TOWARDS ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE

Dear ISP Families,

Last school year we shared an important update on the

implementation of our ambitious Strategic Plan. At this

year’s General Assembly we had the pleasure of sharing

our annual report detailing important progress and

achievements made towards our key objective,

academic excellence.

The following sections of this letter provide further

details on the strides we are making across all areas of

the curriculum.

Key Focus on Academic Excellence:

Strengthening the IB Diploma program

Introduction of the ISP Innovation Certificate at High School

Driving progress in science and technology

Deepening expertise in mathematics

Continuing the momentum in the PE/Athletics and Visual &

Performing Arts

Attracting and retaining high quality teachers

Provided below are the details of some of the above

mentioned initiatives.

Strengthening the IB Diploma program

Over the past year we have continued to improve the

quality of our reputable IB program. In addition to

adding IB Theater and Business Management (online)

over the last three years, we were also among the first

schools in the world to offer Global Politics. We are

pleased to report that the IB Business Management

course is now taught on campus with a very large

number of students electing to study it. It is our goal to

offer the IB Music course at ISP next year. Despite the

academic rigor of the IB program our students continue

to perform above the world average and we continue to

strive to improve our scores even further.

Update on the introduction of the ISP Innovation Certificate

Just a handful of leading school in the world have started offering programs similar to what we call the ISP Innovation

Certificate. For students not pursuing the IB Diploma we now offer an exciting and novel new program focused on

innovation and entrepreneurship. In addition to a rigorous and balanced course load, the Innovation Certificate allows

students the opportunity to demonstrate leadership through the creation of an original product or the improvement of

a real-world system. This hands-on engagement builds the necessary 21st century skills for success at university and in

the workplace.

“Our theme currently is distribution and sanitation of water in Panama. I am working on an application that will help volunteers

join existing clean water projects in Panama. I believe this app will make a difference because there are many projects that are

unknown, and this app will gather them all in one place, making it easy for people to join.”

- Aryan Rakhyani

A Focus on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering &

Mathematics)

Last year we announced that we would be bringing in a STEM

specialist who would coordinate the advancement of these key

subject areas across our school’s divisions. At the start of this school

year we welcomed Nikki Barratt as our STEM Coordinator for ISP, and

she has hit the ground running, starting by increasing rigor and

authentic scientific inquiry through the implementation of Next

Generation Science Standards (NGSS). As part of meeting these

standards engineering is integrated into the way we teach science,

helping us focus on preparing students for college and careers.

Over the next three years science education at ISP will implement:

Fully developed NGSS units in all classes K-10

Student driven inquiry based investigations or modeling activities

for each unit in each class

Science based field trips or guest lectures in each grade level/

course to extend/enhance learning

A network for internships and summer programs for interested

students

Opportunities to provide adequate preparation for students to

be successful in science and engineering majors at the most

prestigious universities and colleges

As for engineering, we will continue to foster innovation and

creativity through the introduction of more rigorous science,

technology, and mathematics activities in their STEM courses.

Students will have increased opportunities to engage with the

Engineering Design Process as they create and refine their projects.

“I am creating a project called Aqua Ayuda. It is essentially an app that pro-

vides solutions for water usage problems. This way people in Panama can

have access to information, tips, watch videos and find service providers to

help them solve water usage related problems at home.”- Luisa Subero

Deepening expertise in mathematics

As we outlined in our previous letter we have appointed a Math

Specialist Louise Lee and Math Coach Marina MacDonald who

both have deep subject area knowledge and have already been

working with teachers across divisions this semester to help

deepen students understanding in this important subject. To

mention a few accomplishments so far the K-8 Math Program is

now aligned to the Common Core Math Standards and driven by

the Standards for Mathematical practice. This involves a concept

based approach, implementation of effective questioning

strategies that reach all depths of knowledge, inquiry-based/

exploratory activities, and differentiation of instruction as well as

content.

Moving forward we will be piloting Dream Box; an adaptive,

interactive and conceptually based computer math program that

uses thousands of data points to evaluate a student’s

understanding. Our Math Specialist and Math Coach will

continue examining our math pathways (PK-12) improving

instructional strategies through direct teacher support and

professional development as well as developing high quality,

rigorous math and performance assessments that align to

Common Core Standards and provide data for further

differentiation and improvement.

High Caliber Teachers

As we have often said at ISP we recognize that our most valuable

asset are our people. This school year we made great progress in

this goal by hiring the largest group of teachers and administrators,

39 in total, in ISP history. Many of these teachers come to ISP from

some of the best international schools in the world and all add to

the growing diversity of teachers and students that continue to

make our community so special. They bring with them a wealth of

expertise that has already enriched the educational experience for

our students and families.

PE/Athletics and ASA

In just one semester it is difficult to summarize all that has been achieved thanks in large part to the improvements

made to our athletics facilities over the last year. It is evident by the results alone that our continued investment is

paying off. For the first time we have not had to cancel a single game, practice or after school activity due to weather.

An outstanding achievement has been our varsity Basketball team making history by getting the Bronze medal in the

AASCA tournament. The Cross Country Boys placed 3rd overall at AASCA while at home the ISP Girls Varsity won the

Copa Talento championship, as did the ISP Boys Sub 15 in the Liga 10 tournament.

Visual & Performing Arts

Another school year with a calendar full of events is well underway. So far

this year our Performing Arts Center has hosted the Opening and Closing

ceremonies for the 24th Panama Model United Nations, with nearly 340

participants in attendance, as well as FotoSeptiembre, a city wide

photography festival in our galleries. We also broke a VAPA record this

semester when nearly 800 people visited our campus for our Fall ArtsFest.

An ISP tradition that is certainly gaining strength.

