FACT SHEET The International School of Kenya (ISK) is a not for profit, private, coeducational day school. ISK offers an educational program from prekindergarten through grade 12 as well as the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program. The school year consists of two semesters extending from early August to December and from January to early June. ORGANIZATION: ISK was established in 1976 by the goverments of the USA and Canada. The School is governed by a 7-member Board of Governors and a 9-member Board of Directors. Three members of the Board of Directors are appointed by the sponsoring embassies, four are elected, and two are appointed by the board itself. All seven members of the Board of Governors are appointed. Four members currently represent the U.S. Embassy and three members represent the Canadian High Commission.
IB at ISK
• In the UK, the IB Diploma is valued as equal to or above GCSE/A-Level results
+
65
Students - 65+ nationalities
COMMUNITY: Current enrollment is 921 students from over 65 countries. Of the total, 301 are U.S. citizens, 105 are host-country nationals, and 512 are third-country nationals. There are 129 faculty members, including 58 U.S. citizens, 18 host-country nationals, and 53 third-country nationals. FACILITIES: The School is located on 40-acres approximately eight miles from Nairobi’s city center. ISK’s exceptional facilities include an arts center, 550-seat theater, amphitheater, library and food service canteen. The school’s athletic facilities include a full size gymnasium, solar-heated swimming pool, tennis courts, extensive playing fields, and outdoor multi-purpose courts. In addition, there are ample computer labs, a design lab, and science labs.
SERVICE LEARNING: The ISK Service Learning program provides meaningful opportunities for students to initiate and reflect upon sustainable community projects that are mutually beneficial. These projects cultivate both personal and community growth, while building recognition of human interdependence. Incorporating service learning into education is growing throughout the world and ISK is at the forefront of implementation in Africa. Each week we have hundreds of enthusiastic students participating in various school service programs and many more working on the weekends with their families or individual organizations.
• The IB Program at ISK is very inclusive - students can take the full IB Diploma or earn certificates in specific courses
15
Faculty:15 countries
FINANCES: ISK is funded almost entirely by tuition and capital fees. These fees are inclusive of school supplies, textbooks, intercultural trips and most after school activities. Bus service and lunch are additional. Annual tuition rates for 2016-2017 are: PK: $14,510; K: $ 22,970; Grades 1-5: $ 24,235, Grades 6-8: $ 25,325, Grades 9-10: $ 26,755; and Grades 11-12: $ 27,820. (All fees are quoted in U.S. dollars.)
• In addition to social/emotional counseling, ISK counselors provide great university guidance through the application process and help students make the right choice of university • 65% of ISK graduates achieve both the IB Diploma & ISK diploma • Students “own” their learning at ISK - they are advocates of their education
[most diverse school in Kenya]
• IB is a partnership between the student and the school and gives students ownership of their success • IB originated in 1962 and is accepted and valued around the world • Some US universities wave the first year or semester of university if the student has an IB diploma
INCLUSIVE ADMISSION POLICY
88 / 12 %
%
Students:88% international / 12% Kenyan
ISK has an inclusive educational philosophy. Student Support Services offer a wide spectrum of support & services: • Mild to moderate learning differences • Highly capable learners • ESOL support
MISCELLANEOUS ISK’s canteen serves healthy, good tasting food at reasonable prices ISK offers bus service to and from school to all parts of Nairobi including but not limited to Karen, Lavington, Kilimani, & Runda
David Henry Robert Blanchard Craig Baker Patricia Salleh Matta
PO Box 14103 Nairobi 00800, Kenya Tel: + 254-733-639-363communications@isk.ac.ke www.isk.ac.ke
CURRICULUM: ISK’s curriculum draws from rigorous standards and benchmarks from around the world. Our goal is to provide a challenging program that allows students to transition to the best schools internationally, and to top universities. The program culminates in grades 11 & 12 with the prestigous IB Diploma Program, which includes both standard and higher level subjects. Instruction is in English, with French, Spanish, and Swahili offered as foreign languages. In 2010, ISK was re-accredited until 2020 by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools in the USA and internationally by the Council of International Schools.
