High SchoolCourse Description

Grades 9 - 12

High School at AISK prepares students for tertiary education in the United States and around the world. This guide is designed to introduce students and their parents to our program in aid of planning a course of study that reflects the students’ individual interests, abilities, needs and goals. All programs at AISK support our values – excellence, integrity and respect – empowering our students to realize their full potential.

We Teach ForTomorrow’sRealityYEARS

HIGH SCHOOL COURSES: GRADES 9-12

MUSIC THEORY

• Melody

• Rhythm

• Tempo

• Dynamics

• Symbols & Terms

• Sight read accurately

• Historical & cultural

• Instrument Ensemble

• Vocal ensemble

ENGAGE IN• One Big Idea per quarter

•2D, 3D & Digital art making skills,techniques & process• Critiques- Oral - Written• Analyze & Asses

- Personal art -Art of others

- Historical & cultural significance of Art• Investigate

- One Artist -Artworks - Influences- A single Art Movement

- An Art Style - A Single Theme• Explore - Media -Tools

STUDEN

T GOVE

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• Offic

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• Clas

s Rep

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• AISK

Amba

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• Com

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Servi

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• Nati

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Socie

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CLASS

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• Over

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-Sport

-Acad

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•Local

field

trips

-Sport

-Acad

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ACTIVE 4 LIFE/

TRAIN 2 COMPETE

• Soccer

• Basketball

•Tennis

• Table Tennis

• Ultimate Frisbee

• Lacrosse

• Principles of Training

• Fitness• Diet

BIOLOGY

• Biological Systems

• Genetics & Inheritance

CHEMISTRY

• Quantitative Chemistry

• Changes in MatterPHYSICS

• Forces & Motion

GEOMETRY

• Reasoning & Proof

• Trigonometry

ALGEBRA 2

• Patterns & Sequences

• Functions

PRE-CALCULUS

• Probability &

Statistics

• Limits

LITERATURE• Poetry• Prose• Drama

LANGUAGE• Research Report

• Creative Response• Argumentative

Writing• Short Stories

US H

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• Ind

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• Im

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• Wes

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• Ind

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SPANISH / FRENCH

•Advanced Grammar

•Culture

•Music, Art, Traditions

•Vocabulary

•Reading

•Writing

•Conversational skills

•Review

•Geography of Spanish

speaking world

1 : 1 DI G I T A L D E V I C E P R O G

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AISK DYNAMIC LEARNING PAR

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GRADE 10• Focus is to create the AISK Yearbook

and Newspaper• Use technology tools and resources

for managing and communicating information

• Use technology to meet the needs for collaboration, research, publications, communications and productivity

• Select and apply technology tools for decision-making

• Apply technology skills to create a dynamic product

• Team management• Theme selection• Page design cycle• Journalistic writing• Photoshop• Photojournalism• Marketing

1:1 DIGITAL DEVICE PROGRAM

GRADE 9• Make informed choices among

technology systems, resources and services

• Identify and evaluate current and emerging technological resources

• Discuss the effects of technology development on social, ethical and human issues

• Use of Excel to gather and represent data

• Email etiquette• Creating effective presentations

using a variety of software with links to other software

• Routinely use online information resources efficiently for research and publication

• Using codeacademy.com to learn and apply coding skills

AISK IB DIPLOMA SUBJECTS

EXTENDED ESSAY • THEORY OF KNOWLEDGE • CREATIVIT

Y, A

CTIO

N AN

D SERVICE •

AISK DYNAMIC LEARNING PAR

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Each student’s course of study contains an English, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies and Modern Language component. Additionally, students take Physical Education, Visual Arts, Music, and in Grades 11 and 12, Theory of Knowledge.

GRADING CRITERIAOur program is based on a credit earning system towards a US High School Diploma. Credit is granted to each course a student passes. Students earn 1 credit per year for all core subjects, and 0.5 credits per Semester for additional subjects. Students must earn a total of 6 credits per year.

