Elementary School
Elementary School is designed for our Grade 0 through 5 students.
It embraces the excitement and wonder of childhood, helping students develop the
fundamental skills, knowledge and attitudes to help them succeed and be happy
as lifelong learners and global citizens in an ever changing world
Helping children learn – academically, socially, spiritually, emotionally and physically – is the real purpose of schools. And empowering them to take control of their learning is ensures it will continue throughout their lives.
What your children learn should respect the past but it must also prepare them for the world in which they are going to live. That’s why ISK focuses on academic and personal development, and the development of a global awareness.
Learning should be active and engaging, and, above all, meaningful to children. That’s why we’ve have designed an ever evolving 21st century curriculum which promotes brain-friendly learning in every area.
And learning should be fun! Our students come to school excited to return each day and we love the feeling of joy and excitement they share.
Elementary School Student / Parent Handbook
Elementary School Program of Studies
Recess
Believing in the power of play as a part of the learning process, Elementary classes have recess each day before lunch and in the afternoon before the final 2 periods of the day. The school has ample space for students to play, including an all weather sports field, playgrounds with equipment, and open, green areas in which to run and play. Unstructured play of this kind helps them develop their creativity, interpersonal skills, leadership abilities and physical health. Besides, it’s fun!
More information:
In Elementary School (grades 0 to 5), great emphasis is placed on the core subjects of Language Arts and Mathematics, which are scheduled every day.
In Language Arts, classes are taught via a combination of whole-class teaching and groups for spelling, reading fluency and comprehension, creative writing, and grammar, according to the level of the individual student.
Mathematics is also taught using a combination of whole-class and small group instruction according to the level of the individual student, with an emphasis on problem solving and mental math.
Frequently Asked Questions
ABOUT ISK’S SECONDARY SCHOOL PROGRAM
Do you have questions?
The International School of Krakow is dedicated to the development of world citizens by facilitating meaningful and structured service learning experiences as part of the whole school curriculum. As they progress from early years through elementary, middle and high schools, students develop greater civic responsibility by researching and identifying needs in both the local and world communities, planning and initiating student-centered activities and experiences, and reflecting on their learning. As they build toward the ultimate goal of creating reciprocal and sustainable service learning experiences, students will gain a deeper understanding of, and commitment to, ISK’s mission.
Service learning is integrated into the Middle School core curriculum, so is not a separate class. In High School, service learning occurs in two courses: Service Learning and CAS.
Each student receives feedback on citizenship standards Approach to Learning) during reporting periods.
Each semester students in grades 6 – 12 receive comments, letter grades and number grades in order to help describe their learning growth. Numbers are used for a product grade and are meant to evaluate student work (major assignments, test, and other summative assessments). The number grades are determined from graded work as follows:
7= 98-100%
6= 90-97%
5= 80-89%
4= 70-79%
3= 60-69%
2= 50-59%
1= below 50%
Grades are cumulative throughout the year, and the final grade in June represents a summary of all work done during the academic year. Depending on the course, some or all of the summative assessments may be included in the product grade. Summative assessments also include semester exams and projects, especially in high school. These are given a greater weight and contribute to the cumulative grade.
For all Secondary School courses, students must obtain a ‘3’ by the end of the year in order to pass the course.
Each high school (grade 9-12) course taken at ISK is awarded a single credit, no matter if it meets 3, 4, 5 or 6 periods a week. (A period lasts for 40 minutes.) The exception is TOK, which earns a single credit over two years. To receive an ISK diploma, students must earn 25 credits, through a combination of core and enrichment courses. For more information, please find our Secondary School Program of Studies.
ISK DIPLOMA
ISK is a fully accredited school, and an ISK diploma prepares students for entry to universities in many different countries. Students must meet core and enrichment graduation requirements, as outlined in our Secondary School Program of Studies. In order to be more competitive, students are encouraged to supplement an ISK diploma with IB course certificates in any subject, including TOK, CAS and the Extended Essay.
IB DIPLOMA
The International School of Krakow is an IB World School and is authorized to offer the International Baccalaureate Diploma. IB World Schools share a common philosophy: a commitment to high-quality, challenging, international education. Since an IB Diploma requires more credits than an ISK diploma, students who earn an IB diploma would normally automatically receive an ISK diploma as well.
Enrichment courses are designed to broaden and enrich a student’s education and include music, drama, art, technology, and physical, health and life-skills education. Arts and technology courses in grades 9 and 10 are chosen as electives. Theory of Knowledge is a required enrichment course in grades 11 and 12. Any core courses above the minimum required in grades 11 and 12 can also be elected as enrichment courses.
Depending on the number of interested non-IB students, electives might potentially also include other courses which are proposed by students or faculty, and which can be taught by staff members currently working at the school.
Once a student is committed to a course, the subject, level, and diploma type can only be changed as per the following procedure:
- A written request is made to change the course, in consultation with the student, parents, teacher, IB / Language / Learning Support Coordinator (as appropriate), and Secondary Principal. This can only occur at the start of a semester.
- At the secondary SST (Student Study Team) meetings in September and January, the IB or Language Coordinator (as appropriate) will be invited to discuss requests for high school course changes. (Requests may not necessarily be approved.)
- The Principal will contact parents to confirm course changes in writing, obtain signatures from parents, and make the appropriate changes on the school’s student information system.
- After the course change deadline has been passed (end of September for the first semester, end of January for the second semester), the student is committed to the course for the duration of the semester (high school) or quarter (middle school).
- Product grades and credits earned prior to the course change are unaffected.
Admission to the IB Diploma Programme in grade 11 is considered on an individual basis for all students. However, it is recommended that students have already earned all 18 credits by the end of grade 10, AND show product grades of 4 for subjects that they are interested in pursuing at SL, and 6 for subjects at HL. Additionally, grade 10 students who are on ILP’s or in EAL are given further guidance according to the following procedures:
- The student’s academic record, ILP / WIDA scores and teacher recommendations are reviewed at a secondary SST meeting.
- The student’s academic record, ILP / WIDA scores and teacher recommendations are reviewed at a secondary SST meeting.
- The student meets with the Learning Support and IB coordinators to discuss grade 11-course plan and accommodations available.
- There is a follow-up meeting to discuss this information with parents.
- Up-to-date psycho-ed assessments may need to be requested in some cases.
- The student then submits his or her final choice sheet, signed by the parents.