Elementary - Tirana International School

TIS's Elementary Program

Tirana International School’s elementary program is designed to meet the unique needs of students age 5 to 10. We offer a full range of academic classes as well as a thorough specials program consisting of art, music, technology, library, and physical education. We also offer multiple levels of French, Spanish, German language for students 5 year-olds and older.

Our Reading, Writing, and Mathematics programs are based on the “Common Core” in the United States. Each class has 10 units that must be mastered before moving to the next class. Course work is both age- and developmentally appropriate, and requires students of all ages to apply what they learn as they learn it.

Our Science and Cultural Studies courses are inquiry-based and students are often engaged in interdisciplinary projects, incorporating environmental stewardship and physical fitness into their units of study. Each class has five units that must be mastered each year.

We believe that a strong academic program must also have a strong “specials” program. Students participate in musical performances, study art movements and artists, learn to be digital citizens, choose “good fit books”, and learn how to integrate healthful fitness habits into their lives.

Throughout our program, students are engaged in projects and field trips which give them hands-on experiences, especially as they learn about our host country and the environment. Our students are excited to come to school each day, and they find that they are constantly learning and mastering new material.

A popular and enriching part of the TIS experience for elementary school students, beginning at age 5, is the after-school program. Many of these activities are simply for fun and social interaction; however, some are curricular-related—activities.

In This Section

5-Year-Olds

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6-Year-Olds

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7-Year-Olds

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8-Year-Olds

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9-Year-Olds

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10-Year-Olds

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TIS is committed to teaching children habits and skills that help them to build character, manage emotional and social situations, and keep themselves safe. Currently, we have a full range of lessons on Child Protection that we teach children of all ages. We also incorporate lessons to support the Success Orientations and Social Emotional Development of the students.

TIS Elementary Program - At a Glance

Elementary Daily Schedule

Elementary Course Offerings

The following elementary course offerings are provided as an example of scope and sequence for an average QSI school. Each QSI school will modify the course offerings according to local needs and requirements. Some schools may offer further courses to be made available through the QSI Distance Learning Program.

5-Year-Old Class
6 Year-Old Through 11 Year-Old Classes

5-Year-Old Class

6 Year-Old Through 11 Year-Old Classes

Success Orientations

TIS believes that the Success Orientations are an integral part of every student’s day and are shown through the following:

Responsibility: Being prepared and on time

Concern for others: Remembering that they are a part of a community and their actions affect those around them.

Kindness and Politeness: Using polite language, tone and behavior.

Aesthetic Appreciation: Noticing and appreciating the beauty around them, both inside and outside of the school.

Trustworthiness: Being honest and forthright

Group interaction: Understanding how to relate to their classmates in a positive way.

Independent Endeavor: Doing their best, especially in the face of a challenge.

Recognition for success in these seven orientations is given five times during the school year on status reports.

Student Services

Counseling

Elementary counseling ensures all students are well adjusted, learn appropriate social skills, and receive extra support when needed. The elementary teachers and counselor work to create and provide a comprehensive social emotional learning program for all students.

Intensive English

Every QSI student has the opportunity to be successful in their learning, and students are expected to flourish in their classrooms. However, a student whose English proficiency level is below that commonly associated with their age may not be able to flourish in the mainstream classroom. The Intensive English program is designed for these students. The goal of the Intensive English program is to facilitate an accelerated learning environment in which students are able to acquire the English language skills in the four domains of speaking, listening, reading, and writing to be successful in their age-appropriate mainstream classes. Intensive English classes are smaller than mainstream classes to allow teachers to target individual student needs more effectively. The Intensive English program allows students to be successful at school and feel confident as learners.

Learning Support

TIS admits students with special needs within the scope of meeting the student's needs in the classroom. For students with more moderate to severe disabilities, the school will review additional information including; educational psychological evaluations, IEPs, teacher and counselor recommendations, and parent information. The school will review this information and speak to relevant service providers to be sure we are able to appropriately meet the student's needs. At times, TIS accepts students with special needs based on the family or sponsor providing the additional school fees to cover the cost of appropriate professional services.
TIS values an inclusive approach to educating students with disabilities. We believe an inclusive and diverse school community helps us to grow together and effect positive change in our world. This means that our students with special needs are active learners with their age appropriate peers, their differences are celebrated alongside the differences of all TIS students, and they are encouraged to form authentic and possibly lifelong relationships with their peers.

Extracurricular Activities

In our elementary division, we wholeheartedly embody the QSI mission statement in all aspects of our work. Our teachers strive to establish vibrant academic settings where our students not only receive exceptional care and support but also face meaningful challenges. Our dedication to nurturing the individual learning journey of each student aligns with our mastery learning philosophy. We firmly believe that every student has the potential to succeed, and this belief profoundly influences how we structure our classrooms, design our academic units, and make instructional and placement choices.

The elementary department is deeply committed to cultivating an environment that fosters a genuine love for learning, ensuring that our students have an enjoyable educational experience.

Yaisa Banek
Elementary Director of Instruction