ACADEMIC PROGRAM GRADUATION REQUIREMENTSGraduates are required to earn a minimum of 24 credits to receive an AISK diploma. AISK graduates must successfully complete a minimum of 4 credits for English, 3 credits each of Science, Social Studies, and Mathematics, 2 credits of a Foreign Language, and 1 credit of Physical Education. Graduates must also have completed 6 credits of Electives.

Students are encouraged to take responsibility for their learning through the continual feedback from their teachers and the ongoing communication of progress in our online Class Pages, our Learning management system. Progress is also communicated through quarterly report cards and conferences throughout the year. The grading criteria is outlined below.

IB DIPLOMAAISK offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (IBDP) in Grades 11 and 12. This is an academically rigorous and challenging program that is recognized in most countries of the world as a university entrance qualification. Many of the leading universities in the United States grant IB students advanced standing, with some as much as a full year. Students take the IB exams in May each year and are issued grades in July.

AISK offers the US High School Diploma, IB Courses and IB Diploma. There are three paths available for university preparation and students may choose any one to earn a diploma at AISK.

PATH 1 • US High School Diploma• High School GPA• SAT / ACT• SAT Subject Test

PATH 2• US High School Diploma• High School GPA• SAT / ACT• SAT Subject Test• IB Courses

PATH 3• US High School Diploma• High School GPA• SAT / ACT• SAT Subject Test• IB Diploma

• Maintains and exceeds AISK curriculum standards• Provides evidence of a high level of critical thinking and

applying knowledge in a variety of tasks• Provides evidence of a high level of creative and / or

innovative learning or understanding• Highly motivated and works independently

• Maintains and meets AISK curriculum standards• Provides evidence of a good knowledge in a variety of tasks• Provides evidence of a good level of creative and / or

innovative learning or understanding• Usually motivated and works independently with occasional

assistance

• Meets most AISK curriculum standards• Provides evidence of a moderate level of critical thinking and

application of knowledge in a variety of tasks• Provides evidence of a moderate level of creative and / or

innovative learning or understanding• Sometimes motivated and works independently with some

assistance

• Meets some AISK curriculum standards• Provides minimal evidence of critical thinking and application

of knowledge in a variety of tasks• Provides minimal evidence of creative and / or innovative

learning or understanding• Little motivation and works independently with assistance

• Does not meet AISK curriculum standards• Provides insufficient evidence of critical thinking and

application of knowledge in a variety of tasks• Provides insufficient evidence understanding• Not motivated and does not work independently

A

B

C

D

F

Each student’s Grade Point Average (GPA) is calculated using the grading scale below.

A+ 4.0A 4.0B+ 3.5B 3.0C+ 2.5C 2.0D+ 1.5D 1.0F 0.0

HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMAREQUIREMENTS

PATHStoUniversity

3

GRADES 11 AND 12IB MATHEMATICS HLThis course is intended for students with a good background in mathematics who are competent in a range of analytical and technical skills. These students are expected to include mathematics as a major component of their university studies.

IB MATHEMATICS SLThis course is designed for students who already possess knowledge of basic mathematical concepts, and who are equipped with the skills needed to apply simple mathematical techniques correctly. The majority of these students are expected to need a sound mathematical background as they prepare for future studies in subjects such as the sciences, medicine or economics.

IB MATHEMATICAL STUDIES SLMathematical Studies is designed for students with varied backgrounds and abilities. Students study topics like sequences and series, number sets, linear equations, and quadratic equations among others, for those not wishing to pursue math or sciences at university.

METHODS OF TEACHING LANGUAGE ARTS“Writing and reading decrease our sense of isolation. They deepen and widen and expand our sense of life: they feed the soul.” Anne Lamott

At AISK, the teacher facilitates an appreciation of literature through the selection of specific texts. Students also take ownership of their learning by selecting their own supplementary texts and designing unique creative responses to demonstrate understanding. Inquiry based learning enables students to make connections between thematic issues and the individual / global experience.

LANGUAGE ARTS 9Grade 9 English involves a mix of classic and modern selections representing the global community. Students begin to probe the elements of literary craft and begin to write sophisticated analyses of texts. In addition, students create original texts and so participate in the cultural conversation of our current century.