• ISK graduates attend some of the top universities in the world
INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY
Director High School Principal Middle School Principal Elementary School Principal
EXTENSIVE AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM
Drama
Fine Art
Music
Athletics
Dear Prospective Parent, Set on a beautiful, 40 acre campus of rolling hills with modern facilities designed with the learner in mind, the International School of Kenya is one of the leading international schools on the African continent. ISK’s academic program is rigourous and ISK values diversity, not only in the students it serves, but also in its highly qualified, diverse teaching staff. ISK teachers know when learning is most effective and believe that all can learn and have the right to do so as reflected in our school’s learning principles. Students are engaged in ISK’s school-wide service learning, arts, co-curricular activities, and athletic programs while they focus on creating solutions to tomorrow’s challenges. As a new member of the ISK community and a parent of two ISK students, I can say that I have experienced first hand how our school nurtures and inspires passion, creativity, and ambition in pursuit of a better world. Come experience our welcoming, supportive school community. Karibuni ISK! Kind Regards, David Henry, Director
Dear Prospective Parent, The ISK elementary schools provides a warm, caring and engaging environment for our youngest students. Our program serves pre-kindergarten through grade 5 i.e. children ages 4-10. We encourage parents to form engaged partnerships in their child’s learning experience. A curriculum of math, science, social studies and language arts, modern language, art, music, library and physical education is offered to all students. Technology is integrated in all aspects of the curriculum. It supports and enriches the program and engages the students in meaningful learning. Students have many opportunities to showcase their learning through student-led conferences, performances, presentations, assemblies and exhibitions throughout the year. Through our Educational Aims we encourage children to be effective communicators, creative thinkers, problem solvers, collaborative team players and global citizens who will act appropriately to make a positive difference in the world. Our Peer Helper Program and PRIDE student government organization offer the children opportunities to lead and help each other through active community involvement. Local field trips and overnight intercultural trips further enhance each student’s skill concept development through exposure to some aspect of Kenyan culture. The ISK elementary school is vibrant place focused on developing students’ natural curiosity and creativity while facilitating their academic, physical and social/emotional development. All curricular and co-curricular programs in the elementary school aim to fulfill the ISK mission, vision and educational Aims. In order to prepare the students for a rapidly changing world, we believe that they should not only be literate and numerate in a multitude of subjects and fields but develop a real passion for such pursuits. The ES academic program is built around four core areas: language arts, mathematics, social studies inquiry and science inquiry. In addition subjects such as art, PE, music, modern languages (Spanish and French and Kiswahili in grades 1-3), technology, and library offer students the opportunities to develop skills and interests within the broader the curriculum. Kiswahili is also taught within the context of the Kenya units of inquiry. Our new Elementary School building was completed in June 2015. This new facility enables us to open four (4) grades per class in Grades 1-5, three (3) Kindergarten classes and two (2) PreK classrooms. We welcome you to schedule a school tour today! Kind Regards, Patricia Salleh Matta Elementary School Principal
Director
David Henry
Elementary School Principal
Patricia Salleh Matta
Elementary School Counselors
Heather Cronk & Benjamen Fishman
PO Box 14103 Nairobi 00800, Kenya Tel: + 254-733-639-363 esmail@isk.ac.ke I www.isk.ac.ke
Accredited fully by the Middle States Association of Schools in the United States and the Council of International Schools in Europe.
SCHOOL & COMMUNITY The International School of Kenya (ISK) is a non-profit, PreK- 12, coeducational, independent day school serving the expatriate and Kenyan communities in Nairobi. The school was started by the United States Embassy and the Canadian High Commission in 1976 and is fully accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools and the Council
of International Schools. Approximately 32% of the school’s 921 students are North Americans, and the remainder represent over 60 other nationalities.
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL We are dedicated to providing a challenging learning environment that is child-centered and well balanced in order to develop the whole child. Our school is a center of inquiry, creativity and joyful learning.
Student-led conferences occur in the second semester and your child will share his/her progress towards their learning goals through their portfolios.
The curriculum consists of core subjects (Language Arts, Mathematics, Social Studies and Science) combined with a specialist program (Modern Language, PE, Art, Music, Technology Integration, Guidance and Library.) Students with limited English may be enrolled in the ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) program, and students with learning needs may receive additional assistance from Learning Support (LS). Field trips are scheduled to coordinate with the curricular area being studied. Students in grades 3-5 also participate in overnight intercultural trips in line with their unit(s) of study. Assessment of student learning is a continuous process involving students, teachers and parents. Teachers and students work together to set learning goals and teachers provide frequent feedback to help students meet their goals. Student progress is reported to parents regularly throughout the year. Semester reports are sent to parents and scheduled parent/teacher conferences take place in the first semester.
The elementary school faculty is composed of 45 full time professionals; 100% have a bachelor’s degree and 68% have advanced degrees.
Our ES Co-Curricular program features quarterly sessions of after school activities centered on creativity, culture, leadership and action. The Elementary School also features a growing service learning program. The aim of this program is to develop students who are confident and competent in contributing to and learning from their community. The program provides meaningful opportunities for students to cultivate both personal and community growth, while building recognition of human interdependence. LANGUAGE ARTS We challenge students to read, write, listen, and speak effectively in order to communicate with others. There is a strong literacy connection that is embedded in all areas of the curriculum. The Language Arts program at ISK focuses on a balanced approach to literacy, including: • Reading - shared reading, read aloud, guided reading, and independent reading • Writing - writer’s workshop, author study, and genre-based writing instruction • Word Study - spelling patterns, word structure, phonics and handwriting • Listening and Speaking
The first semester begins in August and ends in December. The second semester begins in January and ends in June. The elementary school operates on a weekly schedule which varies everyday. There are 37 weeks (180 days) in the school year.
