Compare American Curriculum International Schools in Jamaica

AISK is located at 2 College Green Avenue in Kingston 6, Jamaica.

The school offers Early Years and Kindergarten, Elementary (Grades 1-5), Middle School (Grades 6-8), and a Premium High School Program (Grades 9-12).

AISK is a private independent co-educational international day school.

Nationalities represented include 37% Hispanic, 46% Caribbean Nationals, 13% Caucasian and 12% Asian. The largest group is Caribbean Nationals (46%).

SSS provides programs designed to support academic gaps (Learning Support), English Language development (EAL), and supplemental academic enrichment. SSS does not support behavioral needs.

The school follows an American educational model with IB programmes.

The school day starts at 7:45 AM and ends at 3:00 PM for all students.

Transportation to and from school is included in tuition.

Regular School Uniform is worn during the academic day. Shirts are white polo shirts with the AISK logo for EYP–Grade 10, and black or white polo shirts for Grades 11–12; navy blue or khaki pants/skirts/shorts are worn at the waist with a belt; shoes must be black or white and closed-toe; the official AISK hoodie with the logo is preferred outerwear, with plain, school-appropriate hoodies allowed. Uniform details, ordering, and non-uniform days are outlined in the uniform information.

The canteen serves a variety of international and Jamaican foods, with daily menus including meat, fish, and a vegetarian option.

AISK uses a house system with house shirts in red, yellow, blue, or green; the PE uniform includes a Hurricanes PE shirt with a gray base and a house color shirt for activities.

The school is governed by a Board of Trustees comprising up to 10 trustees elected for three-year terms; the Board hires and monitors the Head of School, sets the calendar, and approves the budget, and the Articles of Incorporation describe the school as a company limited by guarantee under the Companies Act.

The school offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme with a 100% pass rate for three consecutive years. Students can also earn a US High School Diploma. The curriculum integrates STEM and is technology-embedded across all grade levels.

Student/Teacher Ratio is 8:1.

The school has achieved a 100% IB Diploma pass rate for three consecutive years.

The Class of 2022 earned US$1.4 million in university scholarships. Two students were Rhodes Scholar finalists in the top 10 list.

Gifted students have access to targeted programs through the Student Support Services.

The school runs social-emotional wellness programs including Second Step and Strategies of Success.

Student Support Services provides Learning Support, English Language development (EAL), and enrichment; it supports students with mild learning difficulties, English Language Learners, and gifted students. It develops individualized programs; SSS does not support behavioral needs.

The English as an Additional Language (EAL) program provides individualized language education that enables EAL students to access the curriculum and work toward fluency for college. The program uses WIDA from PreK–12 to assess language growth, co-teaches and co-plans, communicates with EAL parents, and reports progress quarterly. It offers testing accommodations, extra time, and small-group instruction, with pull-out and push-in sessions.

Social Emotional Wellness is integrated across the curriculum. The Student Support Team includes Deborah Valentine (Student Support Director), Michelle Luck (MS/HS Student Support), Marie Reynolds (ES Counselor), Sophia Williams (ES Student Support), Lisa Vickers (EAL), Chad Lambert. Marie Reynolds serves as the Elementary and Middle School Counselor, supporting students socially and emotionally.

The school has established child safeguarding policies and security protocols.

1. Begin with an inquiry or application through the admissions portal. Prospective families create an account and the Admissions Office maintains regular contact about programs and events. They can initiate the process by clicking Inquire Now or Apply Now, and the school is reachable by telephone or email for questions.
2. All Applicants must submit: Application Form; Application Fee (US$75); Last 3 report cards; 2 Recent Passport Photos; Copy of Birth Certificate or Photo Page from Passport; Medical Form and immunization record; External Standardized Test Results.
3. Elementary School Applicants require an Elementary Teacher Recommendation in Math and English. Middle & High School Applicants may provide any professional educational or psychoeducational evaluations; Math Teacher Recommendation (if applying for middle or high school placement); English Teacher Recommendation (if applying for middle school or high school placement).
4. The admissions process: Applications are evaluated only when complete. The admissions office acknowledges receipt and communicates any gaps. For entry to Middle/High School, an interview will be scheduled with the Middle/High School Principal, and international students may have a Skype interview.
5. If an admissions decision is made, an Acceptance Letter is issued by the Director of Admissions, and a welcome package and a tuition invoice accompany the Acceptance Letter. To accept, payment of the invoice or a deposit must be made within five business days to reserve the space.
6. If there are no spaces available for the assigned grade, the student can be placed on a wait list; a nonrefundable, nontransferable deposit is required to reserve the space. When a place becomes available, the family will be contacted and the student may begin attending classes as soon as possible.
7. The school encourages visits; a Spend a Day program is available; contact the Admissions Office to schedule a visit, and you will be matched with a student ambassador for a day to experience a day in the life of a student.
8. Scholarship applicants: The Founders Scholarship is offered annually to students aged 15-18 years old; four categories for the 2025-2026 academic year; a brochure is available with details. For scholarship consideration, applicants must provide: Previous School Official Transcript and Current Year Grade; PSAT Results (if applying in grade 10 or higher); a scholarship essay; and a Student and parent panel interview.

