Overview of Student Learning
HIS has a strong history of academic success since its founding in 2002. Students have achieved successful results, entered quality universities, and moved further into the larger society as positive contributing citizens of an increasingly more interconnected world. It has been the community atmosphere, the caring and nurturing teachers, and the students themselves who have been responsible for HIS's success.
We are developing student-centered approaches to learning in order to encourage students to build their skill sets and develop their learning through an inquiry format.
The teachers provide effective approaches to teaching to ensure that the content is contextualized and relevant to the real world.
Regardless of whether students attend HIS from Kindergarten through Grade 12 or only stay a few years, we want to ensure that they have access to the academic and life skills that will help them to succeed in the future. The school-wide learning outcomes for all HIS students are summarized in our General Learning Targets (GLTs).
General Learning Targets (GLTs)
Every HIS student will demonstrate the following:
- Effective Communication:
- High Level Thinking:
- A Solid Foundation of Knowledge:
- Positive Behaviors and Approaches to Learning:
- International Mindedness and Community Appreciation:
Effective Communication:
High Level Thinking:
A Solid Foundation of Knowledge:
Positive Behaviors and Approaches to Learning:
International Mindedness and Community Appreciation:
How HIS Learners develop skills and knowledge through the General Learning Targets (GLTs)
IB Information Videos (English)
What is an IB education_.mp4
IB Learner Profile.mp4
The IB Continuum.mp4
IB信息视频 (Chinese)
What is an IB education - Chinese.mp4
PYP in the early years - Chinese.mp4
About the MYP – Chinese.mp4
An inclusive IB World School
HIS is an IB Continuum School and uses the IB Learner Profile as a guide for developing student attributes so that we may nurture the ability of students to use a variety of necessary soft skills including communication, thinking, self-management, research, and social skills. Furthermore, we encourage mindful approaches to resilience, perseverance, inquiry, and being a principled and balanced individual.
The Lower School (Early Years – Grade 5) at HIS is currently following the principles and practices of the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP). The curriculum is transdisciplinary in nature, which incorporates subject learning of Math, Literacy, Social Studies, Science, the Arts, and Design/Computer Technology within thematic units of inquiry. In addition to these thematic units, lower school learning is supplemented with Singapore Math, Australian Literacy, Letters and Sounds Phonics and Kelso’s Choice Conflict Management and Character Building programs. Lower School instruction is also supported by specialists in the areas of physical education, the arts, Mandarin and ESOL, learning support, design technology and library.
For further information on Lower School curriculum and programs, please click on the links below:
IB Primary Years Programme (IB PYP)
IB PYP Brochure Chinese 国际文凭小学项目
IB PYP Early Years Brochure English
IB PYP Early Years Brochure Chinese
国际文凭小学项目的幼儿教育阶段
The Upper School (Grades 6-12) currently incorporates a Middle School division (Grades 6-8) and a High School division (Grades 9-12). In addition to rigorous academic learning, the Middle School division places great emphasis on social development, participation, exploration of individual skills and interests, and transition to a college-preparatory program. The High School division (Grades 9-12) focuses on greater depth and understanding of subject matter. All High School students earn subject credits for successful completion of each semester at HIS, which are entered into transcripts that are used by many university admissions departments. High School students generally have more elective choices within their academic and extra-curricular learning. Students completing Grade 10 are supported with Academic Guidance and College Counseling so they are ready to commit to IB subject choices and levels, and ready to engage the university admissions process. The goal of High School learning is to complete the graduation requirements for the HIS High School Diploma and be role models of the HIS Mission.
Grades 6 – 10 at HIS currently follows the principles and practices of the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP). The MYP curriculum is interdisciplinary in nature, which connects some subject learning of Languages, Social Studies, Sciences, the Arts, Physical/Health Education, and Design/Computer Technology within interdisciplinary themes. In addition to these interdisciplinary subjects, students receive additional important personal and social guidance through an advisory/pastoral program that assigns a small number of students to one faculty advisor. Also, students will need to complete a Community Project in Grade 8 and the Personal Project in Grade 10.
For further information on the IB Middle Years Programme (IB MYP), please click on the link below:
IB Middle Years Programme (IB MYP)
Grades 11-12 at HIS are authorized to deliver the IB Diploma Programme (DP). The DP curriculum is disciplinary in nature, with students generally selecting higher or standard levels in each of six subject groupings: Language A, Language B, Individuals & Societies, Science, Math, and the Arts. In addition, students have course requirements in Theory of Knowledge (TOK), complete a 4000-word Extended Essay (EE), and satisfy a significant expectation for Creative, Activity, & Service (CAS). While not all students will be registered as full DP students, those who meet all the requirements by the IBO may receive an IB Diploma or IB Bi-lingual Diploma.
For further information on the IB Diploma Programme (IB DP), please click on the link below:
The HIS Organization of Student Learning Breakdown
HIS Program and Grade Level Divisions
HIS Schoolwide Curriculum Subject Learning Standards Chart