MATHEMATICS The focus in the primary grades is on building a strong mathematical foundation for all students. The ISK mathematics program requires students to persevere as they engage in rich, authentic tasks where they must reason, make sense of and apply mathematical concepts. The major mathematical content strands embedded in the program are: • Numbers in the Base Ten System • Geometry • Numbers & Operations: Fractions • Measurement and Data • Operations and Algebraic Thinking Equally important are the mathematical practices that are part of every unit and lesson: • Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them • Reason abstractly and quantitatively • Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others • Model with mathematics • Use appropriate tools strategically • Attend to precision • Look for and make use of structure • Look for and express regularity in repeated reasoning
SOCIAL STUDIES & SCIENCE
Units in Social Studies & Science engage students’ natural curiosity. Teachers begin by laying a foundation of knowledge, and then a student’s own interests and curiosity help guide the learning. Many units integrate social studies and science concepts as well as library skills, art, music and technology. Units of inquiry in both Social Studies and Science foster a student’s ability to create his or her own learning and solutions. All units are centered on an “enduring understanding” or “big idea.”
• Social Studies units are designed
to help students understand cultural diversity and their place in the global community. Units are designed around five strands: Social Organization, Culture & Heritage, Place & Environment, Time/ Continuity & Change, and Resources & Economics.
• Science is best learned when
students are engaged in practicing science through investigations and hands-on experiments. Units are designed around the major strands: Life Sciences, Physical Sciences, Earth, Space, Environmental Science, with an engineering strand woven through each unit.
SPECIAL CLASSES
Modern Languages - Spanish, Kiswahili or French to develop a lasting love of language learning Physical Education - Enhance skills through various disciplines; including a year long swimming program. Music - To experience the many forms of music: listen¬ing, singing, performing on instruments as well as music technology Art - Projects integrate art history, art skills and aesthetics at all levels. Technology – Technology is integrated throughout the curriculum to assist and strengthen student learning. Library - Enables students to become lifelong readers and learners. Guidance – The Counselors work with students to address his or her academic, social, and behavioral needs. Counselors offer proactive guidance lessons.
THE INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE PROGRAM AT ISK Elementary School students will soon be entering middle school where ISK prepares them especially well for the challenges and benefits of the International Baccalaureate Diploma. The International Baccalaureate (IB) program at ISK provides high school students with a diploma recognized by universities throughout the world. Students may enroll in the full IB Diploma Program (DP), requiring six externally administered exams, plus CAS, Extended Essay, and Theory of Knowledge course. Or they may take specific individual IB courses for IB certificates. The maximum score possible in each IB course is 7. ISK has an inclusive policy in regards to the IB diploma program; it is open to all students who satisfactorily complete prerequisite courses. MAY 2016 IB DIPLOMA STATISTICS Number of IB diploma seniors registered in the session: Number of candidates who passed the diploma: Percentage of diploma seniors who passed the diploma: Average points obtained by seniors who passed the diploma: Highest diploma points awarded: Average grade obtained by seniors who passed the diploma:
49 49 100 33 41 5.18
COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY PLACEMENT [CLASS OF 2016] USA 58% I UK 24% I Canada 14% I EU 2% I Other 2%
SAMPLE COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY ACCEPTANCES CLASSES 2010-2016 USA American University Arizona State University Art Institute of Chicago Beloit College Boston College Boston University Brigham Young University Brown University Carnegie Mellon University Clark University Columbia University Connecticut College Cornell University Dartmouth College Dickinson College Drexel University Duke University Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Emerson College Emory University Evergreen State College Fairleigh Dickinson University Florida Institute of Technology Florida State University George Mason University George Washington University Georgetown University Georgia Tech University Guilford University Harvard University Haverford College Hofstra University Indiana State University Ithaca College James Madison University Lehigh University Mass. College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences Massachusetts College of Art & Design Massachusetts Institute of Technology Michigan State College Middlebury College Mt. Holyoke College New College of Florida New York University Northeastern University Northwestern University Occidental College Parsons School of Design, Minerva Pratt Institute Purdue University Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Rhode Island School of Design Rutgers University Savannah College of Art & Design Simmons College Skidmore College SUNY Buffalo SUNY-Binghamton Syracuse University Tufts University Tulane University UC- Berkley UC-Davis UC-Los Angeles UC-San Diego UCONN UMass-Amherst University of Chicago University of Colorado-Boulder University of Florida University of Illinois University of Maryland University of Miami University of Michigan University of Minnesota University of Pennsylvania University of Puget Sound University of Richmond University of San Diego University of San Francisco University of South Florida University of Southern California University of Wash-St. Louis University of Washington
