recognitions for 2025, earning top honors from two prominent local newspapers -marking the third consecutive year of community-voted excellence. ISA was named #1 Best Private School in Scottsdale for 2025 by Scottsdale residents and readers, while the school’s beloved mascot, Atlas the Palomino , was also awarded Best Mascot for the third year in a row (2023–2025). In addition, the East Valley Independent Newspaper recognized ISA as the #1 Favorite Private School and Preschool for 2025 , and honored Ms. Diana Ramirez as Favorite Community Teacher . Together, these awards reflect strong, sustained community support and underscore ISA’s ongoing commitment to educational excellence.  Guided by its mission, “Opening Doors to Success in a Constantly Changing World,” ISA has been shaping globally minded learners for more than 27 years . The school offers a culturally rich French and Spanish language immersion program beginning at just 18 months of age and continuing through 8th grade . With a close-knit student body of 362 , ISA provides personalized learning across three divisions: Early Childhood (PK1–PK4), Lower School (Kindergarten–5th grade), and Middle School (6th–8th grade). Students benefit from small class sizes and instruction led by passionate, native-speaking educators from around the world, including Spain, Mexico, Colombia, and France. This immersive approach fosters language fluency, cultural understanding, and academic confidence. ISA’s outstanding programs are accredited by the French Ministry of Education , the Cervantes Institute , the International Spanish Academy by the Spanish Government , and Cognia , the world’s largest education community representing more than 30,000 schools worldwide. ISA is currently accepting applications and offering placements for Fall 2026 To apply or schedule a campus tour, please contact Francis Hewitt , Director of Admissions & Marketing, at fhewitt@isaz.org or 480-874-2326 .

When children reach preschool and early elementary age, parents are faced with one of the most important decisions in their child’s educational journey: whether to homeschool or to enroll them in a school. Both pathways have their benefits and challenges, and the right choice often depends on your child’s personality, your family’s values, and the resources available.  Below are a few key differences between homeschooling and attending a school in the early years division (typically ages 3-8) Structure and Routine Homeschooling Homeschooling allows for a highly flexible daily schedule. Parents can adapt lessons to their child’s energy levels, interests, or family activities. This can be particularly helpful for children who need more time to transition between tasks or who thrive in less structured environments. School Enrollment Early school divisions follow a consistent daily routine. Children learn to adapt to a structured environment with set times for learning, play, and rest. This helps prepare them for future transitions through elementary and beyond. Socialization Opportunities Homeschooling Social interaction depends on the parent’s efforts to connect with homeschool groups, sports, community classes, or playdates. While many homeschool families provide rich social opportunities, it requires intentional planning. School Enrollment Being in a school setting naturally exposes children to peers from diverse backgrounds. They learn to navigate friendships, practice conflict resolution, and build collaboration skills within group activities. Curriculum and Learning Approach Homeschooling Parents have the freedom to choose or even design a curriculum that reflects their child’s learning style, pace, and interests. Families can integrate cultural, religious, or experiential learning into daily lessons. School Enrollment Schools generally follow a curriculum that aligns with state and national standards. In the early school division, this often includes foundational literacy and math, social-emotional development, language acquisition, and structured play. Parent Role and Commitment Homeschooling Parents take on the role of teacher, administrator, and facilitator. This requires significant time, planning, and patience. For many families, one parent may adjust their career or schedule to make homeschooling sustainable. School Enrollment Parents support their child’s learning primarily outside of school hours. While involvement is still key—through homework support, communication with teachers, or volunteering—the day-to-day teaching responsibility rests with educators. Cost Considerations Homeschooling Costs can vary depending on curriculum choices, materials, extracurriculars, and whether families join homeschool cooperatives. While homeschooling may save on tuition, it may also impact a parent’s earning potential if one reduces work hours. School Enrollment Costs depend on whether the school is public, charter, or private. Tuition, uniforms and activity fees can add up. However, schools also provide access to resources such as libraries, playgrounds, technology, and specialist teachers.   Development of Independence Homeschooling   Children may enjoy more one-on-one attention, but they may have fewer opportunities to practice independence outside of the home setting. Parents often need to be intentional in fostering responsibility and self-regulation. Preparation for the Real World                                                                                  Schools mimic broader society with rules, routines, expectations and opportunities for responsibility (student leadership, projects, community service)  Children practice independence while still in a supportive environment. Conclusion There is no one-size-fits-all  answer when it comes to early education. Homeschooling can offer flexibility, individualized attention, and family-centered learning, while school enrollment provides structure, built-in socialization, and access to resources. The key is to reflect on your family’s values, your child’s needs, and your ability to commit to either pathway. Some families even combine the two over time - homeschooling in the early years and transitioning to formal school later, or supplementing school with at-home enrichment. At ISA, we believe in educating the whole child by meeting each student where they are. Just as some children need additional support to strengthen their reading or math skills, many also benefit from direct instruction in behavioral skills. Core skills such as listening, following directions, problem-solving, and demonstrating respect are essential not only for academic achievement but also for healthy social and emotional growth.

