The Elementary School has approximately 500 students representing over 50 nationalities. The grades covered are Early Childhood 1 (3 year olds) through Grade 5, all on one campus in the Upanga residential area of Dar es Salaam. There are at least three sections of each class with an ideal size of 20-22, and a maximum class size of 24.

All classes have a qualified professional teacher and most classes also have a full-time teaching assistant. Our professional teaching staff and the curriculum they deliver are international in nature. IST is fully accredited by the International Baccalaureate’s Primary Years Program, as well as by the Council of Independent Schools, and Middle States Association for Accreditation in the United States.

Program

The areas of language arts, mathematics, science and social studies are taught by the main classroom teacher. Specialist teachers deliver programs in art, music, physical education, information technology and foreign languages. Children from EC1- Gr. 2 all take Kiswahili, children in grades 3-5 may choose between French, Spanish and Kiswahili. The exception to this is children in the EAL (English as an Additional Language) program who receive extra English in place of an additional foreign language. The school day runs from 7:30 a.m. until 12:30 for Early Childhood, and from 7:10 a.m. until 1:15 p.m. for grades Kdg. - Gr. 5.

IST offers support services in the areas of English as an Additional Language and support for children with mild special needs who can be accommodated in the mainstream classroom. The Elementary School also has two counselors to assist students and their families with the transitions of moving into a new community. The counselors are a strong support for students’ social and emotional growth.

The Elementary School has a strong and varied After School Activities program which offers children a choice of sports, games, art, drama and music, and community service activities. Activities are held Monday Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 1:30-2:15 p.m.

The IST Elementary School provides a warm and caring environment in which children can mature and explore the world around them. We believe they learn best when respect and responsibility toward others and the environment are stressed and modeled for them.