High school (ages 14-18 years)

ISK is an AP School.

Accreditation

The International School of Krakow is a member of the US Department of State's Office of Overseas Schools and is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges and the Council of International Schools.

Faculty and Teaching

ISK recruits the most qualified teachers possible. All teachers must hold a degree from an accredited university and more than 80% of the teachers in the high school hold a master's or doctoral degree. Teachers are committed to excellence and life-long learning, regularly participating in in-house professional development programs as well attending training with such organizations as the Central and Eastern European Schools Association, the Council of International Schools and the US Department of State's Office of Overseas Schools. Teachers utilize the latest theories and methods involving collaborative teaching practices and differentiated instruction.

Curriculum

The International School of Krakow primarily bases its curriculum on the state of Virginia's Standards of Learning with some variations to meet the needs of its international student population. ISK offers an exceptional list of courses. The Math Department offers courses from the remedial to the most complex, such as Calculus AB and Statistics. Our Science Department offers classes in Biology, Chemistry and Physics. We offer such classes as Modern World History, World Geography, Contemporary Global Issues and World History in our History Department. Our English Department offers three levels of Literature and Writing as well as Research, Public Speaking and Debate, and Yearbook.

An AP® School

The International School of Krakow also offers a variety of university-level Advanced Placement® (AP®) courses. The AP® program is run by the College Board, a not-for-profit educational organization based in the USA. Advanced Placement® courses are audited and certified by the College Board and AP Exams are 100% externally marked by a panel of educators in the USA to ensure that the courses and exams adhere to the most rigorous and objective standards. ISK is authorized to offer the following AP® courses: AP Biology, AP Chemistry, AP Physics, AP Calculus, AP Statistics, AP English Literature and Composition, AP World History, AP Studio Art Drawing, AP Studio Art 2D, AP Computer Science, AP French and AP German.

Native and Foreign Languages

One of ISK's distinguishing characteristics is that of its diverse language program. ISK offers six foreign languages at the high school level: Dutch, French, German, Polish, Spanish and (for an additional charge) Japanese. In addition to foreign languages, we also offer a unique Native Languages Program. In order to prepare students for school or university in their home country, we offer language arts courses for native speakers of French, German and Polish. The teachers of these Native Language courses utilize the national curricula of their respective countries when creating their own curricula.

An Official College Board Testing Center

The International School of Krakow is an official College Board testing center. At ISK, students may take PSAT, SAT and AP Exams. We offer the PSAT tests to 10th graders free of charge and to other high school students for a nominal charge of about $13. PSAT tests are instrumental in predicting a student's preparedness for the SAT test, which can also be taken at ISK, and is the primary testing tool used in the United States to measure a student's aptitude in English and Mathematics before entering university. In addition to being able to take the SAT at ISK, students can also take the SAT II Subject Area test in a number of subject areas. For more information about the PSAT, SAT or AP, visit www.collegeboard.com.

Extended-Day School Activities

In the spirit of collaboration, all teachers at ISK host and supervise at least one extended-day school activity. Students may choose from a variety of clubs, such as Rock Band, swimming, soccer, baseball, cross-country running, rock climbing, yoga, tutoring, and various foreign language clubs. Moreover, ISK believes that where there is a will, there is a way and is willing and able to create new clubs!

Program of Studies 2010-2011 (1.1 MB)