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This Month at TASIS

This Year at TASIS: 2021

This Year at TASIS: 2021


Yes, 2021 came with its own set of challenges, but we are beyond grateful to have remained fully open for the entire year, to have seen the battle-tested and resilient members of the Class of 2021 graduate in person and head to excellent universities around the world, and to have welcomed the newest group of future TASIS graduates—the Class of 2036!—to our Early Childhood Center. As we enjoy the holiday season and hope for the best in the new year, we take a moment to look back at some of the many highlights from the past 12 months at TASIS. 

 

TASIS Celebrates 25 Years as an International Baccalaureate World School

In January, we celebrated our 25th anniversary as an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School, joining a legacy of IB World Schools around the world that have reached this milestone. Learn more.

 

 

TASIS Re-Accredited by CIS and NEASC

Following an exhaustive process that included a yearlong self-study and culminated with a virtual visit from evaluation teams representing the Council of International Schools (CIS) and the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) in November 2020, we learned in January that TASIS has officially been re-accredited by both CIS and NEASC. Learn more.

 

 

The Life of a Third Grader

On January 11, we spent an eventful day with grade 3. Take an inside look at a typical day for a third-grade student in the TASIS Elementary School.

 

 

Parade of Flags Kicks Off International Week

International Week 2021 opened on the morning of February 8 with an outdoor Parade of Flags. Take a look.

 

 

Students Perform "Heal the World"

More than 80 students across all three divisions contributed to the recording of the audio track and the production of the music video for “Heal the World” in celebration of International Week. Watch the video.

 

 

Mexican Supreme Court Justice Addresses TASIS Seniors

Justice Yasmín Esquivel Mossa delivered a virtual address on the evening of February 17, marking the third installment of the 2020–2021 TASIS Speaker Series. Learn more.

 

 

Elementary School Students Shine in International Showcase

Our 2021 Elementary School International Showcase consisted of 24 impressive acts representing 14 different nations, with students in grades Kindergarten through five sharing their talents in the arenas of singing, dancing, acting, and storytelling in the Palmer Center on the afternoon and evening of February 11. Watch the showcase.

 

 

The Life of a Sixth Grader

On February 15, we turned our attention to our youngest middle schoolers. Take an inside look at a typical day for a sixth-grade student at TASIS.

 

 

The Return of the Fleming Cup

More than 100 TASIS High School students attended at least one of the skiing, snowboarding, and sledding day trips to Splügen that were offered over the long weekend of February 25–28. Students and faculty chaperones were treated to perfect weather, excellent snow conditions, and the return of a treasured TASIS tradition: the Fleming Cup. Learn more.

 

 

The Life of a Kindergartener

On March 5, we spent the day in our Early Childhood Center. Take an inside look at a typical day for a Kindergarten student at TASIS.

 

 

High School Students Create Literary Magazine

The TASIS Literary Magazine is a student-created publication that aims to uplift the unique, creative voices of TASIS students. Nearly 30 students submitted poetry, short stories, themed collections, or illustrations to the Spring 2021 issue. Enjoy their excellent work!

 

 

TASIS Featured on NBC Nightly News

The March 20 installment of NBC Nightly News’ “Around the Globe” series takes a look at a country “filled with beautiful scenery, sweet treats, and a reputation for remaining neutral.” Director of Institutional Advancement Bill Eichner and several students in the TASIS Middle School contributed to the report. Watch the clip.

 

 

Headmaster Leads Seminar on Truth, Goodness, and Beauty

Headmaster Christopher Nikoloff was excited to be back in the classroom once again to deliver a four-part seminar centered on the philosophical structures behind the ideas of truth, goodness, and beauty to all TASIS sophomores. Learn more.

 

 

High School Theater Presents Much Ado About Nothing

High School students and faculty members put forth two wonderful performances of the Shakespearen comedy in the Palmer Cultural Center on the evenings of March 26–27. Watch the shows.

 

 

Rakhi Mehra on Social Enterprise and Discovering Purpose

Social entrepreneur Rakhi Mehra closed down the 2020–2021 TASIS Speaker Series with a virtual address to TASIS seniors on the evening of April 12. Entitled “Social Enterprise: Discovering Purpose in Life and Career,” Ms. Mehra’s inspiring presentation outlined the journey that took her from a high school student in New Delhi who dreamed about swimming for India and becoming a fourth-generation chartered accountant to an Oxford- and Harvard-educated economist who has spent the past decade developing sustainable systems to improve the resilience of informal housing in developing countries. Learn more.

