Purpose of the Course Description Guide

The Course Description Guide (CDG) helps each student plan a high school program that meets their individual interests, abilities, needs and goals for further education. The CDG describes all of the courses the high school intends to offer in the following academic year. 

To access the department pages with all of our course offerings please select the icon at the top left of this page for the drop down menu.

Please note the inclusion of a course in the CDG does not guarantee that the course will be offered next year.  Courses are scheduled on the basis of student interest and the most effective utilization of teachers and resources. The school reserves the right to cancel any course for administrative reasons. 

New students to the high school may find that some of their first choices are unavailable because they were over-subscribed. We apologize for that, however, students and parents should study the CDG for each subject area and the program planning advice and other information given in order to make an informed selection from the courses offered. Students and parents who require more information about courses and who need assistance in program planning should arrange to meet with teachers, counselors, IB/AP Coordinator and/or Vice Principal for Curriculum and Learning.

Academic Programs

JIS offers a full high school program of studies based on the best curriculum models worldwide, which are designed to prepare students for college or university studies.  The Grade 9 and 10 program consists of curriculum based on international curriculum standards that is designed to prepare students for success in Grades 11 and 12. In Grades 11 and 12, JIS offers internally developed high school courses and courses within the International Baccalaureate (IB) and Advanced Placement (AP) curriculum. The primary focus of our IB and AP curriculum is to prepare students to be critical thinkers, equipped with the academic skills necessary for rigorous university study. All courses are taught in English, with the exception of modern language course offerings.

The HS Schedule and Student Course Load  

High School Timetable and SLA

The High School timetable consists of a 10 day cycle where days are named by letters ‘A’ through ‘J’.  There are 5 class blocks each day, which makes 50 blocks in a 10 day cycle.  Students take a range of 34-45 blocks each semester.  All high school students are enrolled in Supervised Learning and Advisory (SLA). The purpose of SLA is to provide students time during the school day to do “homework”, study for classes, and fulfil other requirements of their learning such as meeting with teachers for extra help.  Students also follow an Advisory curriculum in the SLA, which focuses on essential skills and concepts appropriate to each grade level. Lessons include developing balance and wellness in their lives, time management, digital citizenship, and how to work through conflict with peer social groups.

Honor Pass

All students have Honor Passes within the 10 day cycle. Honor Passes are “free blocks” during which students are self-directed in their learning. They may meet with teachers, visit the library, work collaboratively with peers, or simply relax between classes.  We have intentionally structured an increasing number of Honor Passes from Grade 9 to 12 in order to support students in their ability to manage free time successfully.  We believe this is an essential part of the JIS experience that prepares students to be successful in university studies.  Students who do not demonstrate the ability to successfully manage free time may lose this privilege.

Grade 9

A typical Grade 9 student will have the following classes that each meet 5 times over a 10 cycle: SLA 9, English 9, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Modern Language, Creative Arts (the equivalent of 2 credits), and PE/Health. This equals 45 out of 50 blocks over a 10 day cycle. Students have one Honor Pass every other day.

Grade 10

A typical Grade 10 student will have the following classes that each meet 5 times over a 10 cycle: SLA 10, English 10, Mathematics, Social Studies, and a choice of Sciences, Modern Languages, and/or Creative Arts. Students may begin a limited selection of AP courses in Grade 10. All students take Health and Wellness and 2 PE semester courses. This usually equals 45/50 periods over the 10 day cycle in class.  Students have one Honor Pass every other day.

Grade 11 and 12

In Grades 11 and 12, students have the opportunity to focus or “specialize” in areas of passion. For example students may take multiple courses within one subject area such as the arts, the sciences, or social studies.  Students may begin IB and begin or continue taking AP courses in Grade 11.  All students must maintain a timetable with a minimum of 34 blocks and maximum 45 blocks out of 50 over a 10 day cycle. This is made up mostly of courses that meet 4 times over 10 days or 6 times over 10 days. 

Example: An IB Diploma student will usually have 40/50 (3 Higher Level courses = 18 blocks, 3 Standard Level courses = 15 blocks, ToK = 4 blocks, SLA = 3 blocks 

From academic year 20/21 all Grade 11/12 SLA will be 3 blocks

Block Counts

Letter Grades and GPA

Letter Grades are reported at the end of each semester and credit is awarded for courses successfully completed. With effect from the class of 2015 there will be no weighting of GPA. The scale below indicates the corresponding letter grade and grade points:

Letter Grade Grade Points

A* 4.3

A 4.0

B 3.0

C 2.0

D 1.0

F 0.0

Credits

At least five credits must be earned at JIS to be eligible for graduation. Courses taken in Grades 6, 7 and 8 do not count for graduation credits. A student must satisfactorily complete a full semester of work, complete all key summative assessments (including tests, projects, exams etc) in order to receive a semester grade and one-half credit. 

JIS CAS (Creativity Action Service)

In the High School, all students from Grades 9-12 will be involved in creativity, activity and service experiences as an integral component of the High School experience and thus it is a crucial Graduation requirement.  It will be comprised of two components, both of which need to be completed by any student in the High School;

1.  Grade 9/10 JISCAS 

2.  Either Grade 11/12 JISCAS or IBCAS

• Please note;  If a student enrols in Grade 10, 11 or 12, only the possible component(s) remaining need to be completed for graduation.

• Please see the full description in the High School Handbook regarding CAS requirement at this link

Credit for JIS Academy Summer Program Coursework

Courses offered through the JIS Academy Summer Program may be taken for enrichment, enhancement and in order to allow students more room in their schedules throughout the year. It is not the function of the JIS Academy Summer Program to facilitate early graduation. JIS credit will not be granted for courses taken at any other educational institution during the summer.

Graduation Requirement Exemptions

JIS is a mission driven school and our graduation requirements reflect our values and core documents as well as the requirements of a rigorous high school academic program.  Only under exceptional circumstances will graduation requirements be exempted or waived.  Such an exemption can only be granted by the High School Principal, after consultation with the High School Counseling Department.  Students who enter the high school in Grade 11 may request to waive certain graduation requirements as there may not be room in their schedules, which are devoted to curriculum to prepare them for university study.

Early Graduation

Jakarta Intercultural School’s High School academic program is designed to be completed in eight semesters. In special circumstances, and only for students meeting the academic requirements, there may be a compelling reason for a student to graduate in December of his or her senior year.

The following conditions must be met in order for a student to graduate in December:

1. A letter requesting consideration for December graduation must be submitted by parents to the school principal by 15 April of a student’s Grade 11 school year. The letter of application for December graduation must demonstrate a compelling need and provide specific reasons.

2. The following criteria must be met for eligibility:

   1. The student must have spent one academic year at Jakarta Intercultural School and must have earned at least five JIS credits before applying for December graduation.

   2. The student must have earned the minimum credit requirements for graduation.

   3. A minimum grade-point average (GPA) of 3.00 is required at the time of application. This minimum 3.00 GPA must be maintained throughout the student’s final semester.

   4. The student must have demonstrated a level of competence in the English language, as represented by the successful completion of English 11 or equivalent.

   5. The student must have completed a minimum of eight semesters of high school.

   6.  Requests for December graduation will be granted before the end of the Grade 11 school year.