International Studies Academy Middle School International Studies Academy High School Frequently Asked Questions SY 2021-2022
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International Studies Academy Middle School
International Studies Academy High School
Frequently Asked Questions SY 2021-2022
What is a charter school?
• A charter school is a public school of choice that is state funded but privately operated. Charter
schools have the ability to set many of their own policies related to curriculum delivery, parent
involvement, and special programs. Charter schools are required to maintain accountability
academically, financially, and in all areas of legal and safety compliance.
Who is International Studies Academy (ISA)?
• International Studies Academy Middle School and International Studies Academy High School are
part of the International Studies Charter High School family of exemplary charter schools.
International Studies Charter High School (ISCHS) in Miami opened in 2004 in partnership with the
Spanish, Italian, and French consulates for students interested in pursuing an International Studies
(IS) education in Spanish, Italian, or French. In addition to required courses, the IS program offers a
rigorous program in which students take courses immersed in the language of their choice. ISCHS
also offers an Advanced Placement International Diploma (APID) program, offering the same
challenging required curriculum, coupled with the pursuit of at least five Advanced Placement
courses. The curriculum at ISCHS has proven effective and high performing. In 2015, ISCHS was
designated a Blue-Ribbon School, a distinction awarded by the U.S. Department of Education; the
middle school earned this distinction in 2017. ISCHS is fully accredited by Cognia and is in the
process of seeking corporate system accreditation during the 2021-2022 school year.
• International Studies Charter School was established to serve the needs of the community by offering
a multi-lingual, multi-literate, and multi-cultural curriculum, preparing students to be thoughtful,
educated members of a global society.
• International Studies Charter School teaches students to think and behave as citizens of the world,
make decisions with integrity, and graduate with a sense of purpose.
Who can attend a charter school?
• Charter schools are open to all students residing in the county where the school is located, who file a
timely application with the school for consideration. According to state statute, charter schools may
target students residing within a reasonable distance of the school, as well as students articulating
from one charter to another.
Do charter schools charge tuition?
• Charter schools are tuition-free public school that have a contract to operate with the local school
district. Therefore, the school does not charge tuition for attendance in its K-12 educational
programs. There are fees associated with before/aftercare programs, as well as extra-curricular after-
school programs and activities.
How many charter schools does International Studies Charter High School operate?
• International Studies Charter High School ("ISCHS") currently operates a total of three charter
schools located in Miami-Dade County. International Studies Academy Middle and High Schools will
be the first ISCHS schools to open in Broward County, thus bringing the total number of schools
operated to five.
Are charter schools required to employ certified teachers?
• Charter schools are required to employ teachers who hold a current Florida Department of
Education Educator’s Certificate. During its recruitment process, ISA seeks to employ highly
committed staff who embrace the mission and vision of the school and wish to nurture a student’s
educational experience both in and out of the classroom.
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Revised May 11, 2021What educational programs and curriculum will the school offer?
• ISA is a dual-language college preparatory school, thus all students are required to take a foreign
language each year. ISA will meet high standards of student achievement through the delivery of a
rigorous and relevant curriculum and emphasis on mastery of benchmarks aligned to the Florida
BEST Standards in ELA and Mathematics and literacy standards for science and the Florida NGSSS
while providing a strong science foundation. The school will combine the best practices developed
by the ISCHS network including differentiated instruction and continual enrichment. ISA will
provide all students with a rigorous core curriculum of English/Language Arts (ELA), Mathematics,
Social Studies, Science, and Foreign Language. Additionally, the program will provide an array of
electives based on student interest, which may include: fine arts; health; physical education; and
technical curricula.
• As a dual-language college preparatory school, all students at ISA will take a foreign language each
year. Middle school students will take two foreign language courses each year to build the
foundational skills for success in the advanced, Advanced Placement, and Dual Enrollment courses.
• ISA offers advanced and honors courses. Students are encouraged to pursue the most rigorous and
challenging academic program they can handle.
• ISA will be a data-driven school where administrators, teachers, and specialists continually monitor
student achievement and data to support all students and address individualized learning needs,
including students that may need additional support due to deficiencies and students that are high
achieving and can be encouraged to take on more difficult work.
What is the student-teacher ratio?
• The school is required to be compliant with the statutory class size-reduction requirements for
charter schools’ school-wide: Grades 4-8: 22:1; Grades 9-12: 25:1.
What does being a college preparatory school mean?
• As a college preparatory school, students who attend ISA are focused on attending college or
university upon graduation. ISA offers a rigorous dual-language-focused curriculum offering students
advanced, honors, Advanced Placement, and dual-enrollment opportunities. Successful students at
ISA are focused on excelling in advanced coursework, are self-motivated, and strive to go above and
beyond expectations. ISCHS has a history of 100% graduation rate, 100% of the senior class
accepted to college, several students earning their AA degrees while in high school, nearly half of the
senior class receiving a Florida Bright Futures scholarship, and graduates attending the top colleges
and universities across the globe! An ISA student would be intent on following a similar path of
post-secondary success.
