Student Spotlights: Spotlight On Our Student Arno

Spotlight On Our Student Arno

This week, we are delighted to shine the spotlight on Arno, a remarkable first grader who began his ISR journey in kindergarten in 2023 and is now nearing the completion of his first year in Elementary School.

Arno was nominated for the ISR Student Spotlight by his teacher, Ms. Kilian, who shares, “Arno is a shining example of what it means to be a true role model in our classroom. Always responsible and exceptionally organized, he consistently sets a high standard for himself and others. Whether it’s coming into class with a bright smile or approaching each day with enthusiasm and a readiness to learn, Arno’s positive attitude is contagious”.

Ms. Kilian adds, “He is well liked by his peers, not just for his friendly nature, but also for his genuine kindness. Arno is always willing to lend a helping hand, showing care and consideration to everyone around him. His thoughtful actions and dependable character make him a person others naturally look up to. We are so proud to celebrate Arno and the wonderful impact he has on our class!”.

Ms. Johnson, another Grade 1 teacher adds, “Arno is such a caring and considerate student, he always holds the door open for the children to come back in”.

Arno has also made a lasting impression on Ms. Vrem, Head of ISR Kindergarten and Academic Head of Grade 1. She says, “Arno is a wonderful child! He joined us in KG2 and quickly proved himself to be a very thoughtful and gentle person. He is well liked by both friends and staff, and his smile warms your heart”.

Finally, Ms. Fatscher, Arno’s former kindergarten teacher, fondly recalls, “I remember Arno in KG2 as a responsible, kind, honest, and curious student who always tried his best and always tried to do what’s right. What an amazing choice for the student spotlight. Congratulations Arno!”.

We are proud to spotlight Arno as one of ISR’s many outstanding students!

 

The ISR Student Spotlight Project aims to highlight one of our students from the ISR-Community every Friday, who embodies our guiding principle “We Enable Great Minds and Strong Characters” by consistently surpassing themselves. Whether through outstanding academic achievements, exceptional dedication, or remarkable character traits – we take pride in having already showcased hundreds of students – and there is more to look forward to every week!


Young Innovators: ISR Students Shine at World Robot Olympiad

Young Innovators: ISR Students Excel at World Robot Olympiad

Saturday, May 24, 2025

We are incredibly proud of our talented ISR students who participated in the World Robot Olympiad last weekend! All four teams successfully completed the competition. Eight of our Elementary School students took part in the exciting Starter Program, where they could achieve up to a Level Three Certificate in the competition, meaning their robot was able to complete most of the given tasks. In particular, the team composed of Elizabeth and Naohiro completed more than 90% of the tasks and won second place. Meanwhile, two of our Grade 7 students competed in the challenging Robo Mission Junior Competition in which they placed third.

For months, these dedicated students have been working hard during their SEA periods – designing, building, and programming their robots with creative solutions. At the competition, each team put their creations to the test over multiple rounds, as their robots followed complex instructions and navigated obstacles on the competition board.

We wish to extend a heartfelt thank you to Mr. Bai, an ISR parent and SEA robotics instructor, for his time, guidance, and dedication to the program. His support has been invaluable to our students’ success!

Congratulations to all our participants, Sai, Paul, Felix, Theodor, Martin, Shengxi, Elizabeth, Naohiro, Alex, and Alice for their teamwork, creativity, and perseverance! Your passion for robotics and innovation truly inspires us all and is further proof of ISR‘s motto: It’s cool to be good!

Get to know more about the 90+ activities we offer at ISR through our SEA Program


Student Spotlights: Spotlight On Our Student Tara

Spotlight On Our Student Tara

This week, we are excited to shine the spotlight on our eleventh-grader, Tara, who joined ISR in 2017.

Tara was nominated for the ISR Student Spotlight by Mr. Bates, the Academic Head of Grade 11. He says “Tara is a pleasure to teach and is always engaged and inquisitive. She is positive, always smiling, and extremely diligent in her academic pursuits. A team player, who has the respect of her peers and teachers, she exudes quiet confidence, and I am sure she will be successful in whatever path she chooses”.

