High School
ISK High School is a college prepratory program designed to give students tools for success
High school runs from 9th to 12th grade, and forms the highest level of learning at ISK. Our high school program is college preparatory, and aims to give students the tools they need to succeed at the university level and beyond throughout the world. In high school, students transition from the standards-based grading approach found in K-8 to a GPA system that is more applicable to college admissions.
Students take classes in five core areas: English Language Arts, Mathematics, Sciences, Social Sciences, and one or two World Languages. In addition, students choose from a variety of electives in computer science, information & communication technology, design technology, the visual & performing arts, and physical education. Courses culminate with the option to take Advanced Placement (AP) coursework, including the prestigious AP Capstone diploma, which provides students with college-level learning and credit.
High School Curriculum
- Maths
- Science
- Language Arts
- Social Studies
- World Languages
- VHS
- Arts
- Health
- Co-Curricular
- Activities, Clubs and Electives
- Capstone
Maths
Integrated Math 1
This integrated mathematics course is aimed at ensuring that students make sense of mathematical problems and persevere in solving them, reason abstractly, construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others. Using real-world situations students will be required to use appropriate tools strategically. While the use of definitions, calculations, and estimations with the appropriate level of precision is expected and required; it is the ability to look for and make use of patterns and structure that matters most. The course focuses on five main content areas: Number and Quantity; Algebra; Functions; Geometry and Trigonometry; Statistics and Probability.
Integrated Math 2
This integrated mathematics course is aimed at ensuring that students make sense of mathematical problems and persevere in solving them, reason abstractly, construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others. Using real-world situations students will be required to use appropriate tools strategically. While the use of definitions, calculations, and estimations with the appropriate level of precision is expected and required; it is the ability to look for and make use of patterns and structure that matters most. The course focuses on six main content areas: Number and Quantity; Algebra; Functions; Geometry and Trigonometry; Statistics and Probability.
Statistics
The AP Statistics course introduces students to the major concepts and tools for collecting, analyzing, and drawing conclusions from data. There are four themes evident in the content, skills, and assessment in the AP Statistics course: exploring data, sampling and experimentation, probability and simulation, and statistical inference. Students use technology, investigations, problem-solving, and writing as they build conceptual understanding.
Graduation Requirements
Science
Biology
This course begins with a consideration of the living condition and discussion of the unique properties of living organisms that set life apart from the non-living. It continues with molecular and cellular biology, from which it moves logically into reproduction and genetics. An understanding of genetics gives meaning to organized variation, evolution and methods of scientific classification units dealing with microbiology and plant and animal phyla.
Chemistry
Chemistry is the study of the structure and composition of matter that makes up living things and their environment. Chemistry also deals with the study of the changes of matter and the mechanisms by which changes occur. This class covers topics such as matter, chemical reactions and solutions. Students will investigate chemstry concepts through experience in labs and investigations using the process of inquiry.
Physics
The Physics curriculum is designed to continue student investigations of the physical sciences that began in grades K-8 and provide students the necessary skills to be proficient in physics. This curriculum includes more abstract concepts such as interactions of matter and energy, velocity, acceleration, force, energy, momentum, and charge. Students investigate physics concepts through experience in laboratories and field work using the processes of inquiry.
AP Biology
Graduation Requirements
Language Arts
English 9
The Grade 9 English course uses both literature and non-fiction to examine the human experience through varied perspectives and worldviews. Students will study analysis techniques to understand depper meaning behind texts. Students will share thoughts and perspectives through both written and oral discussion. Students will work through various forms of writing such as creative writing, research based writing, and analytical studies.
English 10
The Grade 10 English course uses literature and non-fiction to examine the human experience through varied perspectives and worldviews. Students will study analysis techniques to understand depper meaning behind texts. Students will share thoughts and perspectives through both written and oral discussion.
English 11
The Grade 11 English course uses both literature and non-fiction to examine the human experience through varied perspectives and worldviews. Students will study analysis techniques to understand depper meaning behind texts. Students will share thoughts and perspectives through both written and oral discussion. Students will work through various forms of writing such as creative writing, research based writing, and analytical studies.
