Guidelines for Planning a Course of Study
The possibility of choice among courses is a hallmark of American education, and this choice becomes an advantage when a student gives careful consideration to his or her longer-term goals. In presenting these course offerings, the faculty and administration intend that each student should have the chance to create a learning program appropriate to his or her interests. Putting together a meaningful academic program requires careful thought and discussion among parents, students, teachers and counselors.
Research shows that learning is enhanced when it takes place in a patterned and integrated way and over a period of time. A self-inventory might show a student that he or she needs to select a set of courses that will improve communication skills or, perhaps, to choose a sequence of courses in one field to gain increased mastery of that discipline. Young people need the opportunity to explore, to try out different ideas in a safe environment. Trying a new course can introduce new ways of seeing oneself, the world and career possibilities.
Preparation for College
Although it is difficult to generalize about the academic requirements for college entrance, it is recommended when planning for admission to a selective college for students to take a course in English, Social Studies, Science, Mathematics and Modern Language in each year of High School. In addition, competitive universities recommend that a student explore the fine arts, be technologically literate and be able to make wise decisions. Students should check with their counselors early in their High School career for specific admission requirements for universities to which they intend to apply.
Home Learning Guidelines
Each course description includes an indication of the approximate amount of time students can expect to spend preparing for each class period. The following symbol system offers a guideline that can assist students as they plan their courses of study. The range indicates the number of minutes of study typically required for a student to be sufficiently prepared for a class meeting.
| Light | fewer than 30 minutes |  |
| Moderate | 30-60 minutes | |
| Heavy | more than 60 minutes | |
Note that these amounts reflect average preparation time and may vary, sometimes widely, from student to student. Students should thus engage in a realistic assessment of their own work patterns when planning their class schedules.
Students can also expect Honors and AP courses to require significantly more home learning than other courses and should consider carefully the full range of their commitments when planning an especially rigorous course of study. In particular, students should keep in mind the projected level of their co-curricular and extracurricular commitments as they plan for the academic year.
Grading Schemes
Courses are one of two types of grading schemes: Standards-Based or Experience-Based
- Standards-Based courses are characterized by the following:
- Set of external published standards
- Clearly defined assessments
- Reporting Categories
- Measurement Topics
- Credit-bearing - Letter Grade and Proficiency Scale
- Report Card Designation: Proficiency score by reporting category and a letter grade at the semester and end of the year
- Experience-Based courses are characterized by the following:
- Set of experiences
- Assessments are more informal in nature and often include extensive reflection and are graded on the completion scale.
- Clear outcomes
- Credit-bearing - Completion
- Report Card Designation: Successful Completion or Incomplete (not part of GPA)
Recommended Courses for Students Bound for U.S. Universities
Grade 9
| Credit | Course |
|---|---|
| 2 |
Interdisciplinary Humanities I or I in Action (English/History) |
| 1 |
Mathematics (according to placement) |
| 1 |
Science (according to placement) |
| 1 |
Modern Language (according to placement) |
| 1/2 - 1 |
Performing Arts or Art & Design |
| 1/2 |
Physical Education 9 |
| 1/4 |
Spiritual Exploration 9 |
|
Grade 9 Seminar |
Grade 10
| Credit | Course |
|---|---|
| 2 |
Interdisciplinary Humanities II or II in Action (English/History) |
| 1 |
Mathematics |
| 1 |
Science |
| 1 |
Modern Language |
| 1/2 - 1 |
Performing Arts or Art & Design |
| 1/2 |
Physical Education 10 |
| 1/4 |
Spiritual Exploration 10 |
|
Grade 10 Seminar |
Grade 11
| Credit | Course |
|---|---|
| 1 |
Junior English or AP English Language & Composition |
| 1 |
Mathematics |
| 1 |
Science |
| 1 |
Modern Language |
| 1 |
Social Studies |
| 1/2 |
Performing Arts or Art & Design (may also be deferred to grade 12) |
| 1/2 |
Health |
| 1/4 |
Spiritual Exploration 11 |
| 1/2 |
Religion (may be completed in grades 11 or 12) |
|
Grade 11 Seminar |
|
| 1/2 | Physical Education (may be completed in grades 11 or 12) |
Grade 12
| Credit | Course |
|---|---|
| 1 |
Senior English: The Individual & Society, Senior English: Journeys Across Culture, Senior English: Non-Fiction, or AP English Literature & Composition |
| 1 |
Mathematics |
| 1 |
Science |
| 1 |
Modern Language |
| 1 |
Social Studies |
| 1/2 |
Performing Arts or Art & Design (if not completed in grade 11) |
| 1/4 |
Spiritual Exploration 12 |
| 1/2 |
Physical Education (if not completed in grade 11) |
| 1/2 |
Religion (if not completed in grade 11) |
|
Grade 12 Seminar |
Suggested Guidelines for Standardized Testing for College Entrance
- Grade 9
- Normally none recommended (Check with counselor for extenuating circumstances)
- Grade 10
- October: PSAT
- Grade 11
- October: PSAT
- March/May/June: SAT
- February/April/June/July: ACT
- TOEFL/IELTS – English language proficiency tests, as needed
- Grade 12
- August/October/December: SAT
- September/October/December: ACT
- TOEFL/IELTS – English language proficiency tests, as needed
- TOEFL/IELTS: One of these tests of English as a Foreign Language is required for students whose first language is not English and who have studied in the English language for fewer than five years.
- PSAT: All 10th and 11th Graders take the test in October. PSAT scores are sent only to students and their parents and the school, not to colleges. The PSAT offers practice for the SAT, and the diagnostic comments provided with the score report allow students to learn from their incorrect answers. The junior year sitting of the PSAT is also the qualifying test for the National Merit Scholarship Corporation for students who hold United States passports.
- Grades 9 and 10: Students should not take the SAT or ACT before the junior year unless there is a specific recommendation from an HKIS counselor.
- SAT is offered at HKIS for our students except in March because of Interim. Instructions for registering can be found on Dragonnet.
- ACT is hosted through the HKEAA
For further information, please contact a counselor and visit the Counseling DragonNet Site.