Academics & Learning
A Path to Success
For more than two decades, ISA has been educating bilingual students in an academically and culturally rich environment. Our advanced foreign language instruction with daily English language lessons integrates grammar and rich cultural education and is taught exclusively in immersion style by native language speakers.
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Our language immersion programs allow children to learn their second language the same way they learn their first — naturally. We teach in the target language using French or Spanish to build basic skills for the future.
PK1-K
Early School
The Early School program is based on the premise that language acquisition happens best with meaning, and that children construct meaning and knowledge through multi-sensory experiences. These experiences support our students’ development of communication skills in the target language.
At ISA, the Early School starts with children at 18 months of age and is dedicated to a language-emergent experience, focusing on the unique learning and social/emotional needs of the younger child. Our program is designed to welcome students throughout the school year, with three options in PK1 to PK3 to ease the transition. These options are 5 full-day, 5 half-day, or 3 full-day programs.
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The first steps are understanding the target language, and then moving to the use of the language during everyday activities. Our PK1 through PK4 classes are full immersion in the target language.
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Our program sets the foundations for reading, writing, and problem-solving. The skills acquired are gross and fine motor development and the ability to concentrate, to control behavior, to analyze, to communicate, and to socialize. We feel that the early years should be positive and fun, while enriching children’s knowledge and understanding of the world and their place in it. We see parents as important partners in this effort.
1-5
Lower School
Lower School students develop listening and speaking skills in French/Spanish facilitated through auditory and visual stimulation. Reading activities are designed to teach the concepts of space, orientation, chronology, and auditory perception. Writing activities help children to develop hand control while also learning how to design shapes used in the cursive style, which is mandatory in the French/Spanish curriculum.
The ISA Lower School program is rich and stimulating, both because of the academic rigor and the act of learning in a second target language – French or Spanish. Our students “learn to read” then “read to learn.” They take these fundamental skills and use them to analyze, think critically, and create. By studying in this multicultural and multilingual environment, our students become global citizens of the world at a very young age.
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Following the European Curriculum, the Lower School includes Grades 1 to 5 – which corresponds respectively to “Grande Section, CP, CE1, CE2, CM1, and CM2” in the French system and “Preprimaria, Primer, Segundo, Tercero, Cuarto y Quinto Grados” in the Spanish system.
6-8
Middle School
Our Middle School students celebrate diversity and enjoy a rich multicultural environment. Students come together for the U.S. Honors Core Curriculum classes in a dynamic and accelerated learning program. Our international educators challenge students in robust discussions and results-based learning.
Our qualified and experienced teachers deliver engaging and challenging academics in small class sizes and a safe environment. Our school focuses on developing each student to be global citizens who have the drive, capacity and skills to positively impact the world.
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Our International Program is open for incoming 6th and 7th graders. The program offers advanced core curriculum subjects and the acquisition of French or Spanish. Students will benefit from an international environment with small class sizes that allow ample opportunity to participate and benefit from a personalized education plan.
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Our French and Spanish Bilingual Programs are designed to achieve complete fluency. Students study core subjects in both the target language and in English, preparing them to attend the best college preparatory high schools in the US or abroad.
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Our school gives students the opportunity to learn robotics, speak in public, work in groups for collaborative learning, and develop strong critical thinking skills within the challenging and engaging curriculum.
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The Personal Inquiry Project (PIP) is an interdisciplinary unit that encourages students to research a subject of their choice. Students develop and apply their analytical and communication skills in preparation for higher education assignments.
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Students have the opportunity to join the ISA Student Council, focusing on social justice movements and charity projects.
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Our mission is not only to teach our students academics but also to develop attributes that we call the "ISA Portrait of a Graduate.”
International Program and Bilingual Programs
No previous Spanish or French language required to enter the International Program. We offer a comprehensive curriculum in small class sizes. Students will benefit from learning a second language.
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Bilingual Programs combine advanced foreign language instruction and US core subjects at an accelerated level.
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Our Middle School curriculum prepares students for the most rigorous and prestigious high schools and college preparatory schools.
Foreign Language Fluency
Starting in 3rd grade, all ISA students are evaluated on their competence and mastery of the Spanish or French language. Spanish students are awarded Diplomas of Spanish as a Foreign Language (DELE) and French students receive Diplomas of French as a Foreign Language (DELF).
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Widely used in schools and summer camps throughout Europe, ISA utilizes the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment (CEFR), to measure language proficiency. This rating system divides learners into levels from A1 (basic user) to C2 (advanced academic fluency) and allows instructors to assess speaking, reading, writing, and listening skills of each ISA student. In Europe, students now place their CEFR rating on resumes to differentiate their fluency.​
