--- title: Silicon Valley International School Blog | Jean-Francois Merckling description: Discover a world-class education at Silicon Valley International School's blog. Explore insightful articles on global learning, cultural diversity, and innovative teaching methods. Join us in shaping young minds for a dynamic future. Enriching education awaits - read on! --- [![Silicon Valley International School](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/hubfs/Logos/INTL_Logo_RGB_2024.png)](https://www.siliconvalleyinternational.org/) ![](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/hubfs/search.png) [![](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/hubfs/hamb.png)](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/author/jean-francois-merckling#sidr-main) - [admissionstour and variable tuition](https://www.siliconvalleyinternational.org/admissions) - [early yearspreschool and pre k](https://www.siliconvalleyinternational.org/page/education/early-years) - [elementary school kindergarten–5th grade](https://www.siliconvalleyinternational.org/page/education/elementary) - [middle school 6–8th grade](https://www.siliconvalleyinternational.org/page/education/middle-school) - [high school9–12th grade](https://www.siliconvalleyinternational.org/page/education/high-school) **Locations** [Palo Alto and Menlo Park, CA](https://www.siliconvalleyinternational.org/about/contact-us) **Email** [admissions@svintl.org](mailto:%20admissions@svintl.org) **Social** - [![facebook](https://dto-sf-media.myschoolcdn.com/ftpimages/403/link/large_link2417421_134652.png)](http://www.facebook.com/svintlschool) - [![Instagram](https://dto-sf-media.myschoolcdn.com/ftpimages/403/link/large_link2417426_134654.png)](http://www.instagram.com/svintlschool) - [![Twitter](https://dto-sf-media.myschoolcdn.com/ftpimages/403/link/large_link2417432_134655.png)](http://www.twitter.com/svintlschool) - [![LinkedIn](https://dto-sf-media.myschoolcdn.com/ftpimages/403/link/large_link2417433_134656.png)](https://www.linkedin.com/company/svintlschool) - [![YouTube](https://dto-sf-media.myschoolcdn.com/ftpimages/403/link/large_link2417434_134657.png)](https://www.youtube.com/user/istpnet) # Silicon Valley International School Blog [blog home](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org) All Categories [culture](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/tag/culture) [STEM](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/tag/stem) [social emotional learning](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/tag/social-emotional-learning) [community](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/tag/community) [inquiry learning](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/tag/inquiry-learning) [Achievement](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/tag/achievement) [Bilingualism](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/tag/bilingualism) [![featured\_image\_large](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/hubfs/Miscellaneous/Imported_Blog_Media/Hike.jpg)](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/camping-in-the-cold-duke-of-edinburgh-adventurous-journey) [Culture](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/tag/culture) ### [Camping in the Cold: Duke of Edinburgh "Adventurous Journey"](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/camping-in-the-cold-duke-of-edinburgh-adventurous-journey) The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award USA is the world’s leading youth achievement award, equipping young people for life. Over the past few years, the award has become a treasured part of high school at Silicon Valley International School (INTL). Achieving an award recognizes individual goal setting and self-improvement through persistence and achievement. High school students participate... [![featured\_image](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/hubfs/Miscellaneous/Imported_Blog_Media/Screen%20Shot%202018-09-18%20at%2011_35_09%20AM.png)](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/and-away-we-go-experiential-learning-in-middle-school) [Culture](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/tag/culture) [Middle School](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/tag/middle-school) ##### [And Away We Go! Experiential Learning in Middle School](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/and-away-we-go-experiential-learning-in-middle-school) ##### the premier bilingual (Chinese, French, German) IB world school [sign up \>](https://www.siliconvalleyinternational.org/admissions#/) [![featured\_image](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Miscellaneous/Imported_Blog_Media/IMG_4203-620x465-1.jpg?width=420&height=260&name=IMG_4203-620x465-1.jpg)](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/2015/03/09/guest-blogger-jean-francois-merckling-state-athletics-2015) [Community](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/tag/community) ##### [Guest Blogger Jean-François Merckling: State of Athletics 2015](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/2015/03/09/guest-blogger-jean-francois-merckling-state-athletics-2015) [Community](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/tag/community) ##### [ISTP Athletics Update](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/istp-athletics-update) [![featured\_image](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Miscellaneous/Imported_Blog_Media/ISTP2012girls-515x620-1.jpg?width=420&height=260&name=ISTP2012girls-515x620-1.jpg)](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/2012/06/05/istp-futsal-spring-season-update) [Community](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/tag/community) ##### [Futsal: Spring Season Update](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/2012/06/05/istp-futsal-spring-season-update) [![featured\_image](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Miscellaneous/Imported_Blog_Media/Tournoi-des-Ameriques2-620x397-1.jpg?width=420&height=260&name=Tournoi-des-Ameriques2-620x397-1.jpg)](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/2012/01/18/istp-futsal-the-start-of-something-new) [Social Emotional Learning](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/tag/social-emotional-learning) ##### [INTL Futsal: The Start of Something New](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/2012/01/18/istp-futsal-the-start-of-something-new) [![featured\_image](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Miscellaneous/Imported_Blog_Media/Hike-1.jpg?width=420&height=260&name=Hike-1.jpg)](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/camping-in-the-cold-duke-of-edinburgh-adventurous-journey-0) [Community](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/tag/community) ##### [Camping in the Cold: Duke of Edinburgh "Adventurous Journey" (2022-2023)](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/camping-in-the-cold-duke-of-edinburgh-adventurous-journey-0) load more ![](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/hubfs/Blog%20and%20Social%20Media%20Photos/cta-faded-bg-mobile.png) ![Five INTL middle schoolers posing for a photo.](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/hs-fs/hubfs/SVINTL_Willows_Oct2023_7800e.jpg?width=960&height=680&name=SVINTL_Willows_Oct2023_7800e.jpg) # bilingual leaders. boundless futures. #### An International Baccalaureate education from Preschool to High School. [contact us \>](https://www.siliconvalleyinternational.org/admissions/contact-admissions) [![svINTL-logo](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Logos/INTL_Logo_RGB_2024.png?upscale=true&width=350&name=INTL_Logo_RGB_2024.png)](https://www.siliconvalleyinternational.org/) [+1 (650) 251-8500](tel:+1%20(650)%20251-8500) | [admissions@svintl.org](mailto:admissions@svintl.org) Cohn Campus (Main): 151 Laura Lane, Palo Alto, CA 94303 Willows Campus: 475 Pope St., Menlo Park, CA 94025 [![istp-email-logo](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/hs-fs/hubfs/sv_pdd_email/facebook.png?upscale=true&width=24&name=facebook.png)](https://www.facebook.com/SVINTLSchool/) [![istp-email-logo](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/hs-fs/hubfs/sv_pdd_email/instagram.png?upscale=true&width=24&name=instagram.png)](https://www.instagram.com/SVINTLschool/) [![istp-email-logo](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/hs-fs/hubfs/sv_pdd_email/linkedin-in.png?upscale=true&width=24&name=linkedin-in.png)](https://www.linkedin.com/groups/?about=&gid=3678595) [![istp-email-logo](https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/hs-fs/hubfs/sv_pdd_email/youtube.png?upscale=true&width=24&name=youtube.png)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoCumv__A7wzB86YH0q8u7A)