Accreditation & Standards
The International School of Busan is committed to providing a high quality education with internationally recognised standards . Such goals are not easy to achieve; it requires a curriculum that brings together the best of educational pedagogy from around the world; it takes consistent monitoring to ensure continuous development and it requires a dedicated and qualified teaching staff.
Here are some of the ways that the International School of Busan strives to achieve its goals:
Council of International Schools
How can parents be sure that the school where they will be sending their children reaches recognised standards? Perhaps some of the most stringent standards are set by the Council of International Schools. As the oldest and largest school-accrediting organisation in the world, CIS is committed to guiding schools towards educational excellence. They ensure that these standards are attained in all areas of a school’s operations and that the school is committed to on-going future development and progress. The International School of Busan is the only school in Korea to be accredited through CIS.
Western Association of Schools and Colleges
In order that parents from all over the world can recognise the level of accreditation achieved at ISB, the school has become the first in Korea to be awarded joint accreditation through both CIS and WASC (Western Association of Schools and Colleges). ISB is proud of this achievement and will continue to ensure that students at the school are provided with the best possible opportunities for success.
International Baccalaureate Organisation
In the Early Learning Centre and Elementary School, the curriculum follows the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme. The school is one of only two in Korea to be authorised to offer the PYP. “The Primary Years Programme (PYP) is designed for students between the ages of 3 and 12 years. It is an international, transdisciplinary programme designed to foster the development of the whole child, not just in the classroom but also through other means of learning. The PYP focuses on the total growth of the developing child, touching hearts as well as minds and encompassing social, physical, emotional and cultural needs in addition to academic welfare. “The PYP combines the best research and practice from a range of national systems with a wealth of knowledge and experience from international schools to create a relevant and engaging educational framework for all children” (IBO: The PYP Guide to Schools). It is important to develop children’s abilities to ask questions and take ownership of their learning and so the PYP is an inquiry based programme. This means that the children are learning, not simply from a text book, but by meaningful discussion, questioning, research and experimentation. It is ‘structured, purposeful inquiry’. All the activities are carefully planned and considered to ensure that they lead towards fulfilling the necessary outcomes of academic depth, transdisciplinary skills and student self-development. Teachers dedicate a lot of time and effort to ensure that the Units of Inquiry and the methods of teaching and learning are stimulating and meaningful.
ISB has also achieved authorisation to offer the prestigious IB Diploma Programme for Grades 11 and 12. It is recognised by universities around the world and studies in the US, UK and Australia have all shown it to be probably the best preparation for university success. Students must study six subjects, with three being at Higher Level and three at Standard Level. In addition, they must also submit a 4,000 word extended essay and complete the Theory of Knowledge course along with the CAS (Creativity, Action, Service) programme. It is a very challenging course of study that expects alot of the students. ISB offers a wide range of subjects at both of the levels.
ISB is also beginning its progress towards offering the IB Middle Years Programme for Grades 6-10 to work alongside its current external examinations. One of the main tenants of the MYP is that earning should be relevant to real-world problems and that although subjects are divided into their different disciplines, there must be the opportunity for students to understand the interconnectivity of the subjects so that students will learn to see knowledge as an interrelated whole. By following the framework and methodology of the MYP, the school can ensure a smooth transition from the Elementary School into the Middle School and then from there into the demands of the High School.
University of Cambridge International Examinations
At the start of Grade 6, students enter the Middle School. This is a major milestone in their educational career as it is the start of their progress towards the sitting of the IGCSE (International General Certificate in Secondary Education) in Grade 10. This is preceded by the ‘Checkpoint’ examinations in Grade 8, which are indicators of their midpoint progress and potential achievement levels. Both these examinations are set by the Cambridge International Examination Centre, a department of the University of Cambridge, England. They are the largest providers of international examinations in the world, with global recognition of their awards and qualifications.
Australian Council for Educational Research
As part of the worldwide international community, it is important that, at all times in a student’s career, we can ensure they are able to transfer to any other school around the world. Also, we need to be able to compare the progress of ISB students with students in other international schools. To help us do that, the International Schools’ Assessment (ISA) tests are used. Designed by the Australian Council of Educational Research and based upon the OECD’s (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) Programme for International Student Assessment. They are specifically designed with an international focus for students from diverse cultural backgrounds. With wide acceptance and use throughout the high standards of the international school world, the ISA tests enable ISB students and their parents to have confidence in the school’s quality programme.
In order to be sure that our students are able to proceed to the university of their choice, students have the opportunity to take the PSAT and SAT tests usually taken in Grades 11 and 12. These tests are widely accepted throughout the US with over 2 million students sitting the tests each year. With tests in English, mathematics, science, history and languages (including Korean), they will ensure a full coverage of qualification requirements for all ISB students.
For further information on these or any other issues connected with the educational programme at ISB, please feel free to contact the school or the Principal at any time. We are proud to have been serving the international community of Busan since 1983.