Section 1: Curriculum
ISA, an IB World School, prepares students for the IB Diploma programme in Grades 11 and 12. We therefore aim to teach according to IB values throughout the school, in line with ISA’s Learning Principles. Our high school Careers and University Counsellor works closely with families to ensure pathways and placements for all students post graduation.
You can find an overview of our entire curriculum in our parent curriculum handbook.
Section 2: Assessment
As an IB school we are guided by IB Assessment Practices and Principles and IB Assessment and Exams.
ISA uses assessments to find out where students are at (this is called diagnostic assessment which provides baseline data). For example, students in Grades 3 to 10 take MAP tests at the beginning and end of each academic year to demonstrate progress in core skills. Teachers use the results to plan differentiated learning activities. In Grades 11 and 12 CEM data is used. Results are stored on PowerSchool. Students in grades 9 and 10 have the option to take external IGCSE exams at the end of grade 10.
Students are expected to be academically honest and cite works correctly.
Section 3: Inclusion
ISA is an inclusive school. It does not have an academic entrance test, and accepts students with a wide range of academic needs (although not all). Our mission is to maximise the academic and personal potential of every student. It is important to understand each child's needs.
ISA uses a three-tiered response to intervention model for student support. It is a teacher's responsibility to adapt their lessons to the needs of each student in collaboration with our student support teams.
Section 4: Language Acquisition
English is the language of our community and the language of instruction. The methodology used to support EAL students is based primarily on a collaborative approach with classroom teachers.
From kindergarten onwards students chose between French and Spanish as an additional language. Once a student starts French or Spanish they are expected to continue with it until they finish at ISA so they can work toward becoming an independent user.
ISA encourages students to maintain their mother tongue. We host a number of mother tongue clubs run by parents and encourage parents to come in and tell stories in their mother tongue. Our library has a variety of books in different languages.