LANGUAGE ARTS 10Continuing the exploration begun in Grade 9, the class studies classic and contemporary voices from a myriad of communities with particular attention given to diverse forms of media. Knowledge spirals and deepens in order for students to transition to the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program.

GRADES 11 AND 12IB GROUP 1: LANGUAGE A (NATIVE LANGUAGES)ENGLISH A: LITERATURE (HL OR SL)IB English aims to extend and develop language skills through literature. This is achieved through the texts chosen for the course and paying close attention to the aims and objectives of the subject. Further details are available from the IB Diploma Coordinator.

MATHEMATICS

METHODS OF TEACHING MATHEMATICS“Self-discovery is more permanent.” Delmas F. Campbell

At AISK classes in mathematics aim to develop students’ understanding and appreciation through connections to the real-world. This allows for improvement in logical thought and reasoning.

For all Math classes, use of a graphic display calculator (GDC) is required and a summative project is completed in the second year.

MATH 9: GEOMETRY / ALGEBRA 2This course continues the work in Pre-Algebra. Topics in this course include real numbers; exponents and roots; ratio and proportion; statistical measures among others. Students learn to think critically during problem solving activities and are challenged to solve complex problems.

MATH 10: ALGEBRA 2 / PRE-CALCULUSThis course provides a more thorough investigation of geometry and continues the work of Algebra 1. Students learn to think critically during problem solving activities and are challenged to solve complex problems.

LANGUAGE ARTS

SOCIAL STUDIES

METHODS OF TEACHING SOCIAL STUDIES“We strive to engage, inspire and encourage the love of learning...”History Channel

HISTORY 9: WORLD HISTORY IIWorld History II covers the periods of history that marked the beginning of the modern world, and the world, as we know it today. The course begins at the end of the Renaissance, and covers the most important revolutions and World War I.

HISTORY 10: U.S. HISTORY (RECONSTRUCTION TO WORLD WAR II)This course explores the American past including the challenges of Reconstruction period occurring after the American Civil War, the triumph of American Industry, Immigration and Urbanization, Westward Expansion, Segregation and Social Tensions, the Progressive Era, Imperialism, The Spanish American War, World War I, The Twenties, The Great Depression, The New Deal, and World War II.

IB HISTORYIB History of the Americas is a broad survey of the history of the Western Hemisphere in a global context. Although the concentration is on the Western Hemisphere, the course also includes many world history topics.

IB ECONOMICSIB Economics is a study of the core knowledge of economics and it encourages students to think critically about economics. The course promotes an awareness and understanding of internationalism in economics and encourages development of independent learning.. Students are asked to make empirical observations of positive economics, along with formulation of normative questions and recognition of tendencies for bias. The course covers Micro & Macro Economics, International Economics and Development Economics.

SCIENCE

BIOLOGY (HL OR SL)Students acquire knowledge of biological facts and there is a strong emphasis on practical investigation. HL Biology requires a solid grounding in biological content as well as a good understanding of chemistry.SL Biology provides excellent preparation for college / university studies which require a strong background in basic biology.

CHEMISTRY (HL OR SL)In Chemistry, students explore the chemical principles that explain the physical environment in which we live as well as all biological systems. HL Chemistry requires a very good grounding in Chemistry as well as Mathematics. It prepares students interested in a career in chemistry as well as medicine and environmental science. SL Chemistry provides a broad understanding of Chemistry.

PHYSICS (HL OR SL)In Physics courses, students seek to understand the universe. The course allows students to develop traditional practical skills and increase faculty in Mathematics. HL Physics requires very good grounding in Physics and Mathematics and students should plan to enroll in HL Math. This course prepares students interested in pursuing a career in engineering or other related subjects at college / university. SL Physics requires a solid grounding in Physics and Mathematics and follows the same coursework as the HL in less depth.

