The Independence Charter School (ICS) is a community-oriented educational institution for elementary school-age children located in historic Philadelphia-a city that from its very beginning has served as a magnet for peoples from around the globe. The primary mission of ICS is to provide an intellectually stimulating curriculum with an international focus, emphasizing the arts, languages, ideas, and histories, from an array of cultures from around the world. To meet its goals, the school draws heavily on the resources available in Philadelphia- the museums, historic landmarks, businesses, schools, parks, communities, and families.