What are the requirements to be able to take a dual enrollment course?
• Must be enrolled as a student
• Minimum 3.0 unweighted GPA
• College Level Test Scores in all areas: Reading, Writing, and Math as indicated by accepted state
examinations.
• You need to complete an application and be accepted to Broward College or Doral College to attend.
• Students must maintain A or B final grades to continue to be eligible to take dual enrollment courses.
Academic success in high school classes must also be maintained.
Do parents have to complete volunteer hours?
• Families at ISA must complete 20 volunteer hours per charter school per year per family.
How many service hours must a senior have to graduate?
• To receive a high school diploma from ISA a minimum of 100 community/25 hours per year of
enrollment must be performed before the end of your senior year. It is strongly
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Revised May 11, 2021recommended that students begin doing their service hours during their freshman year in high
school.
• Additional service hours are required to be eligible for a Florida Bright Futures Scholarship award.
Does ISA participate in the National School Lunch Program?
• ISA will participate in the National School Lunch Program. The school will contract with an NSLP
approved caterer to provide meals in compliance with the standards of the National School Lunch
Program. Free and Reduced Meal Applications will be available for families to complete at the
beginning of each school year.
What extra-curricular clubs and activities will be offered?
• ISA will offer Student Government, National Junior Honor Society, and National Honor Society.
Students will be surveyed at the beginning of the school year to gauge interest in other clubs and
activities. Based on student demand, additional clubs and activities will be added to the school's
extra-curricular offerings.
What sports will be offered?
• Students will be surveyed at the beginning of the school year to gauge interest in sports.
• Students who wish to participate in sports not offered at ISA are eligible to try out to participate at
their local home school.
What after-school programs will be offered?
• ISA will offer a fee-based, school-lead before and after-school program based on demand. The after-
school program will provide homework assistance and enrichment activities for the students.
Families will have the opportunity to enroll their children in additional enrichment activities, clubs,
and sports based on student interest.
Will the school offer after-school tutoring?
• ISA will offer after-school tutoring opportunities in preparation for the Florida State Assessments
exam.
Are ISA Middle and High accredited?
• In International Studies Charter Middle School, International Studies Charter High School, and
International Studies Virtual Academy are all accredited by Cognia, formerly AdvancEd. ISA’s
parent organization, International Studies Charter High School, Inc. has submitted its request for
corporate system accreditation of all schools under its network umbrella, including the addition of
International Studies Academy Middle School and International Studies Academy High School in
Broward. The system will host a readiness visit and corporate system engagement review during the
2021-2022 school year. Following the corporate system engagement review, Cognia will determine
the accreditation status of the corporate system, which would include the addition
of accreditation status for the new schools in Broward.
Does ISA follow the Broward County Public School Calendar?
• Yes, ISA follows the Broward County Public School Calendar. The first day of school will be August
18, 2021. Anytime the school district closes schools due to weather-related incidents, ISA will be
closed.
What are the school uniform requirements?
• All Uniform Wear is the official uniform vendor and only authorized vendor of the school.
• All Uniform Wear is located at 8350 Pines Boulevard, Pembroke Pines, FL 33024
• The required ISA uniform includes:
o Navy blue polo shirt with an embroidered school logo (all shirts must be worn tucked in)
OR
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Revised May 11, 2021o White, collared, button-down shirt with embroidered school logo OR
o Blue and white collared, long-sleeved rugby shirt with embroidered logo
o Khaki pants embroidered with school initials
§ Should a religious exemption be needed to wear long skirts rather than pants, please see the school
office for a form to take to the uniform store to purchase the required skirt with school initials.
• Black or brown belt
• Black, brown, or white shoes
• All sweaters/jackets from All Uniform Wear must include the school’s name/logo
Once school clubs/classes begin activities, students will be permitted to wear a club shirt or class shirt with
uniform pants on Fridays.
What are the required summer assignments for students?
• All students entering grades 6-12 are required to submit summer assignments on the first day of
school, August 18, 2021.
• Summer assignments will be posted on the ISA website in early June.
• Summer assignments include novel studies, mathematics, science, preparation for Advance
Placement coursework, etc.
How do I stay up to date on all things ISA before school officially opens in August?
• Add info@isabroward.net to your list of contacts as emails will come from this address.
• Check your email spam/junk folder for missed messages from info@isabroward.net.
• Visit the website http://www.isabroward.net frequently for updates and information.
I completed an interest form for my child to attend, is there anything else needed?
• An interest form is NOT an enrollment application. Anyone who submitted an interest form will be
notified when the registration schedule is finalized and MUST submit an application to be
considered for enrollment.
• All families wishing for their child to attend ISA Middle/High MUST submit an official application
during an enrollment period to be considered.
How do I register my child for the charter school?
• The registration schedule will be posted on the school website. An interest form is NOT an
enrollment application. Anyone who has submitted an interest form will be notified when the
registration schedule is finalized and MUST submit an application to be considered for enrollment.
