Core Approach
Section 1: Curriculum
ISA prepares all 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.
You can find an overview of our entire curriculum in our parent curriculum handbook. Also refer to our core academic policies: Language, Assessment , Inclusion and Academic Honesty all of which provide useful supplementary information, and our Guidelines for use of AI (artificial intelligence) Tools.
Section 2: Assessment
Most students take IB Diploma exams at the end of their Grade 12 year - these are final public exams that are meant to demonstrate to universities what students have learned in school. As an IB school we are guided by IB Assessment Practices and Principles and IB Assessment and Exams.
It is important, however, to remember that exams are only one form of assessment, and final public exams are even more unique, despite their prominence. Our approach is set out in Board Policy 7.70.4 and 7.80 and the school's assessment policy.
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 you teach.
Powerschool keeps a great deal of information about each student. In addition to biographical and health information, you can find previous school reports, previous ISA reports, log entries and the results of baseline assessments (MAP and CEM). Click on the alerts to the right of each student's photo at the top of their log-in page for additional information on health, learning support and attached documents. Student data should be handled in line with our data manifesto (also refer to our data protection tips).
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; however the Learning Support department provide help. In the first instance this may be in verbal suggestions, then in written suggestions, then a TIAP (teaching intervention and action plan), then an IEP (individual education plan). Please refer also to ISA's Inclusion Policy
Section 4: Language Acquisition
Please refer to our language policy for a detailed overview of our approach to learning English and other languages as additions.
English is the language of our community and the language of instruction. To be admitted to ISA, older students are expected to have some level of basic English. There is some pull-out support for elementary EAL students. In middle school English as an Additional Language (EAL) students are given some extra help. However, teachers themselves are expected to make appropriate accommodations. The methodology used to support EAL students is based primarily on a collaborative approach with mainstream teachers.
From kindergarten onwards students chose between French and Spanish as an additional language. Students who have been studying either language for more than two years are expected to take Language B for the IB Diploma. Students who join the school in Grades 9 or 10 and haven't studied the language before may be able to take the ab initio course.
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. In very exceptional circumstances they may be allowed to change after meeting with the head of our language department.
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.