Education Structure of the High School Program GEMS AKNS 2013-2014 September 3 rd 2013.

Education Structure of the High School Program

GEMS AKNS

2013-2014September 3rd 2013

International Accreditation and Affiliation

1. NCA CASI International Accreditation GEMS Al Khaleej National School meets all the accreditation requirements of and is unconditionally accredited by North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement (NCA CASI). NCA CASI is a highly prestigious accreditation body which is recognized worldwide for its high standards of excellence in education. NCA CASI and AdvancED promote quality schools and continuous improvement, regularly evaluating performance against rigorous standards. That AKNS is accredited by NCA CASI is a solid evidence of our commitment to excellence.

2. PSAT/SAT. Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT)- Preliminary SAT (PSAT). PSAT (October): Sophomores (Grade 10)PSAT & Optional trial for SAT1 (Math & English): Juniors (Grade 11). Graduation Requirement SAT1 (Math & English): Seniors (Grade 11).

International Accreditation and Affiliation3. iBT TOEFL: Internet-Based TOEFL test. Graduation Requirement

4. ICDL: International Computer Driving License. ICDL is an international skill-based program that mainly designed and developed to improve the ICT skills for the students and any other candidates. (Freshman Gr 9)

Estimated cost per students is AED 900 based on 2012-2013 pricing5. CBP: Certified Business Professional. The CBP program consists of

five Tracks (2 more might be released soon). CBP is an online test that is provided and managed by the Track organization IBTA.

Estimated cost per students is AED 900 per track based on 2012-2013 pricing.6. CISCO: Al Khaleej National School is an approved CISCO Network

Academy. The AKNS CISCO Academy provides the students with the training and testing necessary to gain the world wide recognized CISCO certificate. CISCO is now offered as one of the Advanced Subjects or as an after school activity program.at

Estimated cost per students is AED 1,000 based on 2012-2013 pricing.

Measure of Academic Progress (MAP):

1. GEMS AKNS implements MAPS for all students in grades 1-11 using three testing windows in an academic year; Fall, winter and spring. MAP is a complete set of assessments aligned to national and state curricula and standards. GEMS AKNS offers the following MAP tests: MAP: Reading, mathematics and language (Gr 3-11) MAP for Primary Grades: Reading and mathematics (Gr1&2) Science Assessment: Concepts, processes and general science (Gr 3-11)

2. Computer- based tests: Adapting the Test to the StudentMAP dynamically adapts to a student’s responses – as they take the test. Answer a question correctly and the test presents a more challenging item Miss a question, and MAP offers a simpler item. In this way, the test narrows in on a student’s learning level, engaging them with content that allows them to succeed..

High School Regular and Advanced Program (Grades 11&12/Juniors and Seniors):

1. Grade 10 is a foundation year to prepare students for higher curriculum options in Grades 11&12. 2. GEMS AKNS offers two curriculum options in Grades 11& 12; Science and Literature options. Each of these options provides a well-balanced and enriched curriculum that is supported by rigorous benchmarking tools and reasonable market credentials. Science and literature options have some common courses, but they also have specific courses for each option.

3. MAP results, PSAT results and student performance in internal assessment in grade 10 will be used as the criteria to approve the student choice of the high school options. 4. GEMS AKNS offers optional advanced levels for students in Grade12 in both science and literature options. Each of these levels provides a well-balanced, enriched and challenging curriculum that is supported by rigorous benchmarking tools and reasonable market credentials. 5. MAP results, PSAT results and student performance in internal assessment in grade 11 will be used as the criteria to approve the student enrolment for the advanced levels. .

Curriculum Options

Grade 11&12 Sc. Option  Grade 11 Sc. Option- Standard Level:Subjects: Ar, Is, Math (Pre-Calculus), Ph, Ch, Bio, Eng (Language and Comp.), ICT (FrontPage), Economics and PE.

Benchmark: MAP (Math, Science, Eng), PSAT M&E, ICDL, CBP

Grade 12 Sc. Option - Standard Level:Subjects: Ar, Is, Math (Calculus), Ph, Ch, Bio, Eng (Language and Comp.), ICT (VB), Business studies and PE.

Benchmarks: SAT M&E, TOEFL, CBP

Grade 12 Sc. Option- Advanced Level:Subjects: Ar, Is, AP/Eng Lang & Comp, AP Math/AB, AP/Ph/B, AP/Ch, AP/Bio, ICT/ CISCO, Business and PE

Benchmarks/ Market Credentials: AP Diploma, CISCO, TOEFL & CBP.(At least 3 APs and CISCO are required for AP Diploma). .

