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United States, Portland
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ISP is an IB World School since March 2010, the first IB elementary school in the Pacific Northwest. It provides full language and cultural immersion in three tracks — Spanish, Chinese, and Japanese — with instruction delivered primarily in the chosen language. The Capstone Study Abroad program for 5th grade is included in tuition and takes students to a country linked to their track language. In Grades 1–5, student-led inquiry drives learning as part of ISP's International Baccalaureate program.
Art, Music and PE are taught by specialists and reinforce IB central ideas. Art uses a spiraling curriculum for Grades 1–5, while Preschool and Kindergarten emphasize fine motor skills and foundational art concepts. Music introduces a world-repertoire through ensemble music, improvisation, composition, and movement. Physical Education develops gross motor skills and movement.
Language Immersion provides true immersion in Spanish, Chinese, and Japanese. Teachers speak only the chosen language and culture is embedded in school life, with a rigorous IB curriculum in the target language for language arts, math, social studies, and science; English language arts, fine arts, music and PE are taught in English. Native-level fluency among teachers supports accurate pronunciation and cultural understanding.
Global Kids Extended-Day is a licensed childcare program with mixed language-track groups, led by Global Kids Group Leaders. Global Kids runs after the regular school day until 5:30 pm, with 10-week terms and staff fluent in the language tracks. Enrichment Clubs are ISP-led after-school offerings including LEGO Robotics, Flamenco Dance, Taiko, Photography, Maker Club, Yoga, Dance, Chess, Soccer, and more. Clubs run after-school from 3:30–4:45 pm on 10-week terms, with group sizes of 4–15 students and staffed by ISP personnel.
Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion is the school's framework for inclusion and anti-racism, including a Reducing Bias Action Plan for 2021–2025 with eight domains such as Admissions, Community, Teaching & Learning, Hiring, and Salary Equity. DEI activities involve collaboration among faculty, staff, parents, and students. Volunteer opportunities exist through ISP, and the Garden program relies on family volunteers to support learning.
Capstone Study Abroad is ISP's final-year program for 5th graders, traveling to a country tied to their track language and including two segments with host families and guided tours; the program is included in tuition. The Deloris A. Spear Center for Excellence in Teaching serves as the hub for educational innovation and professional learning, hosting in-person and virtual workshops and conferences for ISP and other educators. Capstone fosters independence and confidence as students prepare for middle school.
The campus is located just south of downtown Portland on the edge of the South Waterfront District and is described as an urban oasis with multiple play areas and nature spaces. The ISP Garden provides a living laboratory that promotes science education, healthy behaviors, teamwork, and responsibility. Global Kids Extended-Day offers after-school care with healthy snacks and enrichment activities. Language and culture immersion also contribute to a global, inclusive school culture aligned with the IB mission.
International School of Portland is an independent private IB World School offering preschool through elementary education with language immersion in Spanish, Japanese, and Mandarin Chinese. The IB Primary Years Programme uses inquiry-based learning across core subjects through three immersion tracks - Spanish, Japanese, or Chinese, with English support as needed. The Spanish Track teaches the IB curriculum entirely in Spanish and culminates in a 5th-grade Capstone trip to a Spanish-speaking country, earning International Spanish Academy designation. The Japanese Track features native-level teachers and a Japanese-immersion IB curriculum, culminating in a 5th-grade Capstone Study Abroad trip to Japan; older students may complete Avant STAMP 4S and pursue Seals of Biliteracy. The Chinese Track is the longest-running immersion program in the region, with Mandarin-taught math, science, and social studies within the IB framework, culminating in a 5th-grade Capstone trip to a sister school in China. English instruction supports immersion learners and aligns with standards.