English 12
The Grade 12 English course uses both literature and non-fiction to examine the human experience through varied perspectives and worldviews. Students will study analysis techniques to understand depper meaning behind texts. Students will share thoughts and perspectives through both written and oral discussion. Students will work through various forms of writing such as creative writing, research based writing, and analytical studies. Students will prepare for the next step of their education with college preparation, including interview preparation and entrance essay revisions.
Social Studies
African History
GRADE 9 World History: African History. Students will explore the history of the continent of Africa from its ancient roots as the birthplace of humankind, through the age of empire building, to colonialism, all the way to modern times. Emphasis will be placed on historical lessons that can be applied to our modern life.
World History
GRADE 10 Pre AP World History: This year-long course examines the major events and turning points of world history from the Enlightenment to the present. Students investigate the foundational ideas that shaped the modern world in the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Asia, and the Americas, and then explore the economic, political, and social revolutions that have transformed human history. This rigorous study of modern history examines recurring themes, such as social history, democratic government, and the relationship between history and the arts, allowing students to draw connections between the past and the present, across cultures, and among multiple perspectives. The main focus of this class is to study world history and global issues from renaissance through the 20th Century. As students study these historic eras they will consider the influence of geographic settings, cultural perspectives, economic systems, and various forms of government.
Economics
The purpose of Economics is to give students a thorough understanding of the principles of economics that apply to an economic system as a whole. Such a course places particular emphasis on the study of national income and price determination, and develops students’ familiarity with economic performance measures, economic growth, and international economics. (*see course outline for more detailed explanation of the aforementioned economic concepts)
AP Psychology
Students will explore the ideas, theories, and methods of the scientific study of behavior and mental processes. They will examine the concepts of psychology through reading and discussion and analyze data from psychological research studies. Units include: Foundations of Psychology, Biological Bases of Behavior, Sensation and Perception, Learning Processes, Cognitive Psychology, Developmental Psychology, Emotion and Personality, Clinical Psychology, and Social Psychology. The course is designed to help students prepare for the AP Psychology Exam.
AP Comparative Government
AP Comparative Government and Politics is an introductory college-level course in comparative government and politics. The course uses a comparative approach to examine the political structures; policies; and political, economic, and social challenges of six selected countries: China, Iran, Mexico, Nigeria, Russia, and the United Kingdom. Students cultivate their understanding of comparative government and politics through analysis of data and text-based sources as they explore topics like power and authority, legitimacy and stability, democratization, internal and external forces, and methods of political analysis.
World Languages
HS French 2
Students are equipped in this course with a greater range of grammar and expression. They continue to experience French culture through lifestyles of French adolescents. By the end of the course, students should have an understanding of grammar that allows them to begin to read and analyse the language better.
HS French 3
This course offers students the means to acquire an intermediate level in writing, speaking, listening and reading. It is built around eight different topics that offer a thorough insight into French grammar, a wide range of speaking and writing activities and an overview of the francophone cultural world.
HS French 4
In French 4 students will improve skills acquired in French 3 through deepening their knowledge of French grammar and developing deeper insights into cultural themes of the French speaking world. They will deepen their writing, speaking, listening and writing skills through the study of authentic French material, which will allow them to use the target language to develop their critical thinking.
AP French
This course follows the AP curriculum. It is centered around six main topics that are divided into twenty four sub topics. I have decided to focus the course on the writing as it is where francophone students. Assessment will be done with comparative and persuasive essays, and emails. A stress will also be put on grammar and tenses this year.
HS Spanish 2
HS Spanish 3
This course aims at preparing students for the Intermediate High level. Throughout the Spanish 3 course students are supported to engage with an increasingly wide range of texts and audio/video clips. Language comprehension and expression (both spoken and written) are at the core of this course. Varying forms of assessment will ensure the students develop each of the core language skills.
VHS
VHS Learning began as "Virtual High School" in 1996 as part of a technology grant from the Department of Education. In 2001, VHS, Inc. was established as a nonprofit. The organization has set the standard for quality online education. VHS Learning prepares students for college, careers, and life through supportive, instructor-led online and blended classroom experiences.
Arts
Health
HS Health
In this semester-long skills-based class we will investigate many dimensions of health - from physical health to environmental health. We will use health decision-making skills to examine influences, validate health information, determine necessary health services, make health-promoting decisions, and more!
