International Community School Addis Ababa

The International Community School is an independent, co-educational day school that provides educational services for students from Early Childhood through Grade 12. The school was founded in 1964. It is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools and the Council of International Schools. It is an IB World School with authorization to use the IB Diploma Programme. ICS has a 182-day school year.

ICS has about 650 students that represent over 70 nationalities. The school has 60 teachers from 11 countries.

Mission
The school mission is to use holistic teaching methods to help students develop their intellectual skills and talents so that they can become productive global citizens.

Facilities
ICS is located on a 15-acre campus in Addis Ababa. Facilities include a purpose-built early childhood center, 42 classrooms, 2 libraries with over 30,000 volumes, an outdoor amphitheater, play areas, 3 computer labs, outdoor sports courts, a gym, science labs, a 300-meter outdoor track and a performing arts center.

Curriculum
The curriculum takes the American-international fusion approach and is standards-based. ICS draws from best practices around the world, including Everyday Math, Reading and Writing Workshop and Full Option Science. Students in Grade 11 and Grade 12 can take the IB Diploma Programme.

Extracurricular Activities
ICS has a wide variety of after school activities. These include community service projects, arts and crafts, gymnastics, ballet, foreign language clubs, academic activities, and a variety of sports. ICS is a member of the International Schools of Southern and Eastern Africa. Athletic teams participate in competitions with other members of the group.

Technology
ICS has a WiFi network around campus. The school is developing a 1 to 1 laptop program. Technology is seen as a tool for learning and is integrated throughout the curriculum. Students from Preschool through Grade 12 take computer classes. The school has mobile computer labs that are available for teachers to checkout. Many classes have digital projectors and interactive whiteboards.

Professional Development
Professional development is an important part of ICS. Teachers take IB workshops, attend regional teacher conferences, have in-services with experts from around the world, and participate in curriculum development.

Employment
A profile of the ideal ICS teacher is on the website. This kind of information is great for candidates because they can get an idea of what they can expect from the school and what the school will expect from them. Among the expectations are an ability to use technology as a tool for communication and efficiency, a teaching certificate, a Bachelor’s Degree, three years of experience, and an ability to differentiate instruction. A recruiting video is also online. ICS lists openings on its website. Applications can be sent to the school director at info@icsaddis.edu.et. Be sure to include a letter of interest, a CV, three letters of recommendation and contact details for your most recent Principal. The school prefers to receive these in a PDF file. ICS attends the major recruiting fairs.

Benefits include furnished housing, duty-free privileges, round trip airfare, medical insurance, shipping, an overseas allowance, a retirement plan and an interest-free loan.

About Addis Ababa
Addis Ababa is the capital of Ethiopia; it is the third highest capital in the world as it sits at an altitude of 2,300 meters. The city has a population of approximately 3 million. It has a rainy season from mid-June to September. The average temperature is 25 degrees Celsius.

The city has grocery stores, malls and department stores. Shoppers can buy many Western goods although they tend to be expensive and not always in stock. Ethiopia has many unique historical and cultural attractions that are easily accessible to teachers during weekends and vacation periods.