Curriculum

Curriculum Image

Parents and students are offered a choice in terms of academic study, an approach which sets the International School of Western Australia apart from the majority of schools in the state.

Both the Advanced Placement (AP) curriculum and the recently-introduced International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma program offer students the opportunity to pursue an internationally-recognised path of study.

The International School of Western Australia is the only school in Australia to offer the AP program – a rigorous program of credit for university-level studies pursued at high school level. More than 300 world-class universities internationally accept AP grades in their admission process, including a number of Perth universities.

Secondary students in years 11 and 12 have the option of undertaking the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma - a two-year pre-university course designed to enhance the mobility of students between different education systems and to promote international understanding. The program, designed for highly-motivated secondary school students aged 16 to 19, features a criterion referenced grading system which means each student’s performance is measured against well-defined levels of achievement.

Based in Switzerland, the IB program began in the late 1960s and now more than 1,500 schools around the world participate in the program. Results and feedback show the program to be academically rigorous, producing graduates that are well-prepared for entry to a host of university courses around the globe.

Both courses of study equip students for further schooling - or tertiary study - around the world.

The International School of Western Australia follows a Northern Hemisphere academic calendar with the school year beginning in late July/early August and finishing in early June. The school year is broken up into four terms.

Standardised testing to international norms begins in year 3, ensuring an easy transfer to the next step in the education process.

The International School of Western Australia’s academic curriculum has been researched and adapted from a variety of the best curricula practices from around the world. Because of its low student/teacher ratio, teachers are able to provide an individual learning plan for each child, as well as personal supervision.

The International School of Western Australia also has “English as a Second or Other Language” (ESOL) support throughout the school. In addition to subject-based learning, the International School of Western Australia incorporates Expected School-wide Learning Results (ESLRs) into all
subject areas – encouraging students to be productive and socially aware.