METHODS OF TEACHING SCIENCE“The important thing in Science is not so much to obtain new facts as to discover new ways of thinking about them.” William Lawrence Bragg

The science course promotes inquiry based learning where the teacher acts as facilitator to guide student learning. Students investigate by applying concepts learned and creating, analyzing and evaluating their own experimental investigations. Technology is integrated in science through e-texts and digital data collection and analysis tools.

SCIENCE 9The course integrates Biology, Chemistry and Physics with an emphasis on learning through discovery, data collection, and analysis.

SCIENCE 10Building on the principles learned in Grade 9, this course integrates Biology, Chemistry and Physics with an emphasis on learning through discovery, data collection and analysis.

GRADES 11 AND 12IB GROUP 4: EXPERIMENTAL SCIENCESA core of science material is studied by both Higher Level (HL) and Standard Level (SL) students. HL students have additional, in depth material that accounts for additional teaching hours.

2 College Green Avenue, Kingston 6, Jamaica, W.I. • AISK.com P: 876.702.2070-3 • F: 876.702.2074 • admissions@aisk.com • facebook: AISK Jamaica

1 : 1 DIGITAL DEVICEPROGRAM FRAMEWORK

VISUAL ARTSART 9Students are given the opportunity to work in 2-D, 3-D and employ technology as a part of their art making process. This single semester ideas course engages students with Big Ideas, art making methods, techniques, history, aesthetics and criticism.

ART 10The course follows on from the 9th grade and is designed to ensure progression. This semester is designed to introduce and prepare students for the demands of the IB Visual Arts course.

IB ARTS AND ELECTIVESVISUAL ARTS (HL OR SL)The Visual Arts IB course will be suitable for students who are interested in developing and exploring their own creative potential through a variety of media, focusing on a theme of their choice and interest.

MUSIC 9-10The Music program is designed to encourage students to coordinate and discuss how to arrange their own music while incorporating the use of a variety of instruments. Through our music program, students learn to read and notate music as well as sing music representing diverse genres and cultures and perform on at least one instrument.

GRADE 9Students are expected to produce a luncheon, with food safety guidelines in mind. Students study body image and the impact this has made on young people. They extend their knowledge of drug abuse and work toward a first aid and self defense course.

GRADE 10Students work towards gaining their “Food Handling Permit” in addition to analyzing specific food diets, disorders and global trends. Sexuality studies multiple groups with biological variations. Depression and suicide are discussed and case studies are reviewed. The physiology of drug use is taught and students learn of global trends.

GRADE 9 Students formulate their own vision for the future with regards to sport and physical activity. They broaden their understanding of physiology, focusing on training zones, target heart rates, including stretching for injury prevention and performance enhancement. Practical performance is assessed based on skill execution, decision-making and knowledge and understanding. Students are expected to show competency in one lifetime activity.

GRADE 10Students consolidate previous knowledge, skills and understanding of health, skill and performance. Students physiological knowledge is enhanced with biological energy systems. They investigate the role of media advertising, commercial health products and the environment on life choices and healthy habits. Practical performance pinpoints assessment that enhances skill execution, decision- making, knowledge and understanding in a new lifetime activity.

GRADES 11 & 12Students are empowered to set personal goals for life after AISK. Principles of Training, Fitness Testing, Methods of Training, specific Diets & Sports Psychology Techniques are studied. The programs must be in two different sports/disciplines. Students are also empowered with the range of knowledge, skills and understanding to lead active, healthy lifestyles. Students on a pathway set clear lifestyle goals and design programs to progress in lifetime activities.

PHYSICALEDUCATIONTHE ARTS

HEALTH

GRADE 9Students are expected to make informed, ethical choices among technological systems with guidance. This includes making informed choices with respect to resources obtained from the web including EBSCO, discussing the impact and ethical choices of the internet on society. They will be introduced to Excel and effective presentation software. They will expand on their coding skills and systematically communicate electronically and evaluate the ethics of email use.

GRADE 10The purpose of this class is to create and produce the AISK Yearbook and newspaper for the academic year. Students will learn the ways technology is used to produce a high quality product, with theme, purpose and communication. The design cycle is emphasized and this enables students to think through decision making keeping the product in mind.