School Profile

In September of 2001, Island Academy (IA) opened its doors to its first students. Now, almost two decades later, this premier academic institution has been successful in providing high quality education to the children of Antigua. IA has evolved into a diverse multinational and socioeconomic environment.  In such a setting, our students learn to value diversity, and respect cultural and socioeconomic differences. A team of dedicated and experienced international teachers bring to life an inspiring curriculum which includes unique programs of art, music, drama and sports.  We seek to nurture and develop not only intellect, but character, instilling in every student ideas about self-sufficiency, responsibility and life-long learning so they may succeed far beyond the boundaries of our campus.

Local and international assessments have identified investment in human capital – especially education, as a sustainable strategy to help improve Antigua’s economic performance. Still, several challenges in the education system and the inability of many financially disadvantaged families in Antigua to access well resourced schools mean that many children are unable to access the very best education possible. IA’s unique financial aid, through its bursary program, provides over 40% of our students from such backgrounds with generous scholarships to access quality education and access to the IBDP program.

Primary (Kindergarten – Grade 6) for students aged 5 – 11
Our academic programme draws on aspects of the British, North American and Caribbean curricula. Children are placed in grades in the care of their grade teacher. All grades receive instruction in all of the core subject areas – Language Arts (English), Math, Social Studies and Science. Specialist teachers teach Music, Spanish and PE. All primary classes have lessons at selected points in the year in our bespoke Art classroom and ceramic studio. National assessments set by the Ministry of Education are completed by students in Grades 2, 4 and 6.

Secondary ( Grade 7 – 11) for students 11-16
The Secondary curriculum prepares students for the regional Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) exams administered and assessed by the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC). The curriculum from grade to grade evolves with an increasingly focused attention given to in-depth subject knowledge, research
abilities, self-motivated learning techniques and community service. At CSEC level students take seven compulsory subjects consisting of English A, English B, Math, Biology, Spanish, Physical Education (PE) and Information Technology (IT). Students can then choose additional subjects such as Music, Chemistry, Physics and Principles of Business (PoB). Most students sit between 8-9 CSEC subjects.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (IBDP)
In 2009, Island Academy joined the group of select schools around the world offering the IBDP, a two-year course of study that enables students to excel in university and is recognized as the leader in international education. Three of the six subjects are taken at the Higher Level (HL-240 hours) and the others at a Standard Level (SL-150 hours). Each completed subject is graded on a scale of 1 (minimum) to 7 (maximum). The award of the IB Diploma requires a minimum total of 24 points, completion of Community, Action, and Service (CAS) module, a unique course known as Theory of Knowledge (ToK) and the Extended Essay and it is assessed by the International Baccalaureate Organization.

IA is one of the top performing schools in the country and one of the best in the Eastern Caribbean. IA students have consistently performed well at CXC and IB exams. Over the past five years, the school has had an average 97% pass rate in CXC Examinations with Grade I (highest grade) being the most frequent, and a 97% pass rate for the IBDP with all subject areas scoring equivalent to or above world average.

Students intending to continue secondary education in senior schools in the United Kingdom complete Independent Schools Examinations Board Common Pre-Tests in G5 or G6. Students interested in schooling in the US are encouraged to do SATs in Grade 11 and 12.

Our graduates have been admitted into colleges of their preference in UK, Europe and North America and regionally. Many of them have received scholarships and have completed their Bachelor’s Degree in three, rather than four years in North American universities because of strong academic and social profiles. Below are some of the universities our students have gone on to.