Dr. McGee, Tara’s IB English teacher adds, “It’s been a wonderful experience being Tara’s IB English teacher and Extended Essay supervisor. She’s the paradigm of an English student —truly dedicated to improving her writing craft, and her growing command of the English language continues to impress.  It’s been a pleasure watching her grow as a writer, thinker, and student”.

Tara has also made an impression on the Student Leadership Council, with SLC Advisor Ms. McGee noting, “Tara is a bright light on our Student Leadership Council’s Events Team.  I know her for always having a smile and an idea to contribute to help with planning or execution. I am impressed with her communication skills and proud of the steady support she has given this year!”.

Ms. Megal, Tara’s former IGCSE Spanish teacher, has fond memories of her student, sharing, “Tara is a cheerful and positive student who always gives her best. She holds herself to high standards and is kind to her classmates. She left a great impression with her enthusiasm and dedication”.

We are proud to spotlight Tara as one of ISR’s many outstanding students!

 

The ISR Student Spotlight Project aims to highlight one of our students from the ISR-Community every Friday, who embodies our guiding principle “We Enable Great Minds and Strong Characters” by consistently surpassing themselves. Whether through outstanding academic achievements, exceptional dedication, or remarkable character traits – we take pride in having already showcased hundreds of students – and there is more to look forward to every week!


US-Generalkonsulin Preeti V. Shah berichtet in Neuss beim Career Talk der Internationalen Schule ISR von ihren Diplomaten-Stationen,gibt den Jugendlichen Tipps für beruflichen Erfolg und motiviert sie, nie aufzuhören, Lernende zu sein

US-Generalkonsulin Preeti V. Shah berichtet in Neuss beim Career Talk der Internationalen Schule ISR von ihren Diplomaten-Stationen,gibt den Jugendlichen Tipps für beruflichen Erfolg und motiviert sie, nie aufzuhören, Lernende zu sein

