Curriculum
ISA offers a U.S. accredited, English language, American-based curriculum with an international dimension comparable to that of U.S. academic and college/university preparatory programs. It also offers Advanced Placement (AP) courses in high school in the subject areas of Spanish, English, Math, and Art. Students can earn university credits for these classes depending on the scores they earn on the end of year examinations.
The development of curriculum is a continual process. ISA has been systematically mapping and revising the curriculum. The curriculum is being aligned to the AERO (American Education Reaches Out) standards. AERO standards are international standards that were developed to provide challenging, professionally-validated, voluntary academic standards for use as a foundation for curriculum in American-sponsored schools overseas. Presently, the faculty is digitally documenting curriculum updates on-line using a recently implemented curriculum management program called, Atlas Rubicon. Recent in-service training has been provided for staff in the area of curriculum. In addition, ISA has been reviewing its curriculum for vertical alignment and cross-level spiraling which is linked to standards and assessment. In-service workshops are held each year for all ISA faculty, to assure continual professional development. Some teachers are sent to U.S. summer courses as needed for updating or AP training or to professional conferences.
The average class size is 12 with a maximum of 22 students. When a class size is less than 10, it may be combined with another level for some specific subjects. The block system is followed in the middle and high schools providing four extended instructional periods each day with 8 alternating courses. The instructional day is from 7:50-2:45 with after school academic support available as well as a variety of after-school extra-curricular activities and athletics.
Educational materials, resources and textbooks for all grades are shipped in from the U.S. for most subjects except for Dutch. An Aruban/Caribbean history and culture course is taught in the high school. Elementary and other subject area teachers incorporate field trips and curricular instruction related to the local cultur, nature, and history to enhance appreciation and knowledge of Aruba.
