All Grade 9 students take the following core subjects: English Language Arts – Social Studies – Mathematics – Science – World Languages (Mandarin, French) or Burmese – Physical Education – Health (Semester Course) – Personal Development (Quarter Course) – Service Learning (Quarter Course)

All Grade 10 students take the following core subjects: English Language Arts – Social Studies – Mathematics – Science – World Languages (Mandarin, French) or Burmese

We have adopted and adapted internationally recognized academic standards for all of these subjects. The following standards have been organized into Grade 6 to 10 continuums:

• Burmese

• English Language Arts

• Health

• Science

• Social Studies

• Mathematics

• Music

• Physical Education

• Visual Art

• World Languages (Mandarin or French)

All Middle School students also have an advisory class once a week to build community, promote the ISY Learner Attributes, and learn important executive functioning and social emotional skills.

• Design Technology & Computer Science (T)

• Film & Photography (A/T)

• Fitness (Grade 10 only)

• Music (A)

• Visual Art (A)

Grade 9 and 10 elective offerings vary from year to year depending upon student interest and teacher expertise and availability. Students select their courses in order of preference. The schedule is created to cater as best we can for those preferences although, due to school-wide scheduling considerations, it may not be possible for all students to have their first preference.

All High School students must complete one Art (A) and one Technology (T) elective course by the end of Grade 10.

All Grade 9 and 10 students also have an advisory class once a week to build community, promote the ISY Learner Attributes, and learn important executive functioning and social emotional skills.

The ISY Guidance Department provides academic, social/emotional, and college/career counseling for all students so they can achieve their academic goals and fulfill the Learner Attributes. Counseling is provided on an individual basis, in small group sessions and in classroom presentations.

The Secondary School Counselors work closely with teachers, parents and the administration to ensure continued support for students and their families. They also team with community resources and make referrals when needed. If parents have concerns or questions, they may contact the counselor at any time via personal contact, email or by phone. Counselors at ISY provide personal and academic counseling to support student learning and/or social and emotional well-being. Through counseling services, students receive support and learn relevant skills to strengthen resilience, interpersonal and communication skills, and self-worth. Additionally, the counselors serve as a student advocate, and follow safeguarding policies/procedures in order to ensure the safety of all students at ISY. The counselor partners with the grade level teachers, as well as the Wellness team, to teach lessons throughout the school year. In order to optimally address the educational, emotional and social needs of students, the counselor regularly collaborates with parents, teachers, school administrators and professionals in the local community, and makes referrals to outside agencies when necessary.

For more information about guidance and counseling at ISY, please click here.

College Counseling

The Secondary Counselor is responsible for working with students, parents and staff around college admissions. The process begins in Grade 9 with students taking learning and career match surveys, searching for college matches, researching individual universities and, by their senior year, being prepared to apply to universities.

The counselor also facilitates college visits to ISY, presents university information to the ISY community, meets individually with students in Grