Academics

Curriculum at ICS

The International Community School of Addis Ababa, accredited in the United States, develops the talents and intellects of a multicultural student body using learner-centered, holistic instructional methods, empowering each student to contribute in an evolving world.

To accomplish our mission of empowering each student to contribute in an evolving world, ICS has adopted standards and benchmarks in all curricular areas. These standards and benchmarks guide the teacher's planning, assessment, and materials selection. The standards have been selected from a variety of sources. Some are from American professional organizations, such as the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) or the National Association for the Education of Young Children. Others were developed by international teachers, such as our social studies standards which reflect a more international perspective than those developed from a particular national perspective.

Each teacher designs a curriculum map to ensure that the instructional activities and their assessments align with the standards and benchmarks. The curriculum maps are revised and refined yearly.

One of the objectives of the strategic plan at ICS is to monitor and assess individual student learning. The curriculum at ICS is dynamic and able to be adjusted to meet the needs of individual students. Teachers meet frequently in grade level or subject area teams and in committees comprised of teachers from Kindergarten through Grade 12 to evaluate, articulate, and refine the instruction delivered to the students at ICS.

Field Experiences

ICS believes in the importance of supplementing in-class learning with field experiences, taking advantage of the many educational opportunities available in Ethiopia. Elementary students may visit a local farm, a weaving studio or a coffee plantation. Secondary students take overnight trips to different locations in Ethiopia, including the Bale Mountains, the Historical Circuit and Harar, for in-depth studies of science, history and culture.

IB at ICS

The International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme is recognized as the flagship of the high school academic program. Students in grades 11 and 12 are encouraged to participate in the IB program, which challenges students to master content knowledge and to acquire advanced critical thinking skills. Students are expected to use their creativity, to be actively involved in community service, to demonstrate proficiency in conducting independent research, and to be reflective through a balanced interdisciplinary approach to learning.

Student Support Services

The ICS resource teachers provide limited support to students with special needs. Families with children who are or have been receiving support must submit documentation of that support along with the application materials, to assist the resource team in assessing our ability to support the child.

Counseling

Three counselors are available on campus to serve the elementary and secondary schools. The counselors support families transitioning into or out of ICS and provide confidential counseling services to students. The elementary counselor conducts classroom visits, provides leadership opportunities and team-building activities. The middle school counselor supports student social-emotional needs and team building in grades 6-8. The high school counselor provides college and academic counseling and facilitates the college admissions process.