HIGH SCHOOL AT ISI

The ISI High School, Grades 9 to 12, prepares students for their college experience and the world beyond.

As Indiana’s only IB continuum World School, the ISI High School offers the International Baccalaureate (IB) Middle Years Programme for grades 9 - 10 and the prestigious IB Diploma Programme for grades 11-12.

ISI has chosen to be an IB continuum World School to provide a holistic education experience for our students that complements our approach to language learning and developing internationally minded students who are more than adequately prepared for tertiary education and making a positive contribution to society.

As the International Baccalaureate states. “Students at International Baccalaureate (IB) World Schools are given a unique education. They will:

be encouraged to think independently and drive their own learning
take part in programmes of education that can lead them to some of the highest ranking universities around the world
become more culturally aware, through the development of a second language
be able to engage with people in an increasingly globalized, rapidly changing world.

School Day

The high school starts its day at 8:00 a.m. and classes end at 3:30 p.m. The student-faculty ratio for high school is around 9:1. Classes are small, typically having between 12 and 16 students. In addition to academic classes the timetable contains an X Block period on three days of the week where students can participate in a range of clubs and activities within the school day.

100% College Acceptance

Since the first class to graduate from ISI in 2004, students have annually earned a 100% college acceptance rate.

This success can be linked to the IB Diploma Program curriculum completed by all ISI students in grades 11 and 12. This "gold standard" curriculum thoroughly prepares ISI students to succeed at the college or university of their choice – and 100% of our graduates go on to attend college.

Creativity, Activity, Service

CAS is at the heart of the Diploma Programme. With its holistic approach, CAS is designed to strengthen and extend students’ personal and interpersonal learning. CAS is organized around the three strands of creativity, activity and service defined as follows:

Creativity - exploring and extending ideas leading to an original or interpretive product or performance
Activity - physical exertion contributing to a healthy lifestyle
Service - collaborative and reciprocal engagement with the community in response to an authentic need

Areas of Study

Language and Literature

Through studying language and literature, students will show an increasing awareness of the power of language—both in their own and others’ language use. Students will be able to use and interpret language suitably for a variety of intentions and contexts. Students work with both familiar and previously unseen texts, in order to practice, develop and demonstrate their language and literature skills. Students engage with texts from different times, places, cultures, geographical regions, historical periods and perspectives.

Students are exposed to a wide variety of literary art forms - including film - which utilizes different stylistic devices, communicates ideas about chosen subjects, and can be interpreted using the analytical process. Reading material will be chosen from diverse sources to ensure that an international perspective will be maintained. There is an emphasis on the development of communication skills that include textual analysis, writing well-developed essays, and researching effectively. Language and Literature courses are offered in French, Mandarin, and Spanish.

Language Aquisition

Language Acquisition courses are available in English, French, Mandarin, and Spanish at a wide range of skill levels.

Early levels provide students with the basic communication skills needed in everyday situations, through the study of basic vocabulary and present tense. Students explore different topics such as greetings and farewells, personal information, descriptions related to school, family, places, climate. Also, they express likes and dislikes, talk about daily routines, tell and ask the time, ask for food at a restaurant, ask for directions, and talk about experiences in the past.

As students’ language skills progress, reading comprehension is developed through a variety of primary texts including short stories, magazine articles and songs about French, Chinese or Spanish culture. Students explore different topics such as curricular and extracurricular activities, careers, the influence of French, Chinese and Spanish culture around the world (customs, traditions, and social codes), socio-cultural celebrations/holidays and shopping/errands, advantages and shortcomings of cell phones and social media.

At higher levels, students learn to communicate in the target language in familiar and unfamiliar contexts. They describe situations, narrate events, make comparisons, explain problems, and state and support their personal opinions on a variety of topics relating to course content.

Recognizing Language Learning with the Global Seal of Biliteracy

The International School of Indiana has chosen to credential student language learning with the Global Seal of Biliteracy - an international credential that conveys proficiency with language skills in two or more languages for our qualifying candidates. The Global Seal of Biliteracy enables programs across the world to quickly validate a student’s language skills to provide recognition, appropriate and or advanced placement in a language program, and even help earn scholarships and job opportunities.

Individuals and Societies

These courses encourage learners to respect and understand the world around them and equip them with the necessary skills to inquire into historical, contemporary, geographical, political, social, economic, religious, technological and cultural factors that have an impact on individuals, societies and environments. It encourages learners, both students and teachers, to consider local and global contexts.

