International School in Chicago, IL

British School of Chicago:
The British School of Chicago (BSC), located in the Lincoln Park neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois, is a co-educational, college preparatory, accredited day school offering Nursery School to Year 13 (Pre-K to Grade 12) programs. There are over twenty nationalities represented at the school with the majority being British and American. All BSC teachers are recruited from the United Kingdom or international schools worldwide, and are of the highest calibre. Every teacher is experienced in the National Curriculum (England) and has a variety of academic specialist skills. All teachers at the BSC take part in a continuous programme called In Service Training (INSET).

Nursery & Reception (Pre-School & Junior Kindergarten) Classes:
Students in Nursery and Reception classes, known as the Foundation Stage (ages 3 to 5), follow the Foundation Curriculum which is tailored to the developing needs of young students and is based on the UK government's Early Learning Goals. Play is an integral part of our Foundation curriculum. We recognize through supported play that students can explore, develop and use their curiosity and imagination to help them make sense of the world in a secure environment.

The Foundation Stage covers seven distinct areas of learning:
- Personal and Social Development
- Communication, Language and Literacy
- Mathematical Development
- Knowledge and Understanding of the World
- Physical Development
- Creative Development
- Modern Foreign Languages

Year 1 & Year 2 (Kindergarten & Year 1):
The primary school is divided into two Key Stages. Key Stage 1 includes Year 1 and 2 (American grades Kindergarten and Grade 1) and Key Stage 2 includes Years 3, 4 and 5 (American grades 2, 3 and 4).

The core curriculum consists of:
- Literacy
- Numeracy
- Science
- Design Technology
- ICT (Information and Communication Technology)
- History
- Geography
- Art and Design
- Music
- Physical Education
- PACE (Personal and Citizenship Education)
- Foreign Language

Year 3 to Year 6 (Grade 2 to Grade 5):
The primary school is divided into two Key Stages, Key Stage 1 includes Year 1 and 2 (American grades Kindergarten and Grade 1) and Key Stage 2 includes Years 3, 4 and 5 (American grades 2, 3 and 4).

The core curriculum consists of:
- IPC (International Primary Curriculum)
- Literacy
- Numeracy
- Science
- History
- Geography
- Design Technology
- ICT (Information and Communication Technology)
- Art and Design
- Music
- Physical Education
- PACE (Personal and Citizenship Education)
- Foreign Language

Year 7 to Year 9 (Grade 6 to Grade 8):
The UK National Curriculum forms the basis of study for all students in Years 7 through 9 (ages 11-14), equivalent to American grades 6 through 8. Students at this stage, Key Stage 3, have specialist teachers for all subjects, as they begin the transition from primary to high school. The UK National Curriculum is a comprehensive course of study that includes twelve different subjects: English, Mathematics, Science, History, Geography, Modern foreign languages, Design technology, Information communication technology, Art and design, Music, Citizenship and Physical education. Subjects in the National Curriculum are delivered in a circular method so that topics are returned to in a way that allows students to make connections between varied topics. Learning at all ages is differentiated based on the individual needs of students, including ability and background.

- English
- Math
- Science (Biology, Chemistry, and Physics)
- History
- Geography
- Modern Foreign Language
- PACE (Personal and Citizenship Education)
- Art and Design
- Music
- Design Technology
- ICT (Information, Communication and Technology)
- Physical Education

Year 10 to Year 13 (Grade 9 to Grade 12):
Students in Years 10 through 13, equivalent to America grades 9 through 12, continue to follow the National Curriculum through International General Certificates of Secondary Education (IGCSEs) and finish their high school education with the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP).

In Years 10 and 11, students follow a broad range of 10 two-year IGCSE courses and are evaluated on coursework and/or exam work at the end of the two years. All British School of Chicago students take IGCSEs in English language, English literature, Mathematics, Sciences (Biology, Chemistry and Physics), Global perspectives and at least one modern foreign language and a social science, and then choose from a range of options for the remaining subjects.

Additional classes can be taken in Art and Design; Information, Communication and Technology (computer software and hardware); Design and Technology (industrial arts), Music, and Physical education. These rigorous courses require students to independently prepare course-work, monitor their own progress and study subjects in depth. The IGCSEs are excellent preparation for the IBDP which students in Years 12 and 13 follow.