Upper School students learn to think critically, creatively and deeply within and across disciplines while taking on authentic and real world challenges.
Highly qualified and experienced IB Diploma educators guide young adults in gaining expertise in their areas of interest, as they prepare for university and purposeful lives.
Former ISP scholar Katerina Sukdolakova, Class of 2011, discusses how her time at ISP inspired her to pursue her passion for economics and continue her educational journey around the world. Katerina reflects on the impact of her teachers and how her identity as a Czech citizen was shaped through her international education at ISP and […]
Read this inspiring learning story that showcases the successful exchange programme between Benejuzar School in Alicante, Spain, and Upper School students at ISP. Thanks to the support of Erasmus, 10 Spanish exchange students were warmly welcomed into the classrooms and homes of our ISP community, creating an unforgettable cultural experience for all involved. As ISP […]
By Jasmine, Grade 10 The Model United Nations Club at ISP is an entirely student-run club focused on learning and practicing the skills of global citizenship and diplomacy. MUN or Model UN is an academic simulation of the United Nations that aims to educate students about current events, topics in international relations, diplomacy, and the […]
ES Peace Day and MS / US Stretch Days Curiosity and compassion are key dispositions nurtured through varied exposure to learning engagements in order to become part of who we are. These dispositions, coupled with students’ competencies (set of skills) and deep conceptual understanding, empower learners to contribute positively to the world as a changemaker. […]
We were honored to host Petr Sis, world renown author, illustrator, animator, graphic artist and storyteller, who exemplified our ISP Mission to Inspire, Engage and Empower all learners for two full days on 8 and 9 September 2022. Mr. Sis, originally from the Czech Republic, and now based in New York, was our first Distinguished […]
The launch of any academic year involves many transitions in a school community as students join new grade levels, make new friends, and get to know new teachers. Such transitions are even more significant in an international setting. This year with 210 new students, 13 new faculty, three new coaches, four new administrators, and a […]
ISP has an articulated ECF-12 curriculum, rooted in inquiry, where learners are involved in posing and investigating questions. Our learning programme develops students’ potential enabling them to be successful at ISP, as well as in their educational and professional pursuits in the future.
Students in Grades 11 and 12 have a choice to pursue the IB Diploma Programme (DP) or, the IB Career-related Programme (CP) in addition to the ISP Diploma. Students choosing the ISP Diploma will have a wide variety of electives from which they can choose. The 2022-2023 Upper School Profile gives more information about courses, and student achievement.
In our ISP Class of 2023, we were able to award the IB Diploma to 98% of our students who applied, with an average score of 34. Of these students, 12% scored over 40. We are extremely proud of the performance of these students, especially given the challenging circumstances the class faced with a background of a global pandemic.
More details of the results and those of previous years are available here.
Details of the University Destinations of ISP graduates can be viewed here.
Upper School (US) classes at ISP, rooted in inquiry, build on learners’ innate curiosity. Students develop key knowledge, skills and understandings in language arts, social studies, mathematics and the social and physical world surrounding them. Students also develop their competencies in the areas of music, drama, physical and health education, visual arts, modern languages (French, German, Spanish) and design. approaches to learning skills (ATL) are grounded in the belief that learning how to learn is fundamental to a student’s life in and out of a school context. In broad terms, IB programmes support learners in developing:
The US follows a 10-day rotation schedule, see below. In addition, there are four stretch days a year when students are off timetable, using the time to go on field trips, engage in electives, and/or interdisciplinary projects.
The International Baccalaureate® (IB) Middle Years Programme (MYP) is comprised of eight subject groups: ISP will implement subject group flexibility, which means 6 of 8 subjects will be core classes,
and 2 of 8 subjects will be elective classes. In grade 9 students can study 3 elective blocks per semester.
Core classes:
Electives classes:
The ISP Math Program program aims to develop mathematical thinking in order to empower learners to make sense of and to interact responsibly with their world. The heart of Mathematics at ISP involves conducting mathematical inquiry to develop concepts and procedures to become a proficient mathematician.
We report on the following criteria in MYP mathematics areas:
The MYP sciences curriculum aims to build on what students learn and do in the PYP and other student-centred programmes of primary education. The main approach to teaching and learning sciences is through structured inquiry in the context of disciplinary and interdisciplinary units. Students are encouraged to investigate science by formulating their own questions and finding answers to those questions, including through research and experimentation.