Co-Curricular
HS PE
The Physical Education program at ISK is based on the Society for Health & Physical Educators (SHAPE) America framework . The premise of these standards & the ISK physical Education program is that all individuals must develop physical literacy in order to lead productive & healthy lives in which they can enjoy a range of physical activities. The framework includes five core standards. Unit themes are focused on six Activity Categories: Outdoor Pursuits, Fitness, Dance & Rhythm, Individual-Performance Activities, Games & Sports, and Lifetime Activities. Specific health & fitness activities are taught within these categories.
HS Intro to Computer Science
This course introduces students to the field of computer science and the fundamentals of computer programming. Introduction to CS is specifically designed for students with no prior programming experience and touches upon a variety of fundamental topics. Students may choose to focus on a specific programming language or gain a wider exposure to computer science principles. This is an online course and students have the option of taking the following courses: Stanford CS101, Harvard CS50, Python Programming with Udacity, or Khan Academy CS.
HS Internship
HS Rwandan Culture
Kinyarwanda lessons will allow our students to share ideas, thoughts, and feelings with others and help them to be integrated into Rwandan communities as well as to be open-minded which refers to being receptive to other ideas and new experiences. Students will also learn about Rwandan culture which encompasses codes of manners, dress, language, religion, rituals, art, and music.
STEM
Activities, Clubs and Electives
Financial Management
In Personal Finance class, we explore some of the fundamentals of personal finance. Topics include behavioral economics, banking, saving, and investing. We will use group activities, games, and case studies to examine influences, explore finance information, and learn how to make smart budgeting decisions.
MUN
Model United Nations is an academic simulation of the United Nations. Students play the role of delegates from different countries and attempt to solve real world issues with the policies and perspectives of their assigned country in the classroom with the goal of traveling to another country to engage with other students who represent their chosen countries in a much larger discussion/debate.
Girl's Leadership
In Girl's Leadership we meet once a week to plan lessons and activities for the school wide Girls Leadership club. On Friday we meet with grades k-5, with 6-8 as additional mentors under the HS team. In Girls Leadership we focus on community, friendship, how to deal with hard things, and other general topics that all connect us as humans.
Creative Writing
The intention of this course is to allow students the opportunity to engage in various styles and dimensions of language in its creative form. Students will draft, edit, and publish multiple creative writing pieces, including short stories, personal narratives, children’s storybooks, poetry, and prose. In addition to these creative pieces, students will publish a quarterly online magazine encompassing some of their final pieces.
HS Student Council
Capstone
AP Seminar
Students will develop and practice the skills in research, collaboration, and communication that they will need in any academic discipline. Students will investigate topics in a variety of subject areas, write research-based essays, and design and give presentations both individually and as part of a team. Students will learn to read and analyze articles, studies, and other texts, how to gather and combine information from sources, how to view an issue from multiple perspectives, and to craft arguments based on evidence. AP Seminar is one of 2 courses needed as a foundation to complete the AP Capstone diploma.
AP Research
AP Research students build on what they learned in AP Seminar to deeply explore an academic topic, problem, or issue of individual interest. Through this exploration, students will design, plan, and conduct a year-long research-based investigation to address a research question. Students learn how to conduct independent research, analyze sources and evidence, apply context and perspective, write a college-level academic paper, and finally present the findings to an audience. AP Research is one of 2 courses needed as a foundation to complete the AP Capstone diploma.
Service Learning
Service Learning is a one-semester course to introduce Grade 9 to Service Learning. It looks at different examples of service-learning projects that are direct service, indirect service and/or advocacy. The students also read the book 'Be a Changemaker,' which is the backbone of the course. It asks students to explore their own skills, passions and think of ways they can combine these into ventures that have an impact on their communities (local, national or global). This course is really about individual students and where they want to take their own learning as they develop as global citizens.
ISK Student Profile
Curious
ISK students inquire about their learning, their environment, and the world around them.
- Participates consistently.
- Engages in classroom activities and/or discussions.
- Give effort in each class.
- Completes all work in a timely manner.
- Displays organizational skills.
- Uses technology safely and effectively.
Compassionate
ISK students show empathy, and care towards everyone they encounter.
- Respect self and others.
- Responds compassionately to others.
- Solves problems in positive ways.
- Makes positive choices for the shared school resources.
- Show empathy by envisioning themselves in others’ positions and circumstances
- Works collaboratively in groups.
- Demonstrates a service mindset, putting others before yourself and contributing to the betterment of those around you.