High School at Silicon Valley International School

curriculum overview | signature programs
The educational journey of our High School students sets them apart as confident, curious, and resilient graduates of the most comprehensive and sought-after college preparatory program, the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma.
For students in the Bilingual Program, the capstone of their bilingual journey at INTL is the IB Bilingual Diploma or IB Advanced Bilingual Diploma, a distinction achieved by less than 1/4 of IB Diploma Graduates worldwide. Our Upper School Language Acquisition Program immerses students in our international community, provides the opportunity to acquire new language and cultural fluency, and culminates in the world-renowned IB Diploma.
 
Our rich multicultural environment and our focus on academic depth and rigor empowers our High School students to think critically from multiple perspectives and across language and cultures. They become the empathetic leaders of tomorrow who have the confidence to solve complex problems and to collaborate to achieve greater results than they could individually.
 
We offer unique opportunities for our High School students to plan, to take action, and to reflect through our internship programs, commitment to community service, and global experiential learning (including Round Square, Duke of Edinburgh, and Dream Volunteers), all under the rigor of the IB.
 
In 9th and 10th Grade, students follow the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (MYP) followed by the IB Diploma Programme (DP) in 11th and 12th Grade.
Merit Scholarship open to qualified students
for rising 9th-11th grade
INTL's scholarship program is open for our rigorous and dynamic International Baccalaureate High School (the highest global standard in college prep). The scholarship may cover up to 85% of cost of tuition.

Contact us for information on the scholarship and how to apply.

curriculum overview

The International Baccalaureate provides the framework for the Middle Years and Diploma Programmes and is the underpinning of the scope and sequences of every course that is offered at INTL. Courses are divided into two to three units within a semester, which allows students to explore a topic in depth.

Students also engage in projects that go beyond traditional curricula through the Core Program. Projects unique to the IB curriculum include the Personal Project in 10th Grade, the Theory of Knowledge course in 11th and 12th Grade, and the Extended Essay, a 4,000-word research essay in the IB Diploma Programme.

9th and 10th Grade

A rich and engaging international curriculum designed to prepare our students for the rigor of the IB Diploma and the IB (Advanced) Diploma.

List of 8 items.

  • Studies in Language and Literature

    Students take English language and literature, and, if in the bilingual program, a second language and literature (either Chinese, French, or German). 

  • mathematics

    Students engage with the rigor of mathematical thinking and consolidate a deep understanding of the connections and relationships between the four branches of mathematics: numbers, algebra, geometry and trigonometry, statistics and probabilities.

  • Sciences

    Students develop a robust foundational scientific knowledge in biology, chemistry, and physics. 

  • Language Acquisition

    Students at INTL study Chinese, French, or Spanish acquisition as their second or third language if they are already taking two studies in language and literature courses.

  • Individuals and Societies

    Students advance their historical thinking skills by studying a year of Modern World History and a year of US History and Civics. 

  • The Arts

    Students study both visual arts and music.

  • Design

    The design course provides students with a hands-on approach to modern design thinking, including digital design that incorporates coding.

  • Physical Health and Education

    Students take physical and health education which cultivates wellbeing by promoting physical fitness, mental resilience, and an understanding of healthy lifestyle practices.

11th and 12th Grade

A comprehensive and intellectually stimulating course of study, leading to preferential admissions and advanced standing for Diploma Programme students.
 
Across six subjects and three core elements, students engage with courses designed to expand and question their knowledge and understanding of the world around them, whilst building the skills required to succeed and thrive in the post-secondary educational environment. Three courses are taken at Higher Level and three at Standard Level, allowing students to pursue advanced work of particular interest.

List of 8 items.

  • Studies in Language and Literature

    Students take English language and literature. In the bilingual program, students obtain an IB Bilingual Diploma by taking a second language and literature course (either Chinese, French, or German). 

  • Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches

    The analytical mathematics course challenges students to deepen their understanding of calculus, algebra, functions, geometry and trigonometry, statistics and probability.

