In the MYP, students are encouraged to make practical connections between their learning and the real world. They develop understanding in traditional subject areas and see the relationships between them. We help our students develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes essential for success in the DP.

Spanning Grades 7 to 10, the MYP consists of eight core subjects:

• Language and Literature in English or Chinese

• Mathematics (offered in English in all grades and Chinese-English bilingual in grades 7-9)

• Science

• Individuals and Societies (offered in English in all grades and Chinese-English bilingual in grade 7)

• Language Acquisition in French, Chinese, Spanish or English

• Design, Arts - Music, Theatre (formerly Drama), Visual Arts or Film (grades 9-10)

• Health & Physical Education

Students are also required to participate in a range of Service as Action activities.

Research reveals that universities in the UK and USA have a high regard for IB graduates, and the skills and attitudes developed. Our students have consistently scored above the IBDP world average and in the last five years have been accepted to well over 400 leading universities around the world.

For the IB DP, students select one subject from each of the six subject groups, and complete the core three requirements: the extended essay, theory of knowledge (TOK) and creativity, action and service (CAS). IB DP courses in 2023/2024 are outlined on page 12 of this guide.

The vast majority of CIS students choose to pursue the full internationally renowned IB Diploma Programme, and graduate with an IB Diploma and WASC-accredited CIS High School Diploma.

Some students select career paths that require an intensive focus on areas related to their career ambitions. As a result, CIS also offers a customised hybrid approach to graduation that sees students pursuing IB courses at both standard and higher level, with the option of earning further credit online via VHS Learning.

Students who choose this pathway still take IB subjects aligned with their career goals and are required to sit for (and pass) the corresponding exams. This customised approach enables students to focus intensively on areas related to their career ambitions, such as arts, architecture, or musical performance. Students who select this pathway graduate with IB certificates and the WASC-accredited CIS High School Diploma, both of which are recognised by universities around the world.

Each day for 40 minutes, students are engaged in SMART (Students Maximising Achievement Responsibility on Time). SMART sees students participating in a variety of student initiated activities that seek to encourage independence and self directed learning. Activities range from academic enrichment and support (eg meeting with subject teachers for additional help) to student led clubs and initiatives such as student council and Model United Nations.

Our house system is designed to build a strong sense of community and pride within our Grades 1 to 12 student body, and helps students develop leadership and teamwork skills. Students regularly participate in house events, and our house captains are charged with helping to foster team spirit and a sense of belonging.

Learning at CIS is not just confined to the classroom. Students participate in a range of relevant and engaging hands-on outdoor learning opportunities including field trips and field investigations which allow them to apply their learning in a real world context. Excursion Week sees students in Grades 7 to 11 travelling to countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia, Cambodia, Nepal or Singapore to learn about the world’s people, cultures and humanitarian and environmental concerns first hand.

In Secondary, students are presented with a wide range of leadership opportunities. From the traditional student council model with an active and engaged student executive committee, to sporting captains, theatrical leads and peer tutors, student leadership creates value for both the leaders themselves and our student cohort. As they develop leadership skills that are underpinned by our core values, our students are ready to embrace the challenges that lie ahead of them and act as leaders both locally and internationally.