world child - Awty International School

th i n k t h e
world
of yo ur
child
aw t y
community
and culture
Awty School was founded as a preschool by Mrs. Kathleen Awty
in 1956. It grew steadily, eventually incorporating an upper
school in 1975. In 1979, Awty merged with The French School
of Houston and moved to its current location. In recognition of
its newly acquired and distinctive international character, the
school was renamed The Awty International School in 1984.
Today Awty offers a truly unique environment that challenges
and inspires all of its students to fulfill their potential through
a solid educational program leading to either the International
Baccalaureate (IB) or French Baccalauréat diplomas. We have
emerged as an institution known for its remarkable diversity
and its multifaceted, rigorous educational program.
The Awty International School offers an environment known for
linguistic and cultural integration. The development of language
fluency is central to fostering international mindedness among
students and faculty.
The school embraces its cultural diversity during celebrations
throughout the school year including:
INTERNAT I O N A L F E S T I VA L
FRANCOP H O N I E
MARDI G R A S
CHINESE N E W Y E A R
NATIVE A M E R I C A N D AY
FIESTA D E M AYO
FALL FUN F E S T I VA L
HOMECO M I N G / S P I R I T W E E K
LIRE EN F Ê T E
GALETTE D E S R O I S / R O S C A D E R E Y E S
GO TEXA N D AY
KONINGD AG
AWTY SP I R I T D AYS
MLK DAY
l a ng ua g e s
Awty offers an accelerated language program that starts in Preschool. The students in Preschool of
both the French and the International Sections are in the dual language program which teaches French
or Spanish 50% of time, English being taught during the other 50%. The students continue on taking
their 2nd language through Lower School, Middle School, and Upper School. What differentiates Awty
from other schools is the possibility to integrate a 3rd language when entering the Middle School and
eventually a 4th language in the pre-IB and IB.
The core languages in the Primary are English, Spanish, and French which are carried into the Secondary.
Mandarin Chinese and Arabic are then added as core languages. However, other languages including
Dutch, German, Greek, Italian, Japanese, Latin, Norwegian, Farsi, Portuguese, and Russian, but not
limited to these, are available under specific conditions determined by the school.
The Awty International School gives students the opportunity to become a multilingual person prepared
for the challenges of a global marketplace.
At Awty we promote the education of the whole
person, emphasizing intellectual, personal,
emotional, and social growth through all
domains of knowledge. By focusing on the
dynamic combination of knowledge, skills,
independent critical and creative thought, and
acade
academics
mics
international-mindedness, Awty espouses the
principle of educating the whole person for a life of active, responsible citizenship. Students become
active participants in the learning process, and, where possible, work on real world tasks. In keeping with
our IB focus, all students aspire to become inquirers, thinkers, communicators and risk-takers who are
knowledgeable, principled, open-minded, caring, balanced, and reflective.
ib
diploma
program
The IB Diploma Program is a comprehensive and
challenging college prep course of study that demands the best from both motivated students and teachers.
This sophisticated two-year curriculum has stood the test of time for thousands of Awty students since 1987.
Typically, diploma holders are ready to debate real-world issues from an international perspective and to
provide leadership and support in the local and global community. They demonstrate a capacity for in-depth
study while maintaining a broad perspective of the different subject areas. They are able to ask challenging
questions but also know how to research a topic and express their opinion. They have a strong sense of their
own culture and identity, as well as the ability to communicate in two or more languages with people who
have a different outlook on the world.
french
section
bac
The French General Baccalauréat is the French national
examination that students can take at the end of secondary
school. It is a high standard course of study with a heavy
work load, with each student typically taking on eight or nine
courses a year. At Awty, students attend classes for 34-35
hours a week. The estimated baccalauréat pass rate in France
is about 75%, but this is deceptive because only 25% of the
entire school population actually takes the “Bac Général”.
The OIB (Option Internationale du Baccalauréat) or the
International Option of the French Baccalauréat offers a
bilingual/bicultural syllabus within the framework of a
traditional French Curriculum. For the students studying the
International Option, literature and history, which are the
two subjects most closely related to language and culture,
are replaced by high-level literature and history courses both
taught in English. In the literature course, emphasis is placed
closely on reading and the critical study of a large range of
literary works. Students also work to improve their writing and
speaking skills by learning how to effectively analyze literature.
The history course is a two-year course, which covers world
history from 1850 to the present day with particular emphasis
on the United States. The result is a well-balanced education
that meets a challenging curriculum offered to bilingual
students and that fosters international communication and
understanding.
At the end of the two-year course, students sit for a four-hour
written examination and write two essays in English for each
subject. The oral exams last one and a half hours with questions
asked about the subjects they have studied. In the United
States, the tests are conducted and corrected by Advanced
Placement examiners of the American College Board.
athl
etics
at h l etics
Athletics is an important and integral part of the
educational experience at The Awty International
School.
Our
interscholastic
athletics
program
promotes teamwork, encourages participation, and
develops leadership in our students. Our school vision
challenges our students to reach their ultimate potential both in the classroom and on the playing field. At
Awty, the true definition of “student athlete” is well represented.
