About Us
OUR MISSION
The International Community School is an International Baccalaureate World School that educates refugees, immigrants and local children, and provides a rigorous and holistic education in an intentionally diverse community of mutual learners.
OUR VISION
Students become lifelong learners and changemakers.
Our Approach
An IB World School
As an authorized IB World School, ICS integrates the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program (PYP) across every grade level, from Kindergarten through 5th grade. The PYP is at the heart of who we are—guiding instruction, shaping community, and inspiring our students to take ownership of their learning. By cultivating the IB Learner Profile attributes, we prepare students to become principled, caring, and globally minded citizens.
Learn more about what it means to be an IB World School.
Our values
We understand that each member of our community (staff, family, and student) is unique and essential to our life together.
- We believe that everyone is inherently able to learn and it is our collective responsibility to nurture the unique genius of every person.
- We believe in educating the whole child – their physical, intellectual, social, emotional, cultural and creative selves. Teaching in a culturally responsive lens, we view socio-emotional development as important as promoting academic excellence.
- We encourage expression through maintaining home languages, fostering fluency in Standard English and offering opportunities to learn other languages.
- We welcome and engage with people of various identity differences including, but not limited to, race, ethnicity, socio-economic status, sexual orientation, gender identity, ability, faith and political affiliation.
- We are preparing children to be global citizens who take action and work toward social justice in their communities.
- As a Beloved Community, we approach complex issues with strong communication, collaboration, perspective, respect and active listening.
I contribute to a legacy and my voice and actions matter.
Our History
The International Community School (ICS) opened in 2002 as one of Georgia’s earliest start-up public charter schools. From the beginning, ICS has also been an authorized International Baccalaureate (IB) World School, implementing the Primary Years Program (PYP) as the foundation for how we teach, learn, and build community.
ICS was created to address the educational needs of the thousands of refugees who had resettled in DeKalb County, while bringing them together with local children from the surrounding community. In its first year, ICS served 125 students in Kindergarten through 2nd grade on the campus of Avondale Patillo United Methodist Church. A new grade was added each year, and by 2006 a second campus opened for 5th and 6th grade students at St. Michael & All Angels Episcopal Church. While this two-campus solution supported growth, it stretched resources and was not sustainable. In 2012, ICS consolidated into the Medlock Elementary facility, where we continue to serve students today.
Today, ICS serves over 500 children annually in grades K-5 representing more than 60 countries and speaking 31 languages. Students at ICS represent an economic mix seldom seen in U.S. public schools. Nearly half (49%) of our students are child refugees or immigrants, and 92% are eligible for free or reduced lunch. What brings these diverse communities together is a powerful vision of public education. This unique blend of backgrounds and experiences is one of our greatest strengths, shaping a truly global learning community.
From its earliest days, ICS has been guided by the belief that education should bring diverse groups together—not as separate communities, but as one. Our use of the IB PYP framework ensures that students learn through inquiry, reflection, and meaningful action, while growing into compassionate, principled, and engaged global citizens.
ICS improves student learning for refugee, immigrant, and local children through inclusive practices, enhanced language instruction, and community-building experiences designed to cultivate curiosity, cross-cultural understanding, and a lifelong love of learning.