NIS is an International Baccalaureate World School, which delivers its curriculum in the English Language.  This means that we are authorised to offer the three programmes of the International Baccalaureate Organisation (IBO). Details of these programmes can be viewed on www.ibo.org

NIS offer the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) for children age 3 to 10. We offer the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) for students age 11 to 16. We offer the IB Diploma Programme (DP) for students age 16, 17 and 18. For students whose first language is not English, we have a large ESL (English as a Second language) Department. The purpose of ESL is to enable students to participate as fully and as quickly as possible in the mainstream curriculum.

IBPYP

This is an inquiry-based programme which covers the regular primary curriculum: Number/Mathematics, Language, Science, Technology, Humanities (Social Studies), Physical Education, Performing Arts, Visual Sts. Mandarin is taught as a foreign language, additionally. The curriculum is delivered in an integrated way, and is not taught as discrete subjects, with in the PY, with some exceptions: Physical Education and Mandarin always, and sometimes Information Technology, Performing Arts, and Visual Arts.

The maximum class size for PYP classes is 20. All classes have one main class teacher, and a teaching assistant. Please see the PYP Handbook for further detail.

IBMYP

This is a holistic programme of which the components are Language A (first language), Language B (foreign language), Mathematics, Science, Humanities (Social Studies), Arts, Physical Education, and Technology. The subjects, taught discretely,  are linked by the driving strands of Health and Social Education, homo faber (creativity), Approaches to Learning (inquiry and learning styles), Environment, Community and Service. The MYP is characterized by an interdisciplinary approach underpinned by academic rigour. MYP students can choose to have their work externally assessed, for certification, at age 16. Please see the MYP Handbook for further information.

The maximum class size for MYP is 20.

IBDP

This programme is academically demanding, and covers Language A (first language), Language B (foreign language), Mathematics, Science, Humanities (Social Studies), and one elective. Students take three subjects at Standard Level, and three subjects at Higher Level. IB Diploma students must also complete an extended essay based on original research, complete a course in Theory of Knowledge, and complete a programme of Creativity, Action and Service (CAS) in order to receive the IB Diploma. Assessment is by a combination of continuous assessments and final examinations, which are taken at the end of Grade 12, in May. All assessment is externally moderated. Please see the Diploma Handbook for further information.

The maximum class size for IBDP is 15.

Other Examinations and Tests

NIS is a centre for SAT, TOEFL and IELTS tests for university entrance.

Student Services

NIS employs a full-time Special Education teacher for students with learning difficulties, and for those students with gifted and talented needs. This teacher establishes the type of support a student needs by application of specialized tests.

We also employ a full-time counselor who offers counseling and other psychological support to students, as well as advising parents on a range of issues from general parenting to adolescence. The counselor is responsible for helping students with university applications.

Sports and Activities

In addition to the regular Physical Education Curriculum, delivered in regular school time, NIS students participate in sports activities (see Activities Programme below) after school and at weekends sometimes. NIS sends teams to competitions in the CISSA league (based in Shanghai), and ACAMIS (Association of China and Mongolia International Schools) competitions based in Nanjing and other cities around China.

There is a regular after-school activities programme, which offers a range of sporting, cultural and creative recreational activities for students. This is an optional programme.

Transferability

Many parents and students new to international schools worry about returning to their home country. The purpose of our school is to enable children from any countries to continue to study, and to prepare them for return to their home country. Our curriculum is compatible with that of most countries in the world. It is clearly western in style. Although sometimes there is a mismatch in subject content, when compared with the home country, there is never a mismatch in subject-specific skills developed. Our research shows NIS students generally reintegrate without problems into the home country education system.