Vanderbilt University Virginia Polytechnic Institute Wellesley College Wesleyan University Whitman College United Kingdom Anglia Ruskin University Aston University Cardiff University City University London Durham University Imperial College London King’s College London Lancaster University London School of Economics Loughborough University New College of the Humanities Newcastle University Oxford University Oxford Brooks University Queen Mary, Univ. of London University College London University of Aberdeen University of Bath University of Birmingham University of Bristol University of Dundee University of Edinburgh University of Exeter University of Glasgow University of Kent University of Leeds University of Leicester University of Manchester University of Nottingham University of Reading University of Sheffield University of St Andrews University of Sussex University of Warwick Canada Carleton University Concordia University Dalhousie University McGill University McMasters University Queens University Ryerson University Simon Fraser University Thompson Rivers University Trent University University of Alberta University of British Columbia University of Calgary University of Ottawa University of Toronto University of Victoria University of Waterloo University of Western Ontario Windsor University York University Europe American University of Paris Bocconi University Delft Univ. of Technology Florence Design Academy Florence Institute of Design Hanze University Hanze Univ. of Allied Sciences KLM Flight Academy Les Roches School of Hotel Management Maastricht University Sciences Po University of Groningen University of Wageningen Utrecht University Asia Seoul National University University of Hong Kong Hong Kong University of Science & Technology
Dear Prospective Parent, Our middle school is filled with a highly diverse group of enthusiastic and energetic learners. ISK students in grades six through eight (ages 11-14) are continuously discovering new things about the world around us and themselves. ISK offers a broad range of programs and support to this age group: academic, creative, social, and physical & emotional wellness. A day in the middle school is perhaps one of the most interesting experiences on the ISK campus. Classrooms and activities are filled with questions and curiosity. The ISK middle school is dedicated to meeting the unique physical, cognitive, social, and emotional needs of students as they transition from childhood to adolescence. Through a system that fosters rigor, relevance, relationships, and shared responsibility, our middle school strives to meet the ISK Vision, Mission, and Educational Aims in developmentally appropriate ways. Kind Regards, Craig Baker Middle School Principal
Director Middle School Principal Middle School Counselor
PO Box 14103 Nairobi 00800, Kenya Tel: + 254-733-639-363 msmail@isk.ac.ke I www.isk.ac.ke
David Henry Craig Baker Jessie Gochar Accredited fully by the Middle States Association of Schools in the United States and the Council of International Schools in Europe.
SCHOOL & COMMUNITY The International School of Kenya (ISK) is a non-profit, PreK- 12, coeducational, independent day school serving the expatriate and Kenyan communities in Nairobi. The school was started by the United States Embassy and the Canadian High Commission in 1976 and is fully accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools and the Council
of International Schools. Approximately 32% of the school’s 921 students are North Americans, and the remainder represent over 60 other nationalities. The middle school faculty is composed of 29 full time professionals; 100% have a bachelor’s degree and 72% have advanced degrees.
MIDDLE SCHOOL Middle school includes grades six, seven, & eight with students ranging in age from 11- 14. The academic program is built around the following areas: • English • Social Studies
• Science • Mathematics
• Modern Language (Spanish/French) • PE
The following electives are offered quarterly throughout the school year: • Art • Health • Music • Drama Students also have the opportunity to take band, choir, or quarterlength exploratory courses. Exploratory courses provide students opportunities to pursue a variety of creative endeavors (Film-trailers, Odyssey Of The Mind , Design Technology & Robotics). ADVISORY PROGRAM All students have an advisory class. The Advisor’s role is to give guidance to the students in all areas of the school. The advisor acts as a student advocate if academic or social issues arise.
The first semester begins in August and ends in December. The second semester begins in January and ends in June. The middle school operates a schedule that includes eight blocks. Each block meets three times per week for 65 minutes. There are 36 weeks (180 days) in the school year.
STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES The middle school serves a managed number of students representing a range of learning differences from mild to moderate needs as well as the highly capable. The middle school also provides an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program for students whose first language is not English and whose English language skills limit full access to the regular curriculum. INTER-CULTURAL TRIPS Our Inter-Cultural trips provide experiences that deliberately require students to challenge themselves, reinforcing ISK’s Educational Aims through inter-disciplinary learning and character development, including personal responsibility, in an African context. Each grade level in the middle school participates in a week-long Inter-Cultural trip in a different part of Kenya. ASSESSMENT It is a guiding principal of middle level education that every student should experience success. Considering the wide range of developmental abilities within this age group, the needs of individual students are considered at every stage of evaluation and assessment . Student progress is reported in two areas: Academic Achievement and Habits of Learning.