 

 

The Life of a TASIS Artist

We spent April 12 in the beautiful Şahenk Fine Arts Center to offer an inside look at our first-rate Visual Arts Program. Spend a day in Şahenk.

 

 

Walk for Water Raises Awareness for Global Water Crisis

Fifty-five members of the TASIS community completed the 8th annual Walk for Water on the afternoon of May 5, raising awareness for the global water crisis by simulating what many people in the developing world must go through on a daily basis to secure clean water. Learn more.

 

 

Students Shine at Spring Arts Festival

The 47th annual TASIS Spring Arts Festival included two major theatrical productions, four vocal and instrumental recitals, a conducting workshop, a finale concert, a visual art exhibition, and more. View the performances and explore the exhibition in 3D.

 

 

Seniors Reflect Before Moving On

Members of the Class of 2021 gathered in the Palestra on the evening of May 27 to enjoy a delicious meal and reflect on their time at TASIS. Highlights from the Senior Banquet included poignant opening and closing remarks from Headmaster Christopher Nikoloff; a reading of a Boethius prayer by Prof. Michael D. Aeschliman, Ph.D.; an alumni induction delivered by Director of Institutional Advancement Bill Eichner and Associate Director of Alumni Relations Yvonne Procyck; inspiring senior speeches from Ella Abisi, Carolina Zanon di Valgiurata, Zhantemir Sarsenov, Ben Marconi, Joy Mack, and Paulina Karstens; and a lovely musical performance by Ella Abisi. Learn more.

 

 

Seniors Receive 319 Offers from 260 Universities Around the World

Aided by a tremendous faculty and an exceptional College Counseling Office, the 102 students in the Class of 2021 received 319 offers of admission to 260 universities in 14 countries: Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Learn more.

 

 

Many Paths to Success

Students in the Class of 2021 achieved their goals in a number of different ways: by earning an IB Diploma, by taking AP courses and scoring highly on the corresponding exams, by performing well on standardized tests, by writing excellent personal statements, and by exhibiting an impressive commitment to a combination of the arts, athletics, local and global service, and leadership positions on or off campus.

Have a look at the TASIS journey and future plans for eight remarkable students from the Class of 2021.

 

 

Moving Up the Ranks

The Elementary School and Middle School held their annual Moving-Up Ceremonies on the morning and afternoon of May 28. Watch the ceremonies to see student speeches, musical performances, the presentation of awards and diplomas, and more.

 

 

Presenting the Exceptional Class of 2021

We celebrated 102 graduates at the 65th TASIS Commencement Ceremony in the Palestra on the morning of May 29. Watch the ceremony.

 

 

Graduation Awards Announced

Standout members of the Class of 2021 received special recognition at the Commencement Ceremony. Read about the recipients.

 

 

Pegeen Crockett Named Khan-Page Master Teacher

Headmaster Christopher Nikoloff announced in early June that High School Science Teacher Pegeen Crockett was the recipient of the 2021 Khan-Page Master Teacher Award. Learn more.

 

 

IB Scores on the Rise Once Again

Eight TASIS students scored 40 or more points on the May 2021 IB exams, and the average score posted by the 44 students who earned an IB Diploma was 35—2 points above the world average. Learn more about the results.

 

 

Students Raise the Bar on 2021 AP Exams

TASIS students scored a 4 or higher on 64 percent of the 196 Advanced Placement exams they took last spring, and 37 students earned AP Scholar Awards. Learn more about the results.

 

 

TASIS Summer Olympics: A Closer Look

Students and counselors fiercely competed in the TASIS Summer Olympics on the afternoon and evening of July 11–12. Alex Secilmis '19 brilliantly chronicled the action in an amazing video, which features an original track composed and performed by TASIS Music Teacher Alessio di Tonno. Watch the video.

 

 

Welcoming a New Group of Educators

Learn about the newest members of the TASIS Faculty and the returning faculty members who transitioned to new leadership roles for the 2021–2022 academic year.

 

 

Class of 2020 Finally Has a Chance To Celebrate

After missing out on an in-person graduation in May 2020, members of the Class of 2020 were invited back to Lugano to celebrate their one-year anniversary over the weekend of August 20–22. Learn more.

 

 

2021–2022 Academic Year Opens with 684 students from 57 nations

Learn about the size of each division, the number of students who are new to TASIS, which nations are represented, which languages are spoken, and more.

