High School

Curriculum

The curriculum of SMIC-I’s high school (Grades 9 to 12) is…

At SMIC, students learn through a US-based curriculum supported by clearly defined academic standards. We use a blend of proven teaching practices from both Eastern and Western education models, creating a balanced approach. Our learning environment is student-centered, promoting strong academic achievement along with physical, social, and emotional development. Guided by research-based standards across K-12, we tailor instruction and resources to nurture the individual strengths, backgrounds, and needs of every learner at our school.

Our curriculum is designed to give students a strong, well-rounded education in the liberal arts and natural sciences, supported by electives and physical education. Together, these experiences prepare students to become motivated learners, thoughtful and responsible persons of character, healthy individuals, and engaged global citizens.

Our classes are limited in size, with no more than 30 students per class to support personal attention and meaningful connections. This allows teachers to understand each student’s needs and build supportive learning relationships.

For detailed course offerings, please see our Course of Study. ( No change in HS Course of Study)

Students in grades 9–12 must complete 23.5 credits across five core subjects: English, math, science, social studies and a choice of taking Chinese, Spanish or French. The school provides access to several advanced courses and 25+ Advanced Placement courses across a wide range of academic disciplines. High school students may select additional electives based on their interests, and all students are required to take a health course, at least one visual or performing arts course, one technology course, and complete 100 hours of community service for graduation.

AP PROGRAM

Advanced Placement (AP) courses are offered to students who are qualified to study advanced material at an accelerated pace. AP exam results of a 3, 4, or 5, in some cases, may lead to a student earning college course credit at selected universities or being exempted from taking certain required university courses. All SMIC courses with the AP designation have been officially approved by the College Board Audit Review to establish official AP status.

All AP courses have prerequisites and most courses require an entrance exam. Placement is determined based on a student’s proven ability to perform above the regular course average; demonstrated positive and eager learning attitudes, while upholding academic honor, demonstrating strong interest in the subject area, and problem-solving abilities, or having strong scores on the MAP test. Students who enroll in an AP course are required to take the AP exam in May.

In 2020, a total of 453 Advanced Placement examinations were taken by SMIC students, with 95.8% of results being scored 3 or higher with 3 being the minimum passing score.

AP Courses Offered at SMIC:

AP Art and Design
AP Biology
AP Calculus AB
AP Calculus BC
AP Chemistry
AP Chinese Language & Culture
AP Computer Science A
AP Computer Science Principles
AP English Language & Composition
AP English Literature & Composition
AP Environmental Science
AP European History
AP French Language and Culture
AP Macroeconomics
AP Physics I
AP Physics II
AP Psychology
AP Seminar
AP Spanish Language and Culture
AP Statistics
AP US History
AP World History
AP Research

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

Because SMIC is based on an American-style curriculum, credits for graduation are earned from Grade 9 through Grade 12. The school operates under a semester system and credits are earned by semester; usually 1/2 credit is earned for successfully completing each semester in a course.

SMIC requires each student to earn four credits in English (language arts and literature) and three credits in each of the following: foreign language, social studies, math, and science. Each student also needs one credit in the following: physical education, visual and performing arts, technology, co-curricular studies and life skills, for a total of 23 credits. Starting with class of 2022, students are required to have 0.5 credits for health as well making it to 23.5 credits in order to graduate. Furthermore, students must earn 100 hours of community service. Please see our Course of Study for full descriptions and further information.

ENGLISH (4 CREDITS)

Grade 9: Foundations of Western Literature or Foundations of Western Literature Accelerated
Grade 10: Major Works of World Literature or Major Works of World Literature Accelerated
Grade 11: Survey of American Literature or AP English Language and Composition
Grade 12: Survey of British Literature or AP English Literature and Composition

SOCIAL STUDIES (3 CREDITS)

Grade 9: The Early Modern World
Grade 10: The Modern World: 1900 – Present OR AP World History
Grade 11: United States History or AP United States History

Electives:

AP European History
AP Economics
AP Seminar
AP Research
AP Psychology
Applied Business & Entrepreneurship

MATH (3 CREDITS)

Three credits of Math are required with all students completing Algebra II at a minimum.