THE INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE PROGRAM AT ISK Middle school students will soon be entering high school and ISK prepares them especially well for the challenges and benefits of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program. The International Baccalaureate (IB) program at ISK provides high school students with a diploma recognized by universities throughout the world. Students may enroll in the full IB Diploma Program (DP), requiring six externally administered exams, plus CAS, Extended Essay, and Theory of Knowledge. Or they may take individual IB courses for IB certificates. The maximum score possible in each IB course is 7. ISK has an inclusive policy in regards to the IB Diploma Program; it is open to all students who satisfactorily complete prerequisite courses. Forty-seven seniors were enrolled for the IB Diploma, representing 63% of the 2014 graduating class. Forty-three seniors successfully earned the IB Diploma, representing a pass rate of 91%. The average diploma score was 33 and the average grade obtained was 5.23. The highest diploma points awarded to a candidate was 40. Twenty-eight additional juniors and seniors completed IB courses either for certificates or in anticipation of their 2015 diplomas. COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY PLACEMENT [CLASS OF 2016] USA 58% I UK 24% I Canada 14% I EU 2% I Other 2%
SAMPLE COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY ACCEPTANCES CLASSES 2010-2016 USA American University Arizona State University Art Institute of Chicago Beloit College Boston College Boston University Brigham Young University Brown University Carnegie Mellon University Clark University Columbia University Connecticut College Cornell University Dartmouth College Dickinson College Drexel University Duke University Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Emerson College Emory University Evergreen State College Fairleigh Dickinson University Florida Institute of Technology Florida State University George Mason University George Washington University Georgetown University Georgia Tech University Guilford University Harvard University Haverford College Hofstra University Indiana State University Ithaca College James Madison University Lehigh University Mass. College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences Massachusetts College of Art & Design Massachusetts Institute of Technology Michigan State College Middlebury College Mt. Holyoke College New College of Florida New York University Northeastern University Northwestern University Occidental College Parsons School of Design, Minerva Pratt Institute Purdue University Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Rhode Island School of Design Rutgers University Savannah College of Art & Design Simmons College Skidmore College SUNY Buffalo SUNY-Binghamton Syracuse University Tufts University Tulane University UC- Berkley UC-Davis UC-Los Angeles UC-San Diego UCONN UMass-Amherst University of Chicago University of Colorado-Boulder University of Florida University of Illinois University of Maryland University of Miami University of Michigan University of Minnesota University of Pennsylvania University of Puget Sound University of Richmond University of San Diego University of San Francisco University of South Florida University of Southern California University of Wash-St. Louis University of Washington
Vanderbilt University Virginia Polytechnic Institute Wellesley College Wesleyan University Whitman College United Kingdom Anglia Ruskin University Aston University Cardiff University City University London Durham University Imperial College London King’s College London Lancaster University London School of Economics Loughborough University New College of the Humanities Newcastle University Oxford University Oxford Brooks University Queen Mary, Univ. of London University College London University of Aberdeen University of Bath University of Birmingham University of Bristol University of Dundee University of Edinburgh University of Exeter University of Glasgow University of Kent University of Leeds University of Leicester University of Manchester University of Nottingham University of Reading University of Sheffield University of St Andrews University of Sussex University of Warwick Canada Carleton University Concordia University Dalhousie University McGill University McMasters University Queens University Ryerson University Simon Fraser University Thompson Rivers University Trent University University of Alberta University of British Columbia University of Calgary University of Ottawa University of Toronto University of Victoria University of Waterloo University of Western Ontario Windsor University York University Europe American University of Paris Bocconi University Delft Univ. of Technology Florence Design Academy Florence Institute of Design Hanze University Hanze Univ. of Allied Sciences KLM Flight Academy Les Roches School of Hotel Management Maastricht University Sciences Po University of Groningen University of Wageningen Utrecht University Asia Seoul National University University of Hong Kong Hong Kong University of Science & Technology
Dear Prospective Parent, Whether you are new to Kenya or have lived here for some time, you are very welcome to our unique educational community. A highly regarded international school in Africa, ISK attracts families and staff from around the world due to our focus on student-centered learning practices, an openness to innovative approaches to teaching and learning for the 21st century, and a reputation as an experienced, academically demanding International Baccalureate (IB) World School. Located on a beautiful campus, the high school provides students with an open, inviting environment where it is safe to explore ideas and collaborate with peers. ISK grows programs strategically, applying research-based instructional practices and creating the ideal balance of hard work towards high academic standards within in a warm, safe, and friendly environment. In addition to on-campus learning, ISK students engage in a wide array of learning opportunities in Kenya, online, and around the world, for example in the areas of field study, service learning, co-curricular programs, and online academy independent study. At ISK we educate the whole person and help students reach personal dreams, filling each day with a learning experience that features: • commitment to exceptional student scholarship • outstanding international teaching faculty • rigorous standards-based, international curriculum • 1-to-1 laptop program supported by cutting-edge technology platforms and resources • respect for all within a welcoming international student body • programs that guide student growth physically, creatively, socially, and emotionally • personal choice with students self-directed and taking ownership of their learning • high standards around character and habits of learning • International Baccalaureate Diploma program and RoundSquare membership • two high school qualifications: The ISK diploma and the IB diploma Our co-curricular programs provide opportunities for involvement in interests beyond the classroom context, requiring commitment and encouraging student leadership in areas such as sporting and artistic endeavors. ISK also has a vibrant, unique service-learning program. Much like a family, we are committed to developing positive, respectful relationships across the school and within the community at large.ISK students are active and action-oriented in making a positive impact on their immediate, local, and global surroundings. At ISK, we believe that the education of our children is a partnership that requires the cooperation and collaboration of school staff, parents, and students. Our experience is that all students can thrive when an academic community is committed to active listening and open communication within a climate of diversity and mutual respect. Kind Regards, Robert Blanchard High School Principal
PO Box 14103 Nairobi 00800, Kenya Tel: + 254-733-639-363 hsmail@isk.ac.ke I www.isk.ac.ke
Director
David Henry
High School Principal
Robert Blanchard
IB Coordinator
Linda Henderson
High School Counselors
DeeDee Werner & Wellesley Ferguson Accredited fully by the Middle States Association of Schools in the United States and the Council of International Schools in Europe.
