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Kindergarten and Elementary Curriculum

At ISSP, our international curriculum (that follows IB PYP) for children 6 to 11 years old is designed to provide students with a seamless transition into our secondary schools, ISHCMC or ISHCMC – American Academy, which has a 100% acceptance rate for students who apply to overseas universities. 

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Best of International Elementary Curriculum

Seamless transition to secondary at ISHCMC and ISHCMC – American Academy

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Our education program is aligned with American Standards and is designed to strike an effective balance between academic excellence and guiding students in their creative, physical, emotional, and social goals. This curriculum ensures our elementary students’ transdisciplinary learning across mathematics, science, music, language arts, and social studies is benchmarked against American Standards.

English Excellence

Over 60% of students achieve above grade level English

Building English language proficiency in every child is one of our key goals at ISSP. Over 60% of our students achieved above worldwide grade-level standards in English in their MAP® tests.

English grammar lessons and writing workshops timetabled reading sessions in our Library that contains over 18,000 English books and an extensive Summer Reading Program develops every child’s literacy and communication skills. Free English language support for non-native speakers is available through our extensive English as Additional Language (EAL) program. Designed to meet the academic needs of students at various levels of the acquisition process, our EAL program improves students’ abilities in reading, writing, listening, and speaking until they are ready to excel in our mainstream programs.

Academic Excellence

Over 80% of students achieve above grade level Mathematics

All elementary students take the Measurement of Academic Progress® (MAP®) standardized testing to measure growth and progress within the academic year and as students progress through the grades. 

Over 80% of our students achieved above worldwide grade-level standards in Mathematics in their MAP® tests. These assessments enable us to understand each child’s strengths and needs so that we can deliver individualized learning plans and ensure every student reaches their full potential while at ISSP.

Global Languages Program

Vietnamese and Mandarin

To prepare students for success in our increasingly interconnected world, all elementary students learn either Mandarin or Vietnamese. Mandarin, the world’s most widely spoken language globally, gives our students a competitive edge in preparation for future success in the international business market. Our students are passionate about learning a foreign language, and many choose to extend their Mandarin language education in our after-school Mandarin Club. Vietnamese as a second language helps our students develop a deeper connection to the country we live in.

Sporting Excellence

Competitive Teams - Winning Spirit

We recognize the importance of sports participation and regular physical activity, not only in improving strength and fitness, but also for its positive effects on increasing self-esteem, mood, and concentration. All

ISSP elementary students participate in our extensive swimming program, where specialist instructors teach children to refine stroke proficiency and build their strength and core stamina to swim with ease and efficiency over greater distances.

From Grade 3, students who show a passion for sports and a desire to extend their athletic abilities can compete in our swimming, soccer, and basketball teams against elementary sports teams from other international schools across the city, teaching children about teamwork, risk-taking, leadership, integrity and perseverance, important qualities that will carry them through their lives during and after ISSP.

ICT Learning

Interactive iPad Program

With Information & Communications Technology (ICT) an integral part of daily life, we believe that children should become confident in its constructive and responsible use from an early age. In our dedicated ICT lab, students develop fundamental digital literacy skills and learn to use technology as a tool to promote and access communication, information, and creativity. Our ICT program also includes an exciting, interactive iPad program where children further develop their creative thinking skills in solving problems using technology.

After School Activities Program

Over 65 Enrichment Opportunities

We are committed to the development of the whole child, addressing students’ social, physical, emotional, and cultural needs with equal importance to their academic needs. The common bonds and friendships created in extra-curricular activities form the basis of ISSP’s close-knit community and rich school culture.

There are +65 After-school-activity clubs (ASAs) at ISSP: swimming, cooking, karate, student leadership, choir, basketball, and dance, etc. ASAs take place from 3:15 to 4:15 PM, Monday to Friday. Some ASAs are taught by specialists in their fields with fees. Some are led by our teachers and are generally free of charge.

Kindergarten

An Example of Kindergarten Timetable at ISSP

Rotation Day Day A Day B Day C Day D Day E Day F
Period 1

8:00-8:40

 Math
Period 2

8:40-9:20

 Literacy/Phonics
Period 3

9:20-10:00

 Storytime Storytime Recess Inquiry Inquiry Recess
10:00-10:15 Snack
Period 4

10:20-11:00

 Library Art Writers Workshop Music Art Music
Period 5

11:05-11:45

 Vietnamese / Mandarin Recess Vietnamese / Mandarin Recess Vietnamese / Mandarin Counseling/ICT
11:45-12:15 Rest/Continued Learning Block/Free Choice
12:15-12:45 Lunch
Period 6

12:50-1:30

 Recess Writers Workshop Physical Education Writers Workshop Physical Education Physical Education
Period 7

1:35-2:15

 Writers Workshop Inquiry Inquiry Library Writers Workshop Writers Workshop
Period 8

2:20-3:00

 Inquiry Recess Wellness Recess Multi-Purpose Room Inquiry
3:15 – 4:15 After School Activities After School Activities After School Activities After School Activities After School Activities After School Activities

Elementary

An Example of Elementary Timetable at ISSP

Rotation Day Day A DAY B DAY C DAY D DAY E DAY F
Period 1

8-8:20

 Morning Meeting Morning Meeting Morning Meeting Morning Meeting Morning Meeting Morning Meeting
Period 2

8:25 – 9:15

 Math: Whole Group Lesson Math: Whole Group Lesson Math: Whole Group Lesson Math: Whole Group Lesson Math: Whole Group Lesson Math: Whole Group Lesson
Period 3

9:20 – 10:00

 Math: Independent Practice Math: Independent Practice Music Art Math: Independent Practice Math: Independent Practice
10:00 – 10:20 Recess
Period 4

10:20 – 11:00

 Guided Reading / Literature Circles Guided Reading / Literature Circles Guided Reading / Literature Circles Guided Reading / Literature Circles Guided Reading / Literature Circles Guided Reading / Literature Circles
Period 5

11:05 – 11:45

 Vocabulary

Writing

Read Aloud

 Vocabulary

Writing

Read Aloud

 Vocabulary

Writing

Read Aloud

 Vocabulary

Writing

Read Aloud

 Vocabulary

Writing

Read Aloud

 Vocabulary

Writing

Read Aloud
12:05 – 12:25 Lunch
12:25 – 12:45 Recess
Period 6

12:50 – 1:30

 Inquiry: Science/Social Studies Inquiry: Science/Social Studies Inquiry: Science/Social Studies Inquiry: Science/Social Studies Music Counseling / ICT
Period 7

1:35 – 2:15

 Physical Education Library Physical Education Inquiry: Science/Social Studies Art Inquiry: Science/Social Studies
Period 8

2:20 – 3:00

 Host Country Studies / Vietnamese Vietnamese / Mandarin Host Country Studies / Vietnamese Vietnamese / Mandarin Host Country Studies / Vietnamese Vietnamese / Mandarin
3:15 – 4:15 After School Activities After School Activities After School Activities After School Activities After School Activities After School Activities

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Students Achievements & Showcases

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