Below are a number of questions that our families often ask our Admissions Coordinator.
What is your school calendar?
The academic school year runs from the end of August through June.
Please see below the link to the Academic Calendar:
What are the hours of school operation?
Both school campuses open at 7:50am with classes starting at 8:10am. The school day ends at 2:35pm for Primary School students and 3:30pm for Secondary School students. Extracurricular activities run from 2:45pm to 3:30pm for Primary and from 3:30pm to 4:30pm for Secondary.
The Admissions, Business and Finance Offices are open from 8:30am-4:30pm Monday-Friday.
Do ISH students wear uniforms?
ISH does not have school uniforms other than for Physical Education (PE) classes. Students wear regular clothing for normal school lessons. They are required to wear closed-toe shoes that fully enable them to participate in physical activities on any day (no crocs, sandals, flipflops).
ISH requires a PE uniform which can be purchased at the main school office on Calle 22. Primary students may wear their uniforms to school on the day they have PE classes. Secondary students change into their PE uniforms before and after scheduled PE classes.
Children who enter the Pre-Kinder Programme are expected to wear clothing that enables them to manage their own toileting i.e. no jeans/belts that they themselves cannot fasten and unfasten. We consider it important for the children to be independent in terms of these appropriate skills for their age. Children in Pre-Kinder are also expected to wear closed-toe shoes and suitable clothing for PE and other activities every day.
Does the school have a cafeteria food service?
ISH offers an on-campus food service on both campuses (Primary and Secondary). Purchasing lunch is optional as it is not included in the tuition fee. Parents may order lunch from a specified online menu on week in advance.
ISH has a cashless cafeteria system. Parents make a deposit in the Finance Office and the amount of the purchase will be debited from the student´s account. Email updates on your balance will be provided each week when purchases are made.
Students can bring their own lunch and snacks to school. There is an expectation that both food and snacks be brought to school in re-usable containers. These containers and cutlery must be clearly labeled with each student’s name.
Pre-Kinder students are expected to eat and drink independently, having acquired the basic skills at home.
Does the school have transportation service?
ISH provides a transport service to safely drop off and pick up students. Parents need to register by completing the Bus Contract and return it to the Admissions Coordinator. Bus transportation is also provided for students participating in after school activities. Please visit the transportation page for more information. The transportation fee is not included in the tuition fee.
Transport service is available only to the pre-determined areas. ISH is not obligated to provide service if the housing location is not within existing service routes. It may, at times, not be possible to provide transportation for some students.
Does the school offer after school activities?
Selected extra-curricular activities are offered at ISH, from 2:45pm to 3:30pm for Primary students and from 3:30pm to 4:30pm for Secondary students. Activities include, but are not limited to; robotics, ceramics, arts & crafts, ballet, chess, taekwondo, computing, choir, and different sporting activities (basketball, volleyball, soccer, tennis, swimming).
There are three extra-curricular sessions; September-November, December-February, March-May.
Where are ISH teachers from and what are their qualifications?
The ISH faculty is quite diverse. Approximately 1/3 of our teachers are foreign hires, predominately from Canada and the United Kingdom. The other 2/3 of our teachers come from Cuba and are bilingual, passing extensive English level testing.
The ISH faculty, including the Cuban teachers, are certified and hold teaching credentials from either Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, or Cuba. All teachers hold a Bachelor’s degree and a majority hold Masters degrees and Doctoral degrees. The vast majority of Cuban faculty hold teaching certification from the United Kingdom via the Cambridge program. The average ISH teacher has between 15-20 years of classroom teaching experience.
What amount of homework should my child expect?
The amount of homework varies by grade levels and gradually increases student get older and enter into our university preparation programs. The amount of time a child spends each night on homework depends upon his or her academic background, study skills, maturity level, and organizational skills. Homework is not meant to be extra work, but to be academic review, and to solidify the learning that takes place in the classroom.
Where do your students go after High School graduation?
