Upper School

IB students are more likely to: enroll in top tier universities; receive honors degrees or awards, in most subject areas; continue on to further studies; and be employed in graduate level positions and higher paid occupations.

(Higher Education Statistics Agency in the UK, 2011)

Upper School (Grades 7 - 12)

  • MYP Program

    International Baccalaureate (IB) Middle Years Program (Grade 7 – 10)

    All students in Grades 7 - 10 at Mission Hills International School will be fully immersed in the IB Middle Years Program. The MYP provides a framework of learning that encourages students to become creative, critical and reflective thinkers. The MYP emphasises intellectual challenge, encouraging students to make connections between their studies in traditional subjects and the real world. It fosters the development of skills for communication, intercultural understanding and global engagement - essential qualities for young people who are becoming global leaders.

    The MYP Approaches To Learning skills (ATL) focus on the process of learning, helping students to become confident, independent, self-managed learners for life. Teachers teach skills explicitly, and students have structured opportunities to practise them.

    Upon entry into the Upper School the balance of English to Chinese instruction is shifted in favour of English with the introduction of the International Baccalaureate's Middle Years (MYP). In Grade 7 and 8 the model supports Chinese to English in a 30/70 proportion and in Grade 9 and 10 Chinese Language and Literature is taught as one of the required subject areas and as part of a dual language humanities course.

    The IB Middle Years Program consists of 8 subject groups:

    • Language and Literature (English or Chinese)
    • Language acquisition (English or Chinese)
    • Mathematics
    • Sciences (Physics, Chemistry, Biology)
    • Individuals and Societies (History, Geography, Political Science)
    • Arts (Music, Visual Arts, Drama)
    • Physical and Health Education
    • Design Technology

    Curriculum content under the compulsory Chinese junior high secondary education (grades 7, 8 and 9) would also be integrated into the MYP years of grades 7, 8 and 9; thus enabling Chinese national students to take the Graduation Examination of Junior High School and receive a Certificate of Graduation.

  • DP Program

    International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program (Grade 11 – 12)

    The IB Diploma Program (DP) is a rigorous and well-rounded two-year university preparatory program for students in Grades 11 and 12. The program has gained recognition and respect from the world's leading universities.

    The Diploma Program is exceptionally strong in the areas of key cognitive strategies including problem solving, critical thinking, analysis, research, and writing skills. The curriculum meets or exceeds the standards for key content knowledge required by highly selective universities. The program also encourages the development of the attitudes and habits of mind that encourage emotional maturity, responsibility, interpersonal skills and international mindedness.

  • DP Courses

    Diploma Program students must choose one course from each of five groups (1 to 5) and may choose either an Arts course from group 6, or a second course from groups 1 to 5. Three subjects are taken at Higher Level (240 teaching hours) and three are taken at Standard Level (150 teaching hours).

    Group 1: Studies in Language and Literature (Chinese or English)

    Group 2: Language Acquisition (Chinese or English or Ab Initio French, Spanish)

    Group 3: Individuals and Societies (Business and Management, Economics, Geography, History, Information Technology, Psychology)

    Group 4: Sciences (Biology, Computer Science, Chemistry, Physics, Environmental Systems and Sciences, Sports Exercise and Health Science)

    Group 5: Mathematics (Mathematics HL, Mathematics SL, Math Studies)

    Group 6: The Arts (Dance, Music, Film, Theatre, Visual Arts)

    There are three additional compulsory requirements to the DP known as the Core Elements. These are:

    The Extended Essay asks students to engage in independent research through an in-depth study of a question relating to one of the DP subjects they are studying. The world studies extended essay option allows students to focus on a topic of global significance, which they examine through the lens of at least two DP subjects.

    Theory of Knowledge develops a coherent approach to learning that unifies the academic disciplines. In this course on critical thinking, students inquire into the nature of knowing and deepen their understanding of knowledge as a human construction.

    Creativity, Action, Service (CAS) involves students in a range of activities alongside their academic studies throughout the Diploma Program. Creativity encourages students to engage in the arts and creative thinking. Action seeks to develop a healthy lifestyle through physical activity. Service with the community offers a vehicle for a new learning with academic value.