Reedley international school

Reedley International School (RIS) is a young, private, non-sectarian, co-educational school in Libis, Quezon City. It is accredited by the Philippine Department of Education and is one of only four regular member schools in the Philippines of the Council of International Schools (CIS). Mrs. Nellie Aquino-Ong founded RIS in the year 2000.

The school consists of a Lower School (Grades 1 to 4), Middle School (Grades 5-7), Upper School (Levels 1 to 4), the PCLP (Personalized Classroom Learning Program for Middle School Grades 5-7 and Upper School Levels 1 to 4) and the ESL Program for non-native English speakers.

RIS is under the leadership of: Mr. Jerome Castro, School Headmaster; Ms. Joanne Bilo, Lower and Middle School Head of Academic Affairs; Ms. Bella dela Cruz, Lower and Middle School Head of Student Affairs; Ms. Maria Andrea Santos, Upper School Head of Academic Affairs; Mrs. Natalie Penuliar, Upper School Head of Student Affairs; and Mr. Carli Recio II, Upper School Prefect of Discipline.

History

Reedley International School was named after Reedley College in Reedley, California where its founder, Mrs. Nellie Aquino-Ong, finished her Junior College course. The name “Reedley” comes from an American Civil War veteran, Thomas Law Reed, who settled in California during the Gold Rush in the 1800s and donated his own land for a railroad station site.

The land was known as a nurturing land, where various fruits grow in immense quantities. Such nurturing was also evident in Reedley College. Mrs. Ong saw it fit to establish the same nurturing community spirit here in the Philippines as it began operations for the Upper School in June 2000 in Libis, Quezon City, with a starting population of 80 students. In 2001, Reedley added Lower School Grades 1 to 4 and Middle School Grades 5 to 7 to its course offerings and moved to a more spacious, 1,200 sq. m. site in Pasig for its growing number of students and staff.

In school year 2003-2004, the PCLP (Personalized Classroom Learning Program) was opened to help students excel in a very small classroom environment. PCLP was offered in a satellite branch in the Ortigas business district. Then, in 2004, the Academic Program for Credit (APC) was further added to Reedley’s course offerings. APC, also located in the Ortigas branch, was a full academic course that aimed to help non-native English speaking students obtain school credits while maximizing their English learning.

In school year 2006-2007, RIS moved to its new 3,500 sq. m. location in the JOSOL Building in Libis, Quezon City, consolidating and situating all of Reedley’s academic courses in one school center. APC was restructured and renamed as the English as a Second Language (ESL) Program in April 2007. The ESL Program is now a supplementary academic course that is taken before or after regular classes. It aims to address difficulties in listening, reading, writing, and speaking in English, which is the academic medium of instruction in Reedley. With a present population of 500 students, Reedley is able to serve over 17 different nationalities.

RIS has been recognized and accredited by the Philippine Department of Education since the year 2000 and is a regular member of the Council of International Schools (CIS), along with International School Manila, British School Manila and Cebu International School Manila in the Philippines. It is also affiliated with of the National Association of Secondary Schools Principals, National Association of Elementary Schools Principals and the East Asia Regional Council of Overseas Schools.

Mission and Vision

Reedley aims to be a channel for the holistic formation of young men and women. These young men and women will strive for excellence not only in the field of academics, but also with their own personal pursuits towards self-actualization. These graduates will lead with kindness, respect, tolerance and the ability to know what is right from what is wrong.

The Ideal Graduate

In mind, the true Reesian is a critical thinker, a problem-solver, and an articulate speaker and a writer. At heart, the true Reesian is kind, tolerant, courteous, prudent and courageous. In spirit, the true Reesian is independent, persevering, and a peace loving person. The true Reesian seeks to better himself in order for him to be the best that he can be while being leader true to the core values of Family, Nurture, Self-Discipline, and Self-Actualization.