  • Sciences

    Students explore the concepts, theories, models, and techniques that underpin biology, chemistry, or physics and through these develop their understanding of the scientific method. 

  • Language Acquisition

    This course emphasizes the acquisition and use of modern language (Chinese, French, and Spanish) in a range of contexts and promotes an understanding of another culture. 

  • Individuals and Societies

    Students choose one or two subjects from this group, including history or psychology in English, or geography in French for our bilingual students (which is a pathway to the Advanced Bilingual Diploma).

  • The Arts

    Students may elect to study a subject from the arts, or instead choose a second individuals and societies or sciences subject. 

  • School-Supported Self-Taught Literature

    The self-taught literature course encourages students to study the literary heritage of a home language and culture. It provides students with a pathway to achieving the IB Bilingual Diploma.

  • Additional Subjects

    INTL partners with the IB-approved provider Pamoja to offer a range of online courses in the Diploma Programme on request, including economics, and film.
A course of study enhanced by an intensive college-level research project, a critical thinking and philosophy seminar, and a commitment to community service.

List of 5 items.

  • personal projects (pp)

    The Personal Project in the Middle Years Programme allows 10th Graders to explore their unique interests through independent research, fostering self-directed learning and creative expression.

  • Theory of Knowledge (TOK)

    The Theory of Knowledge course is a critical thinking and philosophy seminar and challenges students to be critical of knowledge constructs.

  • Extended Essay (EE)

    The EE requires students to dive into the world of university academia through a 4,000 word independent, self-directed research paper. 

  • Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS)

    Students complete volunteer community service, choosing experiences and evaluating themselves. CAS involves planning real, purposeful experiences, with significant outcomes that challenge the student personally.

  • IB Examinations

    At the end of 12th Grade, IB Diploma candidates complete a three-week oral and written examination period in all of their Diploma subjects. Exams are prepared and externally graded under the supervision of the IB; high scores may afford graduates university credit.

  • Debra Von Bargen

    Selective colleges put a great deal of emphasis on any course that’s taken in a high school that moves the student closer to the level of academic work required in college. The way that the IB distinguishes itself in that group of strong academic preparatory programs is by its breadth and the way that it helps students pull things together.

    Debra Von Bargen
    Former Assistant Dean of Admission at Stanford University

Signature Programs

List of 5 items.

  • IB Bilingual Diploma

    Bilingualism is central to INTL’s educational mission, extending to our oldest students, most of whom pursue the Bilingual Diploma. They undertake English Language and Literature alongside their chosen target-language Language and Literature or School-Supported Self-Taught Literature course, culminating in the Bilingual Diploma through advanced textual analysis and writing in two first-language level languages.

  • Global Experiential Learning Opportunities

    High School students have the option to participate in a variety of international service and cultural trips. They might choose to help on an organic coffee farm in Costa Rica or build a turtle hatchery for an endangered species in Nicaragua. Students are also able to spend a semester abroad to further develop their language skills.

  • Local and International Internships

    Our internship program allows students to move beyond theoretical learning and experience real-world practical internships. These experiences provide students valuable insights into industries and professions helping them make more informed decisions about their future, refine technical and soft skills, enhance their resumes, build professional networks, and career confidence.

  • international service and leadership

    Being a Round Square school (www.roundsquare.org), our students are part of a network of schools across over 50 countries with the shared mission of building global competencies, character, and confidence. Our students benefit from international service, cultural and learning trips; language, arts and science conferences and competitions; and extended global exchanges. Our collaboration with Dream Volunteers provides opportunities for service trips in Central America. 

  • Duke of Edinburgh International Award

    Students embark on the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award, to attain the Bronze, Silver, and Gold Awards. This youth awards program builds grit, resilience, and character as students demonstrate a commitment to physical activity, community service, and experience transformative outdoor adventure, teaching them to face challenges with confidence.
 

Notice of Nondiscriminatory policy as to students

Silicon Valley International School admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.

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