Most recently the Performing Arts Center hosted ISP’s student led

production of West Side Story. For the first time ever there were a total of 4

days of performances, with students building the set, playing the music,

operating the equipment and acting on the stage. Proceeds from this

production go to help Enlaces, a dance group for young kids in Casco Viejo.

“A sweet "love story," Tony as Romeo, María as Juliette, a sad ending for the

couple, but the peace at last, is conceived for the jets and the sharks! Great

Voices! Great Performances! Great Act!” - ISP Parent

“A lot of work with great success, the cast and crew was amazing. Great Job!!”-

Louise E., ISP Parent

But the show is not over yet, we now have holiday performances for Mes

de la Patria, end of semester performances and a whole second semester

full of excitement to look forward to.

We are also very proud of our Knowledge Bowl Varsity Team who placed 3rd Place in the regional championship. In

our local soccer tournaments the Sub 12 Girls Soccer team played a heart stopping final earning them 2nd place. The

ISP boys Sub 14 Soccer played a wonderful season culminating in yet another championship for the dolphins.

In addition, our ISP Dolphin Swim club is near completing their first semester as an active swim club, having competed

in several tournaments with swimmers consistently improving their times thanks to dedicated coaching and hard

practice. Our aquatics program is clearly set to go places.

The after school activities program has continued to enjoy great success. Offering some new activities, among the best

received has been the cheerleading squad that have been cheering on the dolphins at several games this semester. In

addition we have also initiated a number of science based ASA that have attracted a loyal following.

Lastly this semester our Dolphin Athletic Club organized and hosted our first ever ISP Dolphin 5k Fun Walk Run, where

more than 200 people joined us on our campus to run a fun race and raise funds to support our athletics programs.

A note on transportation for after school activities:

Please note an important change that may affect you in SY 2017-2018 if your child is participating in an after school

sport or activity.

For SY 2017-2018 we will publish the calendar of after school activities and sports program for the full year at the

end of March 2017. This will allow you to choose the activities you would like your child to participate in at the start

of the year itself and negotiate with your transportation company to provide you a total cost of bus service to and

from school (including both ASA and non-ASA days) based on the selection you have made. The school will no longer

be absorbing the cost of after school transportation for non-curricular linked elective activities. The school will,

however, continue providing transportation home for required curricular linked activities. Examples include, but are

not limited to, activities such as IB EIT (Extended Instructional Time), other required academic classes and courses of

instruction, student council, PANAMUN etc. A more detailed list will be published later. Bus service to and from

games held in other locations will also continue to be provided by ISP.

School administration will liaise with bus companies and parents to facilitate a smooth transition. More detailed

information will be provided at the end of March 2017 when the official SY 2017-2018 ASA program will be launched

and published.

Budget process

The Financial affairs of ISP are governed by the Board of Directors and managed by the Director, within the limits of

policies established by the Board. At the November 14, 2016 ISP Board meeting, the administration presented the two

budgets – the operating budget and the capital budget.

Operating Budget

ISP’s operating budget, focuses on educational programs, faculty, and maintaining our facilities. Revenue for

operating purposes is generated from tuition and other associated fees. The ISP Board of Directors approved the

budget for SY 2017-2018, which will allow the school to hire and retain the teachers/personnel needed to maintain

and further improve educational programs and services (as described above and as mandated by ISP’s Strategic Plan).

Keeping the needs of the school as defined by the strategic plan, the operating budget includes an approximate 5%

average increase of the tuition fee. The institutional fee charged to students sponsored by institutions will increase

from $2700 to $3000.

Capital Budget

The capital budget is used for acquisition of tech equipment, furniture, major remodeling and construction, and it was

also presented at the November 14, 2016 board meeting. The capital donation has increased for new students from

USD$15,000 to USD$16,000 in recognition of the world class facilities that ISP’s campus now offers. For honoring

previous agreement on capital donation increase, the following schedule will apply:

The capital donation for siblings of students who enrolled in SY 2015-2016, will remain at USD$11,000 until SY 2018-2019.

The capital donation for siblings of students who enrolled by in SY 2016-2017, will remain at USD$15,000 until SY 2019 –

2020.

New families with more than one child will have the option of paying the capital donation in two installments.

The building fee will be reduced from $300 to $250.

As per normal practice, these and other details will be communicated in a separate letter from the Business Office.

In Conclusion

We have made some great strides forward and, as we hope this letter demonstrates, our journey towards academic

excellence for our students is an exciting one. It is our vision that all of us – parents, teachers, students and staff – will

once again come together to embrace this pivotal moment in the school’s history to usher in a new era of

improvements that position ISP as a leading international school in the world.

I hope that you have found the contents of this letter informative and engaging. If you have any questions or

clarifications please don’t hesitate to contact me or any other member of the board.

In Summary

We continue carrying on ISP’s tradition of being a forward-thinking and innovative school. Just like our students grow

and change, so do we. As you know ISP has invested a great deal in vastly improving the quality of its campus as well as

the education we offer to students. Our focus and commitment is to continue our pursuit of academic excellence in all

subject areas as we hope the previous updates have helped illustrate.

Continued improvement implies continued investment that has an associated cost. In the following section we outline

and explain the budget process as well as our fee changes planned for the 2017-2018 school year. Please be assured

the administration and board of directors have examined the plans in great detail before arriving at the new fee

structure.

On behalf of the ISP Board of Directors,

Gerardo Rios

President of the ISP Board

School Year 2016 - 2017

The ISP Board

School Year 2016-2017 Board of Directors

Gerardo Rios, President Elizabeth Heurtematte, Vice President

Jorge Saa, Treasurer, Lydia Young, Secretary Sarah Tatum

Soo Young Yoon Augusto Knudsen Sara Shahidi William Wcislo