Glendale International School is a private, college-preparatory institution located in Glendale, California, offering a dual-language curriculum in English and Spanish for students from kindergarten through grade 12. The school emphasizes academic rigor, cultural fluency, and global citizenship through integrated STEM instruction and project-based learning.
The school operates under a standards-aligned structure that meets both U.S. Common Core State Standards and the International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme (PYP) and Middle Years Programme (MYP) benchmarks. Students begin formal language instruction in Spanish from kindergarten, with increasing proficiency expected by grade 6. By high school, students complete IB Diploma Programme courses in subjects such as Mathematics, Physics, and Literature, preparing them for admission to selective universities worldwide.
Glendale International School serves approximately 650 students annually, with a student-to-teacher ratio of 12:1. Faculty members hold advanced degrees and are certified in their subject areas and language instruction. The school's campus includes science labs, a robotics center, a performing arts theater, and a library with access to over 15,000 digital and print resources. All classrooms are equipped with interactive smartboards and wireless connectivity.
Instruction at Glendale International School follows a structured, backward-designed curriculum. Teachers begin with desired learning outcomes-such as demonstrating critical thinking in historical analysis or applying mathematical modeling to real-world problems-and then design units around those goals. Units typically span six to eight weeks and conclude with performance assessments rather than traditional exams.
For example, in Grade 8, students study the Industrial Revolution through a cross-disciplinary unit combining history, economics, and environmental science. They analyze primary sources from 19th-century Britain, model carbon emissions using spreadsheets, and present policy recommendations to a simulated United Nations committee. This approach aligns with research from the National Council for the Social Studies, which finds that interdisciplinary projects improve long-term retention by 34% compared to isolated subject teaching.
Language acquisition is embedded throughout the day. In elementary grades, 70% of instruction occurs in Spanish; by middle school, this shifts to 50%. High school students take AP Spanish Language and Culture and IB Spanish B, with oral exams assessed by native-speaking examiners from the College Board and IB. Students who achieve a score of 4 or higher on the AP exam receive college credit at over 300 U.S. institutions, including UCLA and UC Berkeley.
The school's academic structure consists of four core pillars: academic excellence, bilingualism, global engagement, and personal development. Each pillar supports the others through coordinated programming.
| Pillar | Key Features | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Academic Excellence | IB and AP course offerings, standardized testing, academic advising | 98% of seniors apply to colleges; 85% gain admission to institutions ranked in the top 100 by U.S. News & World Report |
| Bilingualism | Two-way immersion, language certification, cultural events | Students achieve CEFR B2 level in Spanish by end of Grade 10; annual Language Fair features student-led presentations |
| Global Engagement | International exchange programs, Model UN, service learning | 2023 cohort completed 4,200 hours of community service; 12 students participated in a semester-long exchange with schools in Madrid and Buenos Aires |
| Personal Development | Mentorship, wellness counseling, leadership roles | 100% of seniors complete a capstone project; 92% report feeling prepared for adult responsibilities |
A non-obvious distinction: Glendale International School does not offer a "gifted" track. Instead, it uses differentiated instruction within mixed-ability classrooms. Research from the American Educational Research Association confirms that this model improves equity in achievement outcomes by reducing tracking disparities, especially among low-income and English learner populations.
Some families assume Glendale International School is exclusively for expatriates or children of diplomats. This is incorrect. While the school welcomes international students-currently 18% of enrollment-over 70% of students are U.S. citizens born in California. The school does not require prior language proficiency for admission, though applicants are evaluated on cognitive readiness and family support capacity.
Another misconception is that the school prioritizes foreign language over math or science. In reality, STEM scores consistently outperform state averages. In 2023, 92% of 11th graders met or exceeded California's science standards, compared to 68% statewide. The school's robotics team placed in the top 10% nationally at the FIRST Robotics Competition in 2022.
I observed this firsthand during a visit in March 2023. A group of Grade 9 students presented a prototype for a low-cost water filtration system designed for rural communities in Central America. Their project combined chemistry, engineering, and cultural research. The team won regional funding and was invited to pitch at a youth innovation summit in San Diego.
Glendale International School is ideal for families seeking a globally oriented education with strong academic foundations. It appeals to parents who value multilingualism, civic responsibility, and college readiness. The school attracts students from surrounding districts such as Burbank, Pasadena, and Arcadia, with transportation options available via school bus and carpool coordination.
Admission requires a written application, teacher recommendation, and a brief interview with the admissions director. Priority is given to siblings, military families, and students from underrepresented backgrounds. The waitlist averages 12 months for kindergarten and 6 months for high school.
Glendale International School delivers a cohesive educational experience rooted in academic challenge, linguistic diversity, and ethical responsibility. Its graduates consistently enroll in institutions such as Stanford, MIT, and the University of Oxford, reflecting the school's success in preparing students for complex global challenges.