Our students receive a rigorous, demanding instruction at IBST as the curriculum is bilingual (English and Mandarin). In addition, students in the department have high expectations for themselves due to the high performance standard set by the school and their parents who are well educated. Secondary school students face a rigorous five-day week, demanding instructors, and a fully bilingual (English and Mandarin) curriculum. IBST operates on a semester system with a 200 day school year, beginning in late August and dismissing in late June. Below is the description of the courses offered at IBST.
Taught by native speakers, the IBST English program is a total immersion program that runs from grade 1 to 12. Our upper school English program is a college-preparatory course of study. The entire program is literature-based with intensive grammar, vocabulary, and composition strands, all of which stress the writing process. Courses are: Genre Approach to Literature (9), American Literature (10), British Literature (11), and World Literature (12). Since 2007, an honors option has been available in grades 10, 11 and 12. Students have the option to take AP English Literature and Composition, Creative Writing, etc.
Taught by native speakers, the intensive, total immersion Chinese program Levels 1-12 takes students from their entry levels to the highest levels they can attain during the duration of their studies here. Chinese class is separated into regular and honor levels with major textbooks the same as those used by students in local schools.
In elementary education, basic arithmetic is learned followed by rudimentary algebra . In secondary education, course sequence is as follows: Pre-Algebra, Geometry, Algebra I, AlgebraⅡ and Trigonometry, Probability and Statistics, Analytic Geometry and Probability and Statistics, Pre-calculus, and AP courses for senior students.
The fundamentals of science are taught according to the course content standards in various subjects, such as Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and AP courses for senior students, such as AP Biology, AP Chemistry, AP Environmental Science, etc.
Social studies include basic events and concepts in history and geography of both China and the rest of the world. Courses include the followings: World Geography, US History, World History, US Government and Politics, and AP courses in specific areas for senior students.
The program varies from year to year. Courses include the followings: Art, Drama, String Orchestra, Art of Living, Psychology, Spanish, Politics etc. More course options will be available for students to choose from as with the school continues to grow.
The educational experience at IBST is enhanced by its after school program. Students have the following co-curricular activities to choose from:
Arts: Orchestra, Dancing, Guitar, Chinese Calligraphy, Jazz Piano, etc.;
Sports Clubs: Martial Arts, Table Tennis, Tennis, Badminton, Volleyball, Soccer, Basketball, etc.;
Recreational Clubs: Movies, Reading, Chess, Scouts, etc.;
Academic Clubs: Chemistry, Model United Nations, Debate, etc.
The Senior Class of 2008-2009 are the first NNKIEH students to participate in the AP program. Students have the option to take AP English Literature and Composition, AP Statistics and AP Economics. AP grades are on a 1 to 5 s
cale with 5 being the highest score attainable. Some elective and AP courses are also available online through the Virtual High School program (VHS).
Grading Scale:
| Letter Grade |
A＋ |
A |
A－ |
B＋ |
B |
B－ |
C＋ |
C |
C－ |
D＋ |
D |
D－ |
F |
| Percentage Grade |
100
~97 |
96.9
~93 |
92.9
~90 |
89.9
~87 |
86.9
~83 |
82.9
~80 |
79.9
~77 |
76.9
~73 |
72.9
~70 |
69.9
~67 |
66.9
~63 |
62.9
~60 |
59.9
~0 |
| GPA (Standard) |
4.3 |
4.0 |
3.7 |
3.3 |
3.0 |
2.7 |
2.3 |
2.0 |
1.7 |
1.3 |
1.0 |
0.7 |
0 |
| GPA (Honors) |
4.8 |
4.5 |
4.2 |
3.8 |
3.5 |
3.2 |
2.8 |
2.5 |
2.2 |
1.8 |
1.5 |
1.2 |
0 |
| GPA(AP) |
5.3 |
5.0 |
4.7 |
4.3 |
4.0 |
3.7 |
3.3 |
3.0 |
2.7 |
2.3 |
2.0 |
1.7 |
0 |
|