| International Academy of St. Petersburg Russia | |
|---|---|
| Motto | Building Bridges for Third Culture Kids. |
| Established | 1993 |
| Type | Private Grade, Middle, and High School |
| Principal | Tammy Plaster |
| Grades | K–12 |
| Location | St. Petersburg, Russia |
| Colors | Red and White |
| Mascot | Cossack |
| Yearbook | 'IA Yearbook' |
| Website | [1] www.myiasp.com |
International Academy of St. Petersburg Russia, abbreviated IA or "'IASP'", is an International Christian school located in St. Petersburg, Russia. Its curriculum and structure is based on the American system and is garnered towards students who plan to attend college in America or other English-speaking colleges. For this reason all of its classes are conducted in English with standard Christian America curriculum.
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The International Academy began in 1993 as a school for Christian English speakers in St. Petersburg, Russia. Originally named the International Christian School of St. Petersburg, or "ICS," it cooperated with the Russian Christian School, or "RCS" to exist as a part of Kargel and Baedeker School. In the year 2006, the two schools split, and the International Christian School took a new name, the International Academy.
Before 2004, ICS was at Ligovskiy Prospect Metro. Often referred to as the "Red Building", the school was on the second floor of a building which it shared with the Russian Christian School. After numerous problems with the organization the building was rented from, the school moved to its own building on Krestovskiy Island.
In the building on Krestovskiy Island, ICS was on the third floor, RCS on the second, and administrative area, the library, lunch room, and science labs were on the first. There was a small gym attached that could be accessed from a hallway on the first floor.
When at Krestovskiy, the school had three classrooms for the primary grades, first and second, third and fourth, and fifth and sixth. There were two small rooms for language studies, two multi-purpose classrooms, a computer lab, and a math room. There was also a bathroom, a principal's office, a teachers' lounge, and a secretary's office.
The land surrounding the school when at Krestovskiy was wooded and fenced in, with a large park nearby. By the time ICS moved in, the surrounding area was being developed and under heavy construction.
After leaving K&B, the school's next location, for 2 years, was near Gorkovskaya Metro in a shared building.
Finally now (2010), IA has signed its own 5-year lease on a unique, old church building on Vasilievsky Island. The top floor features a huge open area in the center, with domed ceilings and chandeliers still prominent, surrounded by classrooms used by grades 7-12. The second floor houses the elementary classrooms and Art. The first floor includes an eating area, computer lab, offices, and a music room. The music room is used by the bands, choirs, and drama classes.
The average class size for classes is around 15. The majority of graduates in the past few years have gone to colleges in America. Total enrollment at this writing is 85.
The schedule is made by the staff at the beginning of each year. Priority is given to larger classes and seniority is also highly considered. Because of the low student teacher ratio, hand crafting of schedules is sometimes possible.
The school's mascot is the "Cossacks." Boys' basketball competes 2-4 months of the year. Their chief rival is Hinkson Christian Academy in Moscow. In the spring, co-ed volleyball is offered for a one-month mini-season, grades 7-12.
Depending on the interests of staff and parent volunteers, activities vary year to year. Current activities are as follows: - Student Council - Choir - Beginning and Advanced Band - Annual Play - Sign Language - Yearbook - Chess Club - Advanced Placement Computer Science - Box Moving*
International Academy of St. Petersburg website