From the school's brochure:
STORK (AIST) Family School was started in 1990 by a group of parents and teachers to meet the requirements of children's education in post-totalitarian society. Love for children, freedom and democracy are the most valued principles in STORK School and are very important for the changing society of Ukraine. Special attention is given to universal humanitarian values, to learning the
languages of different nations in the context of their cultures, to instilling respect for all nations and their ways of living and thinking, to promoting innovative methods of teaching.
AIST is also an acronym for Alternative, Initiative, Sport, Theatre (as a symbol of creativity). The word "aist" also means "stork" in Ukrainian! The AIST concept represents the right of parents to choose:
- - child-centered education facilitating child's creative potential, intellectual growth, spiritual ...and physical development;
- - unity of child, teacher and parents;
- - constant quest for new educational ways;
- - secial spirit of respect, caring, love.
School year (1 September - 6 June ) is divided into 5 parts. Trustees Council consists of 3 people (teachers who are parents). While having to follow the government curriculum, AIST has found the way to give children the opportunity to choose a teacher, activity and the team to work with. The workshops are divided into 3 groups: artistic, intellectual and crafts. Students are free to choose to go to English club or debate club, write articles for school newspaper AISToria or French magazine "FAX!", paint or draw.
In September 1999 AIST joined UNESCO Associated Schools Project. The pilot project the school has chosen is learning different cultures. Each class team throughout the year is "living" in a chosen country learning the traditions, customs, culture. Israel, Iran, USA, Great Britain, France, India, Russia, Holland, Spain, Greece are the countries "visited" by storklings last year.
..
......
......