Academics at International School St. Lucia

The ideology of the school approaches education in a child centered, individualized manner with smaller class sizes and strong teacher-student interaction. This allows for students to take an active role in the learning process.
The school has an extra curricular program that appeals to a broad range of student interests. ISSL strives to provide an educational environment that will truly prepare its students for a full and rewarding future.
The Elementary Grades:

This program uses Curriculum from Ontario and New Brunswick Canada. http://www.edu.gov.on.ca. The curriculum is developmentally sensitive, incorporates cooperative learning and social skills and a strong structure for building literacy and mathematics. Active and meaningful learning experiences engage students in their work. Many of the activities integrate several learning skills at once, reflecting the most current brain research on "how children learn". Excellent communication skills are developed through speaking, reading and writing across all curriculum areas. The subjects taught include language reading, writing, speaking, drama, English and French, mathematics-numeracy, geometry, algebra, data management, problem solving, science, social studies, history and geography, art, music, physical education (half hour every day for every child) and health. Many useful skills in technology, public speaking, etiquette, organization, time management, healthy eating and so on, are built into the program and practiced in most subject areas.

Current, colourful and interesting materials are used to motivate and to drive progressive programs. The materials are chosen carefully to match the level of the child's understanding. Speaking, reading and writing combine to strengthen each other. Math manipulatives are used to help students understand math concepts. Materials are used to develop all types of learning styles, such as visual, auditory, and tactile learning.

The Secondary Program

This begins at grade nine, or age 14. Students are more focused and specific in their learning and may have some choice in courses. Some courses continue all year, while others may be semestered.

Grade 9 and 10 are foundation years for the secondary school program.
The students receive instruction in English, mathematics, science, history, the arts, a language, physical education and health, and career studies. These courses are based on the Ontario secondary school curriculum and also the New Brunswick secondary school
curriculum. There is an optional sailing course based on a course offered in British Columbia which results in certification in the CYA program.

Grades 11 and 12: These courses are chosen with colleges and universities in mind, so that the proper courses are chosen by the students. 10 courses a year for two years are available and lead to a New Brunswick diploma.

Foreign study option: Any semester may be taken in New Brunswick, Canada

The Diploma The High School Diploma of New Brunswick is earned by successfully passing the compulsory literacy test and successfully completing 7 compulsory courses and 10 others with a 60% pass mark per course.

The graduation diploma from I.S.S.L. requires an additional 40 hours of volunteer work in the community .

Grade 11 and 12 Online Options*
Please Note: Compulsory courses are in bold. Grade 11 and 12 courses are accredited by Department of Education New Brunswick.

English 11A, 11B, 122
Writing 110

Geometry and Applications in Mathematics 112
Functions and Relations 112
Advanced Math with Intro to Calculus 122
Trigonometry and 3-space 122

One science course is compulsory:
Biology 112,122
Chemistry 112, 121
Physics 112, 122
Physical Geography 110
Environmental Science 122

History 112

Accounting 120
Introduction to Accounting 120
Computer Science 110, 120
Information Technology 110, 120

Spanish 110, 120

Visual Arts 110
Fine Arts 110

Nutrition for Healthy Living 120
Hospitality and Tourism 110

World Issues 120
Economics 120
Political Science 120
Law 120

*Available 2009/2010

Elementary
International School St. Lucia is a friendly community school, providing a current progressive education based on the Ontario curriculum. All subjects are global and up to date with the changing world. We offer a range of academic subjects (see below)
ªEnglish ªMathematics ªScience
ªSocial Studies ª French ª Drama
ªMusic ª History and geography
ªVisual Arts
ªPhysical Education-(half an hour every day)

