Alief International Academy – a school within a school in Alief ISD

Last summer you were invited to participate in a discussion about the proposed development of an International School in Alief ISD. In October you were invited back to attend an Alief ISD Board Meeting where plans were approved to partner with the International Studies School Network (ISSN) through the Asia Society to develop the Alief International Academy with a targeted opening in the fall of 2018 for incoming 9th graders. I am writing you today to bring you up to speed about the program development to date and ask that you help share the word about this unique opportunity in Alief ISD with others who may know of students who would be interested in attending this academy.

The Alief International Academy is opening this fall starting at the Elsik Ninth Grade Center as a school within a school. We have set an enrollment goal of 75 – 100 students entering 9th graders in the fall who were interested in getting a global education. The leadership of the Alief International Academy went to all six middle schools in Alief to meet with 8th graders in their US History class to recruit students in attending the academy. As of today, we have 60 students who have applied and been accepted to the academy and we continue to recruit new students each day. We are looking for students who are interested in learning about what the Asia Society has termed GLOBAL COMPETENCE which is the capacity and disposition to understand and act on issues of global significance. Students will do this by learning to:

1. investigate the world beyond their immediate surroundings,
2. recognize different perspectives,
3. communicate ideas to diverse audiences
4. translate their ideas into action that makes a difference in the world

This is a college prep program with a chance for students to earn college hours through both Dual Credit classes and eventually AP classes in 11th & 12th grade. Language options for a student’s four-year language requirement will include Mandarin or Spanish. In addition, students will have the opportunity to participate in AVID. We are looking for students of various academic backgrounds who want to make a difference in the world.

I encourage you to watch the short video via the link below and look at the attached flyer.

https://www.powtoon.com/m/cDlHocrPg8h/1/m

If you know of parents or students who would be interested in attending this program starting this fall please feel free to share this information with them. Students must be a resident in Alief ISD to attend. The application is online with links on the Alief ISD webpage, The Elsik Ninth Grade Center webpage and the Elsik H.S. webpage or they can click here: