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In early september, ITJ Santa Mónica and Zona Esmeralda at Mexico City became the heart of a unique gathering of leaders committed to one shared purpose!

In early September, ITJ Santa Mónica and Zona Esmeralda at Mexico City became the heart of a unique gathering of leaders committed to one shared purpose: strengthening the IB Diploma Programme across ISP schools.

The ISP Academic Achievement Learning Community: Advancing Excellence in our DP Schools brought together DP Coordinators our DCLO for LATAM , Regional Learning Directors from Brazil, South America, Central America, US West & Canada, and the Middle East, uniting diverse voices and experiences under a common vision: raising the quality of the DP so that every student experiences a journey that leads them to academic excellence.

The conference was designed with clear objectives:

• Strengthen the strategic and pedagogical leadership of DP Coordinators.
• Align program planning, assessment, and leadership practices with student achievement.
• Develop clear, data-informed strategies to raise IB results across ISP.
• Foster collaboration and shared learning among high-impact DP leaders.
  
  
  

Over three days, ISP educators engaged in sessions that combined strategy, practice, and inspiration. We examined regional and divisional results, explored innovative approaches such as the DP Boot Camp pioneered by Progresso Schools in Brazil, and carried out and analyzed learning visits. Colleagues shared how ATL and ATT skills can elevate teaching and learning, and reflected on how the skills for the students must be developed before the DP year 1 begins. We were invited to reflect on how multilingualism and Future Pathways enrich the student experience. The learning visits to our schools in Mexico City gave life to these conversations, allowing leaders to witness classroom practices and translate observations into concrete actions.

Beyond the sessions, what defined the event was the spirit of collaboration. Leaders from different countries, languages, and contexts came together not as isolated schools but as one ISP Learning Community. Each conversation, each exchange of ideas, built a network of trust and purpose that will endure far beyond this conference.

Together, we drafted regional commitments, capturing the insights from every session and shaping them into actions that will directly impact our schools and students. These commitments will be monitored in the coming months, ensuring that the momentum created in Mexico becomes sustained progress across ISP.

The most powerful voices, however, came from our students. A video message from students from our Indaiatuba Progresso School in Brazil reminded us why we do this work: “to collaborate, to learn together, and to aim high.” Their words captured the essence of our mission. Academic excellence is not only about reaching above world standards, but about creating meaningful experiences that prepare young people for success in life.

This Learning Community was more than a conference; it was a movement of educators determined to push boundaries, align efforts, and create a culture of excellence in the Diploma Program. As we look ahead, we carry with us the conviction that by working together, we can transform results, strengthen our programs, and, most importantly, ensure that every ISP student lives a DP experience that helps them reach their full potential.