Im Rahmen der Career-Talk-Serie der ISR International School on the Rhine in Neuss hat US-Generalkonsulin Preeti V. Shah den Schülerinnen und Schülern der Jahrgangsstufe 11 über ihren Karriereweg und den beruflichen Alltag einer Diplomatin berichtet. Im Mittelpunkt standen dabei die besonderen Vorteile der spannenden Tätigkeit und auch die Besonderheiten. Zu diesen gehören die häufigen Umzüge. Bevor sie im August 2024 nach Düsseldorf kam, arbeitete Preeti V. Shah in den vergangenen rund 20 Jahren in Nicaragua, der Türkei, Afghanistan, Mexiko und Indonesien. „Das sind Herausforderungen, die aber den Job so reizvoll machen. Sie ermöglichen berufliche, kulturelle und persönliche Erfahrungen in den unterschiedlichsten Regionen der Welt, die man fast nur in einer solchen Position erleben kann“, so Shah.
Während der Veranstaltung an der ISR bekundeten viele Jugendliche Interesse am Diplomaten-Job, auch motiviert durch die erfolgreiche Teilnahme an den Model-United-Nations-Konferenzen (MUNs). Bei diesen Planspielen schlüpfen die Schülerinnen und Schüler erfolgreich in die Rolle von Delegierten bei den Vereinten Nationen. Sie vertreten dabei überzeugend die Interessen ihres zugewiesenen Landes, führen engagierte Debatten und treffen gemeinsam fundierte Entscheidungen zu aktuellen globalen Themen im Rahmen von MUN-Konferenzen innerhalb und außerhalb der ISR.
Preeti V. Shah gab den Jugendlichen zudem wertvolle Tipps, worauf sie bei ihren eigenen Entscheidungen im Hinblick auf die berufliche Zukunft besonders achten sollten – und was den Diplomatenberuf so reizvoll macht. Sie betonte, dass die Work-Life-Balance für viele junge Menschen heutzutage eine große Rolle spiele. Gleichzeitig hob sie hervor, dass ein abwechslungsreicher Beruf, der Freude bereitet und persönliche Erfüllung bietet, oft noch wichtiger sei. Entscheidend sei außerdem, stets offen für Neues zu bleiben, sich kontinuierlich weiterzubilden und das lebenslange Lernen als Chance zu begreifen. Nur so könne man sich sowohl fachlich als auch persönlich weiterentwickeln und den Herausforderungen einer globalisierten Welt erfolgreich begegnen – ganz unabhängig von der Berufswahl.
Für Peter Soliman, Geschäftsführender Gesellschafter der ISR, ist das Verhältnis zu den USA weiterhin von wichtiger Bedeutung: Rund 30.000 US-Bürgerinnen und Bürger leben in NRW, 1.700 US-amerikanische Unternehmen mit 200.000 Beschäftigten haben ihren Sitz im Bundesland, zu einem ganz erheblichen Teil im Rheinland. Die USA sind zudem viertgrößter NRW-Handelspartner, mit einem Volumen von 30,6 Milliarden Euro. Importen im Wert von 15,8 Milliarden Euro aus den USA stehen Exporte von 14,8 Milliarden Euro gegenüber. Das Land ist somit der wichtigste Absatzmarkt für NRW-Produkte außerhalb der EU. Auch für die ISR spielt die Beziehung zu den USA eine elementare Rolle – nicht nur durch Dutzende Familien und Mitarbeitende, die im Rheinland arbeiten und ihre Kinder an der ISR unterrichten lassen. US-amerikanische Universitäten zählen zudem nach wie vor zu den beliebtesten Zielen der ISR-Absolventinnen und -Absolventen: „Viele entscheiden sich nach dem erfolgreich absolvierten International Baccalaureate an der ISR für ein Studium in den Vereinigten Staaten, und regelmäßig erhalten sie Zusagen von renommierten US-Hochschulen wie der Princeton University, der University of Southern California oder der Boston University. Daher ist die gute Beziehung zum US-Konsulat in Düsseldorf für uns ein wichtiges Fundament für die Zukunft.“


Disclaimer
Die ISR International School on the Rhine GmbH mit Sitz in Neuss ist eine privat geführte internationale Ganztagsschule. Über 1.200 Schülerinnen und Schüler aus der Region und aus aller Welt bereiten sich gemeinsam auf international anerkannte Schulabschlüsse vor. Akademische Exzellenz und Charakterbildung stehen im Zentrum der Ausbildung und qualifizieren für ein Studium an führenden Universitäten in Deutschland und weltweilt. Für jüngere Kinder bietet die ISR einen internationalen Kindergarten auf dem ISR-Campus in Neuss, in Düsseldorf-Niederkassel sowie eine deutschsprachige Dependance in Meerbusch-Büderich. Anfragen zu Kindergarten, Grundschule und weiterführender Schule werden ganzjährig entgegengenommen: admissions@isr-school.de.


Japanese Consul General of Düsseldorf visits ISR – May, 21st 2025

Japanese Consul General of Düsseldorf visits ISR

Wednesday, May 21st, 2025

Today, we had the great honor of welcoming the Japanese Consul General in Düsseldorf, Mr. Tsunoda to our ISR Campus in Neuss.

Our ISR Kindergarten children warmly welcomed our guests with a handmade sign in Japanese. Following this, our talented Grade 3 choir delighted everyone by performing a traditional Japanese folk song in honor of our distinguished visitors. Afterwards, Consul General Tsunoda enjoyed a guided tour of our campus, led by two of our Japanese students, Kento and Kana from Grade 10, who proudly showcased our vibrant school community and modern campus facilities.

