The International School of Curaçao (ISC), located in Emmastad, Curaçao, is an accredited, private, and co-educational day school which offers a strong academic program designed to aid students in creating a solid foundation upon which they can build their future. Classes are taught in English and are available for grades K3 through 12. The school's curriculum includes the IB program, available to students attending grades 11 and 12. Coursework in the program allows students to receive the IB diploma, as well as college recognition for taking a variety of classes at both a higher and a standard level.
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The wife of a United States Vice Consul opened the International School of Curaçao in 1968. It was started as a co-educational day school which provided an American-based education in English for children of American citizens on the island. In the early days, the School consisted of solely grades 1 to 4, and throughout the years it has constantly expanded to where it is today: a day school which consists of grades K3 through grade 12.
ISC was incorporated into a non-profit foundation in 1971. Up until 1972, the school shared facilities with the Hebrew Religious School. In 1972, two houses located in Emmastad were rented from the Shell N.V. in order to be able to house the large number of students enrolling at the school. It was at this point that they moved to their current location in Emmastad. The International School of Curaçao is a member of the Association of American Schools in South America, the College Board, the National Association for College Admission Counseling, and is fully accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools since 1990. As of fall 1996, the school offers the International Baccalaureate Program, which is highly recognized by universities world wide. Currently the school has 489 students and 71 staff members and is continuously growing.
The International School of Curaçao’s educational curriculum focuses on building strong characters and an understanding of the world surrounding the students’ lives. Students are taught to think creatively, and they eventually develop communication skills and the knowledge which will help them with further studies in the future.
In the early years of learning, students learn through what they enjoy doing most: Playing. Communication amongst fellow classmates and others broadens as students learn to interact through their daily activities in the childhood center. As an international school, students are exposed to different cultures early on in their very own classrooms. Motor skills, creativity, colors, shapes, and a vast variety of media are introduced to the students while they explore the world of fine arts.
The elementary school is composed of grades K4 to grade 5. Students in these grade levels have library classes once a week, which exposes them to the world of choosing books so as to learn to appreciate literature and enjoy reading. The International School of Curaçao offers three languages for learning. In English classes, students are exposed to the English language and its grammar so they develop reading and writing skills and the accurate grammar involved in speaking the language. The foreign languages include Dutch and Spanish, where students can learn a new language or practice languages already familiar to them, so communication with one another becomes easier. In the field of the performing and fine arts, students take art and music classes. Students are introduced to the importance of art and music in culture and society. Mathematics are introduced early on, and students are taught the basics of simple mathematics, upon which they can build their future math knowledge. Students are introduced to physical, life, and earth sciences as well. Classes involve hands-on experiments in order to encourage interactive learning. In Social Studies, historical topics as well as the geographical aspects of different countries are studied
Middle school science involves a simple introduction to chemistry, physics, and biology—topics which will be covered in detail in the high school years. In the field of mathematics, sixth graders learn an introduction to what will be taught in the following year, seventh graders do pre-algebra, and eight graders do algebra. Middle school social studies focus on the Renaissance, Reformation, Scientific Revolution, as well as early European history. English classes involve reading and analyzing different forms of literature as well as creative writing. Other classes include co-ed survival, art, music, health, physical education, and foreign languages, of which students may choose to take either Dutch or Spanish. Students may take a band class, in which they may choose an instrument to learn in order to be able to be a part the ISC band.
High School students need to complete a total of 12 credits or two years at the International School of Curaçao in order to be eligible to receive an International School of Curaçao High School diploma.
Students have to take at least one foreign language class in high school. There are a variety of electives from which to choose, and they include: Psychology, art, journalism, co-ed survival, PC, Model United Nations, and band. The juniors and seniors are introduced to the International Baccalaureate (IB) program, which is an international, two-year program which requires students to take a certain amount of classes at both a higher and standard level. A wide variety of classes are available to choose from, and if students choose to take the program, they have the option of getting a certificate or a diploma in the program, which is highly recognized by universities world wide. All students will graduate with the ISC diploma, and those who fulfill the IB requirements and pass the external examination will also receive the IB diploma.
