Schools

K-5 School Prepares to Open in Amsterdam Walk

Midtown International School is scheduled to open in August 2013.

 

A new K-5 school is targeting an August 2013 opening in a warehouse space at the Amsterdam Walk shopping district near the corner of Monroe Drive and Amsterdam Avenue.

Midtown International School (MIS) is being planned and designed for students who “learn best in very small class environments, with exposure to a globally-minded curriculum and variety of instructional strategies.”

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Foreign language instruction, dedicated math and science teachers, and commitment to 21st century learning at MIS will provide an "exceptional foundation for bright young learners to succeed in school and in life" according to school organizers and founder Ande Noktes.

Noktes is the executive director of the established International Preschools, which has two area locations in Virginia-Highland and in Morningside's Amsterdam Avenue area. Noktes has more than 15 years of experience in teaching and administration, including five in Thailand. She has an MA in Philosophy and a certificate in Preschool Management and is currently pursuing her Doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction.

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Learn more about the planned curriculum for MIS here.

Recently, Noktes and school organizers hosted an informational presentation at Loca Luna, which is located across the parking lot from the future home of MIS (500 Amsterdam Ave.) See event videos, one featuring a future MIS parent and the other of Noktes discussing the schools, that accompany this article.

At least three more prospective parent meetings will be held in the coming weeks to learn more about MIS. Come meet Noktes, prospective teachers and other committed parents and have all your questions answered and an RSVP is appreciated.

- Monday, Nov 19, 7 p.m.

- Monday, Dec 3, 7 p.m.

- Friday, Dec 7, 8:30 a.m.

If you are unable to attend one of these prospective parent meetings, contact MIS to schedule a more personalized informational session.

Online applications are now available. The deadline for priority consideration is Jan. 15, 2013 and all other applications are due March 1st.

Finally, here is a letter from the school’s founder that is on its website:

Dear Prospective Parents and Community Members,

As many of you know, the vision for Midtown International School began over seven years ago in an ambitious strategic plan designed for a dramatically new approach to early learning. It was an exciting and pivotal time in my life: we had just added twins to our family, we were fostering an international high school student, I was beginning the put together applications for my doctoral program, and I decided that starting a preschool would be just the right thing to add to my plate. As a mother of three, a traveler, a philosopher, an avid reader, and a teacher, I had a clear vision for what needed to happen in the first years of life to create lifelong patterns of successful learning. The research was all published; the science was sound; the theories were well-formed and cogent; there were even a few elementary schools beginning to embrace  some of the key concepts. The struggle I had, then, was why is no one doing this stuff for preschoolers? So we did. International Preschools moved from a group of four students to 250 students in two campuses in just seven years. It has truly been an adventure and a reward to see those ideas become reality. 

And here we are, at the seven year mark, bringing the next phase of the strategic plan to reality with Midtown International School. There are a number of things we know and believe about schools and learning:

  • small class sizes maximize learning opportunities
  • foreign language learning is more successful if it's done early
  • science literacy requires lab time
  • music literacy improves dramatically when students learn to play an instrument
  • higher order cognitive skills (like analysis, evaluation) require practice
  • arts integration creates greater opportunities for many learning styles to interact with the curriculum 
  • student-planned travel increases retention of knowledge (for language, social and cultural studies, and even math and science standards used in the planning process)
  • technology is a fantastic instructor for basic skills
  • accountability can be measured in narratives and projects (and what teachers are held accountable for is generally what they will teach)
  • primary sources go through fewer layers of interpretation and can be used to create a solid framework for understanding any subject matter
  • the degree to which international education is infused into the day to day culture of a school relates directly to the presence of values of tolerance, curiosity, and understanding 
  • recess and daily physical activity during school hours create a healthier and more successful student population
  • subject-matter teachers are more effective when they are subject-matter experts
  • teaching via a child's academic strength can improve upon his or her weaker areas
  • understanding and embracing each student's learning style is as important as differentiating instruction based on sets of skills and abilities
  • enthusiasm for learning trumps all other indicators for academic success
  • environmental education and awareness are most effective when accompanied by time spent outdoors

I'm sure I could go on and on for pages! Just as I wondered years ago when I started my first school, I now wonder, where is this school? In reality, this laundry list of knowledge isn't really critical for all, or even many, students. There are dozens of fantastic public and independent schools in the Atlanta area that embrace many of these ideas and do so exceptionally. The students who attend these programs receive an excellent education. Parents choose schools that are a great fit for their family, values, and educational philosophy, and often that means prioritizing the above ideas.

So what do we do for those parents, students, and educators who choose to embrace and expect all of these statements? My experience has been very firmly that if we commit to creating an environment that upholds and stands behind this vision for education, it will become the reality of our school. Some simple changes to the traditional model of independent schools gives MIS viability and sustainability in embracing this high-reaching vision. 

  • First, MIS is committed to keeping tuition and fundraising dollars in the classroom. Avoiding the high costs of excess administrative staff and expensive supply vendors opens the budget 14-18%. 
  • Next, smaller class sizes reduce wear and tear on technology, facilities, and, frankly, our teachers.  
  • Using instructional technology to introduce basic skills frees up class and instructional time for the invaluable experiences that engage learners at a higher level. 
  • Generating and facilitating community partnerships with Atlanta's unique and diverse museums, gardens, foundations, and universities leverages resources for our students, teachers, and classrooms. Symbiotically, these partnerships build community awareness and appreciation for these incredible sources of  expertise right in our backyard.

Thank you for sharing some of your time with me today. I am always happy to meet to discuss any questions you might have beyond what is covered here. If MIS sounds like it might be a match for your family, please reach out! We look forward to hearing from you!

Respectfully,

Ande Noktes


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