CEEB/ACT Code #619590 SCHOOL & COMMUNITY The International School of Kenya (ISK) is a non-profit, PreK- 12, coeducational, independent day school serving the expatriate and Kenyan communities in Nairobi. The school was started by the United States Embassy and the Canadian High Commission in 1976 and is fully accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools and the Council of International Schools. Approximately 32% of the
school’s 921 students are North Americans, and the remainder represent over 60 other nationalities. The high school faculty is composed of 45 full and 2 part time professionals. 46% of the faculty are North Americans, 100% have a bachelor’s degree and 80% have advanced degrees. The first semester begins in August and ends in December. The second semester begins in January and ends in June. The high school
CREDITS AND GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
In grades 9 through 12, one credit is awarded for each one-year ISK course completed with a passing mark of 3 or above. One half credit is earned for one semester. A minimum of 24 credits is required for graduation. Students transferring to ISK from another school may bring in a maximum of 8 credits per year.
Class of 2017 Minimum Graduation Requirements English 4 credits Social Studies, Math, Science 3 credits, each Second Language 2 credits Physical Education 1.5 credits Fine/Performing Arts 1 credit Health Education 0.5 credit Electives 6 credits Totals 24 credits
Creativity, Activity, Service & Leadership (CASL) Program
The CASL program provides a meaningful framework for co-curricular activities for students to initiate and reflect upon sustainable community projects that are mutually beneficial and cultivate personal and community growth. All ISK students are required to complete annual projects in the areas of creativity, activity, service and leadership followed by self-evaluation and reflection.
GRADE SCALE Grade
Descriptor
Honor Points
7
Exemplary Achievement
8
6
Excellent Achievement
7
5
Proficient Achievement
6
4
Basic Achievement
5
3
Limited Achievement
4
2
Very Little Achievement/No Credit
0
1
Minimal Achievement/No Credit
0
Credit
0
CR
Note: The IB courses at ISK are designated as Honors by an “H” following the numeric grade.
ISK 7-1 Grading Scale
Traditional USA A-F grading scale
7
A+
6
A
5
B
4
C
3
D
2/1
F
Note: The table is a rough translation.
operates a schedule that includes eight blocks. Each block meets five times in a typical two-week period, with each block being 80 minutes in length. There are 36 weeks (180 days) in the school year. All ISK students are required to successfully complete an intercultural activity, and a creativity, activity, and service (and leadership) program for each year of high school.
DECILE RANK
Colleges are advised that GPA distribution data are made available for the purpose of evaluating the relative academic performance of current seniors at ISK. WEIGHTED GPA DISTRIBUTION BY DECILE CLASS OF 2016 Decile Low High Decile Low High 1 7 7.93 6 5.71 5.93 2 6.64 6.93 7 5.43 5.64 3 6.43 6.57 8 5.21 5.36 4 6.21 6.38 9 5 5.15 5 6 6.14 10 4.08 4.86
2016-2017 HIGH SCHOOL COURSE OFFERINGS SUMMARY
All courses listed below may not be offered for the 2016-2017 academic year. One-semester courses are denoted (s).