For international students who don’t speak English as a first language, the English as a Second Language program (ESL) is offered at school for students of all ages in order to aid them in learning the language that is the school’s primary language. The Learning Rresource program is also available for students in elementary and middle school who need additional assistance or have learning differences.
The International School of Curaçao accepts students on a rolling admissions basis. There is no religious affiliation, so the school accepts students of all religious backgrounds. Application forms are available and can be found in the admissions section of the school's website: www.isc.an. Students applying to the school must hand in an application form along with a letter from a parent or legal guardian requesting their child's enrollment, a copy of their passport or identification card, medical or health information, and previous school records. High school students need to hand in two teacher confidential reports, a short autobiography written by the student without any assistance, and must go through an admissions interview. Native English speakers must hand in a two-page sample of any of their writing.
The following are the number of students and nationalities enrolled for the school year 2006 to 2007:
| Grade Level | Enrollment |
|---|---|
| K - 5 | 214 |
| Middle School | 93 |
| High School | 143 |
| Enrollment Total | 450 |
| Nationality | Percentage |
| American | 9.11% |
| British | 1.11% |
| Canadian | 1.33% |
| Colombian | 2.89% |
| Dutch (Netherlands) | 14.89% |
| Dutch (N.A.) | 51.11% |
| Indian | 7.11% |
| Venezuela | 8.67% |
| Others | 3.78% |
| Gender | Enrollment |
| Female | 218 |
| Male | 232 |
The International School of Curaçao has improved their facilities throughout the years and is continuously growing. The facilities include a computer lab with 24 computers available to students taking Computer classes. The school offers a library with computers available to students who need to work on school related work, and a wide variety of fictional or non-fictional books, encyclopedias, and magazines. A small classroom within is open to younger students who take Library class or want to check out picture books. On May 2007, the school officially celebrated the opening of the brand new gym and auditorium, which features a basketball court, a stage, showers, and two classrooms located on the upper floor, which is used to teach Health class. The ISC School Store sells school supplies and uniforms to students. There are two snack shops located at the school, one for the elementary and middle school students, and one for the high school students, whose campus is located across the street from the elementary and middle school campus. Snacks and meals are available to students throughout the school day.
The school has wireless internet connection available to students who bring their laptops to school. The school has three science labs: One for the middle school students and two for the high school students. Science classes are taught in these classrooms, where experiments may be performed safely.
Construction of new facilities for this year include the construction of a new high school wing, which is said to begin in late 2007, as well as the construction of a senior patio on which high school seniors may spend their breaks. This wing will include new classrooms and social area for students. The senior patio is currently in construction and will be a new addition to the school campus this year.
A new school store was recently opened to sell school supplies and uniforms. As a growing school, ISC plans on improving their facilities throughout the years.
The International School of Curaçao offers after school programs to keep their students active. They call it the “Learning Plus Program”. This includes a variety of after school classes as well as sport activities. The classes include homework help to a relaxing class of yoga, or even learning how to ride a bicycle at the bike park. The sports activities include Soccer, Basketball, and Volleyball for both boys and girls. If students are in High School, they can join the varsity program, in which they can be a part of the school’s sports’ teams which may give them an opportunity to represent the island and the school at the annual Tri-Island Exchange, in which the school competes against schools from Aruba and Trinidad. Besides the after school programs, students organize their own activities in which other students may participate. These activities include LAN games, where students bring their computer to school and compete against each other in computer games. A Halloween party is organized every year in the evening where students play games for prizes and have costume parades. Other activities organized include a Carnival Jump-In event, which follows the same idea as the Halloween parties. Community service projects are done by the student council and the National Honor Society. These activities include collecting food and clothing for people in need during the Christmas season and cleaning up a local beach in the annual Caracasbaai clean up event.
The Extra Curricular Activities include: