Spotlight On Our Student Mian

This week, we are proud to feature our eighth grader, Mian, in the ISR Student Spotlight. Mian joined ISR in 2024 and recently won first prize in the 13-year-old age category of the International Peace Poster Project, organized by our ISR Art Department and sponsored by the Lions Club Neuss Novaesia.

Mian was nominated for the Spotlight by her German teacher, Ms. Przybylski, who shares:

“Any teacher will be happy to have Mian in their class, as she is exceptionally responsible, hard-working, creative, and bright, while remaining kind, patient, and humble. She enjoys having a bit of fun while learning and retains concepts very well. Mian is open to learning new things every day, and she approaches challenges with enthusiasm and curiosity. As her German teacher, I am very much looking forward to seeing Mian continue to grow, develop her fluency in the language, and succeed on any path she may choose.”

Mian’s P.E. teacher, Ms. Racheva, adds:

“It is a privilege to have Mian in my P.E. class. She consistently shows impressive effort and a genuinely positive attitude during P.E. lessons, always approaching challenges with focus and determination. Her reliability, quiet leadership, and respectful behavior set a wonderful example for her peers. She brings the same steady maturity and kindness to the rest of her school day, making her a joy to teach.”

Mr. McGowan, who often covers Mian’s class, explains:

“Mian is always a positive and polite student who approaches her learning with a remarkably motivated and impressive attitude. In class, she has always stood out both for her effort and her creative approach to tasks. She very much deserves her place in the Student Spotlight!”

Mian’s Music teacher, Dr. Perez, enthusiastically adds:

“Mian is an outstanding Music student – not only in her academic performance, but also in her attitude towards learning, collaborating in class, embracing new topics, and going beyond what is expected. She is respectful and cordial, and she is an absolute asset to the ISR community.”

We are proud to spotlight Mian 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!

Spotlight On Our Student Mia

This week, we are proud to feature our seventh grader, Mia, as the ISR Student Spotlight. Mia joined ISR in 2020 and has continually impressed her teachers, quickly becoming a steadfast role model for her peers.

Mr. Darren Kirk, ISR Physics Teacher, shares: “Mia is very hardworking and has made an excellent start to her secondary school experience in science.”

Ms. Smith, ISR Mathematics Coordinator for Grades 1 to 4 and Mia’s Grade 4 Homeroom teacher, adds: “I remember Mia from when I first met her in Grade 3 – she was so sweet, but still very shy. Never could I have imagined just how much she would grow from that quiet, little girl into the confident, conscientious Grade 7 student she is today. She has faced every challenge with real determination and resilience. Mia, I know you will succeed at whatever you put your mind to, because you have the personal qualities to overcome any barrier. I still have the card you gave me, where you wrote an acrostic poem of my name, so here’s yours: Meritorious – Inspirational – Awesome.”

Ms. Gadea-Corrales, Mia’s Spanish Teacher, reports: “Mia is an absolute pleasure to work with. She consistently demonstrates a strong work ethic, approaches every task with dedication, and is always willing to lend a helping hand to others. Her positive attitude and genuine kindness make her a valuable member of any classroom. I am very happy to have her as a part of my homeroom.”

Mia’s dedication, growth, and positive impact on our school community truly embody the spirit of ISR. We are proud to celebrate her achievements and look forward to seeing all the wonderful things she will accomplish in the years to come. Keep shining, Mia!

We are proud to spotlight Mia 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!

Spotlight On Our Student Varvara

This week, we are proud to feature our sixth grader, Varvara, in the ISR Student Spotlight. Varvara joined ISR in 2023 and has continuously impressed her teachers, becoming a steadfast role model for her peers.

Varvara was nominated for the Spotlight by her Homeroom teacher, Ms. Codina, who shares:

“I’ve had the privilege of teaching Varvara for two years in a row. In that time, I have seen her grow into a remarkably capable young girl. I always know Varvara will do her very best. She continually surprises me with her growth and determination. She is a role model to her classmates and an excellent mentor to others. She is kind to everyone –outgoing, bold, and unafraid to be her true self. She consistently pushes herself, rises to every challenge, and shows tremendous perseverance when learning new topics or developing new skills. Varvara excels in every academic subject and is one of the top performers in our class. She truly embodies our motto, ‘It’s cool to be good,’ because she is so cool, and so, so good: a good student, a good friend, and a good person. Varvara is an unstoppable force of intellect and personality, and I am confident she will reach unimaginable heights as she continues to grow.”

Varvara’s P.E. teacher, Ms. Levison, adds:

Varvara is a very kind-hearted student who includes everyone in activities and team games during the Basketball SEA. She always has a positive outlook, and it is a pleasure to have her be a part of the group.

Ms. Sayers Varvara’s Fourth Grade Homeroom teacher, fondly recalls:

I had the pleasure of being Varvara’s Homeroom teacher in Grade 4.  From quiet beginnings, I watched her grow in confidence throughout the year.  She was always willing to listen to advice and eager to improve in all subjects.  She was also extremely kind and helpful, frequently volunteering for classroom tasks.  Varvara truly embodies the school motto, ‘It’s cool to be good’, and it has been a pleasure to see her succeed!

Varvara’s MUN Advisor, Ms. McGee, enthusiastically adds:

I would like to commend Varvara for her excellent contributions to the ISR MUN on the Rhine Conference last week. She volunteered to serve as an Admin across several committees and quickly became a strong support for both Delegates and Chairs. Whether she was organizing materials, delivering notes, or helping to secure the door during voting procedures, she made a meaningful impact throughout the event.  We hope she joins us for Junior MUN next school year!

We are proud to spotlight Varvara 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!

