The esteemed International School of the Peninsula (ISTP), a bilingual immersion school in Palo Alto, is now on Search Associates' registry of schools. Founded by Charlotte de Géry in 1979, the school—then known as the Peninsula French American School—welcomed nine students in its first year. In 1996, when a Chinese immersion program and international middle school were added, the school's name was changed.
Today, over 550 pre-K–8 students attend ISTP, which is spread over two campuses located three miles from downtown Palo Alto, with easy access to both nature and city. Though the student population is 70% North American, the remaining students represent 30 different countries, bringing a great deal of diversity to the school. The school is accredited by the French Ministry of Education as well as the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, and it belongs to several educational organizations, such as the National Association of Independent Schools. ISTP's teaching staff of 80 is composed of mostly North American teachers, with three from the U.K.
ISTP is guided by its mission and core values. These include promoting personal and academic excellence through a bilingual curriculum in an international community; encouraging collaboration and communication; fostering integrity, trust, and respect of others; and being inclusive. The Director of Admissions, Maile Uohara, discusses the school's approach in her Welcome,
"The end result of an ISTP education is a student who is truly bilingual – but ISTP is so much more than a language school. Above all, we offer a top-notch education to our students. We teach math, science, and all the traditional disciplines, but we teach them through the language. Our native-speaking teachers come from a variety of countries and cultures, and teach ISTP students the life skills necessary for success – adaptability, collaboration, superior communication skills, and global awareness."
Thanks to a collaborative effort by the faculty, the school introduced new learning standards in 2014. These included five skills and habits to cultivate in students: creativity, curiosity, independence, confidence, and collaboration. Students also develop a practice of self-reflection and become increasingly independent as they learn to assess their own strengths and progress each year.
ISTP prefers to hire single teachers and married couples, including those with dependents and/or a non-teaching spouse. They will consider outstanding experienced teachers without certification or those certificated in a non-English speaking country. While there is no age limit to obtain a work visa, teachers from outside the U.S. must be certificated to acquire one.
The school offers a substantial salary and moving allowance as well as worldwide health coverage, dental, life insurance, supplemental long-term disability insurance, and professional development opportunities. ISTP also provides financial aid priority to teachers' children. Furthermore, the school contributes to a retirement plan, commensurate to the length of a teacher's appointment at ISTP.
To gain access to the International School of the Peninsula's full profile on the Search Associates website, including a list of all open positions, candidates can apply for membership by clicking here. Candidates already registered can easily access the school profile directly through their dashboard.
Please Note: The information presented about this school was valid on the date published. This information may change, and the most up-to-date information can be found on the school profile.