When properly conceived, directed, and coached, interscholastic athletics provides experiences and lessons
that cannot be duplicated in the classroom. Participation in athletics promotes a positive self-image;
development of physical, mental and social skills; understanding of team cooperation; and a sharing of
personal experiences.
Here at Awty, we choose to “compete big” when it comes to athletics. Our commitment to sports is evident
in our variety of sport offerings (16 varsity teams, most of which have sub-varsity and Middle School
counterparts); competitive conference alignment (TAPPS and GHAC); and high level of competitive success.
fine
arts
The Fine Arts at The Awty International School are comprised of Visual Arts and Performing Arts. Each area
provides opportunities for students to learn and be expressive in curricular, co-curricular, and extra-curricular
activities
The Visual Arts program provides a unique learning experience through which a student’s knowledge continues
to broaden in four major areas: visual perception, creative expression, cultural heritage, and discriminating
judgment. Art classes are offered at all levels through the students’ experience at Awty, from Primary School
to Upper School. A few of the classes offered include studio arts, digital studio, photography, Pre- I.B., and
International Baccalaureate art classes.
The Performing Arts program teaches students about creative expression and offers them opportunities in
Instrumental Music, Vocal Music, Theatre, and Dance. In the Upper School, students may participate in Wind
Ensemble, Jazz Band, Orchestra, Awty Singers, Madrigals, Dance Ensemble, or Theatre. Similar age-appropriate
activities are offered in Middle and Lower School. Students may also expand their individual performance
skills by taking private lessons through Awty Plus or by participating in statewide competitions and the ISAS
Fine Arts Festival. Theater and Music are courses that are offered at Awty as part of the IB Diploma Curriculum.
service
learning
Awty promotes a strong sense of values among its students that is based on care, concern, and
compassion for others, profound international understanding and a very deep sense of the importance
of community.
Awty focuses in the total formation – a holistic experience that fosters and nurtures
the intellectual, physical, social, emotional, creative, and ethical capabilities
Service Learning at Awty enables students to learn and apply academic, social, and personal skills to
improve the community, continue individual growth, and develop a lifelong ethic of service fostering
civic responsibility. The students are encouraged to move beyond their familiar environment, to explore
new situations, and to encounter people of different backgrounds and lifestyles. There are nine main
social issues that Awty students get involved with that give a wholesome portrait of today’s society:
education, environment, hunger, globalization, animal welfare, homelessness, health, senior welfare,
and leadership.
college
counseling
Awty’s College Counselors foster active and open-minded collaboration with students and parents
In this supportive environment, students learn to identify their goals and interests, to manage a complex process, and
to make healthy and confident decisions about higher education. Fundamentally, we believe that each student should
control the self-evaluation, research, and application writing that is essential to good college selection.
The journey is as important as the destination and nowhere is that notion more
appropriately applied than to the college process.
The purpose of college counseling at The Awty International School is to provide a personalized, student-centered
approach which informs and supports the entire family. Our office operates an extensive four-year program to educate
parents and students about preparing for higher studies, selecting colleges and universities, and completing applications.
Because of their unique experiences in an international school setting and their rigorous work in the International
Baccalaureate and French Baccalauréat diploma programs, Awty students have many options for university placement
and scholarships. Our students apply to a diverse range of colleges and universities, both in the U.S. and abroad. Typically,
Awty students matriculate to more than 50 different colleges and universities in at least five different countries each year.
In the past few years, multiple Awty graduates have attended many fine institutions including: University of British
Columbia (Canada), Babson, Baylor, Boston University, Brown, Bryn Mawr, University of California Los Angeles, Columbia,
Dartmouth, University of Edinburgh (UK), Emory, Georgetown, Harvey Mudd, Imperial College (UK), Massachusetts
Institute of Technology, McGill (Canada), University of Oxford (UK), Princeton, Reed, Rice, University of St Andrew’s (UK),
Sciences Po (France), Southern Methodist, Stanford, University of Texas Austin, Texas A & M, University of Toronto, Tufts,
Williams, and Yale.
awty
A LUM N I
They remind us why we are here, bring back vivid memories, and make us proud. Awty is a family and
you don’t stop being a member of the family just because of graduation. When our family members
go off to college, we support them with care packages and long distance thoughts (we don’t do their
laundry). When we have a chance, in Houston, London, New York, etc., we wine and dine them and
invite them to events. When they deserve the spotlight, we shine it on them. When they are able to, we
ask them to come back to serve. Also, we never forget the support structures they had while at Awty and
actively partner with alum parents and grandparents to celebrate accomplishments and to make sure
Awty can be an important academic milestone in the lives of many.
“No matter how things grow and change at Awty the core is still the
same. Walking the hallways and encountering some of the teachers that
influenced my life reminded me of what makes Awty a special place.”
Ali Clear, Awty Alumni Association President
H O U S TO N ’ S C O L L E G E P R E PA R ATO RY P K 3 - 1 2 T H G R A D E I N T E R N AT I O N A L D AY S C H O O L
7 4 5 5 A w t y S c h o o l L a n e l H o u s t o n , Te x a s 7 7 0 5 5 l w w w. a w t y. o r g