ISD opens doors to world-class IB education for meritorious students

It goes without saying that in today's highly competitive world, being good at learning academic knowledge alone in the traditional way is not enough. We are living in a time where qualities such as critical thinking, research, self-management, and social skills are equally important as maintaining traditional academic standards. In Bangladesh, many gifted children cannot access the education they deserve, mainly due to financial constraints. To change this reality, the International School Dhaka (ISD) is offering a groundbreaking scholarship programme to talented candidates so that they can be a part of an exceptional school and study in the world-leading International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum.

For students who desire a more academically-relevant knowledge and skill-based conceptual curriculum, IB is the best pathway to compete for successful entrance to a quality international university. The curriculum prioritises the students' academic potential and nurtures their interests outside the classroom, focusing on global awareness, intercultural communication, and a sense of social responsibility. Unlike the other curricula, the IB framework prepares students not just for exams, but for life beyond the classroom. Through ISD's scholarship programme, anyone with merit, talent, and passion for learning can reap the benefits of an IB education.

The scholarship programme begins in the Middle Years Programme (MYP) from Grade 6 and is exclusively open to new students from all academic backgrounds. There are multiple examples of students from national curriculum backgrounds receiving the scholarship and thriving under the IB framework. Ajmain, who is joining Grade 11 in August with a 90 percent scholarship, says, "Coming from Faujdarhat Cadet College to A Levels, I was disappointed by the lack of research and service opportunities. The IB's focus on critical thinking, the Extended Essay, and CAS felt like the perfect fit. It was ISD's scholarship that gave me the chance to join a community where I can grow both academically and personally."

ISD's scholarship programme is very inclusive, and all it looks for are students like Ajmain, who are inquisitive and nurture a genuine passion for learning. ISD recognises that intelligence can come in many forms, so it looks beyond grades to find students who show potential, be it in leadership, artistic expression, sports or innovative thinking.

Additionally, as the scholarship now begins in the MYP, it creates the advantage of an academic and social foundation for the students. The early exposure (as young as 11) helps with developing their research skills, time management skills, and provides them with an intellectual confidence that helps them when they advance to the Diploma Programme (DP) and later makes it easier for them to transition into university. These students also consistently demonstrate incomparable university placement rates and get exceptional scholarship opportunities at prestigious institutions globally. This year ISD students were awarded over USD 3 million in degree scholarships from US, UK, Canadian and Australian universities.

What makes this scholarship programme particularly valuable is the international standard that ISD maintains. The school has some of the best facilities in the entire country, including its state-of-the-art laboratories, design centre, and sports facilities. Students also enjoy the benefits of small class sizes, which guarantees the teachers' full attention and care. ISD fosters a true multicultural learning environment with students and highly qualified teachers from the USA, UK, Canada and many other countries, which prepares the students for a world that is deeply interconnected. It helps develop intercultural competencies and a global mindset that employers and universities are increasingly looking for. For parents and students who have long considered international education out of reach, ISD's scholarship programme presents a genuine opportunity to access world-class education right here in Bangladesh.

Reflecting on this opportunity, a current scholarship awardee, Shaira Samiha, says, "ISD's environment has helped me adapt a lot more than I expected. The scholarship not only gave me financial support, but it also helped open doors to new possibilities. Along with a world-class education, I can now enjoy other things that I am passionate about, such as music."

ISD believes that students like Shaira, who have strong academic abilities as well as leadership potential and a commitment to co-curricular activities, are worthy of receiving good opportunities. With this promise, they are providing scholarships ranging from 50 percent to 90 percent off school fees to eligible new students entering Grades 6 to 11, with the registration fee completely waived. Parents and guardians are encouraged to contact ISD regarding any questions and queries they have about this life-changing scholarship opportunity. To know more about the scholarship, you can visit https://www.isdbd.org/scholarship-program/ or contact the Admissions Office on +880 18 9604 5689.