By Nick Yates, ISB Communications
Published on Thursday, March 13, 2025
The menu of High School courses at the International School of Beijing (ISB) is unmatched in its range, flexibility for students, and the way it provides modern learning that is both challenging and joyful. Students are browsing the new Course Guide for 2025-2026 and looking forward to some exciting opportunities next academic year.
In High School (Grades 9-12), ISB offers different routes to graduation. In Grades 11 and 12, many students choose to follow the full International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP), a challenging two-year program recognized by universities worldwide. Others select a mix of Advanced Placement (AP) and High School courses to fit their goals. This flexibility provides a best fit for individual students and sets them up for success whatever direction they choose.
The range of academic subjects and projects that students can take on is huge: languages, literature, economics, math, science, visual and performing arts, design, PE… or interdisciplinary courses combining academic disciplines. There are options for students to pursue independent study or dive deep into their own interests in the Passion Project and Impact Project courses. And so much more!
ISB adapts its programs to meet student needs. The school regularly updates its courses based on research and what the science says about how children learn most effectively. Faculty and school leaders also consider community feedback in this process.
There were exciting additions to the High School Course Guide for the current 2024-2025 school year, and there are more new courses for 2025-2026. Here’s a look at some of the new options, plus some popular, more established High School courses. This is a small sample rather than a full list! For all the courses, see the Course Guide.
New for 2024-2025
Challenging science subjects for Grade 10
In this middle year of High School, students can take Biology 2, Chemistry 2, and Physics 2 to strengthen their science skills and prepare for more advanced, specialist studies in biology, chemistry, and physics.
Science 10 is a course combining biology, chemistry, and physics.
More IB options
IB Business Management, IB French Ab Initio, and IB Design Technology added more options to the courses students can take under the IBDP. And ISB will continue to consider more such additions in future.
New for 2025-2026
Advanced math options
ISB has adjusted its math courses to offer more challenge, including for younger High School students. New courses like AP Statistics and AP Precalculus provide advanced learning opportunities in mathematics.
Other popular courses
Engineering
Engineering courses (Grades 9-12) teach key engineering concepts, skills, and design thinking.
The Passion Project
A semester-long course that lets students (Grades 9-12) work on independent projects based on their interests. They will be guided by a teacher-advisor to help them stay on track.
Action Research
An interdisciplinary social studies course in which Grade 10 students get to apply their skills to helping a community outside of school. For Action Research, ISB partners with a village in Cambodia. The course involves academic research, writing, presenting, and analysis, and students spend time doing fieldwork in the Cambodian village.