Article featured in The Daily Independant Scottsdale’s International School of Arizona’s students have chosen Atlas as their school’s mascot name. In Greek mythology, Atlas strode the earth and held up the heavens. The International School of Arizona prepares students to be citizens of the world.See the connection? Third grader Elizabeth W. did when the school held a contest to name it’s mascot, formerly known as simply “the Palomino.” That’s why she was one of two students at the school who suggested the name for the school’s mascot. “Atlas is a great name for our Palomino mascot because it represents the strength, resilience and global spirit of our community,” Elizabeth, with help from her parents, said in her recommendation for naming the Palomino. “In Greek mythology, Atlas carried the heavens on his shoulders, a symbol of endurance and responsibility - qualities we encourage in our students. The word Atlas also means a collection of maps, connecting to ISA’s international identity and global outlook. “Atlas captures that same adventurous, enduring spirit. It’s short, bold and timeless - easy to cheer for and memorable for students of all ages. “Most importantly, Atlas inspires us to carry our school pride and responsibilities with courage. With Atlas as our mascot, ISA will have a strong symbol of strength, exploration, and unity for years to come.” Preschooler Olympia G.’s family also came up with the name. “An Atlas represents the world and is the same word in English, French and Spanish. It’s also really cute for a horse,” her parents wrote. The school offers preschool through middle school education in French and Spanish.Forty percent of the school’s students, 174, also saw the connection and voted to name the Palomino Atlas. The school’s internal committee of staff and students narrowed 65 name recommendations down to three: Atlas, Spirit and Blaze. Founded in 1998, the International School of Arizona adopted the Palomino as it’s mascot in 2014 but didn’t give him a name ... until now.

Article featured in The Daily Independant A class of kindergartners have gotten all their wiggles out and are participating in Kevin Wilkinson’s Character Strong class Aug. 29. Connor is going to do his best at least once this week. Harper is going to help someone in need, and Axel is going to share with someone. These kindergartners have chosen these assignments as part of International School of Arizona’s character development class. Now in its third year at the school, the class teaches students in pre-kindergarten (4 years old) up through middle school the essentials of being a good person. “At ISA, we believe that strong character is a foundation of life-long success,” Francis Hewitt, the school’s director of admissions and marketing, said in an email to the Daily Independent. “The Character Strong program helps our students grow not only as learners, but as compassionate leaders who live out our values of respect, integrity and community every day.” Being the beginning of the school year, teacher Kevin Wilkinson is currently focusing on how to be kind. Soon he will move on to what to do someone is unkind to you. Other lessons are on topics like respect and responsibility. Of course they are all modified to be age appropriate. Wilkinson, who is also the school’s director of student support and wellbeing, loves teaching the younger kids because they really buy into the curriculum while getting middle school students to join in is a little tougher because the kids that age don’t want to be seen as not cool in front of their peers. “Their curriculum is a little different, too, (for middle schoolers),” Wilkinson said. “I throw in some leadership styles. I go through each one of the leadership styles and which one are they?” Though teaching the younger classes has it difficulties, too, such as a keeping the kids focused. For instance, one kindergartner decided to randomly blurt out in the middle of a recent class, “My mom is going to pick me up today!” It was good information but not pertinent to the topic at hand. But there’s one thing students in all grades like about the class. “They appreciate the fact they don’t have to study,” Wilkinson said. “There’s not tests, there are not quizzes really, other than I try to watch them at recess and lunch.” But Wilkinson gets glimpses that the messages are getting through to the kids and being applied at home. “I do a lesson on ‘Is it mean, is it rude or is it bullying’ because I think today, bullying is a problem, but there are differences between bullying and being mean,” he said. “I had a parent come up to me and said, ‘Mr. Kevin ... I told my (second grade) son to stop bullying his little sister,’ and he goes, ‘Mom, it’s not bullying, I’m being mean!’”

