Frequently Asked Questions

A. School generally starts the third week of August of each year. School usually ends around the third week of June of each year. Please click here to view our academic calendar.

A. Classes begin at 7:30 a.m. except on Wednesdays when school begins at 8:45 a.m.  

Pre-K to Kindergarten students are dismissed at 2:20 p.m., Grade 1 to Grade 5 students at 2:30 p.m., and Middle and High School students at 2:35 p.m. Pick-up after school should be no later than 10 minutes after a student’s last activity of the day. Students should not remain at the school after dismissal unless they are participating in a supervised after-school activity.

A. Grade level placement in the Pre-K 3 and Kindergarten is based on the cut-off date (September 1st). In Grade 1-12, placement is determined by both the previous educational experience and the age of the student.

See Grade Comparison Chart

A. Yes, when necessary. As with many international schools around the world, demand can fluctuate but is often high. This means that, at the time of application, our classes may be full. In these cases, we place students in a wait-pool list for the grade level involved. Our Admissions Office will be happy to explain to you how we operate our wait-pool list should you have further queries.

A. All students in schools’ wear uniforms. The uniform is for sale at Espree, a local clothing store, located in a shopping mall very close to the school Detailed information will be sent to parents once their child is admitted to the school. The uniform consists of a polo shirt with a school emblem with either navy blue shorts (Elementary) or Khaki, pants, or plaid skorts (Elementary) of Khaki shirt or Pants depending on age and gender. Physical Education (PE) uniforms are required at all levels. This is a unisex uniform that consists of navy blue knit short and a grey ISPS T-shirt. Elementary students wear their PE uniforms to school on the day they have PE classes. MS and HS students change into their PE uniforms before PE class in the locker room facilities provided.

Please note that: all uniforms are available from *Espree, The Falls at West Mall. For students who are cold during the day, a grey school sweatshirt is available. No other sweaters or jackets are sanctioned by the school dress.

Themed dress down days are permitted on special occasions such as Valentine's Day, Halloween etc. Common sense standards of cleanliness, neatness and appropriateness are expected and students should not wear any clothing associated with alcohol or drug use.

* Espree
The Falls of West Mall
Opening Hours: 10:30 am to 6:45 pm
Monday to Saturday

Contact: 1-868-632-7232

A. All black, closed leather shoes, or all black sneakers. Rubber-soled shoes are required for PE classes for safety reasons.

A. ISPS is authorized to offer two of the International Baccalaureate Programmes (Primary Years Programme, Middle Years Programme). The IB Programmes are the most widely used programmes in international schools worldwide and their use is growing rapidly in many independent and state schools in the United States, United Kingdom and the rest of the world.

The US College Board Advanced Placement Program is offered in grades 11 & 12.

A. 98% of what we now know about how children learn has been discovered in the past two years. Our children will graduate into a world totally different from the present one, and absolutely nothing like the world their parents graduated into – they will be applying for jobs that have not yet been invented. We cannot educate in the same way their parents were educated.

Regular curriculum review is a feature of all IB curricula. At ISPS, we follow a curriculum review cycle to ensure that all curricula are thoroughly reviewed and updated every four years.

All ISPS teachers are required to attend IB training workshops in their subject areas every three years as a minimum requirement. ISPS teachers experience significant training every year. Professional Development is actively encouraged.

At ISPS we are Difference Makers, Future Shapers

A. Our ISPS Café, for all grades sells breakfast, snacks, and hot lunches. It also offers salads, sandwiches, and fresh fruit. Meals in the café are a fixed hot lunch each day, as well as á la carte items. Purchase is by debit only. Parents can prepay for these accounts through the Front Office. Students can also bring their own lunch and microwaves are available in the café for reheating.

Cafeteria

A. There are private companies that have been providing transportation services to ISPS students over the past few years. Each bus or car is air-conditioned and has seat belts. Service is door-to-door for all students before school and immediately after school at 2:15 PM. Arrangements can also be made for after-school activities. Parents can contact these companies directly for pricing and availability.

A. The International School of Port of Spain (ISPS) offers a variety of sports, through its athletics program, and after-school activities. The after-school activity program provides learning experiences that cater to the physical, intellectual, and social needs of students, and allows students to interact with children from other grade levels, building new relationships. ISPS participates both locally and internationally in sports such as soccer, volleyball, and basketball.

ISPS also encourages participation in community service, extra-curricular activities, and clubs. Clubs and organizations give students an avenue for finding activities and allow them to pursue their interests outside of the classroom. The after school activities program is well recognized for the opportunities it gives students to explore.

A. Please click here to view our school profile.

A: All students in Grades 5-12 are required to have a laptop for daily use at ISPS. The device must meet the minimum specifications outlined in the Bring Your Own Device Policy. These guidelines apply to all digital devices, including laptops, smartphones, mp3 players, and classroom computers. Please review the policy for detailed specifications and responsible use expectations.

A. All parents need to feel their children are safe and secure, particularly in these troubled times.

ISPS employs full-time security guards. All have extensive security training and experience. ISPS facilities are monitored with CCTV coverage. ISPS also has a clinic staffed by a trained nurse. Our Nurse can help you find a doctor or paediatrician in Trinidad & Tobago.

A. An overseas posting can provide a stressful environment for children and for families. Adequate counseling resources are essential. Entry into university is a difficult process made even more so by the fact that international students will be seeking entry into one or more of a large number of possible university systems. College guidance resources need to be more extensive than those you would find in a national school.

ISPS employs full-time School Counselors in the Elementary Middle and High Schools. In addition, our High School Counselor provides admission counseling for our High School students.

This question is particularly important for parents whose children need learning support. New parents should ask about learning support resources, procedures, and admission policy.

A. At ISPS we have Student Support Services. We do not have the capacity to deal with severe special needs, and our policy precludes admitting students for whom we cannot offer a programme.

A. For effective learning to take place, teachers, students, and parents must all be active participants. Parents must be able (and welcome) to speak directly to their children’s teachers whenever they need to.

At ISPS, frequent communication between parents and teachers, parents and administrators, and parents and Board Members is actively encouraged.

A. Maximum class size is 22 students.

Teacher to student ratios:

Pre-K:  22 students, to 1 Teacher and 1 Instructional Assistant

Grades KG - 12: 22 students, 1 Teacher