Academic Excellence at Keystone International Schools
At Keystone International Schools, we are committed to academic excellence, which is reflected in both our students’ achievements and our dedicated educators. Explore the rich variety of our programs, competitions, projects, and accomplishments to understand the remarkable academic growth of our students and the foundational role our expert teachers play in making this possible. Discover how we nurture bright minds and prepare them for future success.
Holistic Approach to International Education
The Canadian curriculum is an internationally recognized curriculum, which ranks sixth in the world according to the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA). Here are some key facts about the Prince Edward Island curriculum:
- It is subject-centered, focusing on mastery of skills and knowledge in all subjects.
- There is heavy emphasis on ICT and the integration of technology within each subject.
- IT, Music, and Art courses are offered as ‘Exploratory’ courses, which provide students with an opportunity to explore knowledge and creativity in fields of interest.
- The curriculum emphasizes critical thinking, problem-solving, and preparing students for post-secondary education or careers.
- The approach is largely flexible, allowing teachers autonomy in the way they deliver the curriculum to emphasize global competencies and schoolwide learner outcomes.
- PEI’s educational program includes Primary (Grades 1-6), Middle School (7-9), and High School (10-12) programs. Emphasis is placed on achieving standards and earning credits to progress through grades.
Globally Top Ranked Curriculum
The Prince Edward Island (PEI) diploma program offered at Keystone International Schools is a rigorous academic pathway that rivals the globally recognized International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma in both quality and depth. As an officially accredited Canadian curriculum, the PEI diploma provides students with an internationally respected qualification that prepares them for success in universities around the world. One of the standout features of the PEI program is its flexibility. While the IB curriculum is often known for its structured approach, the PEI diploma allows students to customize their learning by offering a variety of elective courses in high school and ‘exploratory’ (IT, Music, and Art) courses for Grade 9 and below. This flexibility enables students to explore their passions and interests, whether they’re inclined toward the arts, sciences, or social studies, without sacrificing academic rigor.
Strong Correlation Between Academic Success and Our Exploratory Courses
- Recent studies have found that students who received music instruction scored significantly higher on standardized tests in math and reading compared to those who did not participate in music lessons. Specifically, students involved in music education showed a 40% improvement in their academic performance over a three-year period.
- In a survey conducted by the National Endowment for the Arts, it was found that 68% of teachers believe that arts education fosters a positive school climate and helps students build better relationships with peers.
- Participation in music and art programs is linked to higher school attendance and student engagement. A study by the California Arts Council found that students involved in arts education had a 20% lower dropout rate than those who did not participate.
In addition, the PEI program places a strong emphasis on experiential learning and real-world application, similar to the IB’s “CAS” (Creativity, Activity, Service) component. Students in the PEI diploma program participate in mandatory 40 volunteer hours under our COMMUNITY SERVICE INITIATIVE, take part in Physical Education and Health courses that heavily emphasize WELLNESS, and take EXPLORATORY courses ensuring they graduate with not only academic knowledge but also relevant information regarding their post-secondary pursuits.
French Streaming Program
Keystone International Schools offers a dynamic French Streaming Program designed for our students to achieve fluency in French through innovative and engaging teaching practices. Our French streaming program is offered to Grade 6 to 9, allowing for a seamless progression from beginner to advanced fluency levels. We determine our students’ French fluency level by requiring them to take a placement exam at the beginning of the academic year. We require our students to take the DELF examination at the end of the year to ensure the attainment of all learner outcomes.
Please note that all lessons are held in English except French – our school provides in-school one-on-one intensive language sessions for students who lack proficiency in either of the two languages.
Debate Competitions
Our faculty is responsible for organizing monthly debates on a wide array of political and social issues for Keystone middle and high school students. By participating in debate competitions, students learn to research and gather information from various sources, including academic journals, news articles, and other publications. They must then critically evaluate this information to determine its validity, reliability, and relevance to their argument. Needless to say, we remain impressed by our students’ ability to critique and present their stances at public forums and conferences.
Round Square Team
Keystone International Schools’ Round Square Team is a student-led initiative that aligns with the global Round Square philosophy of fostering personal development through experiential learning and internationalism. Our team is composed of students from middle and high school who are passionate about making a positive impact on both the local and global community. Guided by the Round Square IDEALS—Internationalism, Democracy, Environmentalism, Adventure, Leadership, and Service—the team organizes and participates in various projects throughout the year. These include community service initiatives, environmental sustainability campaigns, and leadership workshops. The Round Square Team regularly collaborates with other Round Square schools worldwide, participating in conferences and exchange programs that promote cultural exchange and global understanding. One of the highlights is the annual Round Square Conference, where students engage in dialogue with peers from diverse cultures, tackling pressing global issues and exchanging innovative ideas. Additionally, the Keystone Round Square Team runs local outreach projects, such as food drives and beach cleanups, embodying the spirit of service and environmental stewardship.
