Courses and Descriptions
The Upper School provides a well-balanced education for some 890 students in Grades 6-12, delivered by 92 faculty members. While there is no separation between Middle School and High School, developmentally appropriate practices and accommodations are made at each grade level, with the majority of faculty teaching across all grade levels.
For detailed course descriptions, select a grade level from one of the choices below and then click on the desired course name within each frame.
Grading Criteria in the Upper School
The following grading scale (1-7) is used for students in Grade 6-12, and is based on IB Diploma criteria.
7 – Outstanding work, in which you apply relevant skills, knowledge and concepts almost faultlessly, with sophistication. Your work shows exceptional judgement, maturity, insight and analysis; it also shows marked independence, originality and flair.
6 – A very thorough application of relevant skills, knowledge and concepts. Your work shows very sound judgement, maturity, insight and analysis with independence and originality.
5 – A thorough application of relevant skills, knowledge and concepts. Your work, on the whole, shows sound judgement, insight and analysis with some independence and originality.
4 – An adequate application of the main relevant skills, knowledge and concepts. Your work shows some evidence of reasonable judgement, insight and analysis.
3 – A partly successful application of the main relevant skills, knowledge and concepts. There has been little evidence of reasonable judgement, insight or analysis. Your work may show clear difficulties in some areas and you may need extra support.
2 – A very limited application of the main relevant skills, knowledge and concepts. Your work has not shown evidence of judgement, insight or analysis. Your work shows marked difficulties in several areas, even with extra support.
1 – Little or no evidence of any ability to understand or apply the basic skills, knowledge and concepts, even with extra support. Your work has not shown evidence of judgement, insight or analysis.
Grade 6-8 Curriculum Content Overview
Courses that count as a full credit:
- English language and literature or ESL
- Mathematics: number, algebra, geometry, statistics and probability, discrete mathematics
- Science: physics, chemistry, biology (each year)
- Humanities: geography and history
- German: native/fluent or as a foreign language
- Spanish or French: foreign language only
- Dutch, Japanese, Korean or Swedish: native/fluent only
- ESL or Learning support
Courses that count as a partial credit
- Physical education and health
- Band, Choir, Music
- Drama
- Visual Arts
- Design and Technology
- Junior Media and Journalism
- Product Design
- 3D Art
- Digital Media and Broadcasting
- Computer Technology
- Print Making
Grade 6
Arts (Performing and Visual)
English/Humanities
Enhanced Learning
- Students learn and develop a range of skills they will find useful in all other classes Download a description here.
Languages (or electives*)
Dutch
English as a Second Language for students new to English
French
German
Korean
Spanish
Mathematics & Science
*Electives offered in lieu of language course include:
- Junior Media and Journalism
- Product Design
- 3D Art
Physical Education and Health
Grade 7
Arts (Performing and Visual)
English/Humanities
Enhanced Learning
- Students learn and develop a range of skills they will find useful in all other classes Download a description here.
Languages (or electives*)
Dutch
English as a Second Language for students new to English
German
French
Korean
Spanish
*Electives offered in lieu of language course include:
- Junior Media and Journalism
- Product Design
- 3D Art
Math & Science
Physical Education and Health
Grade 8
Arts (Performing and Visual)
English/Humanities
Languages (or electives*)
Dutch
English as a Second Language for students new to English
French
German
Korean
Spanish
*Electives offered in lieu of language course include:
- Digital Media and Journalism
- Computer Technology
- Print Making