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An independent day school educating students PreK-Grade 12

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Global Education

Discovering a World of Learning

Middle School Flags
 

The flags of nearly 80 different countries are displayed throughout the King School campus. These flags represent our community’s many nationalities and underline our commitment to global education. 

At King, we prepare students to become responsible global citizens. Our Global Education program provides them with the mindset, skills, and resources they need to engage actively and positively in the global community. Through an expansive and interdisciplinary PreK-12 curriculum, we strive to develop students' understanding of the world and their role in addressing ethical, cultural, socio-economic, political, scientific, ethnic, religious, and environmental issues.

Nurturing Global Competencies

Global Education programming is integrated into our school’s identity and equips our learners with the global competencies they will need to thrive in a rapidly changing world. 

In addition to developing essential hard skills like research, public speaking, media literacy, language proficiency, writing, and digital technology, students acquire valuable soft skills such as listening, flexibility, curiosity, collaboration, critical thinking, and leadership.

Meaningful Connections Through Inquiry and Exploration

Our Global Education learning is rooted in inquiry and exploration. In the Lower School, students engage in culturally responsive teaching and project-based learning. For example, our Grade 2 students explore geometry through a global lens by studying how shapes found in art and architecture around the world convey meaning and reinforce cultural identity. Inspired by their research, students shared their own stories as they created models of homes, paper weaving, or mosaics.

In the Middle School, guiding questions about identity and perspectives prompt students to examine their place in the world. For example, in Grade 8 history courses, students represent countries from around the world in a Model United Nations simulation, together seeking solutions to some of the world’s most complex problems. They also partner with the Greenwich Japanese School to build community and celebrate cultural traditions. 

In the Upper School, our Global Studies distinction scholars embark on an intensive interdisciplinary course of study, culminating in a multimedia portfolio project that showcases their understanding. For example, some Grades 11 and 12 students conduct feasibility studies on sustainable practices at King or build up exchange programs with partner schools. Global distinction scholars may share their research with peers at an assembly or work cross-divisionally to bring their capstone work to younger learners. 

Trip Photo

 

Global Education Beyond the Classroom

King students have numerous opportunities for global engagement empowering them to make choices, direct the course of their engagement, and pursue their interests. Our strong partnerships with local, national, and international organizations foster deep connections for a meaningful student experience. 

Our middle and upper school global travel programs are rooted in our curriculum and enable students to connect their lives to the world around them. Students become international performing artists at the Fringe Festival in Scotland, engage with scientists at the CERN (European Organization for Nuclear Research) in Switzerland, experience classes and school life in Japan through an exchange with our partner school, or connect with culture and the environment as they also work with Orphaned Starfish Foundation in Costa Rica.

Shaping the Future Through Global Education

With more than 10 partner schools/organizations, ongoing professional development, and our involvement in global networks such as the Global Educator Benchmark Group, Global Citizens Initiative, and Independent Schools Experiential Education Network, we are actively shaping the future of global education.

At King School, we are committed to fostering a global mindset and preparing our students to make a positive impact on the world. We continue to create unparalleled opportunities for exchange and community engagement. We believe that together, we can empower the next generation of global leaders.

King Journeys

We invite you to explore the elements of a King School Global Education below:

Global Education in Action

Katie Ruhe ’25 Honored as Gen Z Future Leader by Jewish Family Services of Greenwich

Katie Ruhe ’25 was recently honored as a Gen Z Future Leader by Jewish Family Services (JFS) of Greenwich for her outstanding dedication to supporting refugees and immigrants. What began as an AP World History project interview with a Ukrainian refugee ignited a deep, ongoing commitment to service that has defined her years at King. Through her volunteer work with JFS, Katie has led initiatives including welcome basket drives and has helped preserve refugee narratives, contributing to King’s “Empowering Voices” project and the Fortunoff Video Archive at Yale. Beyond her service, she plays an active role in the King School community as a club founder, student leader, athlete, and mentor. Her work exemplifies the power of compassion and understanding to drive meaningful change.

