Academic Programs & Course Description Guide

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 JIS high school program is based on the North American model whereby students accumulate “credits” toward graduation and a high school diploma. The Grade 9 and 10 program consists of curriculum based on international curriculum standards that is designed to prepare students for success in years 11 and 12. In Grades 11 and 12 JIS offers courses within the International Baccalaureate (IB) and Advanced Placement (AP) curriculum.  Students may earn an IB Diploma, IB certificates, and/or AP certificates. 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 Course Description Guide contains details of every course offered in the High School.

The HS Schedule and Student Course Load  

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.  

There is a complete overview of our Daily Schedule here.

Supported Learning & Advisory (SLA)

All High School students are enrolled in the course, Supervised Learning and Advisory (SLA). The purpose of SLA is twofold.  Firstly 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.  Secondly, for one lesson in each cycle, students receive our Advisory curriculum in the SLA class. Our advisory curriculum focuses on essential skills and concepts appropriate to each grade level. Examples are 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, visit with friends, 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 (PALS), Social Studies (CIA), Modern Language, Creative Arts (the equivalent of 2 credits), and PE/Health. This equals 45/50 periods over the 10-day cycle in class. 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 (GP), and a choice of  Sciences, Modern Languages, and/or Creative Arts. All students take Health and Wellness and 2 further PE semester courses. This equals 45/50 periods over the 10-day cycle in class.  Students have one Honor Pass every other day.

Grade 11/12  

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 AP courses in Grade 11.  All students must 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. 

Examples: An IB Diploma student will usually have 38/50 (3 Higher Level courses = 18 blocks, 3 Standard Level courses = 12 blocks, ToK = 4 blocks, SLA = 4 blocks so total 18+12+4+4 = 38 blocks out of 50)

A “Mixed” program could look like this: 3 APs, 1 SL, 1 HL, 1 PE Elective, SLA (18+4+6+4+4 = 36) 

Students are not allowed to take 50 blocks out of 50 or have a “full” schedule without Honor Pass.

Auditing a class

Under certain conditions, we do allow students to audit classes. The conditions are as follows:

• Auditing a JIS class entails attending the class without being formally enrolled. 

• The audit must be during honor pass for existing JIS students. The exception to this is for students joining later in the year who already have credit from their previous school.

• Students can not use SLA time to audit another class.

• Attendance will not be taken.

• There will be no grade, report, or credit awarded, and it will not appear on the transcript.

• To audit a class, you must usually get permission from the teacher and your counsellor.

• Students can also audit classes asynchronously by being added to the relevant Google Classroom. 

Typically, auditing students will be joining JIS late in the academic year and will already have credit from their previous school.