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"What would you like to be when you grow up?"
"I ‘d like to become a president of this country."
"A president? That is great! There are both great presidents and bad presidents. Jun, what do you think makes a president great?”
“Uh…”
After pondering a while, Jun replied with a determined look.
“It is what is inside the heart of the president."
This is a conversation between Steve Danish, the principal of ICS, and a student named Jun. Steve Danish retold the above episode with emotion, at 'Beyond The Book' , an event held to introduce the school to future ICS parents,.
The content of this conversation immediately tells the philosophy of ICS. ICS was founded in 1976 by Immanuel Bible Church in Springfield as part of one of its ministries to serve the children of Washington Metropolitan area. Accommodating Kindergarten through 8th grade, ICS has a current enrollment of 400 students and a teaching and support staff of 80. From small beginnings, serving only through 3rd grade at first, after many years, it now has established itself as a renowned Private Christian School.
To help instill a Christ-like character in the hearts of children, a sense of joy in pursuing good, and at the same time to develop one’s academic and intellectual potential so that one may live a full and fruitful life, these are the core values and the goal of ICS.
Subjects are not taught simply knowledge sake but to have the knowledge translate from the mind to the heart and from the heart to the hands. Academic level is similar to GT Center
From Kindergarten, students take Bible class, math, science, writing/reading/speech, the arts (visual, music, and physical education), social studies/history and foreign language. Subjects are not taught simply knowledge sake but to have the knowledge translate from the mind to the heart and from the heart to the hands. To make easy to explain, the academic level of ICS is like GT Center(Gifted and Talented Center) level.
For example, when kindergarteners are learning the alphabet, they learn the words through the use of phonics. Kindergarten teacher, Meredith, says that in kindergarten, it is important to be able to listen and write what the student hears. It is not so important to learn the accurate spelling of a word. Also, alphabet is not taught in alphabetical order but the alphabets that are round and easiest to write are taught first.
In addition, curriculum is taught in a comprehensive way such that when F is being taught, words that start with F such as Food is taught and at the same time related knowledge is taught. For example, the students may visit a nearby Fuddrucker, to have lunch and visit its kitchen. This observation gives understanding of what people in the community do for work and as a result understand how the community works.
Students write journals, through which they build verbal expression and concepts. For math, arithmetic skills are taught hands-on through games and activities. For example, the area of the classroom may be measured. Furthermore, emphasis is given to building problem solving skills through use of critical thinking, speaking and writing.
ICS actively utilizes technology in its education. Students are encouraged to learn computer skills. The entire student body learns to use the internet as well as a variety of software programs. In addition, the school has a website with a learning portal called ‘The Bridge’ that students and their families can take advantage of. Each classroom has in place of the chalk board, an ‘Interactive whiteboard’ that uses computer technology to enhance learning. ICS teachers continuously receive training from technology experts to keep abreast of the latest technology.
The well planned out classroom, lockers, gymnasium, laboratory, library, computer room and chapel(part of Immanuel Bible Church) add to the overall experience at ICS.
Children Serving (Character in Action)
‘Character in Action’ is a program designed to teach strong leadership skills and one that ICS is most proud of. Through this program, the students learn to utilize their knowledge and skills to serve the community in which they are part of. Through this sharing and serving, the students further beautify their community and learn about Christian leadership.
Here is one story in which a first grader named, Ebie along with her Mother and her 4 siblings lost a Father to liver cancer. Upon death of her Father, Ebie suffered deep disappointment, lonliness and grief beyond what a child should have to endure. Her classmates and her teacher tirelessly prayed for Ebie and tried their best to comfort her.
One day, in front of the same first grade class, a pastor explained about the details of his ministry in India. He also explained that he would need as soon as possible, a specified sum of money to be able to teach at a ICS’s sister school in India.
After the pastor left, Ebie wailed at her desk. “ I feel sorry for the children there. We must do something for them”, she exclaimed. Then she went on to suggest ways in which they can help.
With the strength derived from prayer, the children’s efforts gained momentum. One child brought a Ziplock bag full of money from his piggy bank. This humble start reached finally to an amount that the pastor needed.
Ebie’s teacher, Eleane McCoy confessed, “All along we thought we were encouraging Ebie, but it turned out that she was encouraging and challenging us to help the children in India. The students surpassed my expectations in demonstrating service and leadership. They were creative, sincere and selfless. As teachers, we can only stand aside to encourage and assist what the students are already doing. ”
ICS students are assigned at each grade level, Character Traits to be learned. For example, kindergarteners have Obedience and Responsibility to develop. This is achieved through class work, special activities and service projects. In addition, each grade level is assigned a group of Bible verses to recite. Students must be able to recite the assigned verses. This exercise serves to help the students meditate daily the Word of God. A parent, Donna Kim explained, “The students are always encouraged to apply the verses to their lives. I have been impressed by their ability to recall the verses and to apply them to situations. I am also learning through my children.”