With over 100 Japanese families at our Neuss and Düsseldorf campuses, the visit from the Japanese Consulate holds great significance for ISR. During the kindergarten and school tour, our guests met Japanese families who are actively involved in our school community, for example, by volunteering in our library. In addition, the Consul had the opportunity to meet our Japanese Language Teachers as well as our Japanese Admissions Officer, all of whom emphasized the important role ISR plays for the Japanese Community in Düsseldorf and the surrounding area.

Today’s visit was preceded by a visit from the Japanese Consulate just two weeks ago, during which representatives from the Consulate attended our ISR International Spring Festival. As the festival is dedicated to celebrating different cultures and traditions, the Japanese Consulate delighted our guests with origami crafting activities and calligraphy demonstrations.

We sincerely thank Consul General Tsunoda for his visit and for taking the time to meet our ISR Community. Their presence highlights the strong and valued partnership between the Japanese Consulate General in Düsseldorf and ISR – a relationship we are truly proud of!

We look forward to many more opportunities for collaboration in the future!


Student Spotlights: Spotlight On Our Student Luca

Spotlight On Our Student Luca

This week, we are excited to shine the spotlight on our sixth-grader, Luca, who joined ISR in 2023.

Luca was nominated for the ISR Student Spotlight by his Spanish teacher, Ms. Sinarcas. She says, “I would like to nominate Luca for his exceptional qualities and efforts throughout this academic year. I have the privilege of teaching him Spanish, and from the very beginning, Luca has shown a remarkable attitude toward learning.

Not only has he worked diligently in mastering a new language (this being his first year of contact with Spanish), but he has done so with a level of positivity, curiosity, and respect that is truly outstanding. Luca consistently demonstrates a genuine interest in the subject-asking insightful questions, volunteering for oral activities in front of the class, and reading texts aloud for his peers.

His eagerness to participate and his friendly, optimistic demeanor make him a joy to teach. Luca is always smiling and is genuinely caring, often asking me how I am and if I’ve had a good day. His kindness, respect, and enthusiasm are qualities that make him stand out as not just an excellent student, but a wonderful person.

It has been a true pleasure to be Luca’s teacher this year. He is, without a doubt, an exceptional young individual who deserves recognition.”

Luca’s Music teacher, Dr. Perez, also has great things to say: “Luca has achieved tremendous progress since I started teaching him last school year. His confidence, his discipline, and his perseverance are plausible. He is always respectful and thrives to do the best even when the task seems challenging. He will achieve great things.”

Ms. Freise, who has covered Luca’s class on numerous occasions, adds, “Luca is truly a wonderful student. He’s kind, approachable, and genuine, and his quick learning and intelligence always impresses. He is very polite and it’s a pleasure to see him grow and excel!”

Our English teacher, Ms. Barba continues, “Luca is an amazing student. He’s hardworking, sweet and kind. He will always put 110% effort into everything he does. He truly represents our motto: It’s cool to be good!”

Finally, Ms. Scholz, Luca’s German teacher, says, “I’ve had the joy of teaching Luca in German since Grade 5, and he’s been a fantastic student every step of the way! His reliability, dedication, and polite nature truly stand out. Luca is a wonderful role model and a much-liked member of our class. It’s always a pleasure to have him my lessons.”

We are proud to spotlight Luca as one of ISR’s many outstanding students!

The ISR Student Spotlight Project aims to highlight one of our students from the ISR-Community every Friday, who embodies our guiding principle “We Enable Great Minds and Strong Characters” by consistently surpassing themselves. Whether through outstanding academic achievements, exceptional dedication, or remarkable character traits – we take pride in having already showcased hundreds of students – and there is more to look forward to every week!


