Queen Morta School undoubtedly stands out in the Lithuanian educational context for its innovative academic approach. However, the school is currently taking another significant step: by combining international standards with the cultivation of Lithuanian culture, the school aims to become an International Baccalaureate World School, offering a consistent international education from elementary school to high school.

In this interview with Austėja Landsbergienė, PhD, founder of Queen Morta School, an educator, and one of the most influential figures in education in Lithuania, we discuss the value of global education in the modern world, the uniqueness of international programs, and the preservation of Lithuanian identity.

Recently, the importance of the International Baccalaureate has been discussed in various contexts, with more and more Lithuanian schools showing interest in these programs. Why do you think they have become so popular?

I believe this trend is partly due to the fact that our organization initiated the discussion about the benefits of international programs many years ago. I remember, when 15 years ago, when Vaikystės sodas was just starting its operations, I began talking broadly about the opportunities offered by the International Baccalaureate. Back then, most parents didn’t understand what it was, and a lot of explanations were needed. At that time, not all international schools even followed the International Baccalaureate program, private schools didn’t talk about it at all, and only a few public schools in Lithuania offered it – it was very niche information, so the programs were either unknown or poorly understood.

Now the situation has changed: both public and private schools that offer one or another International Baccalaureate program are increasing, because parents and educators have begun to realize that the International Baccalaureate is a reliable, long-standing organization that collaborates with scientists, has a serious accreditation process, and provides a solid academic foundation for children.

How have you integrated international educational programs into your teaching system and what are the future prospects in this regard?

At Queen Morta School, since 2017, we have been educating children not only according to national curricula but also according to three international Cambridge programs. What makes us unique is that in elementary and middle school, we have chosen to educate children not only according to the English language teaching program, as most schools do, but also according to mathematics and natural science programs. Our students take Cambridge exams in the 5th and 8th grades, and this allows us to objectively assess their academic achievements, as international programs provide clear standards by which we can precisely evaluate how well the children have learned and how their knowledge aligns with international standards – our students are evaluated according to global standards.

When we were still a young, starting, and growing school that was also developing its students, this educational model suited us perfectly. Later, in 2021, we achieved accreditation for the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, which is intended for students in grades 11–12. We have been working according to this program at Queen Morta School ever since, but we are not standing still. Therefore, we aim to receive accreditation for the other International Baccalaureate programs as well. This decision is natural, as we always wanted to ensure that our students receive a consistent and comprehensive education from kindergarten to high school.

Now, Queen Morta School stands firmly “on both feet,” and, together with Vaikystės sodas, we are celebrating our 15th year. Therefore, we believe it’s the right time to become an International Baccalaureate World School with all three International Baccalaureate programs.

Why are International Baccalaureate programs considered some of the most reliable, and what advantages do they offer to students?

First, I want to emphasize the stability of the organization and the program – this is essential when educating young people. We hear how much confusion is caused by changing one educational program for another, while international programs are long-term, consistent, and do not change overnight. Currently, International Baccalaureate programs are among the most stable and reliable worldwide, so parents, when enrolling their child in a school that offers these programs, can be sure that for 12 or 13 years (if the child starts in preschool), the programs will not radically change. Of course, there will be timely updates to adapt to the era, but the essence of the programs remains stable, as although International Baccalaureate programs are constantly updated, this is done in a very consistent and systematic manner.

Another extremely important thing is that many prestigious global universities are well aware of the reliability and credibility of these programs. Therefore, it is natural that for a young person coming from a school that follows these programs, many doors open. Of course, the student still needs to perform well, pass exams, and obtain a diploma, but they are already placed in the group of trusted future students. Universities often say that students from International Baccalaureate schools have good learning skills, can transfer knowledge from one field to another more easily, and are open to the surrounding world and life in a global society. This is why universities are happy to admit such individuals into their community.

The uniqueness of the program is that it provides a solid academic foundation and allows students to acquire not only knowledge but also important 21st-century skills, without which no modern individual can do. These skills can be divided into five key categories: communication, social, self-regulation, research, and thinking skills. Hidden within these skills is much more content that helps raise a curious, critically thinking, and lifelong learning individual.

