ICS AT 25: COMMEMORATIVE MESSAGE FROM OUR FOUNDERS
ICS at 25: Honouring the Past and Embracing the Future
Reaching the milestone of twenty-five years is a remarkable achievement for any organisation, especially considering that few endure and thrive for such a duration. When an institution attains significant growth and notable successes within this timeframe, it is a milestone truly worthy of celebration. Over the past several months, we have held several events commemorating the 25th anniversary of what has become a household name in international education in Ghana: International Community School (ICS).
Our successes as an institution include, but are not limited to, the following highlights:
- We have grown from 7 children who gathered in our living room in what was once our rented house, to 2,400 learners, offering full pre-tertiary education from preschool to high school (A-Level).
- We are the first pre-tertiary school to move from one major city to another and today remain the only international curricular school in Ghana with campuses in both Kumasi and Accra, with international accreditation from CIE and CIS.
- We have grown from what was a 3-member part-time staff to currently employing over 400 people, impacting many lives and livelihoods.
Over the years, we have placed emphasis on educator talent development, initially as a response to our growth, but more recently as a deliberate effort to entrench educational best practices in Ghana. This led to the establishment of a Centre for Professional Development (CPD) on all our campuses, and an institute dedicated to educators’ professional development across Ghana (GIPED).
Our graduates have been admitted to, and attended, top universities around the world (Brown, MIT, Columbia, Johns Hopkins, Howard, Cornell, UCL, Yale, UPENN, Cambridge, Stirling, King’s College, University of Toronto, UG Legon, KNUST, Ashesi, etc.) and today they work in many prestigious organisations globally (Microsoft, Goldman Sachs, Bank of America, Oracle, Apple, Ghana Gas, Mayo Clinic, major hospitals, banks, engineering and mining firms, etc.). Others have become successful entrepreneurs, running companies they founded themselves.
We have created vast international exposure and networks through numerous programmes and opportunities abroad — summer trips, French language immersion trips, Round Square conferences, Round Square international exchanges, DFC Change conferences, Model UN conferences, and many more.
Finally, and worthy of note, we have instilled in our learners the value of giving back while in school. Over the years, our learners — from preschool through high school (2–18-year-olds) — have been involved in numerous service projects and continue to do so. They have raised funds to build classroom units for public schools, renovated others, provided computer labs for two public schools, painted classrooms, distributed food and school supplies to underprivileged pupils, taught ICT lessons with their laptops, mechanised boreholes to provide water for rural communities, responded to national disaster calls, and addressed general community needs. As an institution, we do not define success merely in terms of buildings, facilities, and where our students have been placed, but also in what our learners become — the values they uphold and the contributions they make to their communities and society.
Let me also share four key tenets that have underpinned our journey so far. They are:
- The power of humble beginnings
- The power of determination amidst challenges
- The power of collaboration and teamwork
- The power of visionary leadership and a shared mission
Humble Beginnings
As intimated earlier, the ICS story began humbly with just 7 children, which today has blossomed into a vibrant learning community of 2,400 learners. This remarkable growth is a testament to the belief that great things can emerge from modest starts. Our world offers many examples of how humble beginnings can lead to great outcomes. When Mrs Yeboah and I started with 7 learners in our living room 25 years ago, we did not dream of a big school like the one we have today, but we dreamt of creating a school that would foster quality teaching and learning and create opportunities for young people to succeed and thrive. We were happy to start small, and although we did not know where that small start would take us, we were nonetheless determined to do it right.
Determination Amidst Challenges
The ICS journey was not and has not been easy. There have been challenges that have tested our resolve, yet each obstacle has provided an opportunity for growth. It is through these challenges that we discovered our strength and resilience. Every great achievement faces hurdles, and it is often in overcoming them that we become our best selves. At ICS, we have faced numerous challenges: dealing with teacher and staff attrition in the early years, the sudden collapse of a partnership that resulted in losing half the school population in one year, or trying to explain the value of an international curriculum to sceptical parents. Yet, through it all, we remained steadfast and committed to our mission, reminding ourselves that challenges are not roadblocks but rather stepping stones to greatness.
Collaboration and Teamwork
Another key tenet in our journey has been collaboration and teamwork. John Maxwell wisely stated, “One is too small a number to achieve greatness.” This principle is at the heart of our school culture. We have fostered an environment where collaboration thrives — where management, teachers, staff, students, parents, and all stakeholders work together to create a supportive and dynamic learning community. The achievements we celebrate today are not the result of individual efforts. They are not solely the doing of Dr and Mrs Yeboah, but rather the collective contributions of everyone involved in our school.
Let us use this 25th anniversary occasion to say Ayekoo and applaud all past and present ICS stakeholders for their contributions to the growth of the school. We did it together!
Visionary Leadership and Shared Mission
Another tenet worth highlighting as we reflect on our 25-year journey is the importance of visionary leadership and a shared mission. Great vision is critical to business and organisational success. But it is not enough to simply have a vision; it must be embraced and shared by all. At ICS, we have cultivated a culture where everyone — teachers, staff, students, and parents — understands and believes in our mission. This shared commitment has allowed us to navigate challenges and celebrate achievements together. It has meant allowing people to share their views freely, and sometimes challenge your thinking. This inclusive leadership approach — engaging all and genuinely soliciting staff input and ideas — has guided our leadership, empowering individuals to contribute meaningfully to the growth and development of our school community.
Sustaining the Growth and Successes by Embracing the Future
While we celebrate these milestones as an institution, we remind ourselves that we can only sustain the gains we honour today if we continue to uphold these tenets and work together to inspire the next generation of learners. As we move forward into the future we envision for our school, the words of leadership coach Marshall Goldsmith become instructive: “What got us here will not take us there.” This means the strategies, principles, and tools that led to our past success may not be sufficient to achieve the future we seek.
Our world is changing rapidly. Advancements in technology are occurring at lightning speed, and what we knew about how students learn 25 years ago may no longer hold. However, we can collectively sustain the gains and successes we celebrate today — and reach even greater heights — if, while honouring past achievements, we also embrace the future with all its dynamism and uncertainties.
So, let’s buckle our seatbelts for the next 25 years ahead. Yes, the journey will be challenging, but with joined hands, determination, and an innovative spirit, the future will be even brighter.
Here’s to the next 25 years of growth, learning, and success at the International Community School.
Thank you for being part of this extraordinary journey and for contributing to our success.
By Dr And Mrs Yeboah
Founders and Directors
International Community School
