The International School of Charlottesville

The school’s philosophy centers on developing the whole child through hands-on exploration, open-ended experimentation, and full immersion in a multilingual, multicultural community. It emphasizes play and participation in a safe environment to build self-esteem, curiosity, and social-emotional skills. The school values a collaborative, joyful community where teachers, administrators, and families work together to inspire curious minds and nurture understanding hearts.

The school provides language immersion in either French or Spanish for students ranging from toddlers to 5th grade. The curriculum includes Toddler, Preschool, Junior Kindergarten, Kindergarten, and Elementary levels. Academic instruction emphasizes literacy, mathematics, and social development, utilizing hands-on, sensory-based learning and teacher-guided activities. Older students engage in more structured literacy and academic work, including journaling and creative writing.

Students at the school develop into global citizens with strong self-esteem, interpersonal skills, and academic competencies. By the end of Kindergarten, children are emergent readers and are familiar with mathematical concepts such as addition, patterns, measurement, geometry, and data graphing. The bilingual pedagogy fosters flexibility, creativity, higher-order thinking, and literacy across languages and cultures.

The school employs a dedicated Student Support Specialist to assist with student needs. The faculty maintains low student-to-teacher ratios, allowing for individualized attention and instruction tailored to each student's developmental rate. Teachers are committed to providing a responsive, safe, and nurturing environment for all learners.

Prospective families are encouraged to schedule a morning school-day visit to observe classes and the language immersion environment. Appointments can be arranged by contacting the school via phone or email. The school also hosts Open Houses, which provide opportunities to speak directly with teachers about their programs and philosophies. Applications for enrollment are processed through the school's website.

The school follows the inclement weather policy of the Charlottesville City Public Schools. In the event of closures, the first five days are covered by virtual learning, with any additional days made up at the end of the academic year. Parents are notified of changes via email and text message through the Brightwheel platform.

In January 2023, the school moved into a purpose-built facility located on Linden Avenue in Charlottesville. The campus features classrooms with an abundance of natural light and a large outdoor space. The school utilizes these facilities to support its hands-on, sensory-based approach to learning.

The school offers enrichment programs that include cooking, gardening, and yoga. Additionally, students participate in performing arts and visual arts instruction. These activities are designed to complement the core academic curriculum and support the development of the whole child.