Curriculum
International Academy of Smyrna offers a rigorous instructional program for all scholars. The foundation for our program is the Georgia Standards of Excellence, required by the State Department of Education. Our standards aligned core content area programs support in instruction in math, reading, English Language Arts, and social studies.
Additionally, our IAS educators encourage our scholars to exceed expectations by engaging them in differentiated, hands-on learning experiences. We use a variety of assessments such as Georgia Milestones, benchmarks, and common formative assessments that allow us to collect and analyze data to make curriculum and instructional decisions based on our students’ needs. Our curriculum maps and academic programs ensure consistency from class to class and grade to grade.
Assessments
Georgia Milestones
The school’s assessment plan includes administration of teacher created formative and summative assessments, along with state assessments including the Georgia Milestones Assessment System, for grades 3 through 5, Georgia Kindergarten Assessment (GKIDS), Keenville for grades 1 and 2, Beacon for grades 3 through 5. IAS also uses i-Ready as a benchmark assessment.
Students in grades 3 through 5 take an end-of-grade assessment in English Language Arts and mathematics while students in the 5th grade are also assessed in science. To learn more about the purpose of the Georgia Milestone and to find resources for teachers and parents click here.
The review of assessment data is a part of the Data Team process that all teachers utilize. (3rd sentence in 1st paragraph. Changed utilized)
I-Ready
IAS scholars engage in taking i-Ready three times each school year. i‑Ready Diagnostic is an adaptive assessment designed to provide teachers with actionable insight into student needs. It offers a complete picture of student performance and growth, eliminating the need for multiple, redundant tests. By adapting to student responses and assessing a broad range of skills—including skills above and below a student’s chronological grade—the i‑Ready Diagnostic pinpoints student ability level, identifies the specific skills students need to learn to accelerate their growth, and charts a personalized learning path for each student.
After each administration of i-Ready, your scholar’s school family analyzes the data to make instructional decisions that are prescriptive to each scholar’s needs. These results further assist our teachers in assigning computer-based assignments in i-Ready Learning. i-Ready Learning supports individualized learning through tailored instruction that meets students where they are to assist in acceleration or closing achievement gaps. This program can be used both at home and in school for additional instructional support.
Make Sure Your Scholar is Ready to LEVEL UP!
Check out our guides for everything you need to know to prepare for the next grade.