High School Life

High School DP (Grades 11-12) Life

Our High School is set on a beautiful hilltop campus. It provides a serene and green environment for students to work in a natural environment in the city, where activities are carefully balanced with our continued holistic approach to develop minds socially and emotionally, and to empower them for their own learning. The personal development of our students is encouraged with social interaction and responsibility through a range of activities, events and community participation. High School classes are capped at 24 students each.

We have a wide range of Creativity, Activity and Service (CAS) events that take place on a daily, weekly, monthly and annual basis. The opportunities for students to engage in arts, sports, and service learning opportunities are vast and students are encouraged to explore these to develop their interests and skills as communicators, thinkers, risk-takers and carers, and to perhaps understand more about themselves and the potential they may have. Our Student Council is very active and there are many opportunities for students to join sports or debating teams locally or regionally as well as showcase special talents in areas such as the arts or writing.

Our students’ development into independent, mature, and self-sufficient adults is a key goal within the small, nurturing community here at ISS International School. The support and care students need as they prepare for their next steps is provided in our tranquil, green environment through the academic and pastoral programmes we offer. With our unique location and small size, our community feels like a family, so come and see for yourselves how the events we celebrate help to join us together!

About High School DP (Grades 11-12)

Our High School DP (Grades 11-12) develops future global leaders through a sound, vigorous and challenging education. The High School DP (Grades 11-12) curriculum reflects ISS International School’s commitment to prepare students for the challenges of the 21st century. ISS International School graduates enrol at colleges and universities in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Korea, Japan and around the globe.

For students in Grades 11 and 12, ISS offers the IB Diploma Programme (DP) and the IB Diploma Course Programme (DC). Both courses are comprehensive and rigorous two-year curricula, leading to a series of externally set examinations, placing strong emphasis on high academic standards, the ideals of international understanding and responsible citizenship.

The Diploma Programme (DP) is a rigorous and very demanding academic programme, designed for highly motivated and determined students wishing to enter highly selective universities. The study of six subjects, three of which must be taken at Higher Level, the satisfactory completion of the Theory of Knowledge (TOK) course, the Extended Essay and the Creativity, Activity and Service (CAS) programme are all compulsory components of this course. Both TOK and CAS are integral parts of the DP and satisfactory completion of both components is required for successful graduation from ISS International School.

For students not requiring or not suited to the DP, ISS International School offers the IB Diploma Course Programme (DC). The DC programme is a demanding academic curriculum with a broad and balanced course line-up, which enables students to study six subjects at either Standard or Higher Level. Both Theory of Knowledge (TOK) and Creativity, Action and Service (CAS) are integral parts of the DC programme and satisfactory completion of both components is required for successful graduation from ISS International School. The DC programme grants access to a wide range of universities worldwide.

The High School offers a wide range of Extra Curricular Activities (ECAs) and sports and promotes community involvement and service.

Admission to the High School is determined on a holistic basis, with a focus on whether a student will take advantage of and benefit from an ISS International School education.  All applicants are tested for English Language and Mathematics ability and a review of previous school records is required.

The IB Diploma Programme (DP)

At ISS International School, we aim to provide access to the IB Diploma Programme to all students who show outstanding determination and motivation, and who have highly developed personal organisation and time-management skills. To that effect, we provide support for students whose first language is not English, and we frequently give students a chance to prove themselves if we believe they have the potential to succeed. This differentiated support has meant that over 95% of our students on the programme are awarded the IB Diploma, and our more able students continue to achieve top scores.

The IB Diploma Core

Subjects offered for each Grade:

In addition to six academic subjects, students must complete a course in Theory of Knowledge (a critical thinking skills course), write an Extended Essay (an independent research-based assignment up to 4000 words), and participate in the Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) programme. These areas are known as the IB Diploma Core components and must be completed satisfactorily as part of the award requirements for the IB Diploma.

ISS places a strong emphasis on the IB Diploma Core components, as it is where students learn most about themselves and where many transferable skills are developed. Our CAS programme is particularly strong and we offer a wide range of after school activities and community service projects, together with unique service-oriented overnight trips, in order to give students abundant opportunities to fully participate in the spirit of CAS.

The IB Diploma Course Programme (DC)

Students who do not require or who are not suited to the IB Diploma Programme will follow the IB Diploma Course Programme (DC). They will study six IB Diploma courses at either Higher or Standard Level, but do not have to choose a minimum of three courses at Higher Level. The requirements for each chosen subject are the same as those for IB Diploma students and every student sits for the same externally set examinations at the end of the two-year course. In addition, they complete two of the three IB Core components (Theory of Knowledge and CAS programme). Satisfactory completion of both components forms part of the requirements for successful graduation from ISS International School.

Please note:

• The above subject selection applies to both IB Diploma and IB Diploma Course programmes
• All subjects offered are subject to sufficient demand
• Not all subjects are offered at both Higher Level and Standard Level
• Should you require more information, you can find more details on our learning outcomes & benchmarks and assessment guidelines.

Preparatory Course for High School

The Preparatory Course for High School is designed to prepare students for entry into either IBMYP 4 or 5 (Grades 9 and 10) and subsequently to gain entry into the IB Diploma programme (Grades 11 and 12). Students undergo intensive English instruction at the same time as they learn core secondary subjects such as mathematics, science, humanities and elective subjects such as the arts and physical education.  Students are fully integrated into the activities and life of ISS. By entering this programme students can stay ‘on track’ and are not required to repeat academic years or to enrol in classes with students that are not of the same age. This is in keeping with our core values of nurturing, empowering and offering an inclusive education.

Subjects offered:

The course is taught by teachers specialised in accelerating English language learning. Teachers use specialised English language programmes that include diagnostic tools that pinpoint students’ areas of need. Progress is carefully monitored throughout the programme so that students maximise their ability to quickly learn the skills and language necessary for entry into the MYP programme.