Personalized Pathways Programming at International School of Prague

Providing students with personalized, interest-driven learning experiences is at the heart of the International School of Prague’s (ISP) pathways programming. As part of their approach with the IB Career-related Programme (CP), ISP has integrated GOA courses to expand learning opportunities for students, enabling them to pursue personalized academic and future career interests. GOA’s focus on passion-based courses, emphasis on applied learning, and competency-based approach aligns well with the outcomes for the Career-related Programme. Karen Ercolino, ISP’s Coaching Coordinator for IB DP/CP, shared insights into how GOA courses have become a pivotal part of their pathways model.

When ISP set out to design its pathways program, flexibility was a top priority. Many CP models worldwide offer a limited selection of pathways, often tied to local industries. But that approach didn’t align with ISP’s globally-minded student body.

“What we needed was flexibility,” Karen explains. “GOA was a perfect addition because it offered a broad mix of subjects, including humanities, science, and engineering, giving students a huge range of pathways to choose from. It also meant we could offer students more opportunities to explore their interests without being limited by local availability.”

By incorporating GOA courses, ISP empowers students to craft personalized academic experiences rather than confining them to predefined pathways. This approach ensures that students can align their education with their passions and future ambitions.

ISP’s goal is to give students agency in their learning. Instead of selecting from a small set of predefined tracks, students can mix and match courses to create a curriculum tailored to their interests. GOA’s expansive course offerings make this possible.

“Our goal has always been to give students more choices. Instead of saying, ‘Here are the three pathways you can pick from,’ we wanted something that could be completely tailored to them. GOA’s flexibility is a huge part of that—it allows students to mix and match courses based on their interests,” says Karen.

This choice benefits students in unique ways. Karen shares an example: “We had one student who wanted to study art but also Japanese language, and GOA was able to make that work.” GOA also provides an alternative for students who want a rigorous academic experience but may not pursue the full IB Diploma.

A key challenge ISP faced in developing its CP model was the availability of career-related studies in English. “Many of our students don’t speak Czech fluently, so finding local career-related study options wasn’t always straightforward,” Karen explains. “GOA changed that by giving us access to a whole world of specialized pathways in areas like global studies, psychology, and computer science—including more depth and courses than we could offer in-house.”

By integrating GOA courses, ISP ensures that students don’t have to compromise when choosing their academic paths. “If they’re interested in a particular field, [students] don’t have to pick something just because it’s the only option available. GOA offers them real choice,” Karen emphasizes.

Though ISP is in its first year of integrating GOA into its CP program, students are already making the most of these new opportunities.

One student following a STEM pathway in computer engineering and programming started with GOA’s Game Theory course and has been able to transfer the valuable problem-solving skills gained in a new computer science course. Another student is pursuing a course in psychology through GOA’s Psychology and Neuroscience pathway and has been deeply engaged in her coursework, while a 10th-grade student interested in journalism is considering GOA’s Justice, Ethics, and Human Rights course.

These experiences illustrate how GOA courses help students explore and refine their academic and career aspirations. “One of our students actually switched to CP after hearing directly from a university that they would accept the CP as an alternative to the IB Diploma. That was a game-changer for her,” Karen notes. “She’s interested in psychology and education, and the fact that GOA has a psychology pathway made it an easy decision.”

Karen highlights an important factor for schools considering GOA integration: the pace and structure of GOA courses. “The biggest thing we’ve learned is that students need to be prepared for the daily workload. Most of our other online courses, whether it’s IB or other external providers, tend to have a weekly pattern. GOA is different. There’s something due every day, whether it’s an assignment, a discussion post, or responding to classmates.”

To support student success in these independent learning experiences, ISP has built dedicated time into students’ schedules for GOA coursework and encourages students to form small cohorts to build more of a GOA learning community on campus. “Having a peer group to check in with makes a big difference—it gives them people to bounce ideas off and keeps them accountable,” Karen adds.

As ISP continues to grow its pathways program, Karen envisions an even greater role for GOA courses. “GOA could play a bigger role in the academic side of pathways. For example, its Arts Pathway provides a great introduction for students exploring creative fields, and its range of interdisciplinary courses allows students to craft unique combinations—for example, pairing global studies with journalism or psychology with ethics and human rights.”

Ultimately, ISP sees GOA as a key partner in helping students lead with curiosity and build agency in designing their own academic and career journeys. “GOA’s strength is in how it helps us create truly personalized pathways. We see it becoming an even bigger part of how we support students in finding the right academic and career direction for them.”

With a partner like GOA, ISP is shaping a future where students are empowered to explore their interests, gain future-ready skills, and take ownership of their learning journey.

For more, see:

• Reimagining Professional Learning: Emerging Models for Educator Growth
• Personalized Pathways: How Member Schools Help Students Expand Their Learning Through GOA
• Learning Pathways: A Deeper Learning Experience that Prepares Students for the Future

The Extraordinary Together series spotlights stories and outcomes from our member schools, illustrating the impact GOA programs have on students, educators, and schools. Posts in the series highlight the potential of student-centered learning—demonstrating how learners thrive when schools foster curiosity and provide pathways for pursuing passions—and they showcase the tangible ways we partner with schools to drive meaningful change. By sharing these experiences, we seek to illuminate how school membership amplifies our member schools' mission, sparks innovation, and shapes the future of education.

GOA is a nonprofit learning organization that reimagines learning to empower students and educators worldwide. In partnership with our global network of 150 schools, we provide interactive, relationship-driven courses, expert resources, and innovative thinking that help to expand and elevate academic programs. Together, we help students and educators become open to the extraordinary.

Follow us on LinkedIn for the latest learning opportunities and news. Sign up for GOA Insights, our newsletter focused on innovative ideas and best practices for the future of learning. Become a Member School.