F.A.Q.s

The International Baccalaureate (IB) is a set of programmes designed for international families. The programmes are based on world-wide best practices in teaching and learning, and offer students a challenging and exciting curriculum that encourages independent thinking, hands-on learning and global citizenship. Students who graduate from high school with the prestigious IB Diploma can apply to universities around the world. 

PSI offers three International Baccalaureate (IB) programmes. To learn more about them, please click on these links to the IB website:

• IB Primary Years Programme
• IB Middle Years Programme
• IB Diploma Programme 

PSI can support students with mild to moderate learning needs, provided that there is space in the grade level. Primary and Secondary each have one Learning Support teacher and two teaching assistants who support students with a combination of pullout and in class support.

Students who are still learning English receive additional support in English as an Additional language. All other students may choose from a range of languages.

Primary

• Russian
• Spanish
• Ukrainian

Please note:  French will be added to the Primary programme in August 2020. 

Secondary

• French
• Russian
• Spanish

In the IB Diploma programme, students may also opt to study their Mother Tongue language with the support of a tutor that the School can help you find. Online courses in some languages (like Mandarin) may also be available. 

In addition to its academic curriculum, PSI offers a comprehensive programme of After School and Saturday Activities for students from Kindergarten to Grade 12.

PSI is the only international school in Ukraine with approval from the Ukrainian School of External Studies to offer general secondary education accepted by the Ministry of Education of Ukraine. It is available only to local students. This programme is free and ensures that students receive Ukrainian education documents.

PSI does not have a uniform. Our Parent and Student Handbook does outline a dress code that encourages students to dress respectfully and comfortably.  There is a uniform requirement for our Physical Education programme. The basic kit (shorts and tee shirt) is included with our tuition fee; parents can purchase additional items separately.

PSI contracts with a bus company to provide safe and efficient service throughout the city. Parents may sign up for this service at the time of enrolment in the online application form. Payment is separate from tuition payments.

Like our community, our teaching staff is diverse, with staff members who come from the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, France and Spain, as well as from Ukraine. All teachers have qualifications that match their current positions, with 72 percent having advanced degrees. The recruiting process is rigorous and includes multiple interviews, reference checks, and child protection checks.

As of September 2019, we have 506 students from 48 different countries.

The day begins at 8:25 and finishes at 14:55, with many students staying beyond the school day to participate in Extracurricular Activities (ECAs). 

Students in both Primary and Secondary receive instruction in a wide range of subjects, including the fine and performing arts, Physical Education, and languages. All instruction is in English except for additional language classes. 

For more information about both programmes, we encourage you to look at the Primary Programme Guide and the Secondary Programme Guide. 

PSI’s preferred maximum enrolment is 20 students per class and two classes per grade level. Where those numbers have been exceeded, PSI has provided additional teaching assistants, offered a third homeroom, or looked at other measures to ensure that every child receives personalised attention. The current average class is 20  in Primary and 17 in Secondary, although individual courses in Secondary may have fewer students. 

PSI is home to almost  50 nationalities, with 70% of all grade level placements reserved for international students.