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Elementary School

The Elementary School at ISK is comprised of Pre-K to Grade 5

ISK’s elementary program runs from Pre-K to 5th grade and aims to build a solid foundation for academic success and personal growth and discovery. Elementary students work through a rigorous standards-based curriculum while learning in an immersive, globally relevant context. Our curriculum resources provide students with project and problem-based learning experiences that frame learning in engaging and real-world contexts.

In This Section


Elementary School


Middle School


High School


World Languages


Advanced Placement Program

Students Profile:

ISK students inquire about their learning, their environment, and the world around them.

  • Participates consistently.
  • Engages in classroom activities and/or discussions.
  • Gives effort in each class.
  • Completes all work in a timely manner.
  • Displays organizational skills.
  • Uses technology safely and effectively.

ISK students show empathy, and care towards everyone they encounter.

  • Respects self and others.
  • Responds compassionately to others.
  • Solves problems in positive ways.
  • Makes positive choices for the shared school resources.
  • Shows empathy by envisioning themselves in others’ positions and circumstances.
  • Works collaboratively in groups.
  • Demonstrates a service mindset, putting others before yourself and contributing to the betterment of those around you.

ISK students are active participants in change for their local and global community.

  • Participate in community activities.
  • Follow school expectations and procedures.
  • Make efforts to engage with the local and global community.

ISK students question, and analyze information in the world around them.

  • They ask questions, and feel comfortable to make mistakes.
  • They understand other points of view.
  • Participate in community activities.
  • Follow school expectations and procedures.
  • Make efforts to engage with the local and global community.
​School Wide Assessment Tools
  • WIDA - English language assessment
  • F&P  (Fountas and Pinnell) - Reading assessment
  • MAP - Math and Reading  Assessment
  • Easy CBM - Math and Reading
  • PSAT 9/10/11- College Readiness-Math/Reading/Writing

Elementary School Curriculum

Our elementary ELA program centers around the Readers and Writers Workshop model, which aims to build a culture of avid readers and urgent writers. We supplement our workshop model with explicit instruction in phonics and spelling to build student fluency and understanding using a blend of Wilson’s Fundations, Science of Reading, and Words Their Way resources in order to reach the unique needs of our learners.

Common Core Standards

Curriculum Resources:

Reader's/Writer's Workshop Model from Columbia Writing Project

Pre-K-2 

Fundations Program

In elementary Math, students use Illustrative Math, which encourages students to solve real-life problems in multiple ways. Students are presented with a problem and try to apply the skills they have learned to solve the problem before progressing on to new and innovative ways to solve those problems using the skills required from the standards.

Common Core Standards

Curriculum Resources:

Illustrative Math

Social Studies and Science are presented in elementary school as an integrated experience that we call Inquiry. Students are presented with real-world phenomena and learn the science and social studies standards through hands-on activities that immerse students in global applications of these concepts. Embedded in this time is vocabulary-building activities, and critical-thinking opportunities.

NGSS Standards

Curriculum Resources:

Mystery Science

Gizmo and Pivot​

In addition to our core academic learning, students participate in PE each week which offers a variety of sports and unique games. Part of their physical education also includes a comprehensive swimming course in our on-campus pool where students learn the strokes, and other swimming skills.  Students also take part in an exciting and unique integrated arts program that includes art history, drawing and painting, music, and dance.  At ISK, we value the unique Rwandan culture and heritage and seek to immerse our students in learning about our host country. Students participate in Rwandan cultural classes and learn the basics of the Kinyarwanda language.

Common Core Standards

Curriculum Resources:

Integrated Arts experience focused on learning from local experts

National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE) Standards

World Language learning begins in Grade 2. Students are able to choose between Spanish and French and learn using a context-based strategy that promotes real-world conversation. There is also an emphasis on cultural learning to frame language learning as a tool for real-world communication.

Curriculum Resources: ACTFL Standards (Beginning in Gr 3

Fundations Program


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