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Upper School

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Upper School at West Sound Academy well prepares students for college and, as importantly, for lifelong learning. A safe and inclusive classroom environment allows students to develop self-knowledge, master the depth and breadth of a wide range of topics, and enhance the management of their own learning.

Recognizing that life in an increasingly interconnected world requires critical-thinking skills and a sense of international-mindedness, West Sound Academy has adopted an International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum, offering IB Diploma Programme coursework.  Students have the option of pursuing the full or partial IB Diploma Programme when conducting their course selections during the spring or summer before their Junior year. West Sound Academy is graduating its first IB Diploma Programme students in 2013. The holistic, integrated programme has gained recognition and respect from the world’s leading universities.

IB Diploma Programme curriculum ensures a breadth of experience in languages, social studies, the experimental sciences, mathematics and the arts. In addition the programme has three core requirements that are included to broaden the educational experience and challenge students to apply their knowledge and understanding:

  • The Extended Essay - Students engage in independent research through an in-depth study of a self-chosen question relating to one of the subjects they are studying.  At WSA, the Extended Essay and National History Day are often interwoven, with students choosing a research question aligned to the National History Day annual theme.
  • Theory of Knowledge is a course designed to encourage each student to reflect on the nature of knowledge by critically examining different ways of knowing (perception, emotion, language and reason) and different kinds of knowledge (scientific, artistic, mathematical and historical).
  • Creativity, Action, Service (CAS) - Students actively learn from the experience of doing real tasks beyond the classroom. These tasks have real consequences from which students can achieve genuine accomplishments and success or failure; each consequence provides a powerful means of learning.  Students in all grades participate in CAS activities at varying levels with the intention of developing measurable learning outcomes after each activity.

    • Pre-International Baccalaureate Courses offered at the 9th and 10th Grades

    Humanities – History & English
    Foreign Language – Spanish or French
    Experimental Sciences – Biology, Chemistry and Physics
    Mathematics
    Visual Art & Art History
    Other Electives – Drama, Poetry, Dance, Yearbook

    WSA Diploma & International Baccalaureate Diploma Program Courses in the 11th and 12th grades

    Students have the option of completing the full diploma as a Diploma Candidate or participating in the Diploma requirements in some of the courses as Diploma Course Students. Students may also choose not to participate in any of the external assessments of the IB program.

    Group 1 — English Literature or Self-Study in the student’s Native Tongue
    Group 2 — Second Language
    Group 3 — Individuals and Societies:  History
    Group 4 — Experimental Sciences: Biology or Chemistry
    Group 5 — Mathematics offered at three levels
    Group 6 — Visual Arts

    Additional classes

    College Counseling
    Theory of Knowledge
    Extended Essay Dedicated Time
    January Term

    See WSA Course Catalog 2012-2013.
     
    © 2013 West Sound Academy.