These are not just theoretical knowledge because these programs are very structured and focused on interdisciplinary learning. This means that students do not study history, mathematics, or language separately, but, without sacrificing subject knowledge, they integrate these disciplines into one theme, understanding how all the subjects are interconnected. This approach helps develop the ability to transfer knowledge gained from one area to another, which is a crucial skill in today’s world.

Does implementing the International Baccalaureate program change teaching methods and the learning process for students?

In elementary school, teaching will not differ from how we have been working at Queen Morta School for the past 12 years. From the very beginning of the school, we have supplemented our educational program with the principles of the International Baccalaureate organization: every year, children study six key topics, education is integrated across subjects, we have joint teacher planning, and students work on annual projects.

The biggest change will happen in middle school – when working according to the MYP (Middle Years Program), teachers will need to pay more attention to interdisciplinary planning. In Lithuania, we still often study in a segmented way – history is history, Lithuanian language is Lithuanian language, and mathematics is mathematics. The International Baccalaureate program aims for students to understand how skills gained in one discipline can be applied in another, and how these disciplines are interconnected.

This requires integrated topics, where subjects are linked, meaning that teachers will need more time for joint planning – for example, the history teacher will have to sit down with the geography teacher, the math teacher with the physics teacher, and the Lithuanian language teacher with the English language teacher, and so on. Several subject representatives will sit together and decide how best to reveal the topic. This integration will allow students to understand the connections between the subjects and transfer the knowledge gained from one area to another.

Is the International Baccalaureate program suitable for every child?

This statement – that the program is not suitable for all children – is often heard, but it is more of a myth than a truth. Let me explain why. Many international schools only offer the International Baccalaureate program, meaning that the children of diplomats or businesspeople who frequently travel around the world, attending international schools in different countries, often have no choice but to follow the International Baccalaureate program. Does this mean that all these children are exceptionally gifted? Of course not – children have various abilities.

So, I’ll say this: this program is not only for very high-achieving children, but it is academically strong, focused on academic performance, and requires the child’s determination to learn, their effort, engagement, and independence. Every child can successfully complete it, pass the exams, and enter the university of their choice, as long as their family understands that learning will require serious commitment and supports the child.

I would say that the most important factor is the family’s attitude – if the family wants the child to not only feel good at school but to come to school ready to learn, if the family is oriented toward high academic expectations and understands that time and attention will need to be dedicated to studies, the child can certainly achieve high results.

Can parents help their children learn, especially as they are more independent than previous generations, and the educational programs differ from those the parents experienced?

Parents can always help their children, and it is wonderful when they do, because we – the school and the parents – are partners in this journey. How much help will be needed depends on the child and the family, as some children learn very independently, while others need more help. However, it is important to understand that in the school setting, the learning process cannot be individualized for each child. It can be somewhat personalized, but the school does not have the capacity or conditions to work individually with each child. So, if a child lacks individual attention – emotional or academic support – the biggest helpers are the parents. In general, I believe it is crucial for parents and teachers to see each other as partners, as only then can the child achieve their highest possible results.

Will you continue to maintain the Lithuanian identity and citizenship education, which has been so strong at Queen Morta School, while implementing the International Baccalaureate programs?

Of course, we will maintain our motto “Local school, global education” – this is one of the core principles of our school. When Queen Morta School was

founded, my main desire was for it to be a Lithuanian school with an international education standard, meaning our goal was to provide international education to Lithuanian children. Therefore, we teach in Lithuanian and have an incredibly strong focus on citizenship education. Our position is clear – even after receiving accreditation for the PYP (Primary Years Program) and MYP (Middle Years Program), we will continue to teach in Lithuanian in elementary and middle school, while the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program will continue to be taught in English, as it has been.

We are a small country with one of the oldest languages in the world, so it is incredibly important to nurture it, along with our unique history, culture, traditions, and to remind our students of all our struggles for freedom and unity. So, we will continue to focus on citizenship education, and our values and Lithuanian identity will remain strong – neither the teaching of the Lithuanian language nor citizenship education will weaken, as these are an incredibly important part of the global citizen’s identity.