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The International School – Offering World Class Education

Diversity, leadership, unity and excellence – those are the pillars that keep together the amazing structure of the International School in Rodney Bay Saint Lucia that embodies a student complement covering 19 nationalities.

Established in 2006, this institution prides itself in the delivery of quality education to students from Grades 3 to 12 with a Canadian compiled curriculum that begins in Ontario and ends in New Brunswick.

Presently, Saint Lucians make up 60 percent of the student body, all of whom have access to a quality of education rated fifth the world over and an almost guaranteed acceptance into the best universities anywhere.

Of the 16 new graduates set to embark on the new leg of their educational adventure after June 2015, more than half of these have already secured early acceptance into Universities in the United States, Canada and Europe.

Principal of the International School Mr. Paul Hutton boasts that this small group of academics have received a combined scholarship valued at over US$80,000, adding to a pool of more than US$360,000 that would have been made available to graduates from the International School over the past three years.

“In the last three years our graduates have attended the University of Waterloo, University of Toronto, University of New Brunswick and Ryerson School of Business in Canada, Hollins University in the USA and Manchester College in the UK with scholarships” Hutton said.

Saint Lucian students joining the International School after completing their CXCs or CSECs with Grade 3 or above will be automatically granted credits for their Grade 11 courses, allowing them to complete their studies at the International School in one year.

Chairman of the School Board Dr. Tanya Destang-Beaubrun said the International School Curriculum emphasizes critical and creative thinking, teaching children how to access information, utilize it wisely and become effective problem solvers.

The school was born out of a strong and shared desire by parents of children in the public school system who felt that the learning abilities of their children were not necessarily being catered to by the public delivery system available at the time.

Citing the history of the school, Dr. Beaubrun explained that contrary to popular opinion, the International School is not an institution for the perceived societal elite, but instead it is one armed with the tools to address the individual learning abilities of each child.

“The school came about with a desire to really put children first and to cater to the needs of each individual child,” Dr. Beaubrun said. “It was simply a desire to focus on the needs of our children.”

She explained that the apparently singular approach to teaching and expectations of learning in the public school system does not necessarily fit with the differing abilities of 21stcentury children, most of who respond better to audio visuals and hands-on approaches to learning.

“A lot of children were being left behind in the public school system and some were actually dyslexic and quite a few cases were discovered only after the school got started,” Dr. Beaubrun said.

According to the School Board Chairman, the International School has evolved considerably since its birth in September 2006, and is now armed with an exceptional complement of teachers – the school’s greatest assets.

She said the teaching staff are all professional University-trained individuals with an approach that is inspired, student-centered, and individualized – all of which provide a range of opportunities for students to participate and excel in arts, academics, student leadership and community service.

The teachers understand the importance of providing a supportive and stimulating learning environment and are committed to the intellectual and personal development of all students.

“They are passionate, approachable and are always ready and willing to help,” she assured.

Subjects available to students of the International School include English, Mathematics, History, Computer Science, Digital Technology, Accounts, Sciences, Law, Hospitality and Tourism, Physical Education, Geography, Nutrition for Healthy Living, Economics and more.

All students operate in a computer-based environment where there are vast opportunities to collaborate with each other in research and other areas important for both University and the work place.

Despite the considerable environment created for work and learning, the International School has managed to skillfully marry a wide-range of extra curricular activities available in its auditorium, field and nearby facilities.

Students can take advantage of choir/band, documentary clubs, photography, football, fitness workout, art club, student council, yearbook committee, swimming, yoga and dance.  The school also participates in Ministry of Education School Competitions like swim meets, football, art and poster competitions, spelling bees, table tennis and more.

“Those four words of our motto describe for me what a school should be. So parents that want to have their children in a school where excellence is part of their daily routine, where acceptance, understanding of and tolerance for diversity is at the forefront, then this is where they need to be,” said Principal Paul Hutton. “Kids have a better well rounded education in an environment like that. And that leads to success.”