CREATIVE ARTS Art 1 (s) Art 2 (s) I.B. SL Visual Arts 1 I.B. SL Visual Arts 2 I.B. HL Visual Arts 1 I.B. HL Visual Arts 2 Computer Art (s) Drama Performance (s) Drama Production (s) I.B. SL Theatre 1 I.B. SL Theatre 2 I.B. HL Theatre Arts1 I.B. HL Theatre Arts 2 Concert Band Concert Choir I.B. SL Music 1 I.B. SL Music 2 Music (s) ENGLISH English A Lit. & Lang. HL 1, 2 English 9 English 10 English 11 English 12 I.B. SL English Lit. 1 I.B. SL English Lit. 2 I.B. SL English Lit. & Lang. 1, 2 I.B. HL English Lit.1 I.B. HL English Lit. 2 Creative Writing (s) English for Speakers of Other Languages INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY STEM 1 With Digital Design (s) STEM 2 With Robotics (s) STEM 2 With Game Design (s) STEM 2 Industrial Design (1 Semester) I.B. SL Computer Science 1 I.B. HL Computer Science 1 I.B. SL Computer Science 2 I.B. HL Computer Science 2 INTERDISCIPLINARY / GENERAL ELECTIVES iMe: Living and Learning for Digital Natives (s) Scholarly Research & Writing (s)
IB Theory of Knowledge 11 (s) IB Theory of Knowledge 12 (s) Education for Sustainable Development (s) Yearbook Topics in Cinema (s) Health & Sports Exercise Sciences MATHEMATICS Math 1 Math 2 Math 2a Math 3 Math 3a I.B. SL Math St. 1 I.B. SL Math St. 2 I.B. SL Math 1 I.B. SL Math 2 I.B. HL Math 1 I.B. HL Math 2 Math Bridge 1 Math Bridge 2 Math Studies (Non-IB/NonHonors) MODERN LANGUAGES Spanish 1 Spanish 2 I.B. Spanish ab initio 1 I.B. Spanish ab initiio 2 Spanish 3 Spanish 4/IB SL Spanish B 1 I.B. SL Spanish B 2 / HL Spanish B 1 I.B. HL Spanish B 2 French 1 French 2 French 3 French 4/IB SL French B 1 I.B. SL French B 2 / HL French B 1 I.B. HL French B 2 I.B. SL French A Language & Literature 1 I.B. SL French A Language & Literature 2 Kiswahili 1 Kiswahili 2 IB Kiswahii ab initio 1 IB Kiswahili ab initio 2
PHYSICAL EDUCATION & HEALTH Advanced Physical Education (s) Integrated PE & Health 9-10 SCIENCE Space Science (s) Earth Science (s) IB SL Biology 1 Introductory Biochemistry 10 I.B. SL Biology 2 I.B. HL Biology 1 I.B. HL Biology 2 Introductory Physics 9 I.B. SL Physics1 I.B. SL Physics 2 I.B. HL Physics 1 I.B. HL Physics 2 I.B. SL Chemistry 1 I.B. SL Chemistry 2 I.B. HL Chemistry 1 I.B. HL Chemistry 2 SOCIAL STUDIES World Civilizations 1 World Civilizations 2 I.B. SL Psychology 1 I.B. SL Psychology 2 I.B. HL Psychology 1 I.B. HL Psychology 2 I.B. SL History 1 I.B. SL History 2 I.B. HL History 1 I.B. HL History 2 I.B. SL Economics 1 I.B. SL Economics 2 I.B. HL Economics 1 I.B. HL Economics 2 I.B. SL Geography 1 I.B. SL Geography 2 I.B. HL Geography 1 I.B. HL Geography 2 World Religions (s) Psychology (s) International Relations (s) Entrepreneurship & Business Studies (s) STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES Learning Resource Center INDEPENDENT STUDY & ONLINE ACADEMY
SAT MEAN SCORES FOR THE CLASS OF 2016 Verbal 579 I Mathematics 636 I Writing 588
THE IB PROGRAM AT ISK
The International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program at ISK provides high school students with a diploma and certificates recognized by universities throughout the world. Students may enroll in the full IB Diploma Program, requiring six externally administered exams, Extended Essay, and Theory of Knowledge course, or they may also take specific individual IB courses for IB certificates. The maximum score possible in each IB course is 7. ISK has an inclusive policy in regards to the IB Diploma Program; it is open to all students who satisfactorily complete prerequisite courses.
MAY 2016 IB SCORES IB Course
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
Avg.
