Thriving Academically and Personally: The TIS Approach to Overall Success in High School
At TIS, 95%+ of our graduates received offers from their first-choice universities last year
When considering a school for your child, data speaks volumes. At TIS, 95%+ of our graduates received offers from their first-choice universities last year, and over 71% were admitted to the world’s Top 100 universities ranked overall or by programme. These include institutions across 25+ countries, ranging from China, Macao, Hong Kong, Australia, Canada, United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and beyond. What does this mean for your child? Simply put, confidence, options, and a future shaped by choice—not chance.
The TIS Difference: How We Make It Happen
1. Individualized Pathways: Early and Holistic Academic Counselling
At many schools, university preparation begins in Grade 12. At TIS, it begins with identity. Academic counselling starts early as Grade 10, empowering students to explore their interests, talents, and goals. This approach allows students to craft portfolios that reflect who they are, not just what they have achieved.
Our counselors collaborate with each student to create a roadmap that highlights their unique strengths, ensuring they stand out to universities as distinctive individuals with a clear sense of purpose.
2. Diploma Pathway Selection: Alberta or IB, or Both?
TIS recognizes that students have different strengths and aspirations. That's why we offer both the Alberta High School Diploma and the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme. Our expert counselors work closely with students and families to determine which pathway, or combination thereof, best showcases their abilities to universities.
Alberta Diploma | This well-respected diploma provides a strong foundation in a broad range of subjects. It requires students to earn at least 100 credits by completing required courses in English, Social Studies, Math, Science, and more. Alberta Diploma Exams, standardized tests taken in Grade 12, are highly valued by universities as a mark of academic rigor. |
The IB Diploma | The IB Diploma Programme is a challenging two-year program recognized by universities worldwide. It encourages students to develop excellent breadth and depth of knowledge. To earn the IB diploma, students must take courses from six subject groups, complete an Extended Essay, participate in Theory of Knowledge (TOK), and engage in Creativity, Activity, and Service (CAS). |
The Best of Both Worlds | For some students, a combination of Alberta Diploma courses and IB courses may be the ideal path. This allows them to benefit from the strengths of both programs and tailor their education to their specific interests and goals. Students may earn the Alberta high school diploma alongside IB Certificates in selected subjects. |
By helping students choose the diploma that best reflects their skills and aspirations, TIS ensures that they present themselves to universities in the best possible way.
3. Tailored University Guidance and Support
Families at TIS receive personalized support from our expert academic counselors, who bring 40+ years of teaching and guidance experience to their roles. From application strategy to essay writing to interview preparation, students and families work closely with a dedicated counselor throughout the entire process.
We don’t just focus on the “how” of applying to university; we also focus on the “why.” This ensures that students are applying to institutions where they can not only gain admission but also thrive academically, socially, and personally.
4. Holistic Preparation: More Than Academics
Universities today look beyond grades. They want students who can lead, serve, inquire, and apply their knowledge practically. That’s why TIS incorporates leadership, service, inquiry, and hands-on experiences into its curriculum and our extra-curricular activities.
From engaging in community service projects to leading extracurricular clubs, students graduate with skills and experiences that demonstrate their readiness to contribute, not just attend. Our graduates are seen as future changemakers who can enrich the university environments they join.
5. Specialized University Pathways for China and Macao.
In addition to our global focus, we offer specialized pathways for students aspiring to attend universities in China and Macau. TIS provides expert preparation for baosong (direct admissions) and principal recommendations for local Macao Universities, ensuring our students have a competitive edge when applying to elite institutions in China and Macao.
Why Choose Us Over Other Schools?
At TIS, the question is not “What can your child achieve?” but rather, “Who will your child become?” Many schools treat university preparation as a late-stage process; at TIS, it will be a deeply personalized journey that begins early and focuses on each child’s potential, strengths, and aspirations.
Our approach ensures that students are not just accepted into top universities but are also prepared to excel once they arrive. As noted by Barbara Schneider et al. in their article, Strategies for Success: High School and Beyond, "Students succeed when schools create intentional pathways that connect academic preparation with personal growth and future goals."
At TIS, this philosophy underpins everything I aim to do in High School.
Results That Speak for Themselves
When you choose TIS, you’re choosing a school that sees your child’s potential early and builds on it through personalized guidance. The result? A future at a first-choice university, built on confidence and readiness. We have had several record years in a row and we don’t plan on slowing down. We prioritize student pathways and support them in getting offers from universities where they will flourish.
Our graduates leave TIS not only with academic success but also with the skills, experiences, and mindset to thrive in a competitive and ever-changing world. From the world’s leading universities and ever growing alumni, our students’ achievements prove that the TIS approach works to ensure a future shaped by choice, not chance.
For more information, contact us today and begin building your child’s first-choice future.
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References:
Alberta Education. (2023). Leadership Quality Standard. https://www.alberta.ca/system/files/custom_downloaded_images/ed-leadership-quality-standard-english.pdf#search=ed%2Dleadership%2Dquality%2Dstandard%2Denglish%2Epdf
Donohoo, J., Hattie, J., & Eells, R. (2018). The Power of Collective Efficacy. Educational Leadership, 75(6), 40-44.
Hargreaves, A., & Fullan, M. (2013). The Power of Professional Capital: With an Investment in Collaboration, Teachers Become Nation Builders. Journal of Staff Development, 34(3), 36–39. https://doi.org/https://learningforward.org/publications/jsd/jsd-blog/jsd/2013/06/20/jsd-june-2013-international-trends
Hauseman, D. C., Pollock, K., & Fei Wang. (2017). Inconvenient, but Essential: Impact and Influence of School--Community Involvement on Principals’ Work and Workload. School Community Journal, 27(1), 83–105.
International Baccalaureate. (2019, October 11). International Education. International Baccalaureate®. https://www.ibo.org/
Mombourquette, C.(2017).The role of vision in effective school leadership. International Studies in Educational Leadership, 45(1), 19-36.
Murphy & Tory (2014). Vision: Essential scaffolding. Educational Management Administration & Leadership, 43(2), 177-197.
Schneider, B., Kirst, M., & Hess, F. M. (n.d.). Strategies for Success: High School and Beyond.
