HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAMME GUIDE - 2021/2022 CONTENTS Introduction The International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Page 3-5 Advanced Placement (AP®) Page 6-7 High School Curriculum and Course Selection Page 8 Course Choice Guidelines and High School Planner Page 9 English Page 10-13 Mathematics Page 14-17 Science Page 17-20 Social Studies Page 21-24 World Languages Page 25-28 The Arts - Performing Arts and Visual Arts Page 29-31 Computer and Information Technology Page 32 Media Page 32-33 Physical Education Page 33-34 Support Programme Page 34 Appendix A: Electives Page 34-38 Frequently Asked Questions Page 39-40 University Placements Page 41 ACS Cobham | 1 INTRODUCTION GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS This curriculum guide outlines the course and credit All students who meet the credit requirements graduate requirements for graduation from ACS Cobham with the ACS International Schools College Preparatory International School. High School Diploma. Courses that meet 3 or more periods per week for one year earn one credit. In addition to earning a High School Diploma, with credits from various subjects, students have the Credit requirements include a minimum of 20 credits opportunity to earn the International Baccalaureate including: Diploma if they choose to follow the specific combined requirements outlined by the IB. Alternatively • English: 4 credits from 4 consecutive courses in students could take Advanced Placement courses and English examinations offered by the College Board. Students • Mathematics and Sciences: 6 credits (a minimum of may also take a combination of IB Courses, Advanced 2 in each area) Placement and regular courses. This curriculum guide • Social Studies and World Languages: 6 credits also provides students and parents with course (a minimum of 3 in Social Studies and 2 in one descriptions, including length of course, credit and language) where applicable the course prerequisites, to help you • Fine Arts: 1 credit make informed, student-appropriate selections. We aim • PE: 1 credit per year in 9th and 10th grade to meet all students requests but, inevitably, limitations in class size and the schedule may prevent some An Honours Diploma is awarded to graduates meeting students from taking all of their first choice elective additional requirements: 24 credits and a 3.00 GPA courses or certain course combinations. Further detailed information regarding the Cobham curriculum, standards and academic policies can be found on PowerSchool Learning ACS Cobham | 2 THE INTERNATIONAL is exemplified in the IB learner profile. • Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS): requires that BACCALAUREATE (IB) DIPLOMA students actively learn from the experience of PROGRAMME doing real tasks beyond the classroom. Students can combine all three components or do activities Life in the 21st century requires critical-thinking skills related to each one of them separately, but and a sense of international mindedness, something activities must take place throughout the two year that International Baccalaureate® (IB) Diploma course. Programme students learn to know and understand. The IB Diploma Programme is designed as an academically- The Extended Essay, CAS and TOK courses are also challenging and balanced programme of education, with available as single subjects, available to students coursework as well as final examinations that prepares who are not taking the full IB Diploma. See the IBDP students for success at university and life beyond. The Coordinator for details. programme is normally taught over two years and has gained recognition from the world’s leading universities. ASSESSMENT To do the IB Diploma students are expected to have a Students complete assessment tasks in the school, minimum GPA of 2.50 and learning behaviours of three which are either marked initially by teachers and then and above in Semester two of Grade 10. Students will moderated by external examiners or sent directly also need to meet the specified course prerequisites to external examiners. Students also take written and teacher approval in order to qualify for IB Courses examinations, which are marked by external IB or the IB Diploma. Student’s standardised test data may examiners, in May of the second year of the IB Diploma. also be taken into consideration. Grades in each subject range from 1-7 and up to 3 THE CURRICULUM points more can be earned for the Extended Essay and Theory of Knowledge. IB Diploma Programme students study six courses - usually three at Higher Level (HL) and three at Standard The diploma is awarded to students who gain at Level (SL). Students must choose one subject from each least 24 points, subject to certain minimum levels of groups 1 to 5, thus ensuring breadth of experience in of performance across the whole programme (for languages, social studies, the experimental sciences and instance, 12 points in 3 Higher Level subjects) as well as mathematics. The sixth subject may be an arts subject satisfactory participation in the three core requirements. chosen from group 