 

 

Eleven Birthday Letters to Celebrate Our Founder’s 111th

In recognition of Mrs. Fleming’s profound effect on generations of students and educators, we commemorated Founder’s Day 2021 by offering a look at some of our favorite letters written to her on birthdays past. 

 

 

Alumni Share Memories of Mrs. Fleming

We held special Founder’s Day celebrations in the Palestra and the MCF Piazza on the afternoon of October 1 to commemorate the incredible life of TASIS founder and international education pioneer M. Crist Fleming. Learn more. 

 

 

Renowned Scholar Dr. Marcelo Gleiser Opens 2021–2022 TASIS Speaker Series

The Dartmouth College Appleton Professor of Natural Philosophy and 2019 Templeton Prize Laureate delivered a keynote address to TASIS students and faculty members in the Palmer Center on October 18 and spent two days visiting High School classes. Learn more.

 

 

Alumni Gather in San Francisco

After a pandemic hiatus, the Alumni Office was back in full swing for an all-class reunion in San Francisco in October. Learn more.

 

 

Spotlight on STEM Education

From the early days of Elementary School through the demanding IB and AP classes offered at the High School level, our first-rate math, science, and computer science teachers deliver a cutting-edge program designed to provide students with the tools they’ll need to confront the many challenges facing our world. Learn more.

 

 

Europe as Our Classroom

TASIS pioneered the concept of Academic Travel in 1956, and our students have been exploring Europe ever since. At various points in November, our classrooms moved beyond the walls of the TASIS campus and spilled into Venice, Florence, Rome, Santa Margherita, Munich, Heidelberg, Baad, Zurich, Leysin, Bern, Lausanne, and Gstaad. With help from our student journalists, we offer a closer look at some of this fall's trips.

 

 

Swiss Adventures in Gstaad

Middle School students challenged themselves on hikes, high-ropes courses, and bridge swings; learned how to build igloos and snowshoes; and dined on traditional Swiss cuisine and chocolate over the course of five days in Gstaad in early November. See video highlights from the amazing trip.

 

 

Outward Bound: Rising to the Challenge

High School students trekked to a remote Alpine hut, abseiled from a bridge, scaled a climbing wall, and more over the course of five days in Baad, Austria, in early November. Watch a video to see how the annual Outward Bound trip helps TASIS students find their growth zone.

 

 

Carla Arimont ’94 and Lars Titland Join TASIS Board of Directors

Chairman of the TASIS Board of Directors Lynn Fleming Aeschliman was delighted to announce on November 19 that the two highly accomplished professionals will join the Board immediately. Learn more.

 

 

All-Class Reunion in New York Draws Record Crowd

Approximately 200 alumni and friends gathered at The Yale Club on November 19 and rekindled a bond as if no time had passed at all. Learn more.

 

 

TASIS Theater Presents Twelfth Night

High School Theater students and faculty members delivered two outstanding performances of Shakespeare’s classic comedy of romance, madness, and mistaken identity on the evenings of November 19–20 in the Palmer Cultural Center. Enjoy their excellent work.

 

 

Sweet November Dance Company Presents Rain

Dancers from the TASIS High School, Middle School, Elementary School, and Faculty performed in front of a packed house in the Palmer Cultural Center on the evening of November 23. Watch the terrific concert.

 

 

A New Tradition for Master Teachers

Marking the start of a new annual TASIS tradition, Headmaster Christopher Nikoloff and Chairman of the Board Lynn Fleming Aeschliman hosted a dinner for Khan-Page Master Teacher Award recipients in Casa Fleming on the evening of December 3. “What is the one thing you try to accomplish in every class?” asked Mr. Nikoloff. See the responses.

 

 

Presenting the 2021 TASIS Christmas Service

This year's beautiful Christmas Service was held in the Palestra on the afternoon of December 3 and featured musical performances and readings from students in all three divisions. Watch the service.

 

 

Presenting the 2021 TASIS Elementary School Christmas Concert

Students in grades Pre-Kindergarten through five performed magnificently at the annual Elementary School Christmas Concert in the Palestra on the afternoon of December 17. Watch the concert.

 

 

The Holidays at TASIS

A small snowstorm helped jumpstart a very busy holiday season that included many wonderful events organized by the tireless members of the TASIS Parent Association, who once again created an enchanting Winter Garden on the Kay Hamblin Terrace, ran a Holiday Market that helped raise funds for our Service Learning programs, and made sure our students experienced the magic of Christmas at every turn. See a gallery of holiday photos.