School Development

Internationals Network for Public Schools actively partners with districts and communities to create new International High Schools in high need areas with populations of recent immigrant English learners. Beginning with initial discussions with school districts and communities, through the hiring and planning process, and culminating in the opening of the new International High School, Internationals’ goal is to establish a strong network of International High Schools that support and learn from each other regionally and nationally, while developing excellence in their leadership, teachers and administration who continue to produce high student outcomes.

Internationals Network’s New School Development services include both external and internal supports for schools. While creating an International High School that is aligned with the Internationals Model, Internationals’ external supports include:

  • initial community and district discussions
  • development of partnerships and collaborations to support the creation and strong growth of the school
  • powerful engagement with school districts, communities and local organizations ensuring each Internationals school is grounded in the specific needs of its students, parents and larger community
  • ongoing advocacy for International High Schools with school districts and community partners to ensure that the entire school community, students, parents, teachers, staff and administration have the autonomies and resources to sustain the Internationals Model

New International High Schools also benefit from the internal structured supports provided by Internationals Network. Working with our new school facilitator and utilizing Internationals’ New School Manual, new school leaders and community partners are provided guidance through the process and complexities of opening a school.. The process includes:

  • new leader selection and development, including an internship in an established International High School and support in leading a planning committee
  • securing safe and accessible facilities for the school
  • support through the first four years of a school’s opening including:
    • earning the nuts and bolts of recruiting recent immigrant students
    • hiring teachers and organizing summer and school year professional development opportunities
    • developing parent engagement opportunities
    • budgeting and technical assistance
    • developing an Internationals cultures
    • creating and implementing developmentally appropriate collaborative structures for faculty
  • developing the school leader’s capacity to navigate complex situations, advocate effectively and be a spokesperson for the school and the network
  • identifying resources to support the development of a culture of high expectations and collaboration for all stake holders

Further on the ground scaffolding is provided by additional support staff members: the Coordinator of Special Projects, who assists the leaders during the first two years of the school, and, in schools in new regions, an instructional coach who creates ongoing professional development opportunities in the first years of the developing regional network.

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