International School of Curaçao
The International School of Curaçao (ISC), located in Emmastad, Curaçao, is an accredited, private, and co-educational day school which offers an academic program designed to aid students in creating a solid foundation upon which they can build their future. Classes are taught in English and are available for grades K3 through 12. The school's curriculum includes the IB program, available to students attending grades 11 and 12. Coursework in the program allows students to receive the IB diploma, as well as college recognition for taking a variety of classes at both a higher and a standard level.
History
Margaret "Mugs" Mast, the wife of a United States Vice Consul, opened the International School of Curaçao in 1968. It was started as a co-educational day school which provided an American-based education in English for children of American citizens on the island. In the early days, the School consisted of solely grades 1 to 4, and throughout the years it has constantly expanded to where it is today: a day school which consists of grades K3 through grade 12.
ISC was incorporated into a non-profit foundation in 1971. Up until 1972, the school shared facilities with the Hebrew Religious School. In 1972, two houses located in Emmastad were rented from the Shell N.V. in order to be able to house the large number of students enrolling at the school. It was at this point that they moved to their current location in Emmastad. The International School of Curaçao is a member of the Association of American Schools in South America, the College Board, the National Association for College Admission Counseling, and is fully accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools since 1990. As of fall 1996, the school offers the International Baccalaureate Program, which is highly recognized by universities worldwide. Currently the school has 489 students and 71 staff members and is continuously growing.
Vision
An international education today for the global citizens of tomorrow.
Mission
The International School of Curaçao (ISC) educates students from diverse cultures to have the skills to think creatively, communicate effectively, reason critically, and act compassionately. ISC has pledged to achieve this by providing a high quality English medium education using United States and internationally recognized standards.
Accreditation
Association of American Schools in South America (AASSA), College Board National Association for College Admission Counseling.
Memberships
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS), Council of International Schools (CIS).
Curriculum
The International School of Curaçao’s educational curriculum focuses on building strong characters and an understanding of the world surrounding the students’ lives. Students are taught to think creatively, and they eventually develop communication skills and the knowledge which will help them with further studies in the future.
Elementary
ISC offers the First Steps Program, a nursery program for 2 year-olds. The Elementary School begins with kindergarten for 3 years old and extends to Grade 5. In addition to Language, Mathematics, Science and Social Studies, students receive formal instruction in Art, Music, Library, Physical Education, Computer, Spanish and Dutch. We expect children to become skilled thinkers, problem solvers, readers, authors and mathematicians, to be able to succeed in later grades.
Middle school
Middle school science involves a simple introduction to chemistry, physics, and biology—topics which will be covered in detail in the high school years. In the field of mathematics, sixth graders learn an introduction to what will be taught in the following year, seventh graders do pre-algebra, and eighth graders do algebra. Middle school social studies focus on the Renaissance, Reformation, Scientific Revolution, as well as early European history. English classes involve reading and analyzing different forms of literature as well as creative writing. Other classes include co-ed survival, art, music, health, physical education, and foreign languages, of which students may choose to take either Dutch or Spanish. Students may take a band class, in which they may choose an instrument to learn in order to be able to be a part the ISC band.
High School
High School students need to complete a total of 12 credits or two years at the International School of Curaçao in order to be eligible to receive an International School of Curaçao High School diploma.
Students have to take at least one foreign language class in high school. There are a variety of electives from which to choose, and they include: Psychology, art, journalism, photography, film studies IT, Model United Nations, fitness, general music and band. The juniors and seniors are introduced to the International Baccalaureate (IB) program, which is an international, two-year program which requires students to take a certain amount of classes at both a higher and standard level. A wide variety of classes are available to choose from, and if students choose to take the program, they have the option of getting a certificate or a diploma in the program, which is highly recognized by universities worldwide. All students will graduate with the ISC diploma, and those who fulfill the IB requirements and pass the external examination will also receive the IB diploma.
International Baccalaureate Program
The International School of Curaçao offers the IB Diploma Program in Grades 11 & 12, encouraging our students to reach the highest academic standards.
The IB Diploma candidate must take a total of six subjects, three of them to be taken at Higher Level (HL), and three at Standard Level (SL).
The six subjects are chosen from prescribed group lists which are known collectively as Language A, Language B, Individuals and Societies, Experimental Science, Mathematics and Group 6 (The Arts, Information Technology or an additional language, social science or experimental science).
Graduation Requirements
Minimum of 24 credits for High School Graduation:
- 4 credits in English
- 3 credits in Mathematics, History, and Science.
- 2 credits in Foreign Language and Physical Education/Health
- 1 credit in Fine & Performing Arts and Information Technology
- 5 credits in elective courses
Enrollment
The International School of Curaçao accepts students on a rolling admissions basis. There is no religious affiliation, so the school accepts students of all religious backgrounds. Application forms are available and can be found in the admissions section of the school's website: www.isc.cw. Students applying to the school must hand in an application form along with a letter from a parent or legal guardian requesting their child's enrollment, a copy of their passport or identification card, medical or health information, and previous school records. High school students need to hand in two teacher confidential reports, a short autobiography written by the student without any assistance, and must go through an admissions interview. Native English speakers must hand in a two-page sample of any of their writing.