Spotlight On Our Student Leni

This week, we are proud to shine our ISR Student Spotlight on Leni, an outstanding eleventh grader who joined ISR in 2017.

Leni was nominated for the ISR Student Spotlight by her IB Mathematics teacher, Mr. Kheir, who shares:

“Leni is a strong, diligent student who confidently asks questions when in doubt, participates actively in class discussions, and demonstrates great maturity in balancing her academic and social life. Her activities outside of school, such as horse riding, highlight her commitment to achieving her personal best. Leni is independent, works well in groups, and shows exceptional academic potential. We are delighted to have her at ISR.”

Her IB English teacher, Mr. McGowan, adds:

“I am lucky enough to teach Leni in English, and her positive attitude, willingness to ask questions, and consistent effort are truly impressive. She approaches every lesson with a smile and a curiosity that enriches class discussions and deepens her engagement with our texts and tasks. Leni is friendly, polite, and always greets others warmly at the start and end of the day.”

Ms. Bucher, Leni’s former Elementary School Music teacher, fondly recalls:

“I remember when Leni first joined ISR in Grade 3. She was thoughtful and reserved as she adjusted to a new environment, and she was warmly supported by her nurturing homeroom teacher and caring classmates. She embraced every opportunity and never gave up. Little by little, Leni’s confidence blossomed. She excelled academically and became a wonderful friend to others. It is inspiring to see how she has grown into such a confident person and role model.”

We are proud to spotlight Leni 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!

Spotlight On Our Student Mara

This week, we are proud to feature our eleventh grader, Mara, as the ISR Student Spotlight. Mara began her journey with us back in our ISR Elementary School and is now diligently pursuing her IB Diploma, which she is set to complete in 2027.

Mara was nominated for the Spotlight by her IB Art Teacher, Ms. Henebry, who shares:

“Mara is an outstanding student. This term, she has immersed herself in architectural design, experimenting with coding, SketchUp, AI tools, interactive walk-throughs, detailed drawings, and even creating a 3D model. She is organized, reflective, and particularly drawn to the bold forms and structure of brutalist design.”

Her IB English teacher, Ms. McGowan, adds:

“Mara sets very high standards for herself, and it is a pleasure to teach someone so focused on personal growth. Although I have only started teaching her this year, I am already impressed by her resilience and determination to overcome any challenges she encounters. I particularly appreciate her contributions in class; she never shies away from complex questions and always shows a willingness to try new things. This positive attitude makes her a truly great IB student.”

Ms. Freise, who taught Mara in Grade 5 English, fondly recalls:

“It was a joy having Mara in my class. Her humor, intelligence, and sharp wit stood out even then, and it’s inspiring to see how much she has matured and grown since those days.”

Mara’s IB Physics teacher, Mr. Kirk, also praises her strong work ethic:

“Mara approaches physics with focus and organization. She manages her workload thoughtfully, plans ahead, and meets challenges with confidence. Her independence and consistent diligence contribute to a supportive and academic classroom atmosphere.”

Ms. McGee, Mara’s Duke of Edinburgh Advisor, adds:

“I recently began working with Mara as her Duke of Edinburgh Advisor, and I have been thoroughly impressed by her dedication and organization. She has set an ambitious and inspiring range of goals to pursue through the program, reflecting both her determination and her curiosity to grow. Mara is an excellent candidate for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, and I’m genuinely excited to continue supporting her journey and guiding her toward a successful final expedition at the end of the year.”

We are proud to spotlight Mara 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!

Spotlight On Our Student Anton

This week, we are proud to spotlight Anton, a remarkable young learner whose curiosity and creativity continue to shine across disciplines. From his outstanding academic achievements to his innovative scientific explorations, Anton exemplifies ISR’s spirit of excellence.

Anton joined ISR in 2019 and was recently awarded a Commendation in the 2025 John Locke Institute Junior Global Essay Prize, placing him among the top 1–3% of more than 63,000 participants from over 100 countries. This incredible accomplishment has further deepened his passion for writing and critical thinking.

At ISR’s Open House Science Fair, Anton also impressed our community with his extraordinary project exploring whether EEG brain signals can be used to fly a drone in real time. Using a consumer-grade brainwave-detecting headset, he successfully demonstrated that focus alone could control a drone’s flight.

Ms. Mitchell, Academic Head for Grades 7 & 8, shared:

“Anton’s project is a brilliant example of curiosity, innovation, and applied science in action. Congratulations, Anton, on this outstanding achievement!”

Mr. Kirk, Secondary School Science Coordinator, added:

“Anton presented an amazing and novel project in the 2025 Science Fair. His use of a device to measure brain activity to help a drone fly combined multiple areas of science, mathematics, and computer science. His presentation was clear, engaging, and easy for friends, parents, and teachers to understand.”

Anton’s passion for learning also shines in the classroom. Ms. Baker Jackson, his English teacher, notes:

“Anton has boundless energy in class and is proactive about his learning. He advocates for himself by asking great clarification questions during lessons.”

His former Elementary School teacher, Ms. Duenas, fondly recalls:

“I taught Anton in 2nd grade. He was always excellent at mathematics and eager to learn. He constantly had a smile on his face—and to this day, he still smiles and says hi whenever we cross paths.”

Furthermore, Anton is an excellent musician. Adding to his various interests and talents, Anton participated last school year in the 62nd Jugend musiziert Regional Competition in Neuss through our in-house music school, Musicbox Oxana. He achieved outstanding results in the cello category, earning first prize and qualifying for the state-level competition.

Anton’s achievements and curiosity exemplify the ISR Spirit and are a great testament to our motto of It’s cool to be good!

We are proud to spotlight Anton 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!