4 ways Heritage brings REAL change in the educational system

1. REAL Multiculturalism / Multilingualism
Heritage is proud to have a pedagogical team whose members come from different parts of the globe, and the learners of the school are from dozens of countries, thus ensuring a unique diversity among the schools in our country. Parents moving to Moldova choose Heritage to minimize the cultural shock for their children in a new country. As far as families in the country are concerned, enrolling in Heritage introduces children to a dynamic multicultural environment, with the teaching of disciplines in an international context. Here children learn to appreciate cultural diversity, to respect the differences necessary for successful coexistence, while being proud of their own cultural heritage. Multilingualism is also an essential part of the learner’s experience at Heritage. While local schools offer limited experience with foreign languages, at Heritage the school subjects are taught in Romanian/Russian and English. The learners are supported by English Language Specialists (ELLS), native speakers, who help them improve their understanding, speaking and writing in English, discovering its subtleties. In the extracurricular program there are more language learning options, such as French or German. Also, while helping children develop impeccable English language skills, Heritage has developed a program that provides Romanian/Russian language training to foreign students living in Moldova as well.
2. REAL Holistic Development
Heritage International School offers child-centered education with a personalized approach, and the number of learners in a class is lower, so teachers can give the necessary attention to every child in the classroom. But the educational experience at Heritage does not end with after classes – extracurricular activities play an important role in the learning process. Heritage educates personalities of virtues, encouraging learning through a wider range of extracurricular activities that are not available in other schools. The learners choose their clubs and occupations from the complex extracurricular program: foreign languages, volunteer club, volleyball, basketball, football and other sports, drama club, music and school band, dance, vocal and choral interpretation, robotics, STEM, chess, swimming, gymnastics and more. In an effort to ensure the harmonious development of the children, Heritage spaces are deliberately designed to suit the students’ learning and safety requirements – from the spacious gym to the fully equipped laboratories and the swimming pool complying with international standards.
Moreover, the school sponsors events and competitions that allow learners to compete or collaborate in different ways with learners from other schools. A recent example would be the international competition “World Scholar's Cup”, held for the first time in Moldova in March 2018 and hosted by Heritage, the winners of which went to the Barcelona finals.
3. REAL Opportunities
Heritage, as an international school and the only Cambridge School in the country, complies with the most demanding external quality standards. Thus, Heritage offers high quality education that remains relevant even if the students move to other countries. Students who benefit from an international education based on the International Primary Curriculum (Primary grades) and Cambridge International (Gymnasium grades) graduate from the school being equipped for further international education and an international career. Because nowadays young people do not necessarily choose to study in their countries, but rather look for international opportunities, students with an international education are better prepared to be admitted to universities in other countries. The academic program based on the Cambridge International curriculum guarantees that the obtained certification/qualifications are internationally recognized and open the doors of universities around the world. Moreover, according to world educational trends, Heritage focuses on innovative, research-based educational practices. Learning is done through practical and interdisciplinary activities, unlike other schools, where learning by heart and fast summarizing are appreciated. Heritage gives learners the freedom to explore and discover a new world of creativity, facilitating the development of a range of skills in the field of work discipline, thinking and personal/social education, thus preparing students for the challenges of the future.
4. REAL Community and REAL Social Responsibility
Creating a strong community is very important for an educational institution aspiring to become socially responsible. At Heritage International School, children, parents and teachers are part of an entity that engages in community development, volunteering, protecting the environment and participating in innovative educational projects. The school has committed to acting responsibly, to develop the Heritage Community and to have a positive impact on society. For all these activities, a program dedicated to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) – “GO Heritage” – has been created, focusing on 4 key areas: quality education, ethics, civic spirit and community. Through this program, Heritage has become the only educational institution in Moldova to carry out such a complex activity in the field of CSR. As part of the school vision, “GO Heritage” aims to develop the characteristics of IPC and Cambridge International students: care, reflection, innovation, responsibility, respect, and other.