Welcome to the Elementary School

Thank you for considering TASIS Elementary School for your family's educational needs. We are a dynamic learning community that offers a challenging academic program balanced with a nurturing, creative and joyful learning environment.

Core Knowledge, the backbone of our curricular program, was developed by Dr. E. D. Hirsch in the 1980's after observing that college students were increasingly unfamiliar with references to Greek mythology, world religions, ancient or even American history, and proverbs. Comments about an Achilles' Heel, Rule of Thumb, and Vox Populi meant nothing to his students, thereby excluding many of them from meaningful discussion. Dr. Hirsch's research led him to develop a framework for renewed "cultural literacy". Core Knowledge is neither elitist nor intended only for gifted students. In fact, by its very design, it provides equal footing for students from a variety of backgrounds and experiences in a common, shared culture in the tradition of the liberal arts.

Families and students that have resided in Ticino for more than six years must enroll in the Italian Section where the main academic subjects are taught in English. Many families also choose to enroll their students in the Italian Section if Italian is their family's mother tongue or if they will be living in the region long-term. All students in the Italian Section study English as an additional language.

The English Section offer all academic classes in English as well as Italian language instruction at the child's level of spoken, read and written proficiency. The Italian and English Sections are combined for Art, Physical Education and Music to strengthen the community and enhance the opportunities for language development. Art and Physical Education are offered in Italian to all students.

TASIS Elementary School prides itself on small classes that allow for more opportunities of direct instruction per pupil. Teachers are highly qualified, possessing at least an undergraduate degree in a liberal arts discipline plus a teaching credential. The current faculty averages more than eight years of experience.

Elementary School Parents' Handbook 2009