The courses incorporate disciplines traditionally studied under the general term “the humanities” (for example history), as well as disciplines in the social sciences (such as economics, business management, geography, and sociology). The courses help students to critically appreciate the diversity of human culture, attitudes and beliefs, and includes a strong focus on inquiry and investigation. Students research, describe and analyse data used in studies of societies, test theses, and learn how to interpret information, including original source material. This focus on real-world examples, research and analysis is an essential aspect of the subject group.

Grades 9 and 10 participate in a general Individuals and Societies course. In Grade 11 and 12, students are able to take Business Management, History, or Psychology.

Sciences

Science classes include Biology, Chemistry, and Physics at varying levels for each grade.

In ISI science courses, the method of investigation offers learning through inquiry; these courses encourage the development of not only scientific inquiry skills but also transferable thinking skills. We strive to help students visualize the links between science and everyday life and the interactions between science and society.

Students have opportunities to design investigations, collect data, develop manipulative skills, analyze results, collaborate with peers and evaluate and communicate their findings. The investigations may be laboratory based or they may make use of simulations and data bases.

Mathematics

Mathematics courses are available at varying levels. Grade 9 and 10 students take general mathematics, while Grade 11 and 12 are able to choose between Analysis & Approaches or Applications & Interpretations.

Mathematics courses apply student knowledge of mathematics to incorporate problem solving using real-world situations. This will promote higher-level thinking and oral/written communication skills. Students will communicate their mathematical understanding in writing in addition to traditional paper and pencil calculation work.

Analysis & Approaches is for students who enjoy developing their mathematics to become fluent in the construction of mathematical arguments and develop strong skills in mathematical thinking. The course allows the use of technology, as fluency in relevant mathematical software and hand-held technology is important. This course includes topics that are both traditionally part of a pre-university mathematics course (e.g. functions, trigonometry, calculus) as well as topics that are amenable to investigation, conjecture and proof, for instance the study of sequences and series

Applications & Interpretations course recognizes the increasing role that mathematics and technology play in a diverse range of fields in a data-rich world. As such, it emphasizes the meaning of mathematics in context by focusing on topics that are often used as applications or in mathematical modeling. To give this understanding a firm base, this course also includes topics that are traditionally part of a pre-university mathematics course such as calculus and statistics. The course makes extensive use of technology to allow students to explore and construct mathematical models.

Arts & Design

Students can choose between Visual Arts, Drama, Music, and Design. There are also added clubs students can join, including Band & Orchestra, Singers & Songwriters, Choir, Yearbook, and participation in the school play and musical.

Visual Arts courses focus on the development of a variety of art-making skills from drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, and mixed-media artworks. Students will develop an understanding of the elements and principles of art, knowledge of various art-making techniques, and a range of art movements. An important part of this course is the Visual Arts Process Journal where students will practice art-making techniques, take notes, develop creative ideas, research ideas, and reflect on their art-making process.

Drama begins as an introductory course to the history of theatre, the theatre space and acting. Although much of the standard information remains constant, the devices used to enhance a student’s knowledge of these certain areas are constantly changing. This area will focus on the students’ verbal, physical and character-building challenges as an actor. Through readings, workshops, exercises and acting, students will explore how the theatre has developed and changed over the years.

Music students expand their knowledge and understanding of musical art forms. Students demonstrate the ability to communicate musically and express artistic and creative intentions in small groups while developing their individual musicianship and creativity on an instrument of their choice. Students are required to critically reflect on their artistic development throughout the learning process and evaluate their work to inform their own artistic processes to benefit future learning.

The Design course challenges students to apply practical and creative thinking skills to solve design problems, explore the role of design in both historical and contemporary contexts and consider their responsibilities when making design decisions and taking action. Design focuses on a holistic design process rather than final products and solutions. The design process assesses four areas: inquiring and analysing; developing ideas; creating the solution; and evaluation of the product.

Physical and Health Education

Physical and Health Education offers students opportunities to become multi-skilled by experimenting with the main sports groups of cultures around the world. The social aspect of collective sports activities allows students to develop autonomy and responsibility. Students refine skills learnt in grades 6, 7 and 8 to become higher level performers. The course will cover; invasion games, divided net games, striking and fielding, alternative games and athletics. The course aims to develop approaches to learning for students to develop self-confidence, as well as emotional and physical competency and collaboration.