Founders Scholarship is offered annually; for the 2025-2026 academic year four categories; ages 15-18; brochure available. Scholarship applicants require: Previous School Official Transcript and Current Year Grade; PSAT results (grade 10 or higher); scholarship essay; student and parent panel interview.

If there are no spaces available for the assigned grade, a wait list may be used. A nonrefundable, nontransferable deposit is required to reserve space. When a place becomes available, the family will be contacted and the student may begin attending classes as soon as possible.

Montego Bay, St. James, Jamaica. Campus address: Lot 3 & 4A, Spring Garden, Montego Bay, Jamaica.

Early Years Programme (Ages 2-4); Prep School (Grades K-6); Middle School (Grades 7-9); High School Years (Grades 10-12). Pre-Kindergarten to 12th grade overall.

private, independent, coed international school

Two-thirds of students are Jamaican; about one-third are from seven other cultures.

Transportation to/from school is not provided.

Prep Years wear light blue tops; High School wears white polo tops; Staff wear navy blue tops.

Lunch is provided for a fee two or three days per week.

The school is privately owned and independent. The Governing Board is composed of volunteers who oversee operations and fiscal management. The Governing Board and the Founding Board work closely with various Board Committees and the Head Principal to support and guide the administrative, educational, fiscal and institutional strength of the Academy.

FIA grants an American high-school diploma. In the Middle Years (7th and 8th grades), students study language arts, visual and performing arts, sciences, mathematics, history, Spanish and physical education/health with an emphasis on good habits, values and connectedness to the world. In High School Years (9th–12th grades), courses are college-preparatory with electives, emphasizing independent learning, personal motivation and service. In 10th and 11th grades, students take PSAT/NMSQT examinations; in 11th and 12th grades, students take AP and SAT II examinations as appropriate. The middle-years curriculum is reviewed annually in line with FIA's accreditation and certification standards (NEASC and CIE). All students take seven classes each semester during a two-semester school year. Graduation requirements are determined by the year of entry into FIA.

The school has a small teacher:student ratio of 1:5.

College counseling begins in the 7th grade and continues through the 12th grade to help identify colleges and universities that match students' interests and goals, and to support the college application process. FIA graduates have been admitted to colleges around the world.

AP track provides advanced coursework, and Advanced STEM programs (physics, biology, chemistry, robotics, earth science and oceanography) with labs offer opportunities for advanced learners.

Prep Admissions (PreKindergarten to 6th Grade)
1. Applications are accepted once a child is born and named. We maintain waiting lists, and families, after paying the application fee, will remain in touch each year to keep the application active. When admitted, the child and family are invited to a Campus Visit Day in the spring before the start of the school year. This provides an early introduction to FIA's community and routines.

Prep, Middle & High School Admissions
1. Step 1. Peruse all information, including FAQs, on the FIA site, or request information directly from the School Secretary. This helps families understand the admissions process and what to expect before applying. Being informed supports a smooth transition into FIA's programs.
2. Step 2. Complete the full application, using the forms downloaded online or provided by FIA. The USD 160 application fee must accompany the completed application. Submitting the application promptly helps ensure timely processing and placement.
3. Step 3. Be sure the appropriate school documentation (math and English teacher recommendations, and school reports from the last three terms) has been submitted. These documents are part of the review materials for consideration. Providing all required documents supports a complete review of the applicant.
4. Step 4. Once your materials have been received, schedule a personal interview on campus, which generally lasts between 30 and 60 minutes. The interview allows for discussion of the student's background and fit with FIA's community and values. This step helps the school and family assess alignment and expectations.
5. Step 5. Notification of the admissions decision will be sent in writing within a week of the interview. If a scholarship application has also been completed, it cannot be considered until these first five steps have been completed. A timely decision allows families to plan for the upcoming school year.
6. Step 6. Once the decision has been sent and the admissions offer has been accepted, the one-time enrollment fee of USD 1500 for the student to be officially enrolled, registered and scheduled into the new school year must be paid. This completes the enrollment obligations to secure placement.
7. Step 7. Testing and college process: Rising 7th graders applying to FIA are not required to take or present scores for the PEP. At the end of every semester, all FIA students in grades 7 to 12 sit for compulsory internal examinations. Freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors will be advised when and which SAT I, Advanced Placement, and PSAT examinations to take. FIA provides guidance as part of the college process and career planning.

Fairfield International Academy offers four types of scholarships based on financial need: Virtus Scholarship, Fair Chance Scholarship, Arts Scholarship, and Athletic Scholarship. All scholarships require evidence of financial need and are dependent on available sponsorship. Forms for scholarships can be accessed via the Financial Aid & Scholarships page and should be submitted to scholarship@fairfieldacademyja.com.

The school maintains waiting lists for admissions. After paying the application fee, families should stay in touch each year to keep the application active. When admitted, the student and family are invited to a Campus Visit Day in the spring before the start of the school year.