ICS is a gift for the children
Donna Kim has two youngsters, Faith (4th grade) and Grace (2nd grade) at ICS. She and her family attend the English service in Christ Central Presbyterian Church. She likes to remind her children, “I am sending you to ICS because it is a life’s valuable gift”.
One parent commented on how she ended up sending her children to ICS. “After witnessing my friend’s children maintaining a religious life and at the same time displaying good leadership skills even to become class president after graduating from ICS. That is when I resolved to send my children to ICS”, she explained.
“Many parents will consider sending their children to an expensive private university but they have difficulty justifying sending their children to a private school when they are younger because of the cost. However, I think that education is even more important in the younger years. I believe that the education my children will receive at ICS will be invaluable to my children in their future.”
Already with two children attending ICS, Donna Kim is preparing to send her third child, Christian to ICS. “Academic level at ICS is, I would say, similar to that of Gifted and Talented Center at a public school. Also, the student to teacher ratio is low so the students are better able to receive the individual attention necessary for effective learning. My daughter had problems with reading which I believe would not have been readily revealed to me had it not been for her teacher who prays for each of her students. At the teacher’s suggestion, I was able to help my daughter by giving her more chance to talk at home.”
“Sometimes, I feel that the teacher knows my child better than I do. I know my child in is good hands at ICS.”
Children grow with daily sharing of the Word and prayer at ICS
Three times a week, all teachers get together to meditate on the Word. They pray for each student by name. Teachers discuss how they can better lead and teach the students. Each morning, the students together with their teacher, start the day with meditation on the Word.
These are the most important ingredients to how children at ICS are able to obtain Christian leadership skills and academic success.
Admission Coordinator, Diane Canaham commented on her hopes for Korean students at ICS.
“30% of student body at ICS comprise of Koreans. This demonstrates the religious and academic fervor that Koreans as an ethnic group possess. I expect to see many Korean youngsters becoming a student at ICS and developing into intelligent and devoted Christian leaders.”
Website : www.icsva.org
Questions : (703) 941-1220
Helen Cho/Translated by Anna Jung
"I ‘d like to become a president of this country."
"A president? That is great! There are both great presidents and bad presidents. Jun, what do you think makes a president great?”
“Uh…”
After pondering a while, Jun replied with a determined look.
“It is what is inside the heart of the president."
This is a conversation between Steve Danish, the principal of ICS, and a student named Jun. Steve Danish retold the above episode with emotion, at 'Beyond The Book' , an event held to introduce the school to future ICS parents,.
The content of this conversation immediately tells the philosophy of ICS. ICS was founded in 1976 by Immanuel Bible Church in Springfield as part of one of its ministries to serve the children of Washington Metropolitan area. Accommodating Kindergarten through 8th grade, ICS has a current enrollment of 400 students and a teaching and support staff of 80. From small beginnings, serving only through 3rd grade at first, after many years, it now has established itself as a renowned Private Christian School.
To help instill a Christ-like character in the hearts of children, a sense of joy in pursuing good, and at the same time to develop one’s academic and intellectual potential so that one may live a full and fruitful life, these are the core values and the goal of ICS.
Subjects are not taught simply knowledge sake but to have the knowledge translate from the mind to the heart and from the heart to the hands. Academic level is similar to GT Center
 |  |
| ▲Through sports, students not only learn about physical fitness and health, but also about following rules and team work. | |
For example, when kindergarteners are learning the alphabet, they learn the words through the use of phonics. Kindergarten teacher, Meredith, says that in kindergarten, it is important to be able to listen and write what the student hears. It is not so important to learn the accurate spelling of a word. Also, alphabet is not taught in alphabetical order but the alphabets that are round and easiest to write are taught first.
In addition, curriculum is taught in a comprehensive way such that when F is being taught, words that start with F such as Food is taught and at the same time related knowledge is taught. For example, the students may visit a nearby Fuddrucker, to have lunch and visit its kitchen. This observation gives understanding of what people in the community do for work and as a result understand how the community works.
Students write journals, through which they build verbal expression and concepts. For math, arithmetic skills are taught hands-on through games and activities. For example, the area of the classroom may be measured. Furthermore, emphasis is given to building problem solving skills through use of critical thinking, speaking and writing.