The Logo and the School's Key Concept

The Reedley logo is composed of the following: (1) two trees that represent the students and the teachers – each one “growing” alongside the other through their daily interactions; and (2) four lines below the trees that represent the core values of the school: [http://www.reedleyschool.com/ab_values.html Family] , [http://www.reedleyschool.com/ab_values.html Nurture] , [http://www.reedleyschool.com/ab_values.html Self-Discipline] and [http://www.reedleyschool.com/ab_values.html Self-Actualization] .

The 4 Core Values

1. Family

By choosing to study in Reedley International School, one also chooses to be a part of the Reedley family. The school, in fact, has chosen to remain small in number and structure to preserve this type of environment. The Reedley family is composed of administrators, teachers, parents and students. As a family, we share each other's joys and pains; weigh and consider each other's opinions; learn values and knowledge; balance a developing individuality and preserve unity; and strive to uphold the family values, systems, and traditions.

2. Nurture

As a nurturing school, Reedley places a premium on caring for the students in the interest of their growth and formation. Nurturing is shown in the way subjects are taught, discipline is administered, and activities are offered. As a school, our students are challenged to have good study habits, strength of character, good morals, proper attitudes, and a healthy mind and body. As a nurturing school, we care for our students, not for them to be sheltered, but for them to tap their potentials.

3. Self-Discipline

Self-discipline is good sense, discretion, and forethought - all rolled into one. In one sense, self-discipline is prudence - the ability to do what is appropriate without having to be directed to do so. In another sense, self-discipline is having the initiative to offer a solution where it is needed, when it is needed. This explains the school's stress on discipline as part of our training course. Reedley does not think of discipline as "punishment" but as a tool for developing self-control.

4. Self-Actualization

A noted psychologist, Abraham Maslow, said that self-actualization is the highest form of motivation for man. With that in mind, Reedley guides its students in discovering their unique skills, gifts and talents towards self-fulfillment not only as students but also as productive members of society. In Reedley, we help the students become the persons that they strive to be - that they were meant to be.

Admissions and Financial Aid

The admissions process includes the submission of the student application form, two (2) years past records and recommendation letter from the previous school, photocopies of birth certificate or passport, one (1) 2” X 2” recent ID picture, Student VISA or ACR and Special Study Permit (SSP) for foreign students, and Drug Test results for Upper School applicants. RIS accepts students on the basis of an entrance examination that covers Mathematics, Science, English and IQ. Their deportment and academic performance from their previous schools and a personal interview with the student & his/her parents are also taken into consideration. Results will be released in five (5) working days. RIS reserves the right to place students in the best academic program that is best fit for them.

Reedley offers no scholarships, grants, and financial aid to its students. Admissions are open starting January and close in September of every school year.

Academics and School Activities

Reedley International School is the first and only institution in the Philippines to provide a unique international educational program that integrates the best practices of the three systems of education.

Singapore-American-Filipino Curriculum

The school has adapted the Singaporean approach in the teaching-learning of Mathematics and Science. The American curriculum is adopted in the implementation of its humanities program. Finally, the school adheres to the learning competencies stipulated in the Basic Education Curriculum of the Department of Education here in the Philippines.Since Reedley is a college preparatory school, the curriculum is geared to respond to the changing needs of its students while aligning its standards with both local and international universities. Also, Reedley follows the American Grading System and operates from June to March.

Small Class Size

In Reedley’s nurturing, family-like community, classes are kept small (15 to 25 students per class) to foster closer interaction between teachers and students. Properly motivated, students can develop individual strengths and interests, as well as a deep appreciation for everyday, lifelong learning that they can practicably apply.

Personalized Classroom Learning Program

If your child lacks the sufficient study skills to survive in a big classroom and needs more academic motivation and guidance, then the small yet closely managed Personalized Classroom Learning Program (PCLP) can be the solution to help him or her achieve academic and social excellence.

THE PCLP ENVIRONMENT
* Has a very small class size;
* Is ideal for students who will excel in a very small classroom environment;
* Involves strict monitoring of students’ academic performance;
* Employs first-rate textbooks and highly competent teachers.

