Why Can Families Trust the Quality of Education at IST? 

How Do You Measure School Quality? 

Choosing a school is one of the most important decisions a family makes. Parents want to know whether a school provides high-quality education, supports student wellbeing, and prepares young people for future success. 

At Tallinn International School (IST), quality is not based on reputation alone. It is systematically developed, measured, analyzed, and continuously improved through a combination of international external evaluations and robust internal quality practices. 

This means that the quality of education is assessed not only by the school itself, but also by independent international organizations, students, parents, and staff. 

International Quality Assurance 

NEASC Accreditation 

IST is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). Only around 10% of IB schools worldwide hold NEASC accreditation, making it one of the most rigorous marks of quality a school can carry. 

NEASC is one of the world’s most respected accrediting organizations and evaluates schools comprehensively, including: 

• leadership and governance; 

• teaching and learning; 

• student wellbeing; 

• school culture; 

• academic outcomes; 

• continuous improvement processes. 

Accreditation confirms that a school meets internationally recognized standards and is committed to ongoing development. Learn more: neasc.org 

CIS Membership 

IST is also a member of the Council of International Schools (CIS). CIS is a global organization that supports international schools in maintaining and improving quality. Membership demonstrates a commitment to best practices in international education and participation in a worldwide professional network. Learn more: cois.org 

CEESA Membership 

IST is additionally a member of the Central and Eastern European Schools Association (CEESA), a regional network of international schools that supports professional collaboration, shared best practices, and ongoing school improvement across the region. 

Together, these memberships and accreditations mean that IST’s educational quality is not assessed by the school alone — it is independently reviewed against objective, internationally recognized criteria, giving families confidence grounded in more than reputation. 

Internationally Benchmarked Learning Outcomes 

International Baccalaureate (IB) 

IST delivers education through the International Baccalaureate (IB) framework. The IB is one of the world’s leading educational programmes and is offered in more than 150 countries. Its goal is not only academic achievement, but also the development of critical thinking, inquiry skills, international-mindedness, and responsible global citizenship. Learn more: ibo.org 

IB Diploma Programme Results 

At the end of upper secondary school, IST students complete the internationally recognized IB Diploma Programme (DP) examinations. In the previous academic year: 

• 100% of IST students successfully passed the IB Diploma Programme examinations 

• The global average pass rate was 82.6% 

These results provide a meaningful international benchmark and demonstrate how students perform against global standards. 

MAP Assessments 

IST also uses Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) assessments. These internationally recognized assessments are conducted three times per year in core subjects for students in Grades 4-10 and help to: 

• monitor individual student growth; 

• identify strengths and areas for development; 

• support instructional planning; 

• compare progress against international benchmarks. 

The purpose of MAP assessments is not to rank students, but to provide meaningful information that supports learning and academic growth. 

Parent, Student, and Staff Engagement 

Sustainable quality cannot be achieved without active community involvement. IST engages parents, students, and staff in shaping the school’s development and strategic priorities. 

One example is the School Council, which includes nine parent representatives, while Estonian legislation requires only two. This reflects IST’s commitment to meaningful family participation and partnership. 

Surveys and Community Feedback 

IST voluntarily participates in several independent feedback and evaluation processes, including: 

• surveys conducted by the Estonian Ministry of Education and Research; 

• KiVa programme surveys; 

• school community surveys. 

KiVa is an internationally recognized anti-bullying programme designed to promote safe and supportive learning environments. Feedback is used not simply for reporting purposes, but to identifyopportunities for improvement and guide decision-making. 

Data-Informed Decision Making and Technology 

Modern education requires decisions to be based on evidence rather than assumptions. IST uses digital tools and data systems to support: 

• learning analysis; 

• student progress monitoring; 

• educational planning; 

• school improvement processes. 

The school’s information systems include learning analytics and artificial intelligence tools that help educators better understand student needs and make informed decisions — part of the same thoughtful, structured approach to AI outlined in how IST approaches artificial intelligence in education.

Quality Does Not Happen by Chance 

The quality of education at IST is built on several interconnected pillars: 

• international accreditation and external evaluation; 

• internationally benchmarked learning outcomes; 

• continuous monitoring of student progress; 

• active parent engagement; 

• independent feedback processes; 

• data-informed decision making and continuous improvement. 

Together, these systems help ensure that every learner is supported and that the school continues to evolve alongside the needs of its community. 

Curious what this looks like in practice, day to day? Read why more families are choosing IST [link once that article is published], or book a school visit to see it for yourself.