At the heart of every successful organization, whether a multinational, NGO, or educational institution, is a set of core values that embody its culture, mission, and vision. Values that act as guiding principles to shape culture, behavior, and decision-making.

Visit the Ampang Hilir campus of The International School of Kuala Lumpur (ISKL) and the impact of the school’s core values on every aspect of school life is apparent. From its approach to teaching and learning and fulfilling potential through to its focus on well-being and commitment to service and sustainability.

But, why these values? What makes them unique?

ISKL’s Head of School, Mr. Rami Madani explains that, as with all things at ISKL, the answer is global best practice and research.

“Our values were chosen as a result of an extensive research process to determine how to best cultivate the practices and culture needed for our students to develop the lifelong skills and dispositions essential for academic and personal growth now and into the future.”

“Two of our values, Collective Efficacy and High Expectations are based on one of the world’s largest evidence-based studies into teacher effectiveness led by education luminary Professor John Hattie.

“Hattie found that the number one most impactful school strategy influencing student achievement was Collective Efficacy. A term used to describe the shared belief by teachers that they can collectively improve student learning and to highlight the importance of collaboration between teachers in achieving learning outcomes. The more effective teachers are in their collaboration, the better students learn and in turn, the better teachers become.

“The second most effective strategy was High Expectations, with research finding that students who have high expectations of themselves, believe in their capabilities, and who are hopeful are far more likely to do well and attain their goals.”

Accordingly, ISKL’s programs, common practices, and support structures are all designed to foster collective efficacy and high expectations, creating a learning environment where students are motivated and supported in their goals by teachers committed to helping them achieve their potential.

In alignment with these values, ISKL also places high value on the strength of its partnership with parents.

Madani says, “Research tells us that when schools and parents partner together, students learn better and become more engaged and motivated. This partnership is most effective when parents are curious about their child’s learning and empowered to reflect and learn. This is why, at ISKL, we place so much importance on providing opportunities for our parents to be actively engaged in their children’s learning journey.”

Addressing ISKL’s value of Empathy & Care, Madani shares, “We also know from a broad range of research studies that students flourish when three factors are present - firstly, when teachers provide unconditional empathy and care regardless of academic abilities and performance, secondly when students have opportunities to experience success, and lastly when teachers are skilled at coaching students through unproductive behavior. We use these three factors to inform and guide our approach to teaching and learning both in and out of the classroom.

“Teaching with empathy and care doesn’t mean we have lower expectations or that we don’t hold students accountable for their actions. It means that our teachers support and coach students without withdrawing their empathy and care. In addition to having a direct impact on student success by helping to build self-esteem, self-belief, and agency, it is also an essential component in creating a safe and nurturing learning environment, which in turn fosters learning, personal growth, and success.”

ISKL’s value of Equity and Inclusion is embedded into all aspects of school life including a student support service designed to ensure every student has access to individualized help. Additionally, across all grades, students are supported in developing their intra and inter-personal skills, and understanding of how to act in ways that result in ethical impact for self, others, and the environment.

Madani concludes that just as the research behind ISKL’s values was pivotal, so too is getting the balance right, “One value cannot work at the expense of the other – they are designed to each work together to create the optimum learning environment and culture needed not only to support academic growth but also to help our students develop the lifelong skills they will need in the future to find meaning, purpose, and fulfillment in their lives.”

Click here to find out more about the guiding principles that shape student success at ISKL.