ICS actively utilizes technology in its education. Students are encouraged to learn computer skills. The entire student body learns to use the internet as well as a variety of software programs. In addition, the school has a website with a learning portal called ‘The Bridge’ that students and their families can take advantage of. Each classroom has in place of the chalk board, an ‘Interactive whiteboard’ that uses computer technology to enhance learning. ICS teachers continuously receive training from technology experts to keep abreast of the latest technology.
The well planned out classroom, lockers, gymnasium, laboratory, library, computer room and chapel(part of Immanuel Bible Church) add to the overall experience at ICS.
Children Serving (Character in Action)
‘Character in Action’ is a program designed to teach strong leadership skills and one that ICS is most proud of. Through this program, the students learn to utilize their knowledge and skills to serve the community in which they are part of. Through this sharing and serving, the students further beautify their community and learn about Christian leadership.
Here is one story in which a first grader named, Ebie along with her Mother and her 4 siblings lost a Father to liver cancer. Upon death of her Father, Ebie suffered deep disappointment, lonliness and grief beyond what a child should have to endure. Her classmates and her teacher tirelessly prayed for Ebie and tried their best to comfort her.
One day, in front of the same first grade class, a pastor explained about the details of his ministry in India. He also explained that he would need as soon as possible, a specified sum of money to be able to teach at a ICS’s sister school in India.
After the pastor left, Ebie wailed at her desk. “ I feel sorry for the children there. We must do something for them”, she exclaimed. Then she went on to suggest ways in which they can help.
With the strength derived from prayer, the children’s efforts gained momentum. One child brought a Ziplock bag full of money from his piggy bank. This humble start reached finally to an amount that the pastor needed.
Ebie’s teacher, Eleane McCoy confessed, “All along we thought we were encouraging Ebie, but it turned out that she was encouraging and challenging us to help the children in India. The students surpassed my expectations in demonstrating service and leadership. They were creative, sincere and selfless. As teachers, we can only stand aside to encourage and assist what the students are already doing. ”
ICS students are assigned at each grade level, Character Traits to be learned. For example, kindergarteners have Obedience and Responsibility to develop. This is achieved through class work, special activities and service projects. In addition, each grade level is assigned a group of Bible verses to recite. Students must be able to recite the assigned verses. This exercise serves to help the students meditate daily the Word of God. A parent, Donna Kim explained, “The students are always encouraged to apply the verses to their lives. I have been impressed by their ability to recall the verses and to apply them to situations. I am also learning through my children.”
ICS is a gift for the children
Donna Kim has two youngsters, Faith (4th grade) and Grace (2nd grade) at ICS. She and her family attend the English service in Christ Central Presbyterian Church. She likes to remind her children, “I am sending you to ICS because it is a life’s valuable gift”.
One parent commented on how she ended up sending her children to ICS. “After witnessing my friend’s children maintaining a religious life and at the same time displaying good leadership skills even to become class president after graduating from ICS. That is when I resolved to send my children to ICS”, she explained.
“Many parents will consider sending their children to an expensive private university but they have difficulty justifying sending their children to a private school when they are younger because of the cost. However, I think that education is even more important in the younger years. I believe that the education my children will receive at ICS will be invaluable to my children in their future.”
Already with two children attending ICS, Donna Kim is preparing to send her third child, Christian to ICS. “Academic level at ICS is, I would say, similar to that of Gifted and Talented Center at a public school. Also, the student to teacher ratio is low so the students are better able to receive the individual attention necessary for effective learning. My daughter had problems with reading which I believe would not have been readily revealed to me had it not been for her teacher who prays for each of her students. At the teacher’s suggestion, I was able to help my daughter by giving her more chance to talk at home.”
“Sometimes, I feel that the teacher knows my child better than I do. I know my child in is good hands at ICS.”
Children grow with daily sharing of the Word and prayer at ICS
Three times a week, all teachers get together to meditate on the Word. They pray for each student by name. Teachers discuss how they can better lead and teach the students. Each morning, the students together with their teacher, start the day with meditation on the Word.
These are the most important ingredients to how children at ICS are able to obtain Christian leadership skills and academic success.
Admission Coordinator, Diane Canaham commented on her hopes for Korean students at ICS.
“30% of student body at ICS comprise of Koreans. This demonstrates the religious and academic fervor that Koreans as an ethnic group possess. I expect to see many Korean youngsters becoming a student at ICS and developing into intelligent and devoted Christian leaders.”
Website : www.icsva.org
Questions : (703) 941-1220
Helen Cho/Translated by Anna Jung
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