QSI International School of Malta

QSI International School of Malta is one of the island's English-language international schools, and it is aimed at families who move abroad for a year or more as well as those who settle for good. It teaches from preschool through to secondary level, and it enrols more than 225 students who between them represent over 40 nationalities and almost as many home languages. Its campus is on Triq Durumblat, close to Mosta in the middle of the island. It is listed in our directory of international schools in Malta.

The school is part of Quality Schools International, a network of schools around the world, and it is known as QSIM for short, standing for quality, synergy, integrity and mastery. Its motto is Success for All, which reflects an aim of meeting each child's individual needs.

How learning works: Mastery Learning

The teaching approach is Mastery Learning. Teachers assess progress regularly throughout each unit of study, so that the learning can be adjusted and time is spent on mastering new concepts rather than simply moving on when the calendar says so. Instead of relying only on traditional single exams, the school uses a range of performance and project-based assessments that let students demonstrate what they know while working alongside their teachers.

Students work at a pace that allows them to reach a high level of knowledge and skill. Those who finish a unit early are encouraged to take on extra units, while students who need more help, for instance with a presentation or a science write-up, can have more time and support. Success is defined as work of the standard that a B grade would normally mean, and the school records mastery at A or B level, or P for a student still in progress. UK parents used to GCSE-style grading should ask the school how its system is reported and how it maps to a return to a UK school.

Stages and programmes

The campus has separate teaching areas for each stage, from the youngest children to the oldest. The school describes small classroom environments, creative and performing arts, science labs, maths competitions, novel studies and writing workshops. The arts feature throughout, from student artwork in the elementary corridors to middle school drama and secondary musical performances.

In the secondary years there is an Advanced Placement programme, and the school hosts the SAT and a Malta university fair for older students. Teachers hold certification and licences for the core subjects they teach, and many have advanced education degrees. Languages taught by specialist staff include Spanish, Italian and French.

Success Orientations and school values

Alongside academics, the school teaches seven Success Orientations: responsibility, trustworthiness, group interaction, aesthetic appreciation, kindness and politeness, independent endeavour and concern for others. Every week the entire school concentrates on a single orientation, and parents receive feedback on how their child is applying them through status reports five times a year.

The school belongs to the Middle States Association and has been accredited by it since 2015. It is also a certified Green Flag Eco-School, with students learning about wind generated on campus and using a hot composter after lunch. Service and global awareness are part of school life, and students are encouraged to celebrate difference and to listen to each other.

Support, safety and facilities

Student services cover counselling, learning support and intensive English tuition, which is important if your child is joining without fluent English. Busing is available for families. The campus is closed to the public, is protected by round-the-clock security, and has a health clinic with a medical professional on staff full time.

Outdoor and indoor facilities include a basketball court, a football pitch, a making space, a library, shaded gazebos and a playground. Malta's warm weather means that students spend plenty of time outdoors, and our Malta weather guide explains what to expect through the school year.

Community and events

The school's Parent Support Group helps to run events through the year, among them a back-to-school picnic, an olive-picking festival, World Peace Day, an international evening, a winter celebration, Literacy Week, two seasonal fairs and an end-of-year picnic. The school calendar also lists spirit weeks run by the student council, a Trunk or Treat and Autumn Fair, and concerts.

For weekend activities close to the campus, our directory includes Adventure Hub and Afterglow Events, both children's activity businesses. Our Mdina guide covers the old capital, only a few minutes away, and the things to do in Malta page has more family ideas.

Moving to Malta and getting in touch

If you are relocating, start with our guide to relocating to Malta from the UK and the Malta tax guide for UK nationals. Remote workers will find useful background in our digital nomad guide. Visiting for a school tour is easy to combine with a short stay: see where to stay in Malta.

The school encourages families to visit the campus for a tour or to arrange a pre-admissions video conference. Use the VisitMalta.co.uk enquiry form on this page and we will pass your message to QSI International School of Malta.