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OUR PRIVATE HIGH SCHOOL CURRICULUM: IGCSES

At British International School of Boston, our international High School students forge their own pathway to success, as they focus on the subjects that align with their interests and ambitions. Our globally recognized International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) curriculum provides firm foundations in English, math, and science, while also offering a choice of elective courses and experiences.
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AN INTRODUCTION TO OUR INTERNATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL IN BOSTON

At our private High School in Boston, your child will shape their own future, as they follow our International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) curriculum in Years 10 and 11.

Here, students study 10 IGCSE subjects over a two-year period. This includes core subjects like English and math, as well as electives that align with their interests. Our IGCSE program culminates in exams at the end of Year 11.
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THE BIS BOSTON IGCSE CURRICULUM

We’re proud to be the only private High School in Boston, Massachusetts, to offer International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) qualifications. Respected around the world, the two-year IGCSE curriculum enables students to study 10 academic subjects in depth, which develops their subject-specific knowledge and skills.

IGCSEs are studied in more than 120 countries worldwide. The qualifications are highly prized by academic institutions and employers, as they’re widely viewed as the best possible preparation for further study, including the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme.

At our South Boston High School, IGCSEs are assessed by the internationally recognized Cambridge International Examinations and Pearson Edexcel exam boards.
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IGCSE CURRICULUM: CORE SUBJECT OPTIONS

Students at BIS Boston private High School choose their English, math, and science options from the following:
  • English language.
  • English literature.
  • Mathematics.
  • Biology.
  • Chemistry.
  • Physics.
  • Physical education.
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IGCSE CURRICULUM: ELECTIVES

Our students choose their electives from the below:
  • Art.
  • Business studies.
  • Computer science.
  • French.
  • Spanish.
  • Drama.
  • Geography.
  • Music.
  • Physical education.
  • History.
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WHAT MAKES OUR INTERNATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL DIFFERENT?

Traditionally, American High School students select a wide range of subjects, which they study for varying amounts of time. Our IGCSE curriculum, however, offers a more structured approach to subject learning, ensuring your child is the strongest possible candidate for acceptance to their first-choice college or university.

IGCSEs also align with an internationally benchmarked assessment system that’s valued by universities worldwide.
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Download our IGCSE Options Booklet.

56767-igcse-options-booklet-for-2024-25 final.pdf (12 MB)

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  • HIGH SCHOOL

A TYPICAL DAY AT BIS BOSTON PRIVATE HIGH SCHOOL

Our students' days are filled with advanced learning opportunities, as they delve deeper into their specialist subjects and develop the skills to succeed in the future.
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SPANISH EXCHANGE
In Spanish class, we’ll practice our skills in peer-review pairs, using a script of questions and the exam expectations to get ready for our oral exams.
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ORAL CONVERSATION
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BUSINESS DECISIONS
Returning from our recent field trip to a local factory, in Business Studies, we’ll present our analysis of the production process, marketing, and finances that led to the decision-making we observed in the factory.
OBSERVING AND ANALYZING
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PYTHAGORAS’ THEOREM
We discover how to apply Pythagoras’ theorem in our trigonometry unit in math class. We continue to apply the rule to calculating and measuring the sides of similar and congruent shapes.
CALCULATING AND MEASURING
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CONTEXTUAL LITERARY ANALYSIS
In English Lit, we succinctly define the contextual factors around John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men using the “Pecha Kucha” technique of creating 20 slides with 20 seconds of commentary, per slide — covering The Dust Bowl to Roosevelt’s New Deal from the 1930s.
CONNECTING HISTORY AND LITERATURE
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ROLE-PLAYING HISTORY
We act out history as either a German soldier or woman during a structured “speed-dating” activity, where we show the expectations of the ideal German female during the rule of the Nazi party in the early 1940s.
INTERPRETING AND RE-ENACTING
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DISCOVERING PROFESSIONAL TRACKS
During our double period, we’ll participate in BISB’s annual “Careers Carousel” that includes listening to 20 different professionals speak about their work and then meeting one-on-one for 15 minutes each. Their insights help us make decisions about our IB subjects and college aspirations.
CAREERS CAROUSEL
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CLUBS AND ACTIVITIES
We enjoy participating in or leading different clubs, whether we’re planning our own Model UN Conference or preparing for the “Adventurous Journey” element of the Duke of Edinburgh Award. We can even lead clubs for Lower and Middle School students, like charity or dance activities.
LEADING AND SERVING
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MENTORING OTHERS
We can also peer-mentor individual or small groups of Middle School students, helping them navigate some of the exciting areas of growth that are part of adolescence. Meanwhile, we become stronger leaders, using our empathy to understand our mentees’ positions.
GIVING BACK
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HOW WE TEACH

A PERSONALIZED APPROACH

Our talented international High School teachers will be your child’s guide, nurturing their interests, addressing their needs, and identifying their unique potential. Offering expert support and challenge throughout their learning journey, our educators will ensure your child achieves outstanding IGCSE results.
FIND OUT MORE
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BEYOND THE CURRICULUM

OUR HIGH SCHOOL ENRICHMENT PROGRAM

Our High School Enrichment Program is a fantastic opportunity for students to step away from the IGCSE curriculum and pursue their passions and interests.

Taking place each week, the Program is also the ideal preparation for the Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) element of the IB Diploma. All our activities link to the three themes of CAS, including our STEAM Club, which sees students visit MIT to work with their talented faculty and university students. Our diverse program also includes ‘Couch to 5K’ runs, karate, songwriting, service learning, dance, chamber music, sports media, and more.
OUTSTANDING EXPERIENCES
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OUR FACILITIES

A CONNECTED COMMUNITY

Spanning 40 acres of woodland in the quiet neighborhood of Jamaica Plain, our campus balances peace and tranquillity with the vibrancy of Boston’s city and culture.

Our unique learning environment bustles with conversations, thinking, and activities, enlivened by our students’ energy and excitement. Here, your child will learn in flexible spaces that encourage connectivity and collaboration, from our dedicated STEAM Center to our dance studio and sports fields.
EXPLORE OUR CAMPUS

A GLOBALLY IMPRESSIVE EDUCATION

Our world-class IGCSE curriculum will support and stretch your child in the right way and at the right level, ensuring they achieve outstanding academic success.

OUR ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE
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