Model United Nations Team
Through MUN, our Keystone students develop countries’ stances on complex issues like climate change, human rights, and global security. Keystone’s MUN team regularly competes in renowned conferences at local universities. Our team repeatedly has received the ‘Best Delegate’ awards in these local conferences. They work closely with a teacher to perfect their arguments and hone their public speaking skills. The instructor will also accompany our students in all of the conferences to provide support and track the progress of each of our students.
Robotics Team (RoboStone)
In November 2022, our Robotics Team entered the International Robotex competition in Estonia. In March 2023, the team grew to 16 students from middle and high schools, and entered the Robotex Marmara Regional Competition in Istanbul and went on to win the Robotex National Competition in Antalya.
Most Recent Academic Achievements:
- With a graduating class of sixteen students in the 2023-2024 academic year, we have seen 60 acceptances to universities and a total scholarship for the students amounting to 340,119 USD.
- One of our students was recently accepted in the Cambridge Center for International Research, and will be participating in a program on cancer research.
- Last year, one of our students was accepted to Imperial College London, which ranks #6 around the world.
- Our entire upcoming graduating class has passed the Ontario Secondary School Test (OSSLT) with a hundred percent success rate.
- Last year, five of our students achieved top ranks in the Caribou Contest, with two proudly securing 1st place globally. This year, we’re excited to announce that five of our talented students have once again earned top rankings, with one placing in the top 2% worldwide!
Annual Competitions and Activities
- Nesin Maths Village
- Space Camp
- University visits at Canadian universities along with meetings with their admissions officers.
- Science Fair – last year our students presented 60 authentic projects
- Spelling Bee
- DELF Exams
- Career fairs – international universities visit our campus regularly for consortiums and presentations
- Schoolhouse competitions
- Keystone Olympics
- RoundSquare competitions and collaborations with fellow international schools
- Annual ski trip and surf camp – We heavily emphasize physical education, and in an attempt to highlight the various ways to engage with nature and the outdoors, we organize ski and surf trips so students can explore sports outside of their usual routine or norm.
- Annual trip to France – Middle school students get to attend a school in France for the duration of their trip as an opportunity to enhance their proficiency in French.
- Annual trip to Canada – High school students embark on a two-week trip to Canada, and get to attend classes at Keystone Toronto Campus, visit Canadian universities, and travel through Quebec, Montreal, and Ottawa.
Professional Development of Faculty to Ensure Academic Excellence
Prior to the start of the academic year, our teachers receive professional development that focuses primarily on the following areas: differentiated instruction, integration of technology, creative thinking, and strategies for facilitating high student engagement in the classroom. Throughout the course of the academic year, our teachers receive feedback and training from their counterparts in Canada. We work closely with the Ministry of Education in Prince Edward Island to provide workshops for our teachers, especially in recording and reporting academic data. The data we generate every academic year indicates that our professional development strategy is effective for the following reasons:
- Students of varying skill levels and learning styles can access the curriculum in ways that suit their needs, leading to improved comprehension and retention.
- Tailoring instruction to individual strengths helps students feel successful, boosting self-esteem and motivation.
- Struggling students receive targeted interventions, while advanced students are challenged, promoting continuous growth for all.
- Students benefit from a variety of online tools and resources that make learning more interactive and engaging (e.g., simulations, videos, virtual labs).
- Exposure to tech tools builds essential 21st-century skills such as navigating software, research tools, and critical evaluation of digital content.
- Creative thinking strategies encourage students to think outside the box, fostering innovation and the ability to approach problems from multiple perspectives.
- When students can express their learning in creative ways (e.g., projects, presentations), they are more engaged and invested in their work.
- Engaging strategies like cooperative learning, discussion-based lessons, and project-based activities encourage students to be active participants in their education.
- When students are actively involved and motivated, they are more likely to understand the content deeply, leading to better academic outcomes and retention of material.
At Keystone International Schools, academic excellence is more than a goal—it’s at the core of everything we do. Our students are challenged to reach their highest potential, supported by passionate educators and a dynamic curriculum that fosters critical thinking, creativity, and real-world readiness.