Essential Qualities

Years ago, we adopted the Essential Qualities for JIS Learners; seven attributes the world is seeking in a new kind of learner today.
  • Responsible World Citizens who make healthy and ethical choices, appreciate cultural diversity, participate in community service, engage in positive relationships with host countries, show compassion and empathy, communicate in more than one language, are courageous, and stewards of the earth and its resources.
  • Effective Communicators who do so through clear and concise written and spoken language, relevant visuals, accurate numeracy, active listening, critical reading, appreciation of humor and artistic expression.
  • Collaborative Workers who demonstrate leadership, work effectively together, contribute actively, listen to others and appreciate different points of view.
  • Problem Solvers who manage information, perceive possibilities, think creatively, analyze situations, are self starters, logically process information and synthesize ideas.
  • Adaptable Learners who demonstrate self discipline, set goals, make decisions, exhibit versatility, welcome change, display resourcefulness, are organized and self aware.
  • Creative Individuals who take risks, appreciate art, think divergently and are curious and inquisitive.
  • Self-Directed Positive Learners who demonstrate integrity, respect and dignity, readiness for self improvement, initiative, conviction, pride, quality commitment, reflection, perseverance, passion for learning and spiritual inquiry.

The Essential Qualities overlap with the new survival skills that great minds like Dr. Tony Wagner now identify as critical for 21st Century success. Having valued and fostered these skills in our community for some time, we've discovered both the challenges and rewards of becoming learners of this kind. Ultimately, we believe that cultivating the EQ's molds us to be competent contributors and caretakers in the world. It's a developmental process that faculty, students and parents undergo together. One thing we know, though: Throughout the world JIS learners do contribute as Responsible World Citizens who are Effective Communicators, Collaborative Workers, Problem Solvers, Creative Individuals, and Self-Directed, Positive and Adaptable Learners.