International School of Lusaka

ISL's Early Years Department uses hands-on learning experiences and a Play Based learning approach to facilitate learning in Language, Mathematics and different aspects of Science and Technology, Social Studies, Personal and Social Education, Art and Drama. This approach allows each child to learn at their own level and in meaningful ways.

The International School of Lusaka has a weekly Early Years' assembly where the children listen to stories, sing songs and take part in performances.

Maximum class sizes are:

• Nursery – 30 (1:10 adults to children)
• Pre-School and Reception – 22 (1:11 adults to children)
• Years 1 and 2 – 26 (1:13)

Children are assessed by class teachers before being admitted. Normal ages for the different classes are:

• Nursery – 2+ years (the child should be toilet trained)
• Pre-School – 3 years
• Reception – 4 years
• Year 1 – 5 years
• Year 2 – 6 years

School facilities

The International School of Lusaka campus has facilities that include specialist classrooms, two swimming pools, one of which is a learner's pool. The qualified school nurse is able to offer parents advice related to health issues. The school also offers a Learning Support programme (LS), and an 'English for Speakers of Other Languages' programme (ESOL).

The Nursery class

Children develop their self-awareness and become confident and independent. Play is an important aspect of Nursery and the school aims to provide an attractive environment that will stimulate learning through play. Children attend specialist lessons in PE, Music, Library and Swimming.

The Pre-School class

Children are given the opportunity to investigate and experiment at their own pace. Activities are arranged to give children an introduction to foundation skills in Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening, Mathematics, Art, Units of Inquiry, Music and Physical Education.

The Reception class

In Reception the school fosters children's natural love of learning by building on their curiosity. All disciplines are addressed through the program which helps children to learn to express themselves, communicate and represent ideas, feelings and knowledge about the world. The school now offers Zambian Studies as part of specialist lessons.

Year 1 class and Year 2 class

Each child is treated as an individual. The teachers are skilled at identifying where a child is, and supporting them to take the next appropriate step. The subjects include Units of Inquiry, Music, Zambian Studies, Modern Foreign Languages (French and Spanish), Science and Technology, Social Studies, Personal and Social Education, Mathematics, Art, English Language.

School hours

School timing accommodates the needs of the various age groups.

• Nursery - 8.05 - 12.00
• Pre-School - 8.05 - 12:40
• Reception - 7:05 - 12:40
• Year 1 and 2 - 7:05 - 13:30

In Year 1 after school activities are introduced in the second semester of the school year (January to June) from 14:00 to 15:00 hours.

In Year 2 the children are invited to join the Upper Primary ASA program. These activities include a variety of sport or Art based activities.

International School of Lusaka key information:

• Excellent co-educational international education
• Open to students of all races, religions and cultures
• Age 2+ to 18 years
• An International Baccalaureate Organisation (IBO) World School
• Accredited by the Council of International Schools (CIS) and the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
• Member of the Association of International Schools in Africa (AISA)
• Member of the Independent Schools Association of Zambia (ISAZ)

The International School of Lusaka (ISL) is staffed by a diverse population of teachers from across the globe. The cultural diversity of both its students and staff provide the school with an excellent and strong basis for international education and cross-cultural understanding.

Primary school background and subjects covered

The Early Years and Primary School classes (Nursery through to Year 6) follow an English language programme that uses the Primary Years Programme (PYP) under the auspices of the International Baccalaureate Organisation (IBO). ISL became an authorised PYP school in 2007. This programme is flexible in order to accommodate the demands of most national and local curricula and is designed for students aged 3 to 12.

At the International School of Lusaka, emphasis is placed on the development of the whole child as an inquirer, both in the classroom and in the world outside. Single subject specialist teachers prepare pupils in the following subjects:

• French
• Spanish
• Music
• Swimming
• ICT integration
• Library
• Arts
• Physical, social and personal education
• Zambian Studies

Assessment

At the International School of Lusaka primary school teachers evaluate the pupils by selecting or designing methods of assessment appropriate to the learning outcomes they intend to capture. Teachers also take into account the diverse ways individual students develop and demonstrate their understanding. The prime objective of assessing students' learning and performance is to give feedback to:

• Students – to encourage the start of lifelong learning
• Teachers – to support and further develop the design of teaching methods and materials – what to teach and how to teach it
• Parents – to highlight their child's learning and development

The schools Learning Support Department for pupils is designed to ensure pupils with mild learning difficulties achieve maximum proficiency in literacy and numeracy before leaving primary school.

