A fully developed curriculum based on United States national and selected state standards is being implemented in the primary grades emphasizing:

• An inquiry approach to learning
• Rigorous attention to basic skills and content
• Integration of subjects, where meaningful and productive

• Teaching for deep understanding

Secundary School

The secondary school at ISM is a rich learning community comprised of students with a variety of academic needs. It is the goal of the secondary school to create an academic program that will challenge all students and to provide them with an opportunity for success and the ability to maximize their potential as learners.

We feel that students have important responsibilities in this regard and we, as a school, expect the following from all students:

• To perform at the highest academic level of which they are capable

• To value thinking and learning and to be open to new ideas

• to come to class prepared and with assigned work completed

• To value class time and to make the best use of it

• To respect the rights and opinions of others within the classroom

• to conduct themselves in a spirit of honesty and fair play with all members of the school community

 Grades 6-8

The curriculum for 2006-2007 will be based on a North American Middle School model. Students will receive instruction in 4 separate core subject areas - English, Social Studies, Science, and Math. They will also receive instruction in Spanish, PE, Music, Art, Computers and Writing Laboratory.

The outstanding features of this curriculum are:

• Plans which describe to students learning outcomes, key learning experiences and major assessments for each unit of study

• Development of higher level thinking skills

• A strong emphasis on the 'real-life' context of both skills and content

• Planned integration, where appropriate

• Rigorous attention to essential work habits

• Criteria-driven development of knowledge, skills and attitudes

• Learning community studies to provide team-building and cooperative-learning skills

 Grades 9-12

During the 2006-2007 school year, Grades 9-12 will be following courses in English, Spanish, History, Math, Science, Journalism, Music, Art, Computers, and PE. These courses will be internally devised and internally assessed.

The outstanding features of this curriculum in Grades 9-12 are:

• Attention to each student's individual needs

• Development of key skills including writing, reading, speaking/discussion, problem-solving analysis

• Strong content base and emphasis on deep understanding

Some grade 12 courses may be taken on-line (Virtual High School) or via University of Nebraska-Lincoln correspondence courses, depending on the availability of appropriate teaching resources at ISM.

At the end of Grade 12, ISM will issue a High School Diploma to each student who has completed the course of study

The courses include the following features:

• Development of key skills - writing, problem-solving, discussion, analysis - to a world-class secondary school standard

• U.S. national and McRel (www.mcrel.org) standards as the criteria for academic expectations.

• Attention to the individual profile of each student to ensure optimum progress/success



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