Elementary

The Elementary years at our school, Grades 1 to 5,  represent a pivotal chapter of growth, where we transition from the play-based discovery of Early Childhood into a world of structured inquiry and global awareness. Our program is designed to develop the whole child, ensuring that academic excellence is always paired with strong character development.

At IST, we embrace a total immersion approach to ensure natural language acquisition, meaning that English is the primary medium for all learning. Aside from dedicated Italian language lessons, every subject is taught exclusively in English to build high-level academic proficiency.

Curriculum

Our Elementary curriculum builds upon a child-centered, inquiry-based foundation, challenging students to apply their knowledge through critical thinking and creative problem-solving. The primary language of instruction is English for all subjects, with the exception of Italian lessons.

The academic experience is anchored in English Literacy, where students journey from mastering phonics, CVC words, and sentence structure in Grade 1 to conducting sophisticated literary analysis and independent research by Grade 5. In Mathematics, the program scales from foundational number sense and basic operations to complex number theory, including decimals, fractions, and algebraic variables. This rigorous core is complemented by a vibrant specialist program—including Art, Music, and PE—where students explore everything from 3D construction and acoustic perception to competitive athletics and health education.

Beyond the core disciplines, students engage in a rich tapestry of Science and Social Studies that connects them to both local and global contexts. The science program encourages hands-on experimentation, moving from observing local environments and basic circuits to studying human anatomy and tectonic shifts. Simultaneously, Social Studies fosters global citizenship by exploring diverse belief systems, geography, and the evolution of societies from ancient Rome to the medieval era. To ensure every child succeeds, we integrate authentic Italian instruction that spans from initial letter-sound correspondence to the study of the Divina Commedia (junior edition), ensuring students develop a deep connection to their local heritage while achieving high academic standards in both languages.

Team

The Elementary Team represents the international character of our school, with staff coming from all corners of the globe. These dedicated educators provide a rich multicultural environment where, together, they foster both academic excellence and global citizenship.

IST core subjects are taught by English-speaking lead teachers who bring international best practices into the classroom, ensuring students develop high-level fluency and academic proficiency. Our Italian staff provide authentic linguistic and cultural instruction, ensuring that students develop a deep connection to the local heritage and reach the required standards of the Italian language. Associate Teachers provide essential support both inside and outside the classroom. They work closely with lead teachers to offer small-group interventions, one-on-one guidance, and the extra attention needed to help students succeed. Through this collaborative approach, our staff works as a cohesive unit to meet students’ individual needs.

Specialized support is available to students still developing the required proficiency in English or Italian;

• English as an Additional Language (EAL), provided during English lessons to support mastery of the language of instruction, and
• Italian as an Additional Language (IAL), provided during Italian lessons to help students integrate into our local linguistic context.

Our dedicated language teachers work in tandem with parents to ensure a student’s progress. Success in these programs relies on a commitment from all parties; by reinforcing learning both in the classroom and at home, we aim to help students access the mainstream program.

Furthermore, for students with specifically identified learning needs, our Learning Support service works together with lead teachers and families. Through this collaborative approach, our staff works as a cohesive unit to provide personalized guidance for students to access the mainstream program and achieve their full potential.

Values

At IST, we build upon the foundations laid in Early Childhood, transitioning from core values to lived character traits that prepare our students for an interconnected world. In the Elementary years, we empower students to see themselves as Global Citizens—individuals who are not only successful learners but also active contributors to a better society.

Our Elementary community cultivates and celebrates these essential character traits:

• Cooperative: Students collaborate effectively with peers and educators, valuing diverse perspectives to achieve common goals for the collective good.
• Independent: Students take ownership of their learning and behavior—taking initiative and demonstrating the agency to excel with increasing self-reliance.
• Reflective: Asking “how” and “why”, students endeavour to better understand global issues and their own evolving place within them.
• Grateful: Students cultivate a sense of appreciation, recognizing the contributions of others and their own relative privileges to foster a spirit of humility and global interconnectedness.
• Courageous: Students embrace challenges with a growth mindset, understanding that persistence and bravery are vital when navigating their lives and the uncertainties of a rapidly changing world.
• Respectful: Respect evolves into a deep sense of responsibility; our students act with integrity and a commitment to protecting both our local community and the global environment.

Through the development of these character traits, our Elementary students grow into compassionate, informed, and responsible Global Citizens, ready to make a positive impact on the world around them.

Facilities

Within the classroom, our educators strike a balance between modern innovation and foundational learning. Teachers integrate technology—including projectors, tablets, and smartboards—to enhance interactive lessons while remaining grounded in traditional tools that promote deep focus. To ignite a lifelong love of reading, students also enjoy access to a dedicated Elementary library and curated in-class collections, ensuring a world of stories is always within reach.

Each learning space is bathed in natural light, oriented toward our expansive inner courtyard. Featuring floor-to-ceiling windows, this design offers a seamless connection to the outdoors, helping students transition easily between academic work and the physical play essential to their development.

This courtyard is equipped with a football field, a gazebo, and benches for outdoor lessons. We believe deeply in the power of movement; whether running in the open air during recess or utilizing our standalone gymnasium for indoor PE and rainy-day play, our students have ample space to stay energized, healthy, and engaged.

Supervision

To support our busy families, we provide a safe and welcoming environment for Elementary students before the school day begins. This morning supervision ensures a seamless transition into the learning day while providing parents with essential scheduling flexibility.

We are pleased to offer dedicated care during INSET (In-Service Training) days which provides a consistent and familiar environment for students while the faculty engages in professional development, ensuring that our families are supported throughout the academic year.