As an international school in Cape Town, AISCT combines strong academics with values-based education to build character beyond the classroom. Walk onto the AISCT campus on any given day, and you will see learning in action, not just academically, but socially and emotionally as well.
Students greet one another with confidence, collaborate across cultures, and take pride in their shared environment. These everyday moments reflect something more profound than the curriculum alone. They reflect the values that guide student life at the American International School of Cape Town (AISCT).
For parents, choosing a school is one of the most critical decisions they make because it shapes not only how their child learns, but who they become. Beyond academic results, families look for a community where their child will feel safe, supported, challenged, and inspired to grow. At AISCT, our core values provide that foundation guiding how students learn, how teachers teach, and how our community connects to build character that lasts far beyond the classroom.
A Values-Driven First Impression
From the moment families engage with AISCT, they experience a school rooted in purpose. Our mission is to be a diverse learning community that equips students with the opportunities and confidence to make a positive impact on the world. This commitment extends beyond a mission statement; it is evident in daily interactions, classroom experiences, and the overall campus atmosphere.
Parents often describe an immediate sense of belonging when they visit campus. One AISCT parent said, “We have been very grateful for the 12 years that our girls have been part of the amazing ‘AIS’ [American International School] school community.” Teachers know students by name. Children confidently talk about what they are learning. There is a calm, welcoming energy that reflects a culture built on trust and care. These first impressions matter. They signal to families that AISCT values the whole child’s academic growth, emotional well-being, and character development from the very beginning.
The Values That Define the AISCT Experience
At the heart of AISCT are the three pillars of character that make up our spirit of communitas. These values guide how students learn, interact, and grow, both inside and outside of the classroom. They provide a shared language for students, teachers, and families, creating consistency and clarity across the school experience.
Respect
In our diverse international community, respect is essential. With students representing many cultures, languages, and backgrounds, AISCT intentionally creates an environment where differences are valued and curiosity is encouraged.
In classrooms, respect is modeled through active listening, thoughtful discussion, and collaborative learning. Students are encouraged to share ideas confidently while remaining open to different perspectives. Teachers guide respectful dialogue, helping students navigate disagreement with empathy and understanding.
Beyond the classroom, respect extends to shared spaces and community life. Students learn to care for their environment, treat others with kindness, and understand the importance of inclusion. These values are reinforced through school events and celebrations that highlight diversity and community connection, such as International Day, many of which are shared on AISCT’s social platforms. You can follow them here.
For parents, this culture of respect offers reassurance that their children will be accepted, valued, and encouraged to appreciate others, creating an essential foundation for learning and personal growth.
Responsibility
AISCT encourages students to take ownership of their learning and actions. Responsibility is introduced early and develops progressively, helping students build independence, confidence, and accountability.
In the classroom, responsibility may involve setting personal learning goals, reflecting on progress in our student-led conferences, or managing time and materials. Students are encouraged to view learning as an active process that values effort, perseverance, and growth.
Beyond academics, responsibility is reinforced through leadership opportunities, athletics, extracurricular activities, and service learning. Students learn what it means to contribute positively to their community and to follow through on commitments.
As students take responsibility through leadership roles, team sports, clubs, and service learning, they come to understand that their actions contribute to the well-being of the whole community. This is a valuable lesson for children as they prepare for future academic pathways and life beyond school.
Integrity
Integrity underpins trust and ethical decision-making at AISCT. Students are guided to act honestly and thoughtfully, building a strong moral foundation that supports both academic excellence and personal growth.
Academic integrity is taught explicitly and reinforced consistently. Students learn the importance of original work, honesty, and accountability. When challenges arise, teachers focus on reflection and growth rather than punishment alone.
Integrity also plays a key role in relationships. Students are supported in resolving conflict, taking responsibility for mistakes, and repairing relationships when needed. These moments help develop emotional intelligence, resilience, and empathy.
By modeling integrity at all levels of the community, AISCT helps students internalize ethical values that guide them throughout life.
Over time, these daily experiences of respect, responsibility, and integrity give rise to communitas: a deep sense of belonging, trust, and connection in which students know they are part of a community that genuinely values every individual. It is evident in how students collaborate, support one another, and take pride in being part of a community built on trust and care.
Learning Beyond Academics
At AISCT, learning beyond academics is guided by both our core values and our Expected Schoolwide Learning Results (ESLRs). While our values shape the community’s culture, the ESLRs outline the skills and dispositions students develop through their learning experiences.
Together, they ensure students grow as effective communicators, critical thinkers, responsible learners, and engaged global citizens. In classrooms, students regularly collaborate, share ideas, and reflect on their learning, building confidence and communication skills alongside academic understanding. These outcomes are reinforced beyond the classroom through service learning initiatives, where students connect learning to real-world issues, and through sustainability programs that encourage thoughtful action and environmental responsibility.
Experiential opportunities such as outdoor learning, field trips, cultural celebrations, athletics, and extracurricular activities further support the ESLRs by helping students develop adaptability, leadership, and a sense of purpose. Together, these experiences and values ensure that academic learning and character development remain deeply connected at AISCT, preparing students for life beyond school.
Building Character for Life
At AISCT, education is about more than preparing students for the next grade or the next school; it is about preparing them for life. With a strong academic foundation and a clear commitment to character development, students are supported in becoming thoughtful, capable, and ethical individuals.
Our three pillars of character: respect, responsibility, and integrity, together with our ESLRs, guide daily interactions across campus, shaping how students learn, lead, and connect with others. These values and skills help students develop resilience, empathy, and confidence, qualities that serve them well in an ever-changing world.
For families seeking an international school in Cape Town where children are known, supported, and empowered to become engaged global citizens, AISCT offers an education that truly builds character beyond the classroom.