Introduction
Many families who send their children to International Community Schools (ICS) in Singapore feel confused about the pace of classes, the amount of assignments, and the difficulty of tests as they progress to middle school and high school. Especially in the school year when advanced courses such as Honors and Advanced Placement (AP) begin, you may be worried about whether you will be able to keep up at this pace.
In this article, we will summarize the characteristics of the ICS curriculum and the learning content required in the upper grades based on information from the official website. We will not only introduce the school, but also explain the problems that parents of current students often have.
What is International Community School (ICS)?
Background of establishment and educational philosophy
ICS was founded in 1993 as “Christian International School”. Initially starting with fewer than 20 students and two teachers, the school has grown to more than 330 students from approximately 25 countries. The school’s vision is “to enable all children to discover, develop, and put into practice their purpose intellectually, emotionally, physically, socially, and spiritually,” and is unique in that it provides education based on a Biblical worldview. This educational policy is one of the important pieces of information you should know when considering school selection.
ICS is accredited by WASC (Western Association of Schools and Colleges) and ACSI (Association of Christian Schools International) and is also recognized by EduTrust in Singapore. We are also a member of NICS (Network of International Christian Schools).
School classification and campus overview
ICS covers grades K4 to Grade 12 and is divided into three levels: Elementary School, Middle School, and High School. The campus is located at 27A Jubilee Road (128575 Singapore). The student-to-teacher ratio at the Middle School is 8:1 and at the High School is 6:1, and one of the features of the school is that you can learn in a relatively small environment.
Curriculum for upper grades (Middle School/High School)
Middle School（Grade 6〜8）
Based on an American-style curriculum based on Common Core Standards, we offer a wide range of learning opportunities, including electives and design technology programs. The official website positions this period as a stage that emphasizes “inquiry and deeper learning,” and is a time for building the foundation for learning after high school.
High School (Grades 9-12): Honors and Advanced Placement (AP)
Both Honors and Advanced Placement (AP) courses will be available for selection. ICS requires students taking AP courses to take the appropriate AP exam at the end of the school year. Students in grades 10-11 are also required to take the PSAT (Pre-University Aptitude Test).
The official website also states that upon graduation, students are required to complete a research paper (research project). Please note that some details of the system design, such as the specific number of subjects offered in Honors/AP and how they are weighted to GPA, are not specified on the official website, so we recommend checking directly with the school for accurate information.
Learning required for each grade
What is required during the Middle School period
In Grades 6 to 8, the content of each subject gradually becomes more specialized, and students are encouraged to expand their own interests through elective subjects. Learning how to take notes, manage assignments, and acquire basic skills in reading and writing during this period will form the foundation for learning in high school and beyond.
What is required during the high school period
From Grade 9 onwards, the demands on students suddenly increase, such as selecting Honors/AP courses, preparing for the PSAT, and creating study plans with university admission in mind. In particular, since taking the AP exam is a prerequisite, it is necessary not only to keep up with the classes, but also to accumulate learning in anticipation of the actual exam.
Points that become more difficult as the grade increases
As students move from middle school to high school, the level of abstraction of the subjects increases, and the amount of assignments and essays required also increases. Furthermore, as the grades in high school increase, the proportion of advanced courses such as Honors and AP increases, and the time required for home study and the ability to make and carry out plans on your own are required. In particular, the fact that it is mandatory to take the AP exam can be said to be a point where students need to be more conscious of “finishing it before the actual exam”, even compared to cases where other schools have an AP elective system.
Possible reasons for poor performance
The reason why students’ grades are sluggish is that their learning methods often do not keep up with the speed of classes and the amount of work they do as the grades progress. For example, up to Middle School, you may be evaluated by completing the submitted material, but in High School Honors/AP, the ability to understand the content on your own and respond to the exam format becomes more important. Additionally, for students whose first language is not English, it is easy to get lower scores on essay-style tests and reports, even if they are able to understand the content but express themselves poorly.
Things to keep in mind when studying at home and preparing for exams
When studying at home, it is important not only to complete daily homework, but also to take time regularly to reflect on which units are not being firmly established. For subjects such as AP exams, which are a prerequisite for taking the exam, it is effective not only to prepare for the exam at the last minute, but also to study in a planned manner starting early in the school year. Also, in situations where you need to respond to standardized tests such as the PSAT, it is important to become familiar with the question format.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Q. Does ICS also offer IB programs?+
A. As far as I can confirm on the official website, ICS offers Honors/Advanced Placement (AP) programs based on the American curriculum. I can’t find any information about the IB program on the official website at this time.
Q. Where is the boundary between Middle School and High School?+
A. In ICS, grades 6 to 8 are considered middle school, and grades 9 to 12 are considered high school.
Q. Is the AP exam optional?+
A. According to the official website, students who have taken an AP course are generally required to take the corresponding AP exam.
Q. Is there any support for going to university?+
A. The official website informs you that Academic Counseling services are available. Please contact the school directly for specific details.
If you have any concerns about ICS classes or AP preparation, please contact WAM.
So far, we have introduced the ICS curriculum and the learning required in the upper grades. In reality, there are many families who have concerns that are difficult to resolve with school information alone, such as “I’m worried about whether I’m keeping up with the progress of classes,” “I’m not sure whether to choose Honors or AP,” and “I don’t know where to start in preparation for the AP exam.”
At WAM, we provide individualized instruction tailored to the school, grade, and subject you are having trouble with. First, you can check your current grades and assignments, then create a study plan based on how to deal with school classes, homework, and tests, and if necessary, you can go back and re-study areas that you are weak in. We can also consult with you regarding support for advanced courses such as AP preparation, depending on each student’s situation.
Free study consultation information
If you are worried about studying at ICS, why not start by sorting out the current situation?
*WAM is not an affiliated school or affiliated school with any of the schools introduced in this article.