ENGLISH A: Literature HL
3
16
13
5
0
0
0
5.46
ENGLISH A: Literature SL
0
2
18
7
0
0
0
4.81
FRENCH A: Lang & Literature SL
0
3
0
3
0
0
0
5.00
FRENCH B SL
1
7
8
0
0
0
0
5.56
SPANISH AB. SL
1
3
4
7
0
0
0
4.87
SPANISH B HL
2
0
1
0
0
0
0
6.33
SPANISH B SL
2
8
4
0
0
0
0
5.86
SWAHILI AB. SL
1
2
0
3
0
0
0
5.17
ECONOMICS HL in English
4
11
8
3
3
0
0
5.34
ECONOMICS SL in English
0
2
0
0
0
0
0
6.00
GEOGRAPHY HL in English
8
5
8
4
2
0
0
5.48
GEOGRAPHY SL in English
0
0
1
2
0
0
0
4.33
HIST EUROPE/ME HL in English
0
0
5
2
1
0
0
4.50
HISTORY SL in English
0
1
0
1
0
0
0
5.00
PSYCHOLOGY HL in English
1
2
6
8
3
0
0
4.50
PSYCHOLOGY SL in English
0
1
2
0
1
0
0
4.75
BIOLOGY HL in English
0
6
11
8
0
0
0
4.92
BIOLOGY SL in English
1
6
2
8
5
0
0
4.55
CHEMISTRY HL in English
0
2
7
9
5
1
0
4.17
CHEMISTRY SL in English
0
1
1
2
0
2
0
3.83
COMPUTER SC. HL in English
0
1
3
2
0
0
0
4.83
PHYSICS HL in English
1
1
5
4
2
0
0
4.62
MATH STUDIES SL in English
0
4
8
2
2
2
0
4.56
MATHEMATICS HL in English
0
1
2
4
1
1
0
4.11
MATHEMATICS SL in English
2
10
11
17
4
0
0
4.75
MUSIC HL in English
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
4.00
MUSIC GR PERF SL in English
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
4.00
THEATRE HL in English
1
0
2
0
0
0
0
5.67
THEATRE SL in English
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
4.00
VISUAL ARTS HL in English
0
5
2
1
2
0
0
5.00
VISUAL ARTS SL in English
0
0
2
0
0
1
0
4.00
MAY 2016 IB DIPLOMA STATISTICS Number of IB diploma seniors registered in the session: Number of candidates who passed the diploma: Percentage of diploma seniors who passed the diploma: Average points obtained by seniors who passed the diploma: Highest diploma points awarded: Average grade obtained by seniors who passed the diploma:
49 49 100 33 41 5.18
COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY PLACEMENT [CLASS OF 2016] USA 58% I UK 24% I Canada 14% I EU 2% I Other 2%
SAMPLE COLLEGE & UNIVERSITY ACCEPTANCES CLASSES 2010-2016 USA American University Arizona State University Art Institute of Chicago Beloit College Boston College Boston University Brigham Young University Brown University Carnegie Mellon University Clark University Columbia University Connecticut College Cornell University Dartmouth College Dickinson College Drexel University Duke University Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Emerson College Emory University Evergreen State College Fairleigh Dickinson University Florida Institute of Technology Florida State University George Mason University George Washington University Georgetown University Georgia Tech University Guilford University Harvard University Haverford College Hofstra University Indiana State University Ithaca College James Madison University Lehigh University Mass. College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences Massachusetts College of Art & Design Massachusetts Institute of Technology Michigan State College Middlebury College Mt. Holyoke College New College of Florida New York University Northeastern University Northwestern University Occidental College Parsons School of Design, Minerva Pratt Institute Purdue University Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Rhode Island School of Design Rutgers University Savannah College of Art & Design Simmons College Skidmore College SUNY Buffalo SUNY-Binghamton Syracuse University Tufts University Tulane University UC- Berkley UC-Davis UC-Los Angeles UC-San Diego UCONN UMass-Amherst University of Chicago University of Colorado-Boulder University of Florida University of Illinois University of Maryland University of Miami University of Michigan University of Minnesota University of Pennsylvania University of Puget Sound University of Richmond University of San Diego University of San Francisco University of South Florida University of Southern California University of Wash-St. Louis University of Washington
Vanderbilt University Virginia Polytechnic Institute Wellesley College Wesleyan University Whitman College United Kingdom Anglia Ruskin University Aston University Cardiff University City University London Durham University Imperial College London King’s College London Lancaster University London School of Economics Loughborough University New College of the Humanities Newcastle University Oxford University Oxford Brooks University Queen Mary, Univ. of London University College London University of Aberdeen University of Bath University of Birmingham University of Bristol University of Dundee University of Edinburgh University of Exeter University of Glasgow University of Kent University of Leeds University of Leicester University of Manchester University of Nottingham University of Reading University of Sheffield University of St Andrews University of Sussex University of Warwick Canada Carleton University Concordia University Dalhousie University McGill University McMasters University Queens University Ryerson University Simon Fraser University Thompson Rivers University Trent University University of Alberta University of British Columbia University of Calgary University of Ottawa University of Toronto University of Victoria University of Waterloo University of Western Ontario Windsor University York University Europe American University of Paris Bocconi University Delft Univ. of Technology Florence Design Academy Florence Institute of Design Hanze University Hanze Univ. of Allied Sciences KLM Flight Academy Les Roches School of Hotel Management Maastricht University Sciences Po University of Groningen University of Wageningen Utrecht University Asia Seoul National University University of Hong Kong Hong Kong University of Science & Technology
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