Please direct any questions regarding the high school curriculum and/or the course request process to Ryan Campbell- High School Associate Principal of Curriculum and Learning.
In addition to the educational benefits and increased credibility of an externally assessed exam, it is important that JIS as an institution report accurately to universities the courses students have taken. The IB or AP designation is significant information and many universities assume that if the IB/AP course is listed on the transcript the external exam will be taken. Therefore, it is mandatory for all students enrolled in an IB or AP course to register for and sit the external exam in May.
Approximate costs for each program are approximately $160 per IB subject and $200 per AP subject. Registration occurs in October while payment occurs in November before the May session in which the student will sit the exam(s). Changes or cancellations made to exam orders after the Nov 15 deadlines will result in additional fees.
If a student does not register for the external exam they may be required to move to a suitable alternative course at the end of the semester. If there is no such alternative and the student remains in the IB or AP course, the course title will be changed on the student’s transcript to remove the IB or AP designation. For example, “IB H2 Physics” would simply become “Physics.” Additionally, a student not sitting the external exam would be required to write a JIS year-end exam instead and submit any additional projects as determined by the subject teacher.
The International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) provides a rigorous university-level curriculum and assessment for courses in the final two years of high school.
IB Courses may be taken individually for IB Certificates or as part of the full IB Diploma Program (DP). The IB DP is widely recognized and highly respected by colleges and universities all around the world. Students who complete the IB Diploma Program or Courses/Certificates may be granted credit or allowed to take more advanced courses in many colleges and universities.
To earn an IB Diploma, a student must successfully complete the Core of the DP as well as the required distribution of Courses. The three elements of the IB DP Core are:
The Theory of Knowledge (TOK) component,
The Extended Essay (EE).
The Course distribution requires one course each in the following Groups:
Studies in language and literature
Language acquisition
Individuals and societies
Science
Mathematics
The Arts (or a second course in one of the above groups)
Descriptions for each of the subjects on offer from the IB can be found on this link under "Diploma Program Subject briefs"
Three of these courses must be taken at the Higher Level (HL) and three at the Standard Level (SL).
Four Higher Level courses: While typically not necessary for university entry, students at JIS can self-advocate for the right to take four HL courses rather than the standard three. Students choosing to exercise this right, should be aware that this is a significant increase in workload.
JIS offers the following IB Courses in each Group (subject to sufficient enrolment). Courses are offered at both the HL and SL levels unless otherwise noted.
IB English A Lang & Lit
IB English A Literature
IB Japanese A Lang & Lit
IB Korean A Lang & Lit
IB Indonesian A Lang & Lit
IB Biology
IB Chemistry
IB Computer Science
IB Enviro Systems & Societies
IB Physics
IB Sports, Exercise & Health Science
IB English B
IB French ab initio
IB French B
IB Indonesian ab initio
IB Indonesian B
IB Japanese B
IB Mandarin ab initio
IB Mandarin B
IB Spanish ab initio
IB Spanish B
IB Analysis & Approaches
IB Math Applications & Interpretation
IB Business Management
IB Economics
IB Geography
IB Global Politics
IB History
IB Psychology
IB Dance
IB Film
IB Theatre Arts
IB Visual Arts
JIS IB at a Glance
One year – 1 credit
Grade 11 (obligatory for grade 11 IB Diploma Program candidates)
This course brings together the three elements of the IB Core; The Theory of Knowledge course, the Extended Essay, and support for reflections in CAS. “Who am I as a knower? How do I know those things I believe to be true?” The purpose of this course is to help students recognize themselves as “knowers.” They are invited to question the validity of the bases of knowledge they receive in their schooling, as a foundation for lifelong learning and the development of a personal philosophy. The skills emphasized in the course are critical thinking, active discussion, analytical writing and integration of knowledge. Much of the first year of this two-year course is devoted to consideration of the Ways of Knowing - and their relationship to knowledge. Also covered are Areas of Knowledge: natural and human sciences and the arts.