The International School of Lusaka offers a comprehensive internal system for monitoring pupil's individual progress that combines with and compliments external checks, such as MAP (Measures of Academic Progress) tests which are administered at appropriate year levels.

Extra-curricular activities

A comprehensive extra curricular programme is available between 14:00 and 16:00 hours every day. All primary students are encouraged to take part in and enjoy the school's large playgrounds and innovative play equipment, as well as its swimming pools. Sports facilities include large fields for football and cricket, a multi-purpose sports area and a covered basketball court.

General academic information

The academic year consists of 180 instructional days divided into two semesters – August to December and January to June. At the mid-point and end of each semester, students and parents will receive academic reports. Grades are derived from a combination of formative (continuous) and summative (end-of-task) assessments. Internal End-of-Year examinations and Mock/Trial examinations before external examinations (IGCSE & IBDP) exams are conducted.

IMYC programme (Years 7, 8, 9)

Students in Years 7, 8, 9 following the International Middle Years Curriculum (IMYC) focus on academic, personal and international learning goals designed to stimulate and inspire learning. Each subject, English, French, Spanish, Social studies, Science, Mathematics, Computer Science, Music, Drama, Art and Physical Education, have specific learning goals and activities which are delivered and assessed by subject specialists. All the subjects in a particular year group follow the same conceptual unit for six weeks at a particular time. The Unit Themes and Big Ideas allow students to make meaning of their learning and to see the interdependence of their different subject areas.

IGCSE programme (Years 10, 11)

The International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) courses currently on offer are English Language, English Literature, French, Spanish, Geography, History, Economics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Core Mathematics, Extended Mathematics, Accelerated Mathematics, Computer Science, Music, Drama, Art and Physical Education. In Year 10, the students begin their IGCSE coursework. At the end of Year 11 students sit for the Cambridge IGCSE external examinations from late April until early June. Successful students receive a CIE Certificate and ICE Award.

IBDP programme (Years 12, 13)

The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP), arguably the best college preparatory programme in the world, has been offered at the International School of Lusaka since 1996. The two-year course forms the basis of study in Years 12 (DP1) and Year 13 (DP2).

Students may choose to undertake the full diploma option, and upon successful completion they are awarded the IB Diploma by the International Baccalaureate Organization. Alternatively students may opt to earn certificates for specific IB courses. In addition students have the option of completing the coursework necessary to obtain an ISL High School Diploma in order to graduate from Secondary school.

The following IB courses are currently offered at both Standard Level and Higher Level: English Language and Literature, French B, Spanish B, Spanish ab initio (beginners), History, Geography, Business Management, Economics, Physics, Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Visual Arts, Theatre Arts, Music and Computer Science.

International School Lusaka is also a permanent test centre for the American Scholastic Aptitude Tests (SATs) and National Benchmark Test (NBT).

Extra-curricular activities

International School of Lusaka gives its students a chance to participate in two activities on a daily basis. These include clubs based on culture, language, art, music, drama, games, academics, as well as sport activities such as netball, football, basketball, volleyball, track and field, and hockey, swimming, and cross country.

After ISL

The school provides a university counsellor to assist with university admissions. ISL students go on to study at universities all over the globe, including USA, UK, Canada, Australia, South Africa, various European countries and, of course, Zambia. More information can be found on the school profile.

Parent Teachers Association

The PTA at International School of Lusaka organises events that help to bring parents, teachers and students together in a spirit of goodwill and co-operation. In addition, the Association strives to promote a better school spirit and raises funds for development projects at the school. The PTA community meets once a month. For more information about how to become involved in the PTA, email primaryprincipal@islzambia.org.