Our school's motto is a notable phrase of Soong Ching Ling's: “Give children the most valuable things.” The phrase is invoked often and guides our professional discussions. The phrase also helps us create the optimal environment for learning: loving, encouraging, challenging and rigorous. Our students are cared for and offered nearly countless opportunities to achieve through our academic and extracurricular programs. We have already gained approval as an AP and SAT test center from the College Board; this benefit means that our students take these high-stakes exams on campus without the need to travel elsewhere.
Our student to faculty ratio is 6:1 which means that we know our students extremely well. The constant interaction between students and teachers in homerooms, classrooms, playing fields, and hallways ensures that students feel cared for and known. For adolescents, this nurturing environment is a safe place to make mistakes and to learn, to try something new and to grow.
We expect our students to work hard and to reach and exceed their potential. This kind of achievement may be academic, but it may emerge in other areas as well, something we would be equally proud of. Our students do very well, for example, in international Mathematics competitions, but we are also proud of the student who joined a 41 day cross-country bicycle road trip in the United States, the only Chinese student in the group; or of the student who was elected the primary Master of Ceremonies for a 400-student speech and debate tournament.
Being the language of instruction (with the exception of world languages and Chinese), English courses represents a cornerstone of of the SCLS program. Students are provided with a wide range of both literary experiences and authentic opportunities for academic practice. As they move through the program, students will be exposed to a variety of texts, from fiction and mythology, to academic articles and novels. Their writing skills will be developed, learning to compose thoughtful personal narratives to thoroughly-researched argumentative essays. In the process, students learn to ask critical questions, openly discuss difficult topics, and engage in collaborative group processes. Through active practice of these skills, students are provided a foundation that will enable growth across the curriculum.
At SCLS, social studies is more than just history; it is a study of both people and society around us. Staring in grade 6, students start their career by participating in a special program called Global Scholars, where they digitally collaborate with students from around the world. In grade 7, students learn more about the complex social ecosystems that affect everyone through a unique human geography course. In grade 8, students learn the value of independent research, authentic document analysis, and evidenced-based writing through History in Perspective. Once in high school, students continue through a two-year world history course before being offered a plethora of electives, with AP options like psychology and economics as well.
From being able to understand complex ideas to the nurturing of academic curiosity and exploration, science and science education are important to lives of students all around the world. More than just knowledge, science should revolve around both the acquisition of content as well as the development of key skills like collaboration, problem solving, and inquiry. Aligned with the rigorous NGSS standards, SCLS science courses are focused on just that: coupling academic content with hands-on learning. No matter students' future aims, they will be provided with an experience that is both academically advanced as well as enjoyable. Students spend their middle school years receiving foundational courses in physics, chemistry, earth science and biology. Once in high school, the rigor begins to accelerate as they take more advanced coursework, while also having the option of AP Chemistry, Physics, and more.
A core curricular value at SCLS is a holistic view of education. The Arts department is one of the ways we accomplish this vision, by providing students a variety of courses that allow them to explore their inner creativity and artistic talent. This journey begins in grade 6, students spend the year experiencing a rotation of classes from the Arts, with each lasting half of a semester. By the end of the year, they will have had the opportunity to explore what interests them. In 7th grade, they can commit the entire year to the Arts class of their choice, which include theatre, choir, visual arts and string orchestra. Students can change their preferred arts each year or continue to specialize as they move into high school.
An important distinction between our curriculum and others is our focus on languages and language development. Starting in grade 6, all students select an additional language, currently either French or Spanish. These courses are all taught with the expectation the students have received no prior knowledge of the language. From there, students receive three years of their world language instruction in middle school, and an additional two in high school. Eventually, students will be able to take an AP course in their chosen language. While this is entirely optional, it will allow them to complete the language requirement of the AP International Diploma.
More than just memorization of formulas, a high-quality math curriculum involves deeper understanding, application of ideas, and justifying answers. At SCLS, our math program aims to accomplish just that. Based on accelerated American math standards, students take pre-algebra in grade 6 before progressing through algebra and geometry on the way to high school. Once there, they will take pre-calculus and have the option of adding Advanced Placement courses like AP Calculus AB, Calculus BC, and Statistics. Throughout this progression, students will have abundant opportunities to ask questions, test ideas, and develop strategies on the way to a more comprehensive understanding.
Healthiness is more than just the body. It is a constant evaluation of one's emotional, social, and physical wellbeing. At SCLS, students have the opportunity to learn about all three through our PE and Health program. Each year, students take coursework designed to regularly challenge them as well as provide opportunity to reflect on their decisions, both internally and externally, in order to be a healthy, well-informed student. Through PE class, they learn valuable risk prevention skills while participating in healthy competition. Through health class, they study a wide range of topics related to socio-emotional issues and self-management. Both PE and health are taught in tandem, ensuring students receive age-appropriate information and skill development each year in both areas.
Another core element in our language focus, Chinese at SCLS is divided into both native-speaker and additional language tracks. Classes for native speakers are based on national curriculum standards for both middle and high school. These are designed to promote literary comprehension and complex written analysis. The additional language curriculum, however, is created for those with little or no background in the language. Focusing on both receptive (listening and reading) and production (writing and speaking) skills, students will progress towards the goal of complete fluency. Eventually, these students will have the opportunity to take AP Chinese in high school, or merge into the native-speaker track.
The International Division organizes and supports students' participation in major international competitions such as AMC, Waterloo Math, Math League, IMMC, USAD, Battle of Book, National History Day as well as contests in robotics, speech and debate. Our students won the world's top 2%, first prize and other outstanding awards in those well-known international competitions.
Middle School and High School of International Division have almost 20 Extra-Curricular Activities can be chosen in the fields of academic, sports and arts like drama, choir, photography, orchestral music, floor ball, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, frisbee, paper crafts, Battle of Book, robotics, debate, meditation, calligraphy, etc. Students can choose according to their own interests and hobbies.
Teaching subject
Basic chemistry, biology, AP biology, project-based subject courses
Teaching subject
Basic chemistry, biology, AP biology, project-based subject courses
