Secondary School

The International School of Krakow is dedicated to excellence in the intellectual and personal development of tomorrow's world citizens.

ISK’s Secondary School encompasses both the middle school (grades 6-8) and the high school (grades 9-12). 

The transition years between elementary school and high school are challenging ones, and ISK recognizes the need to guide students through this transition by providing them opportunities to express their unique creative and individual thoughts, find a balance between independence and interdependence, and provide a learning environment that meets the large variety of emotional and physical needs of middle school students.

Secondary School Handbook
Secondary School Program of Studies

More Information

Students in grades 6-8 move around a lot more during the school day, visiting many different teachers, and enjoying the opportunity to practice many different types of learning. They also aim to develop greater personal responsibility for their work, while still benefiting from the exchange of ideas and emotional growth that come from constructive, supportive small-group interactions.
Middle school is also an opportunity for students to learn more about the world, and to stretch their talents. Throughout the year, academic, athletic, dramatic and cultural events are hosted by different CEESA schools, giving ISK students exposure to different cultures and allowing them to achieve the best they can. ISK supports and encourages the participation of middle school students in these events.

Starting in 2018, each middle school class has an advisory teacher for morning and afternoon registration. In addition, there is an advisory class once a week for each grade level where students do goal-setting, learn time management and organization skills, and come together with their classmates and advisory teacher for social, emotional and academic support. This space is there to promote student advocacy and student voice and offers another layer of support to students in this transitional time.
Starting in grade 9, students earn credits for the courses they take, and over the four years of high school will accumulate a minimum of 25 credits in order to graduate with an ISK diploma. Students continue to be guided by a homeroom teacher, and although academic demands are greater, students are encouraged to continue to participate in activities which develop their potential and build a portfolio to facilitate admission to university. The service learning and CAS programs play a significant role in this process, as does the Secondary School Guidance and University Counselor.
ISK is an IB World School (please see the link to read about the IB Programme), and is also an official College Board testing center. High school students take PSAT, SAT I and SAT II exams, which assist in their university preparation. For more information about the PSAT AND SAT visit www.collegeboard.com

Frequently Asked Questions

About ISK’s secondary school program

Do you have questions?



  • chevron_rightHow does ISK encourage and report on citizenship?

    The International School of Krakow is dedicated to the development of world citizens by facilitating meaningful and structured service learning experiences as part of the whole school curriculum. As they progress from early years through elementary, middle and high schools, students develop greater civic responsibility by researching and identifying needs in both the local and world communities, planning and initiating student-centered activities and experiences, and reflecting on their learning. As they build toward the ultimate goal of creating reciprocal and sustainable service learning experiences, students will gain a deeper understanding of, and commitment to, ISK’s mission.

    Service learning is integrated into the Middle School core curriculum, so is not a separate class. In High School, service learning occurs in two courses: Service Learning and CAS.

    Each student receives feedback on citizenship standards Approach to Learning) during reporting periods.

  • chevron_rightHow are students graded?

    Each semester students in grades 6 – 12 receive comments, letter grades and number grades in order to help describe their learning growth. Numbers are used for a product grade and are meant to evaluate student work (major assignments, test, and other summative assessments). The number grades are determined from graded work as follows:

      7= 98-100%
      6= 90-97%
      5= 80-89%
      4= 70-79%
      3= 60-69%
      2= 50-59%
      1= below 50%

    Grades are cumulative throughout the year, and the final grade in June represents a summary of all work done during the academic year. Depending on the course, some or all of the summative assessments may be included in the product grade. Summative assessments also include semester exams and projects, especially in high school. These are given a greater weight and contribute to the cumulative grade.

    For all Secondary School courses, students must obtain a ‘3’ by the end of the year in order to pass the course.

  • chevron_rightWhat are the high school graduation requirements

    Each high school (grade 9-12) course taken at ISK is awarded a single credit, no matter if it meets 3, 4, 5 or 6 periods a week. (A period lasts for 40 minutes.) The exception is TOK, which earns a single credit over two years. To receive an ISK diploma, students must earn 25 credits, through a combination of core and enrichment courses. For more information, please find our Secondary School Program of Studies.

  • chevron_rightWhat kind of diploma will my child receive from ISK?

    ISK DIPLOMA
    ISK is a fully accredited school, and an ISK diploma prepares students for entry to universities in many different countries. Students must meet core and enrichment graduation requirements, as outlined in our Secondary School Program of Studies. In order to be more competitive, students are encouraged to supplement an ISK diploma with IB course certificates in any subject, including TOK, CAS and the Extended Essay.

    IB DIPLOMA
    The International School of Krakow is an IB World School and is authorized to offer the International Baccalaureate Diploma. IB World Schools share a common philosophy: a commitment to high-quality, challenging, international education. Since an IB Diploma requires more credits than an ISK diploma, students who earn an IB diploma would normally automatically receive an ISK diploma as well.

  • chevron_rightWhat are enrichment courses?

    Enrichment courses are designed to broaden and enrich a student's education and include music, drama, art, technology, and physical, health and life-skills education. Arts and technology courses in grades 9 and 10 are chosen as electives. Theory of Knowledge is a required enrichment course in grades 11 and 12. Any core courses above the minimum required in grades 11 and 12 can also be elected as enrichment courses.

    Depending on the number of interested non-IB students, electives might potentially also include other courses which are proposed by students or faculty, and which can be taught by staff members currently working at the school.

  • chevron_rightHow does a student change courses during the year?

    Once a student is committed to a course, the subject, level, and diploma type can only be changed as per the following procedure:

      A written request is made to change the course, in consultation with the student, parents, teacher, IB / Language / Learning Support Coordinator (as appropriate), and Secondary Principal. This can only occur at the start of a semester.

      At the secondary SST (Student Study Team) meetings in September and January, the IB or Language Coordinator (as appropriate) will be invited to discuss requests for high school course changes. (Requests may not necessarily be approved.)

      The Principal will contact parents to confirm course changes in writing, obtain signatures from parents, and make the appropriate changes on the school’s student information system.

      After the course change deadline has been passed (end of September for the first semester, end of January for the second semester), the student is committed to the course for the duration of the semester (high school) or quarter (middle school).

      Product grades and credits earned prior to the course change are unaffected.

  • chevron_rightWhat is the process for choosing the IB Programme and IB courses?

    Admission to the IB Diploma Programme in grade 11 is considered on an individual basis for all students. However, it is recommended that students have already earned all 18 credits by the end of grade 10, AND show product grades of 4 for subjects that they are interested in pursuing at SL, and 6 for subjects at HL. Additionally, grade 10 students who are on ILP’s or in EAL are given further guidance according to the following procedures:

      The student’s academic record, ILP / WIDA scores and teacher recommendations are reviewed at a secondary SST meeting.

      The student’s academic record, ILP / WIDA scores and teacher recommendations are reviewed at a secondary SST meeting.

      The student meets with the Learning Support and IB coordinators to discuss grade 11-course plan and accommodations available.

      There is a follow-up meeting to discuss this information with parents.

      Up-to-date psycho-ed assessments may need to be requested in some cases.

      The student then submits his or her final choice sheet, signed by the parents.

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