IB International School Programme in Bangkok

KIS International School, Bangkok:
KIS International School is located in the Huay Kwang District, just a few minutes east of Bangkok City Centre. KIS is an authorised IB World School offering students a well-rounded, dynamic curriculum developed using the framework of the International Baccalaureate programmes. KIS provides the ideal environment to inspire both our students and teachers. The Primary Years Programme for ages 2.5-11 years is based on inquiry, exploration, good citizenship and action and uses organizing themes that encourage students to make connections and begin to make sense of the world around them. Students aged 11-16 years study the Middle Years Programme (MYP). Students aged 16+ years study the IB Diploma Programme (DP), a comprehensive and intellectually stimulating course of study recognized by colleges and universities around the world. English is the language of instruction.

Academic Programmes:

At KIS, we define the Early Years as those between the ages of 2.5 - 5 years, encompassing students in the Early Years Centre, EY2 and Kindergarten classes. Our aim is to provide the best possible learning experiences for young children.
 
KIS International School's academic program is based on the three internationally recognized International Baccalaureate curricula with a continuum of instruction from Early Years through Grade 12. Students from 3 - 11 years follow the Primary Years programme and move on to the Middle Years Programme for students aged 11-16. The programme culminates with the IB Diploma for students age 16-18, recognized by colleges and universities around the world. English is the language of instruction.

All three IB programmes are learner centered and inquiry based. Students are prepared to be informed with a world perspective in history, literature, geography, mathematics, the sciences and the arts. Using students' natural curiosity and creativity, the IB emphasizes a dynamic and rigorous combination of content, skills, independent critical thought and international understanding that encourages students to become active, compassionate, lifelong learners who are responsible world citizens.

The KIS Curriculum:
The KIS curriculum utilizes the IB programmes as a framework for all disciplines. At KIS, these have been further developed by incorporating the best aspects of many national curricula to extend the quality and internationalism of the taught curriculum.

To this effect, the KIS curriculum is broad and balanced, globally conscious, and ensures the best possible benchmarks and outcomes for student learning. Because the KIS curriculum is not specific to one national or state curriculum, it is designed to maximize transferability of expatriate students from KIS back to their homes or to any other location.

International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (IB PYP):
The PYP has been specifically designed for students aged 3 - 11 years. This internationally recognized programme provides students with the opportunity to learn and explore through the use of inquiry, promoting an academically challenging curriculum which fosters international mindedness thus making it the ideal curriculum for our students. 

The IB PYP focuses on the growth of the whole child, encompassing the academic, social, physical, emotional and cultural needs of all students. The PYP provides an international curriculum consisting of 5 essential elements that have been developed to ensure students are engaged in a holistic programme that nurtures, challenges and supports all aspects of learning. The essential elements include:  

Knowledge, Attitudes, Concepts, Skills & Action.

The PYP promotes learning through inquiry; by developing and asking questions structured around key concepts students research answers, pose and solve problems and engage in meaningful learning experiences that promote the acquisition of knowledge. The PYP also supports the development of a wide range of skills as an essential part of the curriculum, enabling students to be effective life-long learners and succeed in a challenging world. Positive attitudes towards learning, the environment and the people around us are viewed as being essential to student success in an ever changing world.

The academically challenging curriculum has been developed around three key questions, each subject curriculum document has been developed to respond to these questions:

What do we want students to learn?
A written set student expectations, learning outcomes and concepts for each subject area.

How best will they learn?
Teaching and learning strategies that promote inquiry, encourage student ownership of their learning, support best educational practice and cater to the learning needs of all students.

How will we know what they have learned?
The use of effective assessment practices that monitor individual student progress and guide future planning and learning experiences.

Clubs and Activities:
Clubs, activities, assemblies, the Primary School student council and field trips promote the IB Learner Profile, provide opportunities to share our learning and create avenues to explore curriculum beyond the classroom.

The wide variety of after school activities in sports, the arts and home economics help students develop pastimes and hobbies outside of the academic field. The KIS Friday Clubs Programme lets students mix with other grades and get involved in subjects as varied as gardening, journalism, art, health and desktop publishing.

IB Middle Years Programme (MYP):
The IB Middle Years Programme (MYP), is a comprehensive programme of academic challenge and life skills appropriate to ages 11-16 years, (Grade 6- Grade 10). At a time when adolescents are confronted with a vast and often bewildering array of choices, the MYP equips students with values and provides opportunities to develop sound judgment, while preparing them for the changing demands of life in the 21st century. The MYP is designed to foster middle school students' independence and responsibility and to encourage creativity, cooperation, and compassion.

The programme provides a thorough study of 8 subject groups:  Language A (English, Thai), Humanities, Mathematics, Physical Education, Language B (Spanish / Mandarin), Sciences, The Arts & Information Technology

Students follow a prescribed curriculum emphasizing analytical and critical thinking, working both independently and collaboratively and taking a disciplined approach to studying. They develop an ability to apply what they know and support their ideas through speaking and writing, in all subject areas.

The MYP emphasizes the interconnectedness of knowledge and uses five cross disciplinary themes called Areas of Interaction to intertwine the eight subject groups:

* Approaches to Learning
* Human Ingenuity
* Health and Social Education
* Environments
* Community Service

This type of curriculum framework encourages students to see cohesion in several fields of study, make connections between subjects, link what they learn to the real world, and reflect and act on their learning. Assignments and activities are geared to cultivate a hands-on approach to learning with the aim of balancing intellectual challenge with joy in learning. Portfolios of each student's work in the subject groups are collected over the five years of the program and in the 10th grade, each student has the opportunity to complete a unique Personal Project.

The Personal Project:
In Grade 10, students design and develop a Personal Project, an independent study in an area of particular interest that links several academic subjects and areas of interaction. The Personal Project may be a research essay, artistic production, original experiment, invention, or some other means of expression and is the capstone of the MYP. In addition, students who successfully complete the MYP receive an MYP certificate and a Record of Achievement.

The IB Diploma Programme:
The IB Diploma Programme is an academically challenging and balanced programme of education with final examinations that prepares students, normally aged 16-18, for success in university and life beyond. The programme is taught over two years and has gained recognition and respect from the world's leading universities, often leading to preferential admissions and earned college credits for IB students.

The programme encompasses an in-depth study of six major subjects; three subjects are studied at Higher Level and three at Standard Level, allowing students to pursue advanced work in subjects of particular interest.

Three additional academic specializations outside the classroom are also part of the programme:

* Theory of Knowledge:  This is a critical thinking course which trains students to think about knowledge and its origins at the deepest of levels.

* The Extended Essay:  This engages students in independent research on a topic of their choosing, providing them with the opportunity to explore a subject further and to create a mature piece of extended writing.

* Creativity, Action, Service:  Known by its acronym CAS, Creativity, Action, Service (CAS) balances academics with hands-on learning outside of class. Participation in the school's CAS programme encourages students to be involved in artistic pursuits, sports and community service work, thus fostering students' awareness and appreciation of life outside the academic arena.

At the end of Grade 12, IB Diploma candidates complete oral and written examinations in all of their IB subjects. IB exams are prepared and externally graded under the supervision of the International Baccalaureate in Geneva.

Additionally: 
Sports programmes, extra-curricular activities and summer programme available.