Grade 9: Axiomatic Geometry or Accelerated Axiomatic Geometry or High School Mathematics I
Grade 10: Algebra II with Trigonometry or Accelerated Algebra II with Trigonometry or High School Mathematics II
Grade 11: Pre-Calculus or Honors Pre-Calculus or Algebra II

Electives:

AP Calculus AB
AP Calculus BC
AP Statistics
Introduction to Statistics

SCIENCE (3 CREDITS)

Grade 9: Biology
Grade 10: Chemistry

Electives:

Grade 11 or 12: Choose one additional science from the following-
AP Biology
AP Environmental Science
AP Chemistry
AP Physics I
AP Physics II
Physics
Introduction to Kinesiology

FOREIGN LANGUAGE (3 CREDITS)

Three credits of foreign language are required based on the student’s ability level. Students may choose from the following:

Chinese
Elementary, Intermediate, or Upper Chinese (placed by ability level)
AP Chinese Language and Culture
Chinese Cultural Traditions and Values
Chinese Performing Arts
Studying Chinese Through Multimedia
Chinese Literature
Business Chinese
Advanced Business Chinese

Spanish
Spanish I, II or III
AP Spanish

French
French I, II, or III
AP French

PHYSICAL EDUCATION (1 CREDIT)

Students attend PE twice a week therefore earning 1/2 credit each year for grades 9 and 10.

Grade 9: Physical Education
Principles of Personal Health
Grade 10: Physical Education

Electives:

Introduction to Kinesiology (science credit)

HEALTH (0.5 CREDIT)

Starting with the class of 2022, students are required to have 0.5 credits of health in order to graduate. Students who successfully complete this course will be able to understand the functioning of their bodies and the importance of making wise decision to protect their health and well-being – all of which help make students healthy individuals.

LIFE SKILLS (1 CREDIT)

Students at every grade level attend Life Skills once a week therefore earning 1/4 credit each year for grades 9-12.

These classes provide help to students in dealing with situations that they will encounter in their lives and includes topics such as personality, sexuality, personal relations, organizational skills, coping with bullies, and planning for standardized tests and university.

VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS (1 CREDIT)

Students may choose from the following:

Art & Creativity
3D Art (Not Offered in 2021-22)
Media Arts
AP Art and Design
Chamber Orchestra
Vocal Band
Theater Arts Fundamentals
Advanced Theater Arts
Directing and Acting for Theater
Advanced Directing and Acting for Theater

TECHNOLOGY (1 CREDIT)

Students may choose from the following:

Design Technology
Technology Exploration
Video Production
Yearbook Design I, II, III, IV
Introduction to Computer Science
Broadcast Journalism
AP Computer Science A
AP Computer Science Principles

CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITY (1 CREDIT)

Students must earn one activity credit by participating in extra-curricular activities such as club, sports and other school activities that take place outside the normal school day.
The Athletic Director, Academic Affairs Director, Student Affairs Director, and Counseling Office can all be consulted for specific requirements and awarding credits.

ADDITIONAL ELECTIVES (2 CREDITS)

Students must earn two credits beyond the required credits and may choose from any of the available courses which have not been previously taken to meet departmental requirements.

COMMUNITY SERVICE (100 HOURS)

Students are expected to do some form of community hours (prior approval required) during their high school years (grades 9-12). The school offers an abundance of opportunities for students to serve. Our Student Affairs office can be consulted for community service opportunities and approvals. This requirement is pro-rated for students entering SMIC after grade 9.

STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT & ASSESSMENT

We have a well-deserved reputation of being a very strong academic school. The results bear themselves out. Our students’ achievement on standardized testing speaks for itself. •AP results are among the very best in the world (in 19 subject areas tested in 2015-2016); 98% of AP tests taken at SMIC scored a 3 or higher, and 63% of tests scored a 5 (the highest result). Of publicly published AP results, SMIC’s are the strongest in Shanghai.

Our SAT results are exceedingly strong as well for all students at SMIC, whether those who excel or those who face . Our students in the lowest quartile outscore the average worldwide SAT score in the 75 .
Students in grades 1 8 the MAP standardized test each year. By 7 8 , our average students’ scores are in the 11 plus level in each subject area of reading, language arts, science and math.
Since 2006, 100% of our graduates have either been accepted into college or have chosen to fulfill armed requirements in their home countries.
Through a well developed curriculum, based on American standards (Common Core, AERO, NGSS, UCLA, and Shanghai), our school has customized a unique selection of courses to help equip students for future academic success in colleges worldwide.
By high school, students have over 50 clubs and 9 sports with which to be involved.