History
An organizational committee of the QSI International School of Montenegro was established at the request of the US Department of State in 2005. This committee was formed in response to a growing need for an international school to serve expatriates living in Podgorica. The QSI International School of Montenegro opened its doors to students in January 2006. The school was situated on a small property due to its student number being as low as 9.
In May 2006 citizens of State Union of Montenegro and Serbia passed a voter referendum approving the dissolution of this state union. The Assembly of the Republic of Montenegro made a formal Declaration of Independence in June of 2006. As a result, the need for an international school in Podgorica, the Montenegrin capital, has continued to grow. As the student numbers grew, it was necessary to relocate to a larger facility; hence, in 2008 the school moved to a larger rented property that would facilitate elementary, middle and high school students.
In August 2006 the Montenegrin Ministry of Justice formally recognized QSI as a foreign non-governmental organization. The members of the Organizational Committee of the QSI International School of Montenegro formally approved new "Articles of Organization" and "By-Laws" in May 2007. By March 2008 the Montenegrin Ministry of Education established a licensing commission to evaluate the school's compliance with licensing requirements. Finally, in June of 2008 the Montenegrin Ministry of Education issued a license to the QSI International School of Montenegro. The school received a site visit from a representative from the U.S. Department of State Office of Overseas Schools in October 2010. In January 2011, the school was recognized as a DOS-OOS "Assisted School". In the spring of 2012, a diploma was awarded to the first high school graduate of QSI International School of Montenegro.
In October 2012, with student population of 64, QSI International School of Montenegro moved into a purpose-built permanent structure with facilities necessary for a quality international school. This facility was designed to accommodate 300 students in its future. In 2014, QSI International School of Montenegro earned full Accreditation with Middle States Association of Schools and Colleges. In 2020, the student population reached 95 students representing 25 nationalities.
In 2012, Montenegro began the process of accession into the European Union. That process is ongoing today, and many experts predict that Montenegro will be the next country to join the EU. Montenegro joined NATO in June 2017. These significant issues keep Montenegro in the forefront of the geopolitical stage in the Balkans. This increased significance of the small Balkan country of Montenegro intensifies the need for QSI International School of Montenegro’s strong international program.
Read more about the history of Quality Schools International and how it all started.