An Unforgettable Evening of Art, Music, and Drama – ISR Arts Evening 2025

An Unforgettable Evening of Art, Music, and Drama – ISR Arts Evening 2025

Thursday, May 15, 2025

An evening filled with art, music, and drama – yesterday, we once again celebrated a cherished tradition at ISR: our annual ISR Arts Evening. The program featured impressive musical performances, entertaining drama acts, and a special art exhibition in our ISR Entrance Hall. The exhibition showcased outstanding pieces from students in Grades 4 to 11, including landscapes, explorations of the elements and principles of art, still lifes, “Reinvent the Classic” projects, modern and digital recreations of famous artworks, virtual exhibitions, and even AI-assisted ideas developed during brainstorming sessions.

In total, we enjoyed ten different musical performances, ranging from piano solos by our talented students Yuki, Peter, Gian, Mian, MJ, Mao, and Lara, to a lively set by our Jazz Band, and a beautiful cello performance by Anton. Our student Vikram delighted the audience with a humorous drama piece about “missing homework,” while Maxim performed a monologue by Caroline Seawell. The evening concluded with Lara on piano and Jade on clarinet.

A huge thank you goes to our dedicated Arts Team at ISR: Ms. Bucher, Ms. Henebry, Ms. Bennet, Ms. Schultz, and Dr. Perez for making this unforgettable evening possible!

We also extend our heartfelt thanks to all the students who enriched the ISR Arts Evening with their remarkable performances, as well as to our SLC team, who thoughtfully provided delicious finger food and beverages for our families.

We are confident that everyone enjoyed the evening’s offerings and made wonderful memories during our ISR Arts Evening 2025!


ISR Talents Captivate Audience at the ‘Jugend musiziert’ State Prizewinners’ Concert in Düsseldorf

ISR Talents Captivate Audience at the ‘Jugend musiziert’ State Prizewinners’ Concert in Düsseldorf

Sunday, May 11, 2025

On May 11th, two exceptionally talented ISR students-who also study at our in-house music school, Musicbox Oxana-took to the stage at the prestigious “Jugend musiziert” State Prizewinners’ Concert in the Tonhalle Düsseldorf, captivating an enthusiastic audience.

Jugend musiziert is Germany’s most prestigious nationwide music competition for children and young people. Founded in 1963, the competition promotes young musical talent with professional ambitions through a three-stage contest: regional, state, and national levels. It features a wide array of solo and ensemble categories, covering diverse musical styles and eras, and is adjudicated by professional juries who also provide valuable feedback to participants. The Prizewinners’ Concert is a highlight event held after the state-level competitions, where the best performers present their award-winning pieces to the public.

Yukichio (saxophone, student of Yuriy Broschel) and Peter (piano, student of Oxana Koppers) delivered a stunning rendition of “Brasileira” from Scaramouche by Darius Milhaud during the Prizewinner’s Concert, leaving a lasting impression with their artistry and skill.

This memorable event was a proud moment for the entire ISR Family and stands as a testament to the remarkable achievements Yukichio and Peter, who truly embody our ISR motto: “It’s cool to be good!”


ISR International Spring Festival 2025

ISR International Spring Festival 2025

Saturday, May 10th, 2025

Bathed in radiant sunshine, we celebrated our traditional ISR International Spring Festival last Saturday, May 10th, 2025, welcoming over 1,000 guests to our campus in Neuss. The entire event was a vibrant celebration of cultural diversity and international togetherness, reflecting the more than 60 nationalities represented at ISR across our campuses in Neuss, Düsseldorf, and Meerbusch.

This year’s festival featured an especially diverse and engaging program: Guests enjoyed guided tours of our kindergarten and school in various languages, face painting, and sports activities led by our athletics team. International outdoor games and a captivating stage program ensured there was truly something for everyone. A special highlight was the grand raffle, which delighted our younger guests with exciting prizes. Our students and teachers enthusiastically presented a variety of projects and invited everyone to join in creative hands-on activities. Two exceptional art exhibitions stood out, impressively demonstrating the artistic talent within our student body. An emotional highlight of the day was the official recognition of our student Arjun, whose interpretation of peace was selected as one of the 23 best entries worldwide-out of 600,000 submissions-in the Lions Club International Peace Poster Contest. We extend heartfelt thanks to Dr. Löhr, District Governor of Lions Rheinland Nord, Ms. Cruichshank, Vice District Governor, and Ms. Bettina Schulenberg, President of the Lions Club Neuss Novaesia, who joined the event specially to present Arjun and his proud family with the certificate from the United States.

