For US Families

The International School of Estonia offers the best possible educational options for American families in Tallinn. ISE is the only US-accredited school in Estonia. Our entire PS-12 program is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC), and the IB diploma is accepted as equivalent to an American High School degree. Link to the ISE NEASC page.

Transferring back to a home country is a question parents consider when placing their child in an international school abroad. There are great advantages in what an IB learner gains. Students who participate in IB programs who then return to traditional systems find that they exceed their peers in areas of critical thinking, creativity, depth of learning, global awareness, and presentation skills. Students at ISE are world leaders in IT integration, and have clear digital fluency in all forms of media.

The IB approaches to learning skills allow students to obtain any information and content effectively in and outside school settings and help in transitioning between different national and international curriculums. Our transcripts and recommendations usually allow a smooth transition to another school. In some cases, students have been immediately placed in honors programs due to their advanced abilities.

IB’s standards and practices are closely aligned with the American “Common Core” educational standards, assuring a smooth transition into and out of the US educational system. Please check this Parent pack factsheet on IB and the Common Core State Standards. A detailed overview on IB’s alignment with Common Core is available for Maths, English, and Science standards.

ISE has several American educators teaching in the MYP and DP programs. The programmes include themes relevant for US learners from literature to social sciences and history. 

Students graduating with an IB diploma from ISE also have significant advantages in terms of American university admission. Ivy League schools accept IB students at a rate up to 18% higher than non-IB students; this rate is even higher – 22% – within the top 25 US colleges outside the Ivy League.

Most university admissions provide a requirement of desirable scores and/or courses for entering their programmes. As the learners enter the Diploma Programme, the ISE University Guidance Counselor will help learners investigate these requirements to ensure students have the right courses and possibilities for the schools of their choice. A great advantage to students who study at ISE is a constant flow of university counseling in order to apply with recommendations and a CVs that works to their benefit. ISE provides help with writing essays and personal statements along with other matters involved in the process of applying to universities in the US and abroad. 

Most university admissions provide a requirement of desirable scores and/or courses for entering their programmes. As the learners enter the Diploma Programme, the ISE University Guidance Counselor will help learners investigate these requirements to ensure students have the right courses and possibilities for the schools of their choice. A great advantage to students who study at ISE is a flow of university counseling in order to apply with recommendations and a CVs that works to their benefit. ISE provides help with writing essays and personal statements along with other matters involved in the process of applying to universities abroad. In general, it is our experience that students who are seeking English language university programmes are rated above their national peers in the admissions process and often receive special admissions and grants.

Taken together, the ISE experience prepares students to be true global citizens, with better access to top-tier educational opportunities and the skills to be successful and constructive both in the United States and as its ambassadors abroad.