Academics

ICS maintains a commitment to academic excellence, while also providing extracurricular and athletic offerings that enhance the social development of students.

In 2017, only 27.7% of students were on grade level in reading. Our May 2021 data showed that 63% of students are now on grade level in reading, and we expect over 70% to be on grade level in reading by the end of the 2022-23 year. This phenomenal growth in reading has earned ICS the Governor’s Office of Student Achievement Silver Award for Student Achievement. Over the past 3 years, English Language Learners have consistently met or exceeded their growth goals for English Language proficiency as compared to their peers across the state. As a result, ICS earned 92+% of our CCRPI progress points for these gains each of the past 3 years. 

ICS was accredited by AdvancEd in 2018 and was recently re-certified as an International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme in 2022. The ICS charter was most recently approved for renewal in 2019 for a period of five years (2019 – 2024) by both the Georgia Department of Education and DeKalb County School District.

The Primary Years Programme (PYP) enables students to learn beyond traditional subject boundaries.

ICS operates under the guiding principles of global citizenship. The ICS curriculum follows the Georgia Standards taught within the framework of the International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programmeenabling students to employ an investigative, inquiry-based approach to learning – taught in an integrated framework that emphasizes cross-disciplinary thinking, problem-solving and personal wellness.

All 5th Graders culminate their PYP years research project with a mentor, rigorously studying an issue they see in our own community. Our entire school enjoys learning from their exhibition, held in May each year.

Daily Specials

 

We fiercely protect our students’ right to music, art, physical education, and access to a library. Students have “specials” built into their schedule daily to make sure they get exposed to each of these 4 special areas every week.

All students at ICS also learn their grade level subjects in French through weekly collaboration between native French speakers and our homeroom classes.

ESOL & Learning Support

As of May 2022, 65% of ICS staff holds an ESOL endorsement on their certificate which provides them the tools to tailor instruction to our unique population, with nearly half of our student body qualified as English language proficient. 

ICS has several teaching assistants that specialize in math and literacy support in smaller groups of students, as well as a gifted instructor on staff.

Social & Emotional Learning (SEL)

 

Decades of research show the positive effects of universal, classroom-based SEL programs for children. There’s also broad recognition that benefits are even greater when children experience SEL throughout their day, across home, school, and out-of-school time environments, and throughout developmental stages. When implemented holistically, with a coordinated, community-wide approach, SEL can build stronger communities and support inclusive, equitable learning.

ICS students benefit from SEL instruction during their morning meetings based on the Second Step curriculum. They will learn to gain confidence, set goals, make better decisions, collaborate with others in work and play, and navigate the world more effectively.

Facilities

Let our students show you around ICS...

The ICS campus, formerly Medlock Elementary School, hosts ample outdoor and in-class facilities for learning, including

  • A nature trail and a learning garden maintained by ICS students and staff
  • 2 outdoor classrooms and outdoor musical instruments
  • Jungle gym, soccer field, baseball diamond, basketball court, and track
  • A library featuring fiction, non-fiction and research materials that also highlights multiculturalism
  • A teacher resource library with curated materials to incorporate with IB units
  • A Community Resource Center with food pantry, uniform closet, and hygiene items
  • A cafeteria with auditorium stage
  • Designated special education classroom with inclusive, flexible learning spaces

After-School Activities & Childcare

The Club provides childcare and supplemental educational activities every school day from 2:30 to 6:00 p.m.

ICS partners with New American Pathways to nominate refugee students for Bright Futures, a tuition-free afterschool program with school liaison services.

From athletics to music and everything in between, The Club Afterschool and ICS offer several afterschool enrichment opportunities. 

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ICS Closed 1/16/24