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Profile

The International School Port of Spain (ISPS) is a private, co-educational day school based on a US curriculum model. It offers a college preparatory holistic education, in English, from Kindergarten through Grade 12.  Graduates earn a U.S. High School Diploma.  Founded in 1994, ISPS is an accredited institution since 1996 by The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

ISPS families are local nationals or members of the expatriate business and diplomatic communities to Trinidad & Tobago.  The Middle School (Grades 6-8) includes 86 students from 16 different nations.

The Middle School recognizes the  development needs of young adolescents, and strives to provide a supportive climate which will enhance students’ self-esteem and personal development.  Middle School programs are diverse in nature.  Choice and decision-making encourage ownership of knowledge and behavior. 

Educational and experiential trips, including extended Outdoor Education experiences, are considered an important part of the curriculum.  Community service is actively encouraged.  Sporting events, cultural programs, student government, drama productions and interaction with other regional American/International schools are scheduled throughout the year.

FACULTY: Six full-time faculty teach in the Middle School and another fourteen have shared teaching responsibilities between the Middle School and the Elementary or High Schools. 

CURRICULUM: The Middle School  schedule uses large blocks of time (60 -120 minutes) to allow students to explore their subjects in greater depth.  Core classes are Integrated Language Arts/Social Studies, Mathematics, Science, Spanish, Health and Physical Education. The 7th grade offers an innovative integrated Language Arts/Social Studies, Science and Arts program called Watershed.  Technology is integrated throughout the Middle School curriculum.

The Arts and Exploratory programs promote the all-round development of students.  Students receive year-round instruction in Art and Drama and a semester each of Dance and Music.  At the beginning of each quarter, students choose from a range of academic, vocational and recreational exploratory courses.  Options for the 2005 - 2006 academic year include Odyssey of the Mind, Steel Pan, Web Page Design, Comics, Cooking and Embroidery.

GRADING SYSTEM: The school year consists of 180 instructional days divided into semesters and quarters.  Progress reports are issued in the middle of each quarter and formal grade reports are issued at the end of each quarter. 

Grade

Scale

 

Grade

Scale

A

95-100

 

C

74-76

A-

90-94

 

C-

80-83

B+

87-89

 

D+

67-69

B

84-86

 

D

64-66

B-

80-83

 

D-

60-63

C+

77-79

 

F

Below 60

Grading Codes also used

O: Outstanding          S: Satisfactory           NI: Needs Improvement

STANDARDIZED TESTING: The Middle School uses a standardized testing program as part of its holistic assessment of student progress and achievement. All students in the Middle School take the ERB Writing Assessment annually.  In addition, students are assessed in Reading and Mathematics using the Progress Towards Standards Test.

HOMEROOM PROGRAM: This program provides a consistent and caring environment in the Middle School through the organization of a supportive and stable peer group.  Through activities and discussion, Homeroom aims to help in each student’s academic and personal development, as well as to build the community.

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