Curriculum Options

Grade 11&12 Lit . Option Grade 11 Lit. Option-Standard Level:Subjects: Ar, Is, Math (Statistics and Business), Eng (Literature& Comp.), Environmental Sc, Psychology, Media & Technology, ICT (FrontPage), Economics and PE

Benchmark: MAP (Math, Science, Eng), PSAT M&E, ICDL, CBP

Grade 12 Lit. Option- Standard Level:Subjects: Ar, Is, Math (Statistics and Business), Eng (Literature& Comp.), Environmental Sc, Psychology, Media & Technology, ICT (VB), Business studies and PE.

Benchmarks: SAT M&E, TOEFL, CBP

Grade 12 Lit. Option-Advanced Level:Subjects: Ar, Is, AP/ Statistics, AP / Eng Lit&Comp, AP/ Env. Sc, AP/Psychology, AP/ macroeconomics, CISCO/ ICT, Digital Creator and PE

Benchmarks/ Market Credentials: AP Diploma, CISCO, TOEFL & CBP.(At least 3 APs and CISCO are required for AP Diploma). .

Advanced Program courses:

 CISCO:

AKNS offers IT Essentials CISCO program for Grades 12 students as a part of the school advanced program. By completing this program, students will eventually be awarded with an internationally accredited CISCO certificate.

IT Essentials PC Hardware and Software is a hands-on, career-oriented e-learning solution with an emphasis on practical experience to help students develop fundamental computer skills, along with essential career skills.

The curriculum covers the fundamentals of PC technology, networking, and security, and also provides an introduction to advanced concepts.

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Advanced Program courses:

 AP Courses: AP enables students to pursue college-level studies while still in highschool. Through the selected AP courses, AKNS offers 5 AP courses this year, each culminating in a rigorous exam, AP provides willing and academically prepared students with the opportunity to earn college credit and/or advanced placement. Taking AP courses also demonstrates to college admission officers that students havesought out the most rigorous course work available to them. Each AP course is modeled upon a comparable college course, and collegeand university faculty play a vital role in ensuring that AP courses alignwith college-level standards. GEMS AKNS provides well trained and experienced AP teachers to help AP students in classrooms to develop and apply the contentknowledge and skills they will need later in college. AP Exams are an essential part of the AP experience, enabling studentsto demonstrate their mastery of college-level course work. More than 90 percent of four-year colleges and universities in the United States grantstudents credit, placement, or both on the basis of successful AP Examscores.

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Advanced Program courses:

 AP Courses: Universities in more than 60 countries recognize AP Exam scoresin the admission process and/or award credit and placement for qualifyingscores.  Performing well on an AP Exam means more than just the successfulcompletion of a course; it is a gateway to success in college. Using market research tools and alumni information, GEMS AKNS has identified a set of most required AP courses which will be potentially offered to students in grade 12 advanced program (subject to class size and enrolment trend):  Biology Calculus BC Chemistry English Language and CompositionPhysics B

There will be a cost per student for registration, supplemental reading, material and equipment as per the College Board requirements. Cost will be determined based on the College Board yearly price list. ($600 depending on the subjects and course requirements as per 2012-2013 price list)  .

Advanced Program courses:

 AP Scores:

The extensive work done by college faculty and AP teachers in the development of the course and the exam and throughout the scoring process ensures that AP Exam scores accurately represent students’ achievement in the equivalent college course. While colleges and universities are responsible for setting their own credit and placement policies, AP scores signify how qualified students are to receive college credit or placement:

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Advanced Program courses:

Media & Technology/ Digital Creator:

Digital Creator is a program delivered in the UK by the BCS whose mission is to enable the information society.

The program is a set of engaging qualifications that teach digital media skills through creative projects. It is delivered through engaging units which use digital media such as, digital audio and podcasts, video, animation, DVD’s and interactive presentations and websites. Each qualification comes complete with all of the online learning and teaching resources required. The qualifications offer an interesting and valuable introduction to modern technology for sharing with family and friends.

Estimated cost per students is AED 1,000 based on 2012-2013 pricing. .

Mapping Options

GRADE 11&12 Lit. GRADE 11&12 Sc. # of Periods

Environmental Sc. Physics 3

Psychology Biology 3

Media & Technology

Chemistry 3

Math (Business and Statistics)

Math (Pre-Calculus and Calculus)

5-6

English literature and composition.

English language and composition.

6-5

Allocation Criteria

1. Science Vs. Literature (Grade 11-Standard level): guidance and recommendations will be based on: MAP Gr 10: within Attainment RangePSAT Gr 10: 40+ Math & English for Science OptionInternal assessment data. (80+ subject wise) 2. Advance Vs. Standard Level (Grade 12): MAP Gr11: On or Above attainment levelPSAT Gr11: 45+ Math & English for Science AP DiplomaInternal assessment data. (85+ subject wise) Even students meeting the above described criteria will need to be interviewed to ensure their suitability.