6, or the student may choose (See IBDP Coordinator for details of the other conditions another subject from groups 1 to 4. Depth is ensured by for the award of the Diploma). requiring 3 or 4 subjects at Higher Level. The highest total that a Diploma Programme student In addition the programme has three Core requirements can be awarded is 45 points. that are included to broaden the educational experience and challenge students to apply their knowledge and understanding: • The Extended Essay (EE): requires students to engage in independent research through an in-depth study of a topic of interest within a chosen subject and write an essay of 4,000 words. • Theory of Knowledge (TOK): This course cultivates the capacity of students to critically reflect upon the foundational presuppositions of their other subjects of study and thus, to think for themselves. The key question of the course is: “How do I know?”, TOK distinguishes five areas of knowledge in which to ask this question. They are the natural sciences, the human sciences, the arts, mathematics and history. In addition to the areas of knowledge, students will investigate a core theme, ‘Knowledge and the Knower’, along with two of five optional themes: ‘Knowledge and Language’, ‘Knowledge and Technology’, Knowledge and Politics’, ‘Knowledge and Indigenous Studies’ or ‘Knowledge and Religious Studies’. By collaboratively inquiring into foundations of knowledge in these areas, the course seeks to develop the character of each student as it ACS Cobham | 3 The International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme University Recognition The IB diploma is a passport to higher education and it is considered to be among the most challenging and demanding university preparation courses that students can take. How to Make your Subject Selection for the IB Diploma To study the full IB Diploma at ACS Cobham, you need to select • 1 subject at least from each of groups 1, 3, 4 and 5 IB learner profile• Either another language from group 1 or a language fromIB group 2learner profile • Either a Group 6 Subject or another subject from groups 1, 2, 3 or 4. • The ‘Core elements’ of Theory of Knowledge, Extended Essay and Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) which are IB learner profile compulsory for all IB IBDiploma students.learner profile IB learner profile • From the subjects you chose, you must study • Three at Higher Level IB learner profile • Three at Standard Level Subjects are selected using theIB chart on learner the next page, there are some profile restrictions on combinationsIB and learner all students profile selections are only provisionally approved based on appropriate choice and scheduling constraints. Please note that once courses have commenced students cannot changeIB courses learner after the drop/add period profileends in mid-September. IB learner profile IB learner profile IB learner profile IB learner profile IB learner profile The aim of all IB programmes is to develop internationally minded people who, recognizing their common humanity and shared guardianship of the planet, help toIB create a betterlearner and more peaceful world. profile As IB learners we strive to be: We nurture our curiosity, developing skills for inquiry and We critically appreciate our own cultures and personal histories, as research. We know how to learn independently and with others. well as the values and traditions of others. We seek and evaluate a We learn with enthusiasm and sustain our love of learning range of points of view, and we are willing to grow from the throughout life. experience. We develop and use conceptual understanding, exploring We show empathy, compassion and respect. We have a knowledge across a range of disciplines. We engage with issues commitment to service, and we act to make a positive dierence and ideas that have local and global signicance. in the lives of others and in the world around us. We use critical and creative thinking skills to analyse and take We approach uncertainty with forethought and determination; responsible action on complex problems. We exercise initiative in we work independently and cooperatively to explore new ideas making reasoned, ethical decisions. and innovative strategies. We are resourceful and resilient in the face of challenges and change. We express ourselves condently and creatively in more than one language and in many ways. We collaborate eectively, We understand the importance of balancing dierent aspects of listening carefully to the perspectives of other individuals and our livesintellectual, physical, and emotionalto achieve groups. well-being for ourselves and others. We recognize our interdependence with other people and with the world in which we live. We act with integrity and honesty, with a strong sense of fairness and justice, and with respect for the dignity and rights of people We thoughtfully consider the world and our own ideas and everywhere. We take responsibility for our actions and their experience. We work to understand our strengths and weaknesses consequences. in order to support our learning and personal development.