Academics

ICAGeorgia offers our Dual Language program in English and Japanese. Students joining ICAGeorgia’s program from Kindergarten – 5th grade are immersed in Japanese for 50% of the day, with the remaining 50% being in English. All teachers use a team teaching approach within their grades.

Dual Language Immersion

Research has proven time and again the benefits of Dual Language Immersion education. For example, Lindholm-Leary (Dual Language Education, 2001) found that students who speak two languages often have more mental flexibility, superiority in concept formation, and a more diversified set of mental abilities. Furthermore, Callahan, R. & Gandara, P. (The Bilingual Advantage: Language, literacy, and US labor market, 2014) found that students at Dual Language programs achieve at the same or a higher level on standardized tests compared to who are studying in a monolingual environment.

According to the Georgia Department of Education, students in Dual Language Immersion (DLI) programs experience the following results:

Second Language Skills

DLI students achieve higher proficiency in the second language than with traditional Foreign Language instruction.

Performance on Standardized Tests

DLI students perform as well as or better than English-only students on standardized tests in English, including students from a range of socioeconomic and ethnic backgrounds, as well as with diverse cognitive and linguistic abilities.

Long-Term Benefits

DLI students are better prepared for the global community and job markets in the 21st century.

Cognitive Skills

DLI students typically develop greater cognitive flexibility, demonstrating increased attention and memory, superior problem-solving skills as well as an enhanced understanding of their primary language.

Intercultural Competency

DLI students are more aware of and generally show more positive attitudes towards other cultures and an appreciation of other people.

Higher Attendance Rates and Fewer Drop-Outs

Students from DLI programs have higher attendance rates and lower drop-out rates compared to regular programs.

  • Hands-on inquiry based learning and a student-centered environment conducive to lifetime learning and open-mindedness are hallmarks of our program. We place a special emphasis on writing in all grades, particularly for research paper writing.
  • Effective use of IT further enhances cooperative learning and differentiation. Teaching strategies include heterogeneous grouping; total physical response and storytelling; bilingual anchor charts; and a choice of literary works that are translated in both languages as often as possible.
  • We consider the diversity of our school population to be a strength in that it creates opportunities to talk about inclusiveness and the importance of open-mindedness in discussing issues such as bullying.

Specials for Kindergarten – 5th Grade

In addition to core academic classes, students at ICAGeorgia enjoy instruction in a variety of other courses, or specials. Students attend these on a quarterly rotation.

 

Course Descriptions

  • Physical Education (PE)
    Physical education is directly related to learning. Students require play and movement as they grow and develop. This course is designed to teach about the importance of physical activity and wellness through games, exercise, and movement. 
  • Health
    Health education directly impacts student success in school and beyond. This course is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills to make decisions, become advocates for healthy living, and choose healthy behaviors for life. Annually students in the upper grades participate in a health seminar that focuses on body safety, physical development, and general hygiene. Senate Bill 401, Section 2A
  • Music
    The music program is designed for students to explore musical concepts, movement, and theory while having fun and learning to love and appreciate music.
  • Art
    Students will learn to create art masterpieces as they learn to enjoy and appreciate the elements of art and the principles of design.

    The International Charter Academy of Georgia in accordance with HB 1178 and known as the “Parents Bill of Rights” allow parents to review the curriculum and material used to teach in their child/rens classroom and provide guidelines on the process to review the content.

 

Schedule A Tour

The best way to learn more about our school’s mission and immersion program is to see it in action for yourself. We invite you to schedule a tour and learn more about us.

Schedule Now

770-604-0007