Academics
Language programs
A key element of our world culture curriculum is a commitment to second language acquisition. Because every indicator of population trends suggests that Spanish will become a more widely spoken language in this country during our students’ lifetimes, ICS has chosen to emphasize Spanish language instruction. Students can enroll in either the Spanish Enhanced Program or the Spanish Immersion Program and receive from 30 minutes daily to 75% of their instruction in Spanish.
Spanish Enhanced Program
The Spanish Enhanced Program allows students to study the majority of their subjects from our curriculum in English, while still receiving a very intense daily infusion of Spanish instruction. Initially, students build conversational Spanish skills through song, games, reading, and other activities. Students also learn to read and write in Spanish and spend 30 minutes daily receiving Spanish instruction. In the upper grades, student studies are expanded with the support of middle school-level textbooks and content-based instruction. Upper-grade ICS Spanish Enhanced Program students receive at least 160 minutes of Spanish instruction, scheduled over the course of the week.
Results: Spanish Enhanced Program graduating students are encouraged to take qualifying tests in high school.
Spanish Immersion Program
The Spanish Immersion Program’s goal is to provide an immediate and intense immersion into the Spanish language. Most students do not speak any Spanish when entering kindergarten. Very intentionally, students in kindergarten and 1st grade spend about 75% of their school day studying core subjects from our curriculum in Spanish: mathematics, language arts, and social studies. Classroom celebrations and table discussions—all happen in Spanish, allowing the students to truly immerse themselves in the language as a natural part of their daily classroom interactions.
English language development
To encourage English language development, students receive instruction in fine arts, music, dance and movement, and science in English, plus all immersion students receive weekly English instruction. Beginning in grades 2-3, students receive additional language instruction until a roughly equal balance of Spanish and English is achieved by grade 5. Spanish Immersion Program classes continue through 8th grade.
Results: The goal of this program is to graduate students who are fully bilingual and biliterate—they possess the speaking, reading, and writing abilities of a native speaker. Spanish Immersion Program graduates are encouraged to take qualifying tests in high school. Many will qualify for advanced Spanish instruction, if not fully satisfy their language requirements upon entry.