Excerpt from the June 2025 edition of the International Spanish Academy Newsletter: Project by Fifth Grade Spanish and Ms. Rocío Ortiz. "Mi azulejo andalusí (Scottsdale, AZ) El proyecto “Mi azulejo andalusí” ha sido desarrollado por nuestra profesora visitante, Rocío Ortiz, con los estudiantes de 5º grado de la International School of Arizona. La idea para el proyecto surgió a partir de un vídeo de la Plaza de España de Sevilla, que despertó el interés del alumnado por conocer más sobre el origen y significación de las formas, diseños y colores que veían representados en los azulejos. Así, comenzó a desarrollarse este proyecto multidisciplinar, que además de despertar la creatividad, abarca las siguientes áreas: Ciencias Sociales (trabajando la Edad Media, en la que surgió el arte andalusí, que posteriormente dejó en nuestra cultura la maravillosa tradición de los azulejos); Arte (elaborando nuestros propios azulejos a base de cartón reutilizable, pastas y legumbres, además de pinturas acrílicas); Matemáticas (diseñando las formas geométricas a partir del cálculo de las áreas del cuadrado, rectángulo y triángulo). ¡El resultado es realmente espectacular! The project "Mi azulejo andalusí" (“My Andalusian tile”) was developed by our visiting teacher, Rocío Ortiz, with 5th grade students at the International School of Arizona. The idea for the project arose from a video of the Plaza de España in Seville, which sparked the students' curiosity in learning more about the origin and meaning of the shapes, patterns, and colors depicted in the tiles. As a result, this multidisciplinary project began to take shape, which not only nurtured the children's creativity but also incorporated the following subjects: Social Studies (exploring the Middle Ages, when Andalusian art emerged, resulting in the magnificent tradition of decorative tiles in our culture); Art (crafting our own tiles using reusable cardboard, pasta and legumes, along with acrylic paints); Mathematics (designing geometric patterns by calculating the areas of squares, rectangles, and triangles). The result is truly spectacular!"

A Commitment to Student Growth Jennifer Sherer teaches leadership and innovative educational practices in the International School of Arizona faculty development department . With over 12 years  of experience in education, Jennifer holds a Master of Arts in History  from Duquesne University  and a Bachelor of Arts in English and History  from Washington and Jefferson College . She is passionate about empowering  young minds and believes every student can reach  their full potential. Her approach to teaching centers on helping educators grow, ensuring that students across all levels benefit from cutting-edge methods and compassionate support. Families often share in reviews that teachers like Jennifer make the International School of Arizona stand out as a nurturing, academically driven school community. An Experienced Voice in the Classroom Before joining the International School of Arizona in 2023 , Jennifer began her career in 2011  and spent seven years at Frisco Independent School  as a gifted and talented teacher  and behavior teacher . Her work there shaped her passion for inclusive, student-focused education. Jennifer’s expertise lies in student-centered learning  and program enhancement . She is especially skilled at designing  dynamic instructional strategies and creating a supportive  and collaborative  environment where students feel engaged  and empowered. Beyond the Classroom Walls Jennifer’s favorite part about being at the International School of Arizona is collaborating with passionate, mission-driven colleagues committed to student success. We are so fortunate to have Jennifer as part of our vibrant school community!

