|
M-DCPS, CITY OF CORAL GABLES AND CONSULATE OFFICIALS UNVEIL PLAN FOR NEW INTERNATIONAL STUDIES SCHOOL CORAL GABLES - Superintendent of Schools Alberto M. Carvalho, City of Coral Gables Mayor Don Slesnick, and French, Italian and Spanish Consulate officials met to unveil plans to open a new high school in Coral Gables dedicated to International Studies (IS). The International Studies Preparatory Academy at Gables is the result of the collaborative efforts between Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) and the education ministries of France, Italy and Spain. The school offers students the opportunity for intensive language study as well as international studies. It is the only public school program of its kind in the US. Officials also announced the establishment of the Coral Gables K-8 Center. Approximately 120 sixth grade students from Coral Gables Elementary School will populate the school at the site of the Merrick Educational Center, just a short walk from the elementary school. The IS program was established in 1986 at Sunset Elementary School. Soon after that, the program expanded to three other schools: Coral Way K-8 Center, North-Dade Center for Modern Languages, and Carver Middle School. The International Studies program provides students with an international curriculum which emphasizes studying a world language. In addition to the study of standard subject areas in English, students receive up to three hours of instruction in the language of choice: French, German, Italian, or Spanish. Students are taught some of the subjects by instructors from these countries and students utilize their language mastery as they study literature and humanities in the target language. Secondary level students pursue studies in literature, mathematics, history, and geography in the target language and are encouraged to work at the highest levels in Honors and Advanced Placement courses in English. Upon graduation, students may receive dual accreditation from the foreign government and the State of Florida. These students are able to join our global market with these extraordinary marketable skills. The International Studies Program provides students with the opportunity to not only become literate in English and another language, but also pursue an academic curriculum with an international focus that addresses rigorous standards of both US and European Union educational systems. The Ministries of Education from these countries provide resource teachers and instructional materials, as well as technical and cultural assistance to the participating schools. The school district plans to begin the program as soon as this fall. The students will be housed in other buildings until the school is ready for occupancy in the fall of 2011. # # # 10/208/GC |