The world is rapidly changing to adapt to the 21st century. The ability to easily access information and share it with others has changed how we communicate. We now collaborate on a global scale with everyone having the ability to contribute to the world's collective knowledge. Hundreds of millions of Internet searches are performed daily and the usage of social media sites is increasing exponentially. Within the next few years, it is predicted that there will be changes to the ways information is shared and applied, which we have not yet begun to comprehend.
Environmental concerns, dependence on fossil fuels, poverty, social injustice, health issues, and global economics are the reality of today's citizens. We have to prepare our children to solve problems that we don't yet know ARE problems. It is clear that the need for critical thinking, creativity, adaptability and flexibility in highly dynamic situations is now the norm, requiring capabilities different from those we previously valued.
Knowledge is the new sustainable natural resource and a transformed education system is the key to building capacity in this resource. Since tomorrow's world leaders and citizens are today's students, our future depends on how well we prepare our children.

The OECD has also conducted research to note the most effective learning environments for 21st century students. They are:
· Customized learning: Each child receives a customized learning experience. Although a curriculum is set with expectations for each grade, there is room in the parameters to allow a measure of success for every student. A variety of learning strategies and assessments are applied with an understanding of learning styles to give optimum opportunity for success.
· Availability of diverse knowledge sources: Learners can acquire knowledge whenever they need it from a variety of sources including books, web sites, and experts around the globe. The internet, connection to New Brunswick Dept. of Education, and University of New Brunswick library systems, use of community experts and businesses will assist our students in collecting information. On-line courses bring resources to the students' screens.
· Collaborative group learning: Students learn together as they work collaboratively on authentic, inquiry-oriented projects. Group work is essential at ISSL. Students are taught the dynamics of group research, sharing and discussion toward using time effectively with greater results than individual efforts can bring.
· Assessment for deeper understanding: Tests which evaluate the students' deeper conceptual understanding, the extent to which their knowledge is integrated, coherent, and contextualized. Rubrics to direct student thinking, peer and self evaluations, portfolios, presentations, and projects demand more attention to the production of high quality work. Continuous assessments lead to a more accurate and thorough evaluation.

More simply put -
To learn collaboration Work in teams.
To learn critical thinking Take on complex problems.
To learn oral communication Present.
To learn written communication Write.
To learn technology Use technology.
To develop citizenship Take on civic and global issues.
To learn about careers Do internships.
To learn content and research skills Do all of the above.

(With appreciation to NB3 - A discussion paper on 21st century learning - Nov. 2009)

The following competencies are imbedded in the curriculum of ISSL and represent the 21st century learning goals for international school students. These competencies will be developed throughout a child's school experience, beginning in kindergarten and culminating with graduation. A key goal of this education is to instill in students an appreciation for learning and a desire to make it a life-long pursuit. It is the responsibility of each student, their parents/guardians, school and community to collaborate in developing the personal competencies of all students. Over time, this collaboration will form the basis for a stronger culture of learning.
Critical thinking and problem solving
Students will know and be able to use strategies and processes to solve problems, to think creatively to understand deeply, and conduct meaningful reflection. Students will demonstrate that they:
· Have learned the elements and processes associated with critical thinking and problem solving
· Have a deep understanding of complex concepts and the ability to work creatively in order to generate new ideas, theories, products and knowledge
· Have learning to think logically and to solve ill-defined problems by indentifying and describing the problem, framing and testing hypotheses, and by formulating creative solutions
· Have explored and reached an understanding of their own creative talents and how best to make use of them
· Are able to acquire, process and interpret information critically to make informed decisions
Collaboration
Students will be able to interact with others in generating ideas and developing products. They will use appropriate interpersonal skills within a variety of media, and social contexts. Students will demonstrate that they:
· Understand how to relate to other people in varying contexts, including those in which they manage or are managed by others
· Are able to collaborate across networks, using various technologies
· Are able to effectively participate as a team member and know their own capacities for filling different team roles
· Have developed proficiency in managing personal relationships
· Are able to use various means to manage conflict
· Understand the creative process through collaboration, exchange of ideas and building upon the achievement of others
· Have been sensitized to the issues and processes associated with collaboration across cultures