ISB's High School prides itself on the quality and variety of its programs, both academic and co-curricular. The HS seeks to challenge each student academically, stimulate thought, and instill a life-long reverence for knowledge. The HS has a well-established International Baccalaureate (IB) program, in addition to specialized courses, such as 3D Modeling, Jewelry, Photography, Journalism, Art, Music, Dance, and Economics.
ISB encourages all students to take classes to challenge themselves and, in some instances, to earn college credits. The IB is a demanding two-year pre-university program of studies, culminating in an internationally recognized diploma accepted by universities worldwide. Some AP Exams may be taken after completion of specific IB courses. The IB Program provides ISB students with a challenging curriculum and an opportunity to earn advanced placement and credit at universities.
Our values are highlighted by our graduation requirements. To become an ISB graduate, students complete 25 units of credit in Social Studies, Math, Science, English, Physical Education, Health, Fine Arts, Modern Languages, Electives, Community Service, Week Without Walls, and Senior Seminar.
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ISB students have a long history of contributing to the local community with a Community Service requirement of 40 hours.
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The required Thailand and Southeast Asia course gives students a greater perspective about the country and region in which they reside.
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The Week Without Walls program allows ISB students to benefit from out-of-the-classroom learning experiences on campus, in Thailand, or abroad.
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The Senior Seminar course asks students to reflect on what constitutes knowledge and the student's role as learner. ISB believes that the student who understands his/her strengths and weaknesses as a learner will be better equipped to tackle the challenges that await.
The HS places a strong emphasis on communication. Assemblies are held every Monday for informational purposes and to showcase student achievement. Communication Groups for grade-level issues meet weekly, providing an opportunity for two-way communication between students and the school. Parent-Teacher Conferences are held twice a year. The HS also communicates with parents by emailing weekly newsletters from the HS and counseling department and also through grade-level teas, HS meetings by the Parent Teacher Auxiliary, and e-mail.
While the focus of the HS is firmly on the academic development of our students, our commitment to athletics, the arts, and other activities is readily apparent in our facilities, programs, and the experiences of our graduates. Athletics, Drama, Choir, Music, Photography, Art, Creative Writing, Forensics, and Community Service are prominent features in our High School and in the daily lives of our students.
Events, such as Coffeehouse, Comedy Improv, Air Band, and Munch N Music, give promising artists opportunities to grow. Students may earn academic credit while participating in instrumental and choral concerts, dance performances, and dramatic and musical theatre productions. The Interscholastic Association of Southeast Asia Schools (IASAS) Cultural Convention provides a dynamic arena for Drama, Dance, Art, Music, Debate, and Forensics for accomplished students. In the theatre, students help run the light and sound boards. In the graphics and photography labs, students produce the HS yearbook, the International newspaper, and a literary magazine. The student body relies on its Student Council, which they elect annually, to affect change and to plan events. Students can also try out for the Model United Nations team and compete in the IASAS Conference.
ISB's athletic program includes Varsity/Junior Varsity or intramural sports and various faculty-advised, student-run clubs. ISB coaches emphasize teamwork, sportsmanship, and pride, maintaining high expectations for athletes' performances on and off the field. Varsity teams compete against Thai schools and colleges, local league teams, and IASAS teams in Taipei, Singapore, Jakarta, Manila, and Kuala Lumpur. ISB Panthers boast IASAS teams in rugby, touch rugby, soccer, volleyball, basketball, cross country, track and field, softball, badminton, swimming, and tennis. ISB caters to changing student needs, welcomes innovation, and encourages commitment through our extensive co-curricular and community activities.
A staff of five counselors and a school psychologist are available to assist students in academic scheduling, career planning, and confidential personal counseling as well as in all college admission testing including PSAT, SAT, and ACT. Incoming freshmen adjust to HS by attending an orientation with their parents and peer facilitators, followed by a 12-week orientation on time management, library services, community/school involvement, drug/alcohol abuse prevention, career inventory, and development of a four-year academic plan.
College counseling is proactive at ISB, formally beginning in the eleventh grade. ISB holds yearly College Fairs, and over 200 colleges continue to recruit at ISB throughout the year. Our Senior Transition program helps students select a college or university that is right for them and prepares them for their imminent academic, financial, and social adjustments to college life. Students can meet with their counselor individually as often as needed during the whole college and transition process.