International School of Iceland

International School of Iceland
Address
Langalina 8
Garðabær, 210
Iceland
Coordinates 64°5′36.17″N 21°56′19.59″W / 64.0933806°N 21.9387750°W
Information
Type Private
Established 2004
Principal Hanna Hilmarsdóttir
Number of students <100
School color(s) Blue and Green         
Website http://www.internationalschool.is/

The International School of Iceland (often abbreviated ISI; official name in Icelandic: Alþjóðaskólinn á Íslandi) is a private, non-profit school in Garðabær, Iceland. It is the oldest international school in the Reykjavík area of Iceland, first established in 1960 as the American Embassy School. ISI has received support in the form of grants, training and consultation from the Office of Overseas Schools in Washington, D.C. since the 1960s.

History

Previously, the school was known as the American Embassy School and then Reykjavik International School in 2004 before taking on its present name in 2006.[1] The school was located on Bergstaðastræti in Reykjavík (as the American Embassy School) and in Grafarvogur before finding its current home in Garðabær, a municipality of the Greater Rekjavík area.[2]

The International School of Iceland offers a course of study for students K-7. Graduates of the program will then go on to complete grunnskóli (elementary) education at a local school of their choice. ISI is currently moving forward with plans to expand the school to include grades 8-10 in the future, which would allow studdents to attend ISI for their entire grunnskoli career before moving to menntaskóli (secondary) education.

The school is housed within the Sjálandsskóli building at Langalina 8, 210 Garðabær. The facilities are notable because they were constructed in 2005 as an open-space design school with modern amenities for students´use.

Academics

The International School of Iceland offers two distinct programs, or “streams.” The English Stream is for families whose parents have been temporarily assigned to work in Iceland by an embassy, business or university; typically, these families live in Iceland for 3 years or fewer. The Bilingual Stream is intended for students who live in Iceland on a permanent basis or for an undetermined length of time.[3]

The program of study includes English, Icelandic (Bilingual program only), mathematics, thematic units from the International Primary Curriculum, gym, swimming, art, textiles, theater and woodwork.[4] Students in the English Stream will learn Spanish as of 2014.

In addition to the academic program, ISI uses external assessments to measure student learning. MAP (Measures of Academic Progress) assessments were introduced at ISI in the Fall of 2010. Students in the Bilingual Program take the Icelandic National Exams (Samræmd próf) in mathematics and Icelandic in grades 4 and 7. These exams are administered each year in September.[5]

Accreditation

In 2010, the International School of Iceland was successfully audited by the Icelandic Ministry of Education. ISI is currently undergoing the accreditation process with the Council of International Schools (CIS). After a visit from CIS representative George Hobson in January 2015, ISI was given official membership status.[6] The process of accreditation will continue in Fall 2015 with a 3-day visit. In addition, ISI is proud to be a full member of ECIS (European Council of International Schools).

Culture and Traditions

School traditions include an annual berry picking trip, a tree planting field trip and a winter ski trip to Bláfjöll (weather permitting). In May, students run to raise money for UNICEF.

Each year also brings a school-wide Halloween Party, holiday celebrations throughout the month of December, an International Pot-Luck dinner in February and a Spring Event with themes that vary from year to year (e.g. 80s Night, Color Explosion or Masquerade).

In May 2014, the school hosted a celebration of its 10-year anniversary; guests included the Minister of Education, the mayor of Garðabær, representatives from local embassies, and former and current students.[7]

In the Spring of each year, students in grades 5-7 raise money to go on an overnight trip in the Icelandic countryside.

Activities

In addition to the rigorous Academic Program, the International School of Iceland offers students classes in swimming, gym, textiles, art and woodwork as part of a typical school day.

The school also offers a variety of after-school activities based on the needs or interests of the students, including Computer Coding, Role-playing Games and Creativity, Mandarin Chinese Language, Spanish Language, Icelandic Enrichment, Football (Soccer) Club, Chess Club and Science Club.[8]

References

  1. ↑ "Alþjóðaskólinn í Reykjavík á nýjum stað". Mbl.is. Morgunblaðið. Retrieved 7 August 2014.
  2. ↑ "Grunnskólar". Skólar og Menntun: Grunnskólar. Garðabær Municipality Website.
  3. ↑ "Bilingual Program". Official International School of Iceland Website. International School of Iceland. Retrieved 7 August 2014.
  4. ↑ "Iceland, Reykjavik: International School of Iceland". U.S. Department of State Office of Overseas Schools. Retrieved 7 August 2014.
  5. ↑ "External Assessments at ISI". Official International School of Iceland website. International School of Iceland. Retrieved 7 August 2014.
  6. ↑ "Accreditation". The International School of Iceland Official Website. ISI. Retrieved 24 March 2015.
  7. ↑ "10 ára afmæli Alþjóðaskólans". Garðabær Municipality Website. Garðabær Municipality. Retrieved 7 August 2014.
  8. ↑ "Student Life: After School Activities". International School of Iceland Official Website. International School of Iceland. Retrieved 8 August 2014.

External links