Course Description Book
Download MS Course description book
Dear Students and Parents
This course description booklet is an introduction to the courses we will offer next year. We believe you will find it to be a valuable tool as you prepare for 2009-2010 at ISA.
The Middle School is devoted to bringing our students a program designed to meet the particular needs and interests of young adolescents. We do this by offering a program centered on the American curriculum, enhanced with offerings and opportunities that focus on best practices found around the world.
The core courses of Language Arts, Social Studies, Science and Math along with Physical Education, Dutch and Spanish will be covered each year. The amount of time in the language courses will be doubled next year to meet the needs of students and to maintain good standing with our accrediting body and the NOB. There will be a rotating subject period in which students will be taking art, computer and drama at different times throughout their middle school years.
The block schedule with extended class periods provides our students the time to more fully investigate the ideas and information shared in each classroom session. The eight-class schedule is divided into two days, four classes taken one day and the other four classes taken the following day. Next year, we will be eliminating the current eight classes Friday schedule and guided study periods. This will add to the challenge being provided so that students have the greatest chance to reach their potential. The Friday schedule has also proven to be more time moving between classes and less time engaging in learning activities than that realized in a simple A/B block schedule. We will also be including an advisory period. This block of time is designed to provide each student with consistent adult guidance and a stable peer support group.
We are committed to meeting the needs and interests of our maturing middle school students. The program and courses offered inside this booklet are a reflection of that commitment.
Sincerely,
Paul D. Sibley
Headmaster