Read More about Katie Ruhe ’25 Honored as Gen Z Future Leader by Jewish Family Services of Greenwich
Grade 6 Spanish Brings the Legend of Chanchito de Chile to Life

Grade 6 Spanish students deepened their language proficiency, storytelling abilities, and cultural understanding through a project-based lesson centered on the Chilean legend of the Chanchito de Chile, which centers around a small, three-legged pig believed to bring good luck and protection. After learning about the cultural significance of the piglet through Spanish stories, students crafted clay chanchitos and wrote narratives using vocabulary and grammar they had studied throughout the year. The project included reading, writing, speaking, and listening assessments aligned with American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages standards, and led to a heartwarming presentation to lower school students, where the handmade figurines, symbolic of resilience and luck, were shared.

Read More about Grade 6 Spanish Brings the Legend of Chanchito de Chile to Life
Where in the World is Grade 5?

Cheers and applause filled the Grade 5 history classroom on Monday, April 28, as Tyler Sanchez ’32 brought his vision to life by hosting the first-ever Grade 5 Geography Bee. After proposing the idea in January, Tyler worked closely with teacher Helen Santoro to design and plan the event, writing nearly 100 challenging questions and shaping an engaging format that kept his classmates on the edge of their seats. During the event, student teams competed through exciting elimination rounds filled with questions on landmarks, cities, states, and geology. More than just a competition, the Geography Bee was a celebration of student voice, curiosity, and the power of following one's passion, leaving the grade inspired and energized by what may become a beloved new tradition at King.

Read More about Where in the World is Grade 5?
Media Ethics and National Security: Signal App Leak Sparks Rich Discussion in Global Studies Class

King School’s Topics in Global Studies class took on the complex balance between national security and press freedom, using the recent Signal app leak as a real-world case study. Guided by Director of Global Education Laura Bowe and former journalist Adriana Hauser, students explored the ethical challenges faced by the media when handling sensitive information. Discussions focused on whistleblowers, misinformation, and the rigorous process journalists take to verify controversial stories. The session highlighted King’s commitment to connecting classroom learning with current global events and critical thinking.

Read More about Media Ethics and National Security: Signal App Leak Sparks Rich Discussion in Global Studies Class
Grade 8 Cultural Exchange Extends Learning Beyond Language

The annual Grade 8 cultural exchange program between King School and the Greenwich Japanese School (GJS) continues to build connections and global understanding. Following King students' visit to GJS in December, this year’s program concluded on Thursday, January 9, with King students welcoming their GJS peers for a full day of events and activities. The exchange provides real-world insights into global citizenship, leaving students and educators inspired by the connections forged across cultural boundaries.

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Upper School Students Explore Global Electoral Systems During U.S. Election Season

Upper school students took a look at democracy on a global level in October, unpacking the intricacies of electoral processes, governance, and sustainable development across diverse countries. Guided by Laura Bowe, King’s Director of Global Education, the Introduction to Global Studies class explored 2024 elections worldwide — examining fairness, transparency, and the impact of governance on citizens' lives. From studying electoral challenges in Venezuela to discussing AI's role in election security, students gained unique insights into how political frameworks shape communities. Guest speakers offered firsthand perspectives, helping students better understand the power and limits of democratic systems while gaining a fresh perspective on civic engagement prior to the U.S. presidential election.

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International Adventures in Central America and Europe

King’s commitment to Global Education extends beyond the classroom. Yearly travel opportunities enrich middle and upper school students' knowledge and broaden their worldview. This summer, international experiences brought rising ninth graders to Costa Rica, where they immersed themselves in the local culture and environment and participated in service-learning activities supporting the Orphaned Starfish Foundation. Upper school students embraced art, history, and culture on the Global Art traversing across multiple European cities.

Read More about International Adventures in Central America and Europe
King's Summer Institute: Adventures, Discovery, and Lots of Fun!

During King's Summer Institute programs, students honed their skills, explored new subjects, and, as importantly, had lots of fun. The program offered a dynamic learning experience for students of all ages. Fun Camp immersed Kindergarten to Grade 5 students in a world of creativity, physical challenges, and exploration through STEAM-based activities and engaging field trips. Students in middle and high school explored their passions and accelerated their academic journeys with specialized courses in mathematics, global studies, and beyond.

Read More about King's Summer Institute: Adventures, Discovery, and Lots of Fun!