Cognia, a nonprofit organization that provides quality assurance for schools, school districts, and education service providers recently awarded the International School of Arizona (ISA) its Cognia Accreditation. “Accreditation, as conferred by the Cognia Global Accreditation Commission provides schools like ISA a nationally recognized mark of quality for our school,” shared Marlena Sypel, Director of Teaching & Learning at ISA, “It demonstrates to our community our commitment to excellence, our willingness to enact meaningful change based on evaluation and feedback, and our desire to be the best we can be on behalf of the students we serve.” Cognia recognizes schools across the globe that meet rigorous standards focused on productive learning environments, equitable resource allocation, and effective leadership. To earn Cognia accreditation, a school must submit to internal and external review. Earning accreditation from the Cognia Global Accreditation Commission means that the school meets Cognia Performance Standards and maintains a commitment to continuous improvement. Schools in good standing can maintain their accreditation for a six-year term. Dr. Mark A. Elgart, president and CEO of Cognia, stated, “Cognia Accreditation is a rigorous process that focuses the entire school and its community on the primary goal of ensuring all students can flourish in engaging and equitable learning environments. We commend the International School of Arizona for meeting high standards and making progress on key indicators that impact student learning.” Cognia is the parent organization of the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement (NCA CASI), Northwest Accreditation Commission (NWAC) and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI). The International School of Arizona, a private, nonprofit school located in North Scottsdale, was recently voted for the second year in a row by the Scottsdale community as the Best Private School and Preschool in Arizona . Its mission, ‘Opening Doors to Success in a Constantly Changing World’ does exactly that! Founded 26 years ago in Arizona, with a culturally inclusive curriculum, ISA offers French & Spanish language immersion programs that begins at 18 months of age and continues through 8 th grade. To find out more about ISA, please contact the Admissions Office at admissions@isaz.org or by calling 480-874-2326.

The International School of Arizona (ISA), a private nonprofit school located in North Scottsdale, is no stranger when it comes to helping others in need. ISA’s Palomino Parliament (PP), made up of 6 th - 8 th graders recently sold cookies at lunch with 100% of the proceeds ($741) going to the Le Lycee Francais de Los Angeles. The PP chose this school due to one of its campuses being heavily damaged by the Palisades Fire in Southern California. The cookies, displaying the ISA logo, were donated by an ISA parent, Dr. Akhdar, owner of Sweet Strata in Phoenix. ISA’s PP tries to exemplify the pillars of the school’s “Portrait of a Graduate” – Curious Problem Solvers; Compassionate Communicators; Inspirational Leaders, Advocate of Self and Others and Citizens of the World. “It meant a lot to me to do something about helping those impacted by the CA wildfires” says Kai Mangan, 8th grader at ISA. “Even though we have never been to that school in LA, knowing we did something to help them makes me feel like we are helping our own school” proudly stated Darya Broumand, 6th grader at ISA. Founded 26 years ago, the International School of Arizona offers a culturally inclusive curriculum with French and Spanish language immersion programs beginning at 18 months of age through 8th grade. With a small student body of 381, each classroom features small class sizes and instruction from native-speaking teachers from countries such as Spain, Mexico, Colombia, and France. ISA’s programs are accredited by the French Ministry of Education, the Cervantes Institute, the International Spanish Academy by the Spanish Government, and Cognia, the world’s largest education community representing over 30,000 schools globally. ISA is currently accepting applications and offering placements for students for Fall 2025. To apply or schedule a campus tour, please contact Francis Hewitt, Director of Admissions & Marketing, at fhewitt@isaz.org or call 480-874-2326.

