 THE SCHOOL
The International School of Minnesota (ISM) is a private, non-denominational college preparatory school for Preschool (age 3) through grade 12. Established in 1985, ISM is part of the SABIS® School Network, which is a worldwide educational organization, comprised of 75 schools in 15 countries.
ACCREDITATION AND TEACHING STAFF
ISM is accredited by the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement (NCA CASI). Lower School teachers are certified ECE or elementary teachers. In the Upper School we seek teachers who are specialists in their respective fields with degrees in the subject area that they teach. World language teachers must be native speakers.
THE STUDENT BODY
The School’s enrollment, Preschool - Grade 12, is approximately 600, 200 of whom are Upper School students (Grades 6 -12). A typical graduating class numbers 25 seniors. Diversity is actively sought at ISM and nearly 30% of the staff and students have multicultural backgrounds. The experiences of varied ethnicities, languages, and cultural perspectives prepare students for global citizenship.
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
Graduation requires 26 credits in Grades 9 -12 as follows:
- English - required all four years; one year must be American Literature
- Mathematics - required all four years or upon completion of AP Calculus or AP Statistics; minimum level attained by graduation is Math III (Advanced Algebra and Geometry)
- Science - required for three years with a minimum of one Life Science and one Physical Science
- World Language - required all four years or until completion of an AP Language course; minimum requirement is at least two years of the same language
- History/Social Studies - required for three years; one year must be American History
- Fine Arts - One and one-half years required; Music, vocal and/or instrumental; Art, Art Studio
- Computer Science - required in Grade 9; elective courses in computer science and literacy in Grades 10 -12
- Physical Education - required in Grades 9 and 10; one term of Health required; team sports and elective activities available in all grades
ACADEMIC RIGOR
ISM offers its students the advantages of a high-quality, college-preparatory education that prepares them for success in college, in life, and in the global economy of the future. The School is highly academic without being highly selective. ISM provides a rigorous and comprehensive curriculum that emphasizes Math, Science, English, and World Language at all grade levels. The development of abstract reasoning and critical thinking skills are considered crucial to success in the SABIS® Educational System.
ACADEMIC RESULTS
ISM students consistently outperform their peers in Advanced Placement Exam results. In 2009, an impressive 43% of our juniors and seniors who sat for the exams, earned recognition as AP® Scholars, compared to only 18% nationally of the 1.6 million high school students who took the exams.
The College Board’s Advanced Placement Program offers students the opportunity to take challenging college-level courses while still attending high school, and to receive college credit, advanced placement, or both, for successful performance on the AP® exams.
AP® COURSES OFFERED
AP courses are offered in:
Art History
Art: Studio Drawing
Biology
Calculus AB & BC
Computer Science A
Computer Science AB
English Language & Composition
English Literature & Composition
European History
French Language
French Literature
Music Theory
Physics C (Mechanical and E & M)
Spanish Language
Spanish Literature
Statistics
US History
US Government & Politics
|
