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Our Learning Principles
Discover our 9 learning principles
Our classroom practice is based on nine evidence-based learning principles. These principles, derived from experience and research in education, psychology and neurobiology, describe how students best acquire and retain knowledge to make sense of their world. The Learning Principles guide what happens in the classroom and influence teaching and learning at every stage of a child's development.
We anchor our lessons by clear and openly-communicated goals. Regular assessments allow us to map the progress of our students and adapt the teaching plan to their individual paths.
![Meaningful goals ISL](https://www.isl.ch/hubfs/Meaningful%20goals%20ISL.webp)
We foster meaningful new connections by building on existing knowledge and bridging knowledge gaps. Learning is linked to the students’ experiences and cultures, and students are actively encouraged to explore new interests.
![Knowledge building ISL 2](https://www.isl.ch/hubfs/Knowledge%20building%20ISL%202.webp)
We combine theory and practice to cultivate relevant and conceptual understanding. Our learners find meaning in knowledge that resonates with real-life scenarios, paving the way for impactful applications in the world.
![Concept-driven learning ISL](https://www.isl.ch/hubfs/Concept-driven%20learning%20ISL.webp)
We foster meaningful relationships with students, and create a warm and nurturing environment where learners feel safe, supported and valued. We embrace mistakes as stepping stones for growth, and guide them through their journey of personal development and growth.
![Supporting growth ISL](https://www.isl.ch/hubfs/Supporting%20growth%20ISL.webp)
We empower learners to take charge of their own educational journey. With a strong emphasis on autonomy, we encourage them to ask questions, explore their curiosity, and pursue their personal interests. By fostering a proactive approach, we inspire a love for learning that goes beyond the classroom.
![Student-centered learning ISL](https://www.isl.ch/hubfs/Student-centered%20learning%20ISL.webp)
We foster curiosity, autonomy, and adapt instruction to meet the needs of all students. Appropriate and meaningful challenges encourage learners to venture beyond their comfort zones to explore, innovate, and succeed.
![Challenged to thrive ISL](https://www.isl.ch/hubfs/Challenged%20to%20thrive%20ISL.webp)
We believe that feedback fuels progress. Our learners receive actionable, specific and timely feedback to help guide them in their growth journey.
![Actionable feedback ISL](https://www.isl.ch/hubfs/Actionable%20feedback%20ISL.webp)
We inspire learners to embrace self-reflection and model critical thinking in our lessons. Through individual reflection and group discussions, we help students foster their research, communication, social and self-management skills.
![Critical thinking ISL](https://www.isl.ch/hubfs/Critical%20thinking%20ISL.webp)
We offer opportunities for individual and collaborative growth. By explicitly teaching essential collaboration skills and involving all stakeholders, we prepare students for life in the real world.
![Individual & collaborative learning ISL](https://www.isl.ch/hubfs/Individual%20%26%20collaborative%20learning%20ISL.webp)