We say students can go “from ISH to anywhere” and we mean it. The academic programs provided to our students enable them to apply and attend any top tier university in the world if their school results permit. ISH students are currently attending, and have attended some of the top universities globally. ISH has a dedicated academic/university counselor to assist with career counseling and university applications.
Are there any additional admissions requirements for the International Baccalaureate or ISH Diploma Programs (grade 11-12)?
No. Once admitted to the school, both programs are available to all students within the High School. For more information about the IB program please visit handbooks.ish.co.cu
Do you accept students with special needs?
ISH offers a basic learning support program for students with specific needs. The school only enrolls students who can meet grade level expectations through accommodation. ISH does not modify its curriculum for learning support students at this time.
It is important the applicant provides all documentation necessary for ISH to make an informed decision regarding enrollment. It is also important all applicants understand, ISH does not offer the full continuum of special education programs from PreK-Grade 12.
Failure to completely disclose any known special needs and/or intervention documentation during the application process, may result in the reversal of any admissions offer.
Documentation required includes previous testing and/or evaluations:
• IEP (Individualized Education Program)
• Psycho-educational evaluation/psychiatric evaluation
• Reading, writing and/or mathematical assessment(s)
• Speech and language evaluation
• Neurological testing
• Occupational therapy assessment
The following are examples of disabilities that may require programs beyond the capabilities of the school:
• Visual and auditory impairments requiring specialized instruction and equipment
• Augmentative communications impairments
• Intellectual or cognitive impairments
• Serious behavior disorders and/or emotional difficulties
• Mental health disorders
What is your language of instruction?
The language of instruction is English.
What foreign language do you offer?
Spanish and French classes are offered at ISH. Spanish language is offered from grade 1-12 including IB DP. French language classes are offered from grade 5-12, including IB DP.
How do we pay the application fee?
You can pay either by bank transfer or in cash. All fees must be paid in USD, EUR, CAD, or GBP. Please contact the Finance office for details at financeoffice@ish.co.cu
What will be the annual tuition fees?
Please visit the Tuition page for further details.
What is the currency for payments?
All school fees are quoted in USD. The school accepts cash payments in the following foreign currencies: USD, EUR, CAD, or GBP.
What supplies do I need to bring to school?
Early childhood students (Pre-K1, Pre-K2, Kindergarten) generally need a backpack, a daily snack, a change of clothes in case of "accidents" or spills, set of reusable cutlery and their own water bottle. Books and school supplies are provided by ISH.
Primary School Supplies 2021-2022
Middle School Equipment List 2021-2022
High School Equipment List 2021-2022
Is your school closed in times of COVID-19?
Yes, and no. ISH follows Cuban government mandates which regulate the opening and closing of schools locally. Throughout the pandemic, ISH has been both open and closed depending on the rise or containment of cases.
The Cuban government has allowed ISH to operate the Early Years Program (PreK1, PreK2, and Kindergarten) on campus with their teachers.
When open, the school has offered a Hybrid Learning Program which allows for both on campus, face-to-face learning, and online learning. When closed, ISH offers a Distance Learning Program (DLP), through video conferencing and online educational platforms to all students from grade 1-12.
Key Learning Platforms
For Primary School
Seesaw: It is a powerful learning platform that allows teachers to post assessments, video classes, view student responses, and communicate with families, all in one place. Students can show what they know using photos, videos, drawings, text, and links to online resources. Teachers control what is shared between students.
WhatsApp Messenger: It allows teachers and administration to send text and voice messages, make voice and video calls, and share images, documents, user locations, and other media.
For Secondary School
Moodle: All coursework will be conducted through a Learning Management System called Moodle. Each student has their own login which directs them to a dashboard containing all of their courses. From there, they can view and submit assignments and communicate with their teachers and the administration.
BigBlueButton: It’s a videoconferencing platform. Students access through BBB to join in live video lessons; and receive feedback from their teachers.
WhatsApp Messenger: It allows teachers and administration to send text and voice messages, make voice and video calls, and share images, documents, user locations, and other media.
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