We report on the following criteria in MYP sciences areas:
ISP is committed to multilingualism as a means of affirming cultural identity and developing international-mindedness. The term “multilingualism” in the MYP refers to linguistic ability in more than one language, and recognizes that each of a student’s languages may be developed to different levels, and within different contexts, depending on their social and academic experiences. In addition to the MYP framework, we use the Common European Framework of Reference for languages (CEFR) for our language acquisition continuum.
In the US at ISP, students can choose to learn French, German and Spanish as additional languages. Learners develop their proficiency in listening, speaking, reading and writing in the selected target language during their five sessions of 65 minutes in a 10 day cycle.
We report on the following criteria in MYP language acquisition areas:
MYP Individuals and Societies (I & S) encourages learners to respect and understand the world around them and equips 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.
We report on the following criteria in MYP individuals and societies areas:
In the MYP, Physical and Health Education (PHE) is concerned with the individual’s well-being through the promotion and development of concepts, knowledge, attitudes and skills that contribute to this well-being.
Well-being is intrinsically linked to all aspects of a student’s experience at school and beyond. It encompasses physical, emotional, cognitive, spiritual and social health and development, and contributes to an understanding of self, to developing and maintaining relationships with others, and to participation in an active, healthy lifestyle.
We report on the following criteria in MYP physical and health education areas:
The purpose of the 9th and 10th grade Electives is to give students a voice and choice in their own learning and let them explore areas they are interested in and passionate about.
Below is a list of Electives for 23/24. The Arts and Design are all elective courses in grade 9 & 10, MYP year 4 & 5.
Given ISP has students arriving from around the world with varied educational and life experiences, we have support and services available if and when learners need them.
The purpose of our English as an Additional Language (EAL) department is to build the social and academic English skills necessary for EAL students to become active and successful members of the ISP community. Students who are still developing language proficiency study English as an Additional Language (EAL).
In the Upper School, EAL learners receive language development support. The EAL teacher, co-plans and co-teaches with the teacher in order to reinforce concepts and develop academic language proficiency.
We believe that all students should have equal access to learning opportunities. To meet the diverse learning needs of our students, ISP provides a Learning Support programme as part of its instructional continuum of Support services.
The counseling programme in the Upper School aims to support the social-emotional development of all learners. Overseen by the Counselor along with the student’s teachers and parents, it can involve Student Support Teams (SST), Student Success meetings, observations, testing, parent/team conferences, classroom interventions, resource room time, and / or referral to outside consultants.
A librarian plays an important role in establishing a school-wide ethos of learning. Librarians need to be fully aware of the philosophy that underpins IB teaching and learning so they can support inquiry, action and reflection in the library and beyond. In partnership with colleagues, students and wider community, a librarian develops passionate, lifelong, thoughtful readers and self-directed researchers and ensures learners have access to relevant and rich reading and information sources.
Our MYP Action Service and Projects Liason is Pavlína Koukalová. She creates a coherent “service ethos” across the school and also works with clubs and individual students to find and develop service opportunities and projects, and publicize service opportunities in the ISP community. Pavlína shares and celebrates student accomplishments in service across the school community and coordinates with US, MS and ES sections to develop coherence within and across the sections of the school.
The Idea Lab is a technology and design focused maker space integrated into the Learning Innovation Hub. The Idea Lab supports students’ curiosity and inquiry, extending hands-on learning with both traditional and contemporary tools. Students and faculty can explore 3D printing, laser cutting, computational embroidery, robotics, and more – within a state of the art, purpose-built space. Technology & Innovation Coaches work with the community to help develop their ideas and skills, providing advice, instruction, and pedagogical support.
“ISP has encouraged so many aspects of my identity. Freedom and exploration are important to me and ISP enables these while inspiring us to do more. I find it remarkable that the Upper School clubs actively provide us with possibilities to incite and accomplish visible change.”
“At ISP, I have been taught the invaluable skill of thinking critically. The unique subjects offered, such as Global Politics, have challenged me to apply my learning to everyday life situations. It gives me great satisfaction and a feeling of empowerment to have discovered my passion for politics here at ISP.”
“It’s so important to me that my students can take the ‘textbook’ theories that we learn in the classroom and apply them to the real world. One way they have engaged in that has been through our case study of the Italian and Czech labor markets.”
“As an educator at ISP, I believe my job is not to be a dispenser of knowledge, but rather a guide helping students take charge of their own educational journey. I support, encourage, and challenge them as they craft their own tools to successfully explore and question the world around them so they grow as competent, compassionate changemakers.”
