Pechersk School International

Our Ukrainian school had the joy of welcoming Тіна Кароль, one of Ukraine’s most beloved artists, for a warm and memorable visit. 💙

We are deeply grateful to Tina for her time, kindness, and genuine warmth with our students and staff. Together, we had the chance to sing along, share smiles, and create a moment that will stay with our community for a long time.

This visit was also especially meaningful because it helped make the dream of one of our students come true — a devoted Tina Karol fan who had the unforgettable opportunity to meet her in person and share a song.

Reflecting on her visit, Tina shared:

“Children are the future of Ukraine. A generation that will shape, protect, and inspire this country with their talent, kindness, and courage.

I’m grateful for moments like this — for the music, the smiles, and the genuine connection we shared together.

Thank you, Pechersk School International, for such a warm welcome.”

As an international school in Ukraine, PSI is delighted to welcome prominent Ukrainian voices, artists, and changemakers who inspire our students, connect us to the cultural life of our country, and remind us of the power of music, hope, and belonging.

Thank you, Tina Karol, for bringing light, warmth, and song to PSI Kyiv! ✨

💙 Pechersk School International has been included in recent school guides by Ukrainska Pravda Life and UNIAN, both highlighting private schools in Kyiv and the criteria families consider when choosing the right educational environment for their children.

The materials point to the growing importance of safety, infrastructure, academic quality, international programmes, personalised learning, and continuity of education — all areas that are central to PSI’s mission and daily work.

At Pechersk School International, students can begin their journey from the age of 3 and continue through graduation, following the full International Baccalaureate continuum: the Primary Years Programme, Middle Years Programme, and Diploma Programme.

We are also proud to be one of the few schools in Kyiv and Ukraine that continues to uphold a non-profit status. This means that tuition fees are reinvested into the school — into learning, teaching, facilities, student support, safety, and the long-term development of our community.

In today’s reality, choosing a school is not only about academics. It is about belonging, resilience, future pathways, and the confidence that children can continue learning, growing, and dreaming — here in Kyiv. 🇺🇦

We are grateful to see PSI included in this important conversation about education in Ukraine!

Ilonka Brew will be joining Pechersk School International (PSI, PSI Kyiv) in the 2026-2027 school year as a Primary School Teacher! 🫰

Ilonka comes to Ukraine from the International School of Uganda, where she has taught across the Primary Years Programme, from Early Years to Upper Primary. She brings deep experience in inquiry-based learning, student agency, authentic learning, inclusion, and supporting children with different learning needs.

At the heart of Ilonka’s teaching is a belief that every child needs to feel safe, supported and known.

“Children need to feel secure and know that their teacher has their back at all times.”

When asked what drew her to PSI Kyiv, Ilonka spoke about something that sits at the heart of our school: community.

“From what I have heard about PSI, community is very much at the centre of the school culture, and I look forward to being a part of the PSI community.”

Ilonka describes herself as positive, loving and fun-loving, and hopes to make learning an enjoyable experience for her students. She is also looking forward to immersing herself in life in Kyiv, learning new traditions, and discovering what she beautifully called “an abundance of newness”.

Welcome to Pechersk School International, Ilonka. We are so pleased to have you join our community in 2026–2027 school year!

Early Years are such an important step into education — a time when children begin building the foundations for confidence, curiosity, language, friendships, emotional growth, and future learning.

At PSI, Early Years learning is play-based, inquiry-led, and rooted in the IB Primary Years Programme. Children learn by asking questions, investigating the world around them, building, creating, negotiating, wondering, testing ideas, and making meaning through purposeful play.

As shared during the recent Parent Education Tuesday event, we are not choosing between play and learning. In the Early Years, play is learning. It supports language and communication, executive function, problem-solving, mathematical thinking, social skills, and self-regulation — the very foundations children need as they grow into Primary School and beyond.

Thank you to our speakers, Bryan Reardon, Primary School Principal, and Marc Nelissen, Early Years Teacher, and to all families who joined us for this warm and thoughtful morning of coffee, conversation, and shared care for our youngest learners. 💙

Now, the question is yours: would you like your child’s first steps into education to feel joyful, purposeful, and full of belonging?

✨ Admissions are open for Early Years at Pechersk School International. We warmly invite families to discover a place where children are known, supported, and inspired from the very beginning.

This year’s was a beautiful reflection of student voice, curiosity, resilience, and action. Our students explored an impressive variety of topics — from sustainable fashion, healthy cooking, sports coaching, self-discipline, mindset, and optical illusions, to hospital navigation, ergonomic shelters, wellbeing during war, financial literacy, and initiatives supporting Ukraine and Ukrainian defenders. 💪🇺🇦

Each project represented months of research, planning, creative thinking, problem-solving, and personal growth. Most importantly, our students showed that learning can begin with a personal passion and grow into something meaningful for others.

We are incredibly proud of their achievements and grateful to our teachers, supervisors, families, and community members who supported them along the way.

Well done, Panthers — your ideas, care, and courage continue to inspire us. 💙

CEESA, International Baccalaureate

Last week, we were delighted to host our Open Board Meeting as part of Inside PSI: Learning & Governance in Action community event.

We are deeply grateful to our Board of Governors for their invaluable guidance, commitment, and continued care for PSI. A heartfelt thank you also goes to our school leadership team for their thoughtful presentations and to the parents who joined us in person.

Most importantly, we are incredibly proud of our students from CAS projects and the Student Council. Their work reflected creativity, compassion, and a deep sense of responsibility — including powerful initiatives supporting charitable causes, the Ukrainian military, and those affected by the war.

We are sure that the future of our school is bright, purposeful, and full of possibilities because it is shaped by such a thoughtful, committed, and inspiring people. 💙

Join us for PSI’s Annual General Meeting 🌟

We are pleased to invite our community to PSI’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Thursday, 21 May, at 18:00 Kyiv time, on Zoom.

Here is what to expect:

✨ Reflections from our Board Chair and Committee Chairs
📌 Updates on the work of the Board throughout the 2025–2026 school year
🎓 Key milestones and achievements from our School Director, Principals, and Leadership Team
💙 A shared moment to celebrate PSI’s progress, resilience, and community spirit

The invitation has been shared by email with all PSI community members, including our alumni.

If you did not receive the email and would like to join, please contact us at [email protected].

We are delighted to introduce Diana Sánchez Suárez, who will be joining Pechersk School International (PSI, PSI Kyiv) in the 2026-2027 school year as our Art & Design Teacher. 🫰

Diana joins PSI from Bangkok, Thailand, bringing more than 18 years of international teaching experience across IB and Cambridge Art & Design programmes. Her work has taken her across Asia and Latin America, where she has supported students in developing their artistic voice, creative independence, portfolios, exhibitions and confidence as young thinkers and makers.

When asked what drew her to PSI Kyiv, Diana shared:

“During the selection process, I had the clear impression that PSI is a community that truly cares for each of its members in a holistic way.”

At a time when joining a school in Ukraine carries a deeper meaning, Diana speaks about community, empathy and the power of art to help young people understand themselves and the world around them.

“I have seen how a connection with art fosters empathy and sensitivity in individuals — that is the commitment I bring.”

Her hope for her first year in Kyiv is simple and deeply human:

“To contribute to the community by bringing kindness, attentive listening, and creativity.”

Welcome to Pechersk School International, Diana. We are so pleased to have you join our community in 2026–2027, and cannot wait for our students to learn, create and grow with you!