About Us
The International Community School (ICS) is a public charter school in DeKalb County, Georgia serving students in grades K-5. ICS was strategically designed in 2002 to bring together refugee, immigrant and local children in an academically challenging and nurturing environment. Today, the school serves more than 400 students annually representing more than 30 nationalities and speaking 25 languages.
Mission
Our Mission
The International Community School is an International Baccalaureate World School that educates refugees, immigrants and local children, and provides a rigorous and holistic education in an intentionally diverse community of mutual learners.
Our Vision
The International Community School seeks staff and families who are committed to our vision of creating a supportive community of students, staff and parents, learning from each other and celebrating diversity among us.
Our Statements of Understanding
We understand that each member of our community (staff, family, and student) is unique and essential to our life together.
- We believe that everyone is inherently able to learn and it is our collective responsibility to nurture the unique genius of every person.
- We believe in educating the whole child – their physical, intellectual, social, emotional, cultural and creative selves. Teaching in a culturally responsive lens, we view socio-emotional development as important as promoting academic excellence.
- We encourage expression through maintaining home languages, fostering fluency in Standard English and offering opportunities to learn other languages.
- We welcome and engage with people of various identity differences including, but not limited to, race, ethnicity, socio-economic status, sexual orientation, gender identity, ability, faith and political affiliation.
- We are preparing children to be global citizens who take action and work toward social justice in their communities.
- As a beloved community, we approach complex issues with strong communication, collaboration, perspective, respect and active listening.
I contribute to a legacy and my voice and actions matter.
OUR HISTORY
ICS opened in 2002 as one of Georgia’s earliest start-up public charter schools; to address the educational circumstances of the thousands of refugees from all over the world who relocated to DeKalb County.
The first year in operation, the school served 125 Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grade students and operated on the campus of Avondale Patillo United Methodist Church. One grade level was added annually as the children progressed, and in 2006 a second campus opened for 5th and 6th grade students at St Michael & All Angels Episcopal Church. The two-campus solution was taxing on logistical, financial and human resources, and was not a permanent solution to accommodate the growth.The school consolidated operations and moved into the Medlock Elementary facility in August 2012.
Today, ICS serves 475 children annually in grades K-5 representing over 30 countries and speaking 25 languages. Students at ICS represent an economic mix seldom seen in U.S. public schools. Forty-nine percent are child refugees or immigrants, and nearly 70% are eligible for free or reduced lunch. What brings these diverse communities together is a powerful vision of public education. The ICS curriculum follows the Georgia Standards of Excellence taught within the framework of the International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme, enabling students to employ an investigative, inquiry-based approach to learning. ICS operates school-wide under the guiding principles of global citizenship.
The ICS curriculum, distinctive instructional methods, and educational programs are based on one crucial concept and unifying principle: ICS is not a school for refugees or a school for American children. Instead, it is a school where community is built around both groups under the powerful pedagogical idea that neither group can properly learn without the other, both academically and socially. ICS improves student learning for refugee, immigrant and local children through its special education services, enhanced language instruction, and a variety of community building activities designed to offer exposure to other cultures and perspectives.
STAFF DIRECTORY
ADMINISTRATION
TEACHERS & TEACHER'S ASSISTANTS
KINDERGARTEN
1ST GRADE
3RD GRADE
4TH GRADE
5TH GRADE
SPECIALS TEACHERS
ESOL, Gifted, & Academic Coaches
SPECIAL EDUCATION
Campus Support Staff
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
As a 501c3 non-profit organization, ICS is governed by a Board of Directors made up of community volunteers with various areas of expertise. These individuals provide governance and fiduciary oversight while maintaining an effective long-term vision for the school.
The 2024 Board Recruitment Campaign is accepting new Board Member applications until March 31, 2024. Learn more about joining our Board of Directors.
CURRENT MEMBERS OF THE BOARD
Chanika Perry
Chair – [email protected] (Oct ’20-June ’24)
Hands on Atlanta
Bailey Maxwell
Vice Chair – [email protected] (March ’22-March ’25)
Bennett Thrasher
Natalie Olubuyide
Secretary – Natalie.Olubuyide@
Chervickia Roberts
Treasurer– [email protected] (Sep ’22-Sep ’25)
Adrienne Avery
[email protected] (Oct’23-Oct’26)
Kim Farr
[email protected] (Oct’23-Oct’26) Aspen Leadership Group
KYRA M. CALDWELL TEMPLETON, PH.D.
[email protected] (June’22-June’25)
Atlanta Public Schools
Brittany Cunningham
b[email protected] (July ’21-Oct ’24)
DeKalb County Schools
Xavier Flores
[email protected] (Jan’23-Jan’26)
Homestar Financial Corporation
Melissa Cantrell
CDH Partners
Lexie Linger
lexie.linger@icsgeorgia.
Successful Nonprofits
Julie Mcfaddin
[email protected] (June ’22-June ’25)
City Schools of Decatur
Jonah Bushell
[email protected] (June’23-June’26)
University of Georgia and C5 Georgia Youth Foundation
Joshua Mayes
[email protected] (June’23-June’26)
Robbins Alloy Belinfante Littlefield LLC
MAIN BOARD DOCUMENTS
Find board meeting minutes, announcements, annual policies, and budgets here.
OTHER BOARD DOCUMENTS
Note: Clicking on each link will redirect you or begin download.
Non-Profit Status Certificate -501 (c)3
Open Records Requests:
To make a request under the Georgia Open Records Act, contact Claudia Rule with your specific request for documents, preferably via e-mail, at:
2418 Wood Trail Lane, Decatur, GA 30033. Tel 404-499-8969.
[email protected]
Please note that ICS charges reasonable fees for the production of records, in accordance with the laws of the state of Georgia.