English as a Second Language (ESL) Program

Designed for non-native English speaking students, the ESL is a supplementary program that enriches and improves appreciation and application of academic content in Language, Literature, Social Studies, Science, and Math, with the aim of eliminating language barriers to learning.

THE ESL PROGRAM
* Is ideal for students who have minimal, or limited exposure to the English language;
* Is a 2-hour class taken before or after regular classes;
* Can be recommended for both Main and PCLP students.

Discipline: NO to DRUGS, NO to BULLYING, NO to RUDENESSDiscipline is the end result of what one has learned in class and through his dealings with other people. As a mature individual, the Reedley student does not have to be constantly reminded of rules and regulations because he has a personal commitment to create an environment conducive for learning and healthy living.

Discipline is not the same as punishment. It is not the school’s idea of repressing young and energetic people. It is not meant to humiliate or put anyone down. On the contrary, Reedley International School views discipline as an on-going training course for all students to develop self-control and give deference to others.

In this pursuit to achieve such maturity, however, each student must see clearly how the school intends to preserve discipline and order in school so that he or she may respond appropriately.The manifestation of maturity and discipline is centered on the school's adherence to a policy of "No to Drugs, No to Bullying & No to Rudeness". It is the pursuit of the school to uphold this policy and to fashion every Reesian in this mold.

Guidance Program

The Reedley International School’s tenet of being a nurturing institution cannot be actualized without a strong and firm Guidance Program. The school aims to help the student discover, realize and understand who he is in terms of his needs, interests, aptitudes, abilities and personal traits. Through this knowledge, the student will be in a better position to be successful in school, and hopefully in life as well. The Guidance Counselor’s office is especially assigned to handle issues pertaining to academic, emotional, physical, social and career development. It is responsible for managing appropriate interventions necessary to resolve problems concerning student-teacher-parent relationships. ??The Guidance Counselor’s office likewise studies and recommends measures to improve learning conditions in school with the objective of optimizing overall student performance by enabling the students to achieve a better grasp of his identity and personal strengths and weaknesses. The Guidance Department provides Individual and Group counseling services, referrals, assessment guided classroom activities, consultations and school-wide campaigns on career development, anti-bullying, substance abuse and other health issues.

Student Council

The structured venue wherein the students of Reedley will be allowed to exercise their skills in leadership is the Student Council. The Student Council of Reedley International School is composed of the Executive Council and the Council of Class Officers.

The Executive Council is composed of a President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer. Only Upper School students in good academic and deportment standing can run for the elective positions of the Executive Council. All Upper School students elect the members of the Executive Council.

The Student Council is expected to lead the students based on the four founding principles of the school through its activities and programs under the statutes of the school.

Athletics/Varsity

To supplement the school’s Physical Education courses, the school is offering a special Athletics Program for students who excel in sports and can represent the school as Varsity Players in their chosen field. Varsity players are expected to employ teamwork, maintain a healthy body and practice sportsmanship.

Clubs

One of the programs that allow the students the opportunity to learn outside of the classroom are the Student Clubs. Student Clubs are extra curricular activities that meet once a week. All students are required to join one Student Club. Varsity Players in the Upper School and members of the Student Council are exempted from joining Student Clubs. Their commitment in their respective organizations is more than enough to meet the objectives of the Student Clubs.

RTV

The RTV or Reedley Talent and Variety Show has been a school tradition. With five different shows since the year 2000, RTV has celebrated the wonderful talents and gifts of the Reedley students. The RTV experience exposes students to many challenges, heartaches, frustrations, victories, and responsibilities. RTV is real life. It builds self-confidence, maturity, and steadfastness. It forms, nurtures, and strengthens relationships amongst students, amongst friends, amongst teachers, and amongst families. RTV is a special and unique school event. Unlike in other schools where their productions only allow the stars and the gifted to perform, RTV gives each and every child a role to play, a chance to shine, and a moment to stand out.

See also

[http://www.reedleyschool.com Reedley International School's Official Website]