Teaching in the languages of our community: English, español, and Português
Dual-Language Education
The International Charter School is a nationally recognized leader in bilingual education.
Update for fall 2020
Governor Raimondo announced her goal to have all Rhode Island students return to school on August 31, 2020. As an independent charter school, ICS is required to submit its own reopening plan to the governor’s office by July 17. This plan will outline details of how ICS can meet this goal safely and with the best interests of our students and community foremost in mind.
ICS has formed a reopening committee composed of teachers, parents, and Board members who are in the process of planning different scenarios for the fall. We will meet the governor’s deadline, but we will remain vigilant and continue to revisit our plans throughout the summer. When fall comes, ICS will have a plan that makes the most sense for the ICS community. Please know that the safety and well-being of our students, staff, and families is—and will remain—our top priority.
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If you need help with technology or anything else, please email familysupport@internationalcharterschool.org.
Offering a choice of two language strands: Spanish/English and Portuguese/English, we use a 50/50 dual-language education model in which students spend 50% of their day studying in English and 50% of their day studying in either Spanish or Portuguese.
Students alternate learning in two languages between morning and afternoon instruction each week or by unit.
Academic instruction occurs in both languages and is integrated into the International Baccalaureate® (IB) transdisciplinary units.
Dual-Language Education
Integrating the language instruction with academics is more effective than teaching language in isolation. This approach enables students to simultaneously develop content area knowledge in language arts, math, science, and social studies along with proficiency in both languages. Teachers provide extended opportunities for classroom discourse in the target language.
Classrooms are mixed with native speakers of both English and Spanish or Portuguese. This balance creates an “additive” environment where all students have the opportunity to learn another language while continuing to develop their native language.
Fundamental to our dual-language education model is an “asset” orientation, which allows teachers to build on the home language of the students and recognize them as a fundamental strength to the student’s learning and that of their peers.
Language Arts
At ICS, we take a balanced approach to literacy instruction to help students meet both the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) for ELA/Literacy and language learning objectives.
Students engage in learning comprehensive reading and writing strategies through the IB transdisciplinary units. They receive large- and small-group instruction at their level, as well as individual and group conferencing with teachers.
Mathematics
Students at ICS are expected to meet the CCSS in Mathematics, a clear set of skills and concepts that students need to be successful in college, career, and life.
At least 50% of math standards are integrated into the IB transdisciplinary units. Other standards are taught independently.
Science
ICS students learn about science through hands-on activities that are focused on a variety of areas of science: physical science, earth science, life science, and scientific inquiry. Science is integrated into the IB transdisciplinary units, and is focused on helping students meet the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).
Social Studies
Social Studies is integrated into the IB transdisciplinary units. These lessons are designed to meet the expectations of the College, Career and Civic Life (C3) Framework for Social Studies State Standards and Rhode Island Social Studies Framework.