The following are the number of students and nationalities enrolled for the school year 2014 to 2015:
| Grade Level | Enrollment |
|---|---|
| First Steps - K3 | 45 |
| K4 - 5 | 152 |
| Middle School | 78 |
| High School | 143 |
| Enrollment Total | 418 |
| Nationality | Percentage |
| American | 8.00% |
| Austrian | 1.00% |
| British | 1.00% |
| Canadian | 3.00% |
| Chinese | 1.00% |
| Colombian | 1.00% |
| Dutch | 67.00% |
| Indian | 3.00% |
| Venezuelan | 10.00% |
| Others | 3.00% |
| Gender | Enrollment |
| Female | 188 |
| Male | 230 |
Facilities and Resources
The International School of Curaçao has improved their facilities throughout the years and is continuously growing. The facilities include two computer labs with 24 computers available to students taking Computer classes. The school offers a library with computers available to students who need to work on school related work, and a wide variety of fictional or non-fictional books, encyclopedias, and magazines. A small classroom within is open to younger students who take Library class or want to check out picture books.
On May 2007, the school officially celebrated the opening of the brand new gym and auditorium, which features a basketball court, a stage, showers, and two classrooms located on the upper floor, which is used to teach Health class. There are two snack shops located at the school, one for the elementary and middle school students, and one for the high school students, whose campus is located across the street from the elementary and middle school campus. Snacks and meals are available to students throughout the school day.
The school has a reliable wireless internet connection available to all students and staff members. iPad Program was introduced in 2012 (Elementary school) and Bring Your Own iPad (BYOiPad) model was implemented in 2013 (grades 6-10). Students have access to several educational apps and also E-Texts are available for main subjects.
The school has three science labs: One for the middle school students and two for the high school students. Science classes are taught in these classrooms, where experiments may be performed safely.
Extra-curricular activities
The International School of Curaçao offers after school programs to keep their students active. They call it the “Learning Plus Program”. This includes a variety of after school classes as well as sport activities. The classes include homework help to a relaxing class of yoga, or even learning how to ride a bicycle at the bike park. The sports activities include Soccer, Basketball, and Volleyball for both boys and girls. If students are in High School, they can join the varsity program, in which they can be a part of the school’s sports’ teams which may give them an opportunity to represent the island and the school at the annual Tri-Island Exchange, in which the school competes against schools from Aruba and Trinidad. Besides the after school programs, students organize their own activities in which other students may participate. These activities include LAN games, where students bring their computer to school and compete against each other in computer games. A Halloween party is organized every year in the evening where students play games for prizes and have costume parades. Other activities organized include a Carnival Jump-In event, which follows the same idea as the Halloween parties. Community service projects are done by the student council and the National Honor Society. These activities include collecting food and clothing for people in need during the Christmas season and cleaning up a local beach in the annual Caracasbaai clean up event.
The Extra Curricular Activities include:
Varsity
- Basketball Boys and Girls: Students learn the basic skills required for playing basketball and have an opportunity to be selected for the school's basketball team, of which there is one for girls and one for boys. There are monthly competitions against other schools on the island as well as competitions known as the Tri-Island Exchange which takes place twice a year against schools in Trinidad and Aruba.
- Soccer for Boys and Girls: Soccer classes are given on the high school field. There are monthly competitions against other schools on the island as well as competitions known as the Tri-Island Exchange which takes place twice a year against schools in Trinidad and Aruba.
- Volley Boys and Girls: Volleyball takes place in the school gym. There are monthly competitions against other schools on the island as well as competitions known as the Tri-Island Exchange which takes place twice a year against schools in Trinidad and Aruba.
Learning Plus activities
- Swimming: Swimming classes are taught by the Curaçao Swim Academy at the pool in the Asiento Sport’s Complex.
- Homework Help: Homework help is available for elementary and middle school kids after school.
- Pantomime: Students learn how to act with illusions and how to fool any audience.
- Salsa: Students can learn how to dance to the beat of salsa.
- Yoga: There are two levels of yoga classes available to students in grades two and three and grades four and five.
- Cooking: Students can learn how to cook Lebanese food. The class is available to students in grades three to five and for high school students and adults.
- Bike Park: Students go with their bikes to the bike park next to the zoo in order to enjoy the facility available under adult supervision. Students can take their bikes or rollerblades.
Sources
- “Fact Sheet for the International School of Curacao” US Department of State. Retrieved on September 2007
- Archives of the International School of Curaçao. Retrieved September 2007, from ISC Director.
- Independent Special Boarding International. Retrieved December 2007
- International School Services. Retrieved on December 2007
- American Overseas Schools Historical Society. Retrieved December 2007
- . Retrieved June 2015
External links
Coordinates: 12°08′15″N 68°54′57″W / 12.1375°N 68.9157°W