Academic Program
Assessment
Assessment is the continuous process of gathering, analyzing and interpreting evidence so students and teachers can make informed decisions that enhance student learning.
Regular feedback dramatically improves learning - At ISK, students and parents receive feedback in many ways:
Formative feedback - The results of student work that is done along the way in a unit of learning. Teachers provide regular, on-going feedback to students about their progress.
Self-Assessment - Students are regularly asked to reflect on their own progress. This allows students to take ownership for their own learning.
Parent/Teacher/Student conferences - Conferences are held midway through each semester. Teachers, students and parents have an opportunity to look at and discuss student work.
Semester reports - Reports are sent home at the end of each semester. Reports include:
- Achievement grades in each subject - These grades indicate where a student is along the learning journey at the end of the semester. They are not an average of all the work done.
- Habits of Learning grades (Engagement, Collaboration, Personal Responsibility).
- Narrative reports describing the student's learning as well as their disposition towards learning.
- Web-based access - Student progress can be accessed through the Power School portal. Click here to access the Power School Web Portal.
Grading Scales
Habits of Learning | Achievement Grades | |
Elementary School | E = Exceeds the standard | 4 = Exceeds the standard |
M = Meets the standard | 3 = Meets the standard | |
A = Approaching the standard | 2 = Approaching the standard | |
B = Below standard | 1 = Below standard | |
ES HOL Rubric | ES Grade Descriptions | |
Middle School | E = Exceeds the standard | 4 = Extending Beyond the Standard |
M = Meets the standard | 3 = Meeting the Standard | |
A = Approaching the standard | 2 = Approaching the Standard | |
B = Below standard | 1 = Beginning Toward the Standard | |
MS HOL Rubric | MS Grade Description | |
High School | E = Exceeds the standard | 7 = Exemplary Achievement |
M = Meets the standard | 6 = Excellent Achievement | |
A = Approaching the standard | 5 = Good Achievement | |
B = Below standard | 4 = Satisfactory Achievement | |
HS HOL Rubric | 3 = Insufficient Achievement | |
2 = Limited Achievement | ||
1 = Minimal Achievement | ||
HS Grade Description |
Measure of Success
We measure success at ISK by the extent to which our students achieve against our curricular standards and the extent to which we make our Educational Aims a reality for each student. Key indicators which ensure that we continue to provide an outstanding educational environment for all students include:
- Internal achievement on course assessments and common assessments.
- Comparison of external academic testing results with other international schools.
- Accreditation reports from the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) and Council of International Schools and Middle States Association (CIS/MSA).
- Lists of higher education colleges and universities across the world to which ISK students are awarded.
- Sustained involvement in the five key areas of CASL (Creativity, Culture, Action, Service and Leadership).
- Regular feedback via opinion surveys and collaborative meetings with all stakeholders, including students, parents and alumni.
Graduation Requirements
All students at ISK must enroll in a program leading to a North American diploma attainable by the age of 20 years. Students enrolling after grade 9 will be required to select courses appropriate for their grade and also to complete any other required courses not already taken. To qualify for an ISK diploma, seniors must meet the following graduation requirements between the 9th and 12th grades:
Subject |
Required Credits |
Recommended Credits |
English |
4 |
4 |
Social Studies |
3 |
4 |
Mathematics |
3 |
4 |
Science |
3 |
4 |
Modern Languages |
2 |
3-4 |
Physical Education |
1.5 |
1.5 |
Health |
.5 |
.5 |
Creative Arts |
1 |
2-3 |
Electives |
6 |
4 |
Total |
24 |
28 |
In addition, all students are required to:
- Demonstrate a minimum level of competency in a second language through one of the following means: a. earning two credits in the same language offered at ISK (French, Spanish, or Kiswahili in grades 9-12); or b. preparing for and completing an IB language exam in another ‘external’ language (not English, French, Spanish, or Kiswahili) outside of school - this preparation is monitored and verified by the IB coordinator (students qualifying under option B still need the requisite total credits to graduate).
- Successfully complete an Intercultural Activity for each year in the ISK high school, normally involving attendance on a school-organized week-long intercultural trip and completion of a final reflection about the trip.
- Successfully complete an acceptable Creativity, Action, and Service (and Leadership) program for each year in the ISK high school, as defined by the CAS guidelines for full IB diploma students or CASL booklet for all other high school students.