One year – 1 credit
Grade 12 (obligatory for grade 12 IB Diploma Program candidates)
Prerequisite: IB Core 1
This course brings together the three elements of the IB Core; The Theory of Knowledge course, support for the Extended Essay, and CAS support. This course represents the second year of a two-year course. While the same skills are emphasized in both years, the course content changes a bit in the second year, with more of a focus on the remaining Areas of Knowledge: mathematics and history. Overall course assessment also takes on more importance, with attention paid to the final essay on a prescribed title and the oral presentation.
The College Board’s Advanced Placement (AP) program provides rigorous university-level curriculum and assessment for courses in the final two years of high school.
AP Courses may be taken individually or as part of the AP Capstone Diploma Program. The AP is widely recognized and highly respected by hundreds of colleges and universities around the world. Students who complete the AP Capstone Program or AP courses may be granted credit or allowed to take more advanced courses in many colleges and universities.
To earn an AP Capstone Diploma, a student must take and pass AP Seminar and AP Research in addition to four (4) AP courses of their choosing. Students who take and pass AP Seminar and AP Research without the additional required four (4) AP Courses will earn the AP Seminar and Research Certificate.
Students wishing to register for exams without taking the corresponding course may apply to the HS Administration to sit an AP exam without registering for the course. Students wishing to do this must contact the AP Coordinator before the end of October.
Grade 9 students are not permitted to register in AP Courses.
Grade 10 students have a restricted range of AP courses open to them on the condition that it fits their schedule. Currently available for G10 are as follows:
AP Human Geography
AP World History: Modern (due to scheduling, cannot be taken if student is also taking AP Seminar)
AP Physics 1
AP Computer Science Principles
AP Seminar (with recommendation from either G9 English or Social Studies teacher. Due to scheduling, cannot be taken if student is also taking AP World History: Modern.)
G10 students should be aware that in the case of 6 block AP classes they will lose one honor pass for each AP class.
AP Biology
AP Chemistry
AP Computer Science A
AP Computer Science Principles
AP Environmental Science
AP Physics 1 & 2
AP Physics C
AP Comparative Government
AP Human Geography
AP Macroeconomics
AP Microeconomics
AP Modern World History
AP Psychology
AP US History
AP European History
AP US Government
AP Studio Art: 2D Design
AP Studio Art: 3D Design
AP Studio Art: Drawing
AP Music Theory
AP Calculus AB
AP Calculus BC
AP Statistics
AP Precalculus
AP Language & Composition
AP Literature & Composition
One year – 1 credit
Grades 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite: No prerequisite for students wishing to take AP Seminar in Grade 11 or 12; students wishing to take AP Seminar in Grade 10 must have recommendation from either G9 English or Social Studies teacher.
Note: G10 students can not take this course alongside AP Modern World History
AP Seminar is a college-level, skills-based course focused on student-directed research, writing and oral presentations. Students will explore a wide variety of source material of different types and disciplines. Students practice reading and analyzing a variety of sources, learn to synthesize information from multiple sources, develop their own perspectives in research-based essays, and design and deliver oral and visual presentations, both individually and as part of a team. Ultimately, the course aims to equip students with the power to analyze and evaluate information with accuracy and precision in order to craft and communicate evidence-based arguments; skills with immediate and long-term applicability for university and beyond. (Adapted from AP Resources at www.collegeboard.com).
One year – 1 credit
Grades 11, 12
Prerequisite: AP Seminar
Building upon the fundamental research, writing and presentation skills forged in AP Seminar, AP Research allows students to deeply explore an academic topic, problem, or issue of individual interest. Through this exploration, students design, plan, and conduct a year-long research-based investigation to address a research question. Students further the skills acquired in the AP Seminar course by understanding research methodology; employing ethical research practices; and accessing, analyzing, and synthesizing information as they address their research question. Students create and maintain a year-long portfolio that documents their ongoing reflections upon their process. The course culminates in an academic paper of 4000–5000 words (accompanied by a performance or exhibition of product where applicable) and a presentation including a public oral defense. (Adapted from AP Resources at www.collegeboard.com).