CRC

The Independent Schools Foundation Academy (The “ISF Academy” or the “Academy”) believes that learning is the active construction of knowledge best experienced through meaningful activities. Learning is visible when students enthusiastically discuss and debate issues, express themselves freely and demonstrate intellectual curiosity. Therefore learning is best done in groups through collaboration with other individuals.

To bring about this kind of learning, teaching methods need to cultivate the joy of learning as well as develop in students the social, creative, communication, and critical thinking skills necessary to achieve success in an ever-competitive and changing world. This means asking questions, taking risks, and not being afraid of making mistakes. Our students learn to learn in their primary years. This individual responsibility for learning continues on in the Secondary. It is reflected in the curricular framework of the International Baccalaureate (IB) and is the reason that the Academy has selected the IB Middle Years Programme® (MYP) and the IB Diploma Programme® (DP) as the core academic programs in the Secondary School.

An added component to ensure academic success in an inquiry-based learning environment is our small class sizes, with no more than 20 students in a Primary School class, and typically less than 22 in the Secondary School class.

Students are assessed in terms of their ability to achieve set criteria in each learning area. Our assessment model focuses on each student’s portfolio, class performance, and written tests after each unit. To set performance standards and benchmarks, clearly defined scoring criteria or rubrics are established for each subject and grade. Summative as well as formative assessments are conducted along with students’ self-evaluation and peer assessment for special projects.