Teaching in the languages of our community: English, español, and Português
International Baccalaureate®
ICS is proud to be the only IB-authorized public school in Rhode Island.
In 2018, the International Charter School was authorized as an International Baccalaureate® (IB) Primary Years Programme (PYP) World School—making ICS the only IB-authorized public school in Rhode Island and the only school in the state (public or private) to offer the PYP.
As an IB World School, ICS offers an inquiry-based curriculum that empowers students to become responsible world citizens and reflective lifelong learners.
Academic instruction at ICS is integrated into the IB transdisciplinary units within our dual-language education model.
Primary Years Programme
The PYP is a transdisciplinary program of international education designed to foster the development of the whole child—focusing on the heart as well as the mind while addressing students’ social, physical, emotional, cultural, and academic needs.
At the center of the PYP is a commitment to structured inquiry as a vehicle for learning.
The curriculum offers a rich, challenging, and stimulating environment that encourages students to value learning as a lifelong process. It emphasizes the importance of students making connections between their experience and new information, supporting them to move from not knowing to knowing.
The PYP strives for a balance between the search for understanding, the acquisition of essential knowledge and skills, the development of positive attitudes, and the opportunity for positive action.
The five essential elements of the PYP are:
- Knowledge, which is both disciplinary—represented by traditional subject areas such as language, math, science, social studies, arts, and PSPE (personal, social, and physical education)—and transdisciplinary
- Concepts, in which students explore through structured inquiry in order to develop coherent, in-depth understanding, and which have relevance both within and beyond subject areas
- Skills, which are the broad capabilities students develop and apply during learning and in life beyond the classroom
- Attitudes, which contribute to international-mindedness and the wellbeing of individuals and learning communities, and connect directly to the IB learner profile.
- Action, which is an expectation in the PYP that successful inquiry leads to responsible, thoughtful, and appropriate action.
Our IB Policies
ICS IB Assessment Policy
ICS IB Language Policy
ICS IB Individual Student Need Policy
ICS IB ICT Policy
International Baccalaureate at ICS
Planning and assessment are integral to educational success at ICS. Planning identifies the learning objectives and assessment reveals student’s current knowledge and also how far students have acquired new learning. This in turn determines future planning. Teachers use a variety of assessment strategies and tools to ensure they have a detailed understanding of each student’s attainment levels. We believe in the importance of including students in the assessment process through goal setting, reflecting, learning journals, and other strategies.
ICS has a full-time IB coordinator whose job is to ensure that the standards for implementation are understood and the PYP is planned, taught, and assessed collaboratively. The IB coordinator is involved in professional development with all members of the teaching team.
Students Learn Academics Through the IB Transdisciplinary Units
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.