• Students will be admitted to the school regardless of race, gender, religion, or ethnic origin and the
school’s admission procedures will be equitable for all students. Eligible students who submit a
timely application during any application period will be considered for enrollment. ISA will establish
and advertise registration/lottery dates. During any enrollment period, should the number of
applicants meeting the established criteria of the charter school exceeds the stated capacity of the
school, individual classroom, or program, each child will be placed into a random lottery and subject
to the racial/ethnic balance provisions described in state statute. Each application will be given a
number, and all numbers for each classroom/program will be placed in a database. Numbers will be
drawn on a random basis and all seats available per grade will be filled based on the rank order of
their drawing. The remaining numbers will be used to create the waiting list (the list will be developed
based on the rank order in which the remaining assigned lottery numbers are randomly drawn).
What is the registration schedule for the school?
• Registration Dates for the 2021-2022 School Year for International Studies Academy Middle School
and International Studies Academy High School are as follows:
Registration Period 1: May 19-27, 2021
• Electronic Notification of Enrollment Status: May 28, 2021
• Parent Acceptance Emails Due to School: June 1, 2021
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Revised May 11, 2021• Subject Selections Due to School: June 1, 2021
• Completed Electronic Enrollment Packet Due to School: June 15, 2021
Registration Period 2: May 28 – June 3, 2021
• Electronic Notification of Enrollment Status: June 4, 2021
• Parent Acceptance Emails Due to School: June 8, 2021
• Subject Selections Due to School: June 8, 2021
• Completed Electronic Enrollment Packet Due to School: June 22, 2021
Registration Period 3: June 4, 2021 – on-going
Note: On-going weekly admissions based on availability. Should demand in a grade level exceed capacity in that
grade level, a lottery will be conducted to fill open seats by random drawing.
Families must submit a separate enrollment application for each student in each grade level for consideration.
What is the application and enrollment process?
• Submission of Application via website during an enrollment period
• Notification of Acceptance: Once an enrollment period has closed, families will be notified via
email by the published notification date of their child’s enrollment status. This notification will
contain the steps to submit the formal enrollment packet and all supporting documentation.
• Parent Acceptance: Parents are to submit an email response to the school accepting or declining
their child’s seat by the deadline posted in the acceptance notification (deadline typically 2 days
following notification of acceptance). Subject Selection forms are also due on this date.
• Completed Enrollment Packet: Enrollment packets are due to the school electronically by the date
posted in Notification of Acceptance.
What documents will I need to submit to enroll my child?
• At the close of the enrollment period, families will be notified of their child’s enrollment status.
Students who have been offered enrollment will receive a link to the school’s official electronic
enrollment packet to complete and submit. Along with other required documents, the following
documents are needed to enroll a child in school. A completed enrollment file allows the school to
fully register and schedule a student.
• Birth Certificate - due no later than July 31, 2021
• Current report card – due by the date listed in acceptance notification
o Submit the most recent report card and/or transcript. These documents are needed for
appropriate grade level placement.
• Proof of Residence - one from each column - due no later than July 31, 2021
• Proof of Medical Exam Students enrolling in a Florida public school must submit evidence of a
medical examination performed within the twelve months prior to the initial enrollment. – due no
later than July 31, 2021
• Proof of Immunization - Submit a Florida Certificate of Immunization Form (Form DH 680) -
due no later than July 31, 2021
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Revised May 11, 2021• Parent Authorization for Release of Records – due by the date listed in acceptance notification
Required documents to be submitted with the electronic Enrollment Packet by the deadline listed in
acceptance notification:
• ISA Electronic Enrollment Form – link provided in acceptance email
• Broward County Public Schools Registration Packet and attachments – download document
from ISA enrollment portal, save to computer, complete, sign, save and upload to ISA
enrollment portal
• Valid Driver’s License/State Identification for registering parent
What are the honors, awards, and accolades of International Studies Charter Middle and High
School in Miami?
International Studies Charter Middle School
• National Blue Ribbon 2017
International Studies Charter High School
• National Blue Ribbon 2015
• US News & World Report Rankings (2021)
• #5 Public High School in Miami-Dade County
• #5 High School in Miami
• #8 High School in Florida
• #19 Charter High School in the Nation
• #85 High School Overall in the Nation
• “A” as determined by the Florida Department of Education
• HS (2015) and MS (2017) have been awarded the National Blue Ribbon by the US Department of
Education
• HS and MS rank among the top 5% of schools in the state
• Over 95% passing rate on AP Language Exam
• Over 90% of all students pass at least one AP exam
• 100% Graduation Rate
• 100% of 12th graders accepted to college for nearly a decade
• We average over $100,000 in scholarships per eligible student
• Over 50% of a typical graduating class has paid ZERO out of pocket to attend college
• Nearly half of all 12th graders qualify for Bright Futures
• Graduates have gone on to top colleges and universities across the globe!
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