Culinary expectations were exceeded as well. The German, Indian, Arab, Mediterranean, Chinese, Japanese, and Russian-speaking communities of ISR presented a wealth of international delicacies. At the International Table, SLC students offered dishes from around the globe, complemented by freshly baked waffles and popcorn. Drinks and snacks from our caterer Broich, a coffee bike, and an ice cream cart rounded out the culinary experience.

The varied stage program, hosted by our SLC students Yara and Cornelius, captivated both young and old. From ballet under the direction of Claudia Pelzer, to Chinese dance and choir performances, a Japanese theater production, and energetic sets by the ISR bands, there was something for every taste. A special highlight was the performance by the banjo band featuring renowned musician Synthia Sayer from New York, whose musical talents enriched the festival.

Our heartfelt thanks go out to all our partners and supporters who made the ISR International Spring Festival 2025 possible: the American Women’s Club, the British Women’s Club, Kunst am Platz, Lions Club Neuss Novaesia, MusicBox Oxana, Ballet by Claudia Pelzer, Broich Catering, Zweelo, the International English Library, the Japanese Consulate General, Trampoline by Aliaksei Liubezny, AUSBLICK Immobilien, as well as Ekehard Adams Wohnungsbau and Böcker Immobilien. We are equally grateful to our international communities, the ISR Parent Network, and our SLC team, whose dedication and commitment made the festival an unforgettable experience for all our guests.

This year’s ISR International Spring Festival was a resounding success, powerfully highlighting the spirit of our international community and the dedication of the entire ISR family. We are already looking forward to the next ISR International Spring Festival!


Student Spotlights: Spotlight On Our Student Erika

Spotlight On Our Student Erika

This week, we are excited to shine the spotlight on our ninth-grader, Erika, who joined ISR in 2020. Erika’s journey at ISR has been marked by her dedication, leadership, and positive influence on our school community.

Erika was nominated for the ISR Student Spotlight by our SLC Coordinator, Ms. McGee. She shares, “As a prefect of the Elementary School Department on the Student Leadership Council, Erika stands out for her extraordinary commitment to service. Over the course of this year, she has become a driving force of our team, always present at every event and campaign, supporting not only the Elementary Team but the entire council. With her remarkable dedication and bright potential, Erika is a shining example of what it means to serve with heart and lead with integrity.  We are thankful for her!”.

Erika’s Economics teacher, Ms. Van Rhee adds, “Erika continues to impress with her dedication, positive attitude, and consistent effort in everything she does. It is a pleasure having Erika in class, keep up the good work”.

Ms. McGowan, Erika’s English teacher also has great things to say about her student, “Erika is a fabulous English student. She is always engaged in lessons, showing her excellent understanding through her thoughtful and insightful contributions. Her mature approach to her studies and her superb attitude to learning make her a fantastic role model for her peers. No matter the task, Erika gives it her all and she absolutely deserves to be celebrated as an outstanding member of the ISR community.”

Finally, Erika’s Science teacher, Mr. O’Brien, adds, “Erika is an outstanding student who engages actively in class and always gives her best.  She is polite and respectful to her teachers and to her classmates and is always ready to help whenever she can.”

We are proud to spotlight Erika as one of ISR’s many outstanding students!

 

The ISR Student Spotlight Project aims to highlight one of our students from the ISR-Community every Friday, who embodies our guiding principle “We Enable Great Minds and Strong Characters” by consistently surpassing themselves. Whether through outstanding academic achievements, exceptional dedication, or remarkable character traits – we take pride in having already showcased hundreds of students – and there is more to look forward to every week!