The International School of Arizona (ISA), a private nonprofit school located in North Scottsdale, has once again been voted the #1 Favorite Private School and Preschool and ISA’s very own Ms. Diana Ramirez as Favorite Community Teacher in Scottsdale in Scottsdale’s Independent Newspaper by Scottsdale residents. This marks the second consecutive year ISA has received these honors, having also won in 2023. ISA’s mission, “Opening Doors to Success in a Constantly Changing World,” embodies the school’s commitment to preparing students for the future. Founded 26 years ago, the International School of Arizona offers a culturally inclusive curriculum with French and Spanish language immersion programs beginning at 18 months of age and continuing through 8th grade. With a small student body of 379, ISA provides three distinct educational levels: Early Childhood (PK1-PK4), Lower School (Kindergarten – 5th grade), and Middle School (6th – 8th grade). Each classroom features small class sizes and instruction from native-speaking teachers from countries such as Spain, Mexico, Colombia, and France. ISA’s programs are accredited by the French Ministry of Education, the Cervantes Institute, the International Spanish Academy by the Spanish Government, and Cognia, the world’s largest education community representing over 30,000 schools globally. ISA is currently accepting applications and offering placements for students for Fall 2025. To apply or schedule a campus tour, please contact Francis Hewitt, Director of Admissions & Marketing, at fhewitt@isaz.org or call 480-874-2326.

The International School of Arizona (ISA), a private nonprofit school located in North Scottsdale, has once again been voted the #1 Best Private School in Scottsdale for 2024 by Scottsdale residents. Additionally, ISA’s mascot, the Palomino, was recognized as the Best Mascot for 2024 . This marks the second consecutive year ISA has received these honors, having also won in 2023. ISA’s mission, “Opening Doors to Success in a Constantly Changing World,” embodies the school’s commitment to preparing students for the future. Founded 26 years ago, the International School of Arizona offers a culturally inclusive curriculum with French and Spanish language immersion programs beginning at 18 months of age and continuing through 8th grade. With a small student body of 336, ISA provides three distinct educational levels: Early Childhood (PK1-PK4), Lower School (Kindergarten – 5th grade), and Middle School (6th – 8th grade). Each classroom features small class sizes and instruction from native-speaking teachers from countries such as Spain, Mexico, Colombia, and France. ISA’s programs are accredited by the French Ministry of Education, the Cervantes Institute, the International Spanish Academy by the Spanish Government, and Cognia, the world’s largest education community representing over 30,000 schools globally. ISA is currently accepting applications and offering placements for students for Fall 2025. To apply or schedule a campus tour, please contact Francis Hewitt, Director of Admissions & Marketing, at fhewitt@isaz.org or call 480-874-2326.

International School of Arizona (ISA) established NJHS for the first time in the school’s 26-year history. The ceremony, which took place on campus on November 25 th , inducted 10 students into this prestigious organization. The ten students: Addison Sypel, Cedric Leiter, Gislène Egnatios, Kai Mangan, Mateo Penaloza-Rousset, Mèlia Sierra-Guyader, Samantha Parkes, Sophia Roberts, Ethan Takher, and Julian Hirons were chosen by a five member faculty council based on scholarship, service, leadership, character, and citizenship. All ten students must have a 3.5 GPA or higher to be considered for NJHS membership. ISA Board President, Kyle Edrington, gave the keynote address which focused on how special being the first inductees of NJHS is as well as taking what they've learned at ISA and making their community a better place.  ISA, which was founded 26 years ago, offers French & Spanish language immersion programs from 18 months of age through 8 th grade. The small school setting (375 students) offers three different school levels for prospective students: Early School (PK1-K), Lower School (1st – 5 th grade) and Middle School (6 th – 8 th grade). Each classroom offers small class sizes taught by native speakers from countries such as Spain, Mexico, Colombia, and France. In addition, the International School of Arizona is accredited by the French Ministry of Education, the Cervantes Institute and the International Spanish Academy by the Spanish Government, and US Accreditation through Cognia, the world’s largest education community representing 30,000 schools. ISA is currently accepting and offering placement for students for the Fall 2025. If you are interested in applying or scheduling a campus tour, please contact Francis Hewitt, Director of Admissions & Marketing at fhewitt@isaz.org or calling 480-874-2326.