From Passion to Innovation: The Evolution of PIPL Lyceum
Lviv residents are accustomed to having a high-profile innovative private school in their city. However, last week, a video digest summarizing the first semester sparked new conversations. In it, the head of the school, Nadiya Dubchenko, announced the launch of PIPL Lyceum and the transition of students in grades 5-11 to Lyceum status.
Why did they decide to move beyond the national "ThinkGlobal" network? What awaits the students, and how will the innovative Lyceum differ from a standard school? We sat down with Nadiya and Mykhailo Dubchenko, the founders and leaders of this educational network, to find out.
The Roots of Innovation
Q: Where did the development of your innovative educational network begin, and why did you decide to create a Lyceum?
Nadiya Dubchenko: In the spring of 2018, a presentation for the Kyiv-based innovative school franchise, ThinkGlobal, was held in Lviv. I attended because we were actively searching for the best educational option for our son, who was in the second grade at the time. I was so captivated by the school's concept that I shared it at home with great enthusiasm. Mykhailo, being an experienced entrepreneur, immediately caught the spark and suggested we open our own school.
Mykhailo Dubchenko: We chose a building at 115a Zelena Street and began preparations. Our first presentation for parents took place in the conference hall of the Ukrainian Catholic University (UCU). We are still incredibly grateful to those first brave families who believed in our vision. Later presentations were held right in the school building during renovations—literally "amidst the ruins." Some parents even offered to help set up classrooms to ensure we were ready for the start of the school year. And we made it happen.
N.D.: Most importantly, we recruited and trained an exceptional teaching staff. Our goal was to create a strong school for gifted children, so we prioritized hiring the best educators. That is how it all started. Today, our network spans four different locations.
The Synergy of Pedagogy and Business
Q: Did you have prior pedagogical experience before taking the leap to open a school?
N.D.: Yes, I had pedagogical experience and a clear vision of what a modern school should look like. Meanwhile, Mykhailo immediately structured the business model—how to organize operations, the level of investment required, market demand, and defining our target audience.
M.D.: (Smiling) That’s exactly how we still collaborate today. I handle all the finances and the material-technical infrastructure, while Nadiya is responsible for the educational process, the teaching staff, academic programs, and special projects.
Вітальне слово Надії Дубченко на шкільній події «10 Minutes Conference: Make Teens Great Again». 22 грудня 2021 року
Це надзвичайно важлива частина вашого інтерв'ю, адже вона пояснює перехід до власного бренду та вибір назви. В англійському перекладі я зберіг гру слів з назвою PIPL та підкреслив ваше прагнення до якості.
The Path to Independence: From Franchise to PIPL Lyceum
Q: Were there challenges working within the ThinkGlobal network? Why did you decide to leave the network after four years?
Nadiya Dubchenko: Let me start with the advantages. Buying a franchise is like receiving a recipe with a detailed technical guide. You personally select the equipment, the staff, and the ingredients, but you follow a proven formula and have access to professional consultations. In the beginning, that support was invaluable to us.
Mykhailo Dubchenko: Our first step toward independence was opening the GlobalKids kindergarten on Dagestanska Street, right next to the school we launched the following academic year. The ThinkGlobal network didn't include kindergartens, so we had to develop that format ourselves. It was essential for our families who have two or more children, allowing them to have their kids in one convenient location. GlobalKids has its own separate entrance and a private, enclosed territory.
N.D.: Year after year, we noticed how rapidly we were evolving. We began creating our own signature courses and diversifying our teaching methods. We became a hub for gifted teachers and students. Regarding the drawbacks: it became difficult to manage documentation through a central office in Kyiv. As our number of students and staff grew, this logistical hurdle became more acute. Realizing we had the experience and the drive to solve these formal issues, we established our own Private Educational Institution (PEI), obtained our license, and registered the GlobalKids trademark.
Q: So, is ThinkGlobal Lviv now becoming GlobalKids? How will this affect current students?
M.D.: It's more than just that. GlobalKids covers the kindergarten and primary school (from age 2 to 4th grade). Our students in grades 0-4 are already GlobalKids students. However, the middle and high schools (grades 5 to 11) are transforming into a Lyceum. This was a very significant and courageous decision for us.
N.D.: We realized we had outgrown our old shell. It was time to give a proper name to what we had become and to set new, ambitious goals. That is how the First Innovative Private Lviv Lyceum — PIPL — was born. We put a lot of meaning into this name. The acronym PIPL, which sounds like the word "people," reinforces the idea that we are about people and for people.
Q: Will the curriculum change? Will the families who have already chosen you be disappointed?
N.D.: Absolutely not! Every change we implement is a step forward, designed to strengthen our innovative educational space. The only difference is that the selection process for the Lyceum will become more rigorous. As a result, the average academic performance will rise, and students won't have the chance to "coast" through their studies. We believe the role of a private school is to provide a child with more opportunities within a powerful, motivational environment. And that is exactly what we provide.
День Вчителя, 2021 рік
The Three Pillars of Innovation: PIPL Lyceum’s Academic Vision
Q: How will the PIPL Lyceum curriculum differ from the current one?
Nadiya Dubchenko: Based on four years of experience, the implementation of various teaching methodologies, and, most importantly, a deep understanding of our students' needs and our target audience, we have crystallized our "Three Pillars of Innovation." These are: unique signature courses, electives, and project-based learning. This approach allows every child to find an activity that truly excites them, enabling them to bring their ideas to life under the guidance of an experienced adult. After all, the best motivation for learning is a sincere internal desire. Of course, we maintain the core Ministry of Education and Science (MESU) curriculum, which serves as the foundation upon which all our innovative programs and projects are built.
Q: Where do you draw your ideas and inspiration from?
Mykhailo Dubchenko: That’s a great question. It’s all about the intersection—truly creative ideas are often born at the interdisciplinary level. For example, combining culinary arts with physics: imagine studying Thomson's model of the atom by baking a plum pudding (or a cupcake) in class! Ideas like these are always inspiring. Often, ideas come during reading or reflecting on new insights from a book. And, of course, sports—as an entrepreneur, I find it's something you simply cannot do without.
N.D.: We communicate extensively with our team; our people are a powerful generator of ideas. When we come together, we brainstorm creative concepts that have every chance of becoming innovations. But our ultimate source of inspiration is our students. In this unpredictable world, we strive not just to provide knowledge, but to explain why it matters.
PIPL Lyceum is a space where a child can explore everything from web design and ecosystem creation to biotechnology, developing their own startup, hosting a school podcast, going on expeditions, practicing journalism, and pursuing advanced foreign language studies. We are creating a unique educational institution that takes the best global practices and implements them within our walls. We are armed with empathetic, dedicated professionals who are passionate about modernizing Ukrainian education. That is what truly inspires us.
Підписання Меморандуму про співпрацю для створення наукових ліцеїв
Mykhailo Dubchenko: Furthermore, we have become the first private lyceum to be involved in the creation of scientific lyceums in the Lviv region. We signed a Memorandum of Cooperation with Lviv Polytechnic National University, the SID City Science Park, the Tech StartUp School (LPNU), the Department of Education of the Lviv Regional State Administration, and several public educational institutions. Being invited to participate in such powerful projects at such a grand scale is incredibly motivating and inspiring.
How to Join the First Innovative Private Lviv Lyceum (PIPL):
Ready to give your child an innovative edge? Get in touch with us:
🌐 Apply online: pipllyceum.com
📞 Call us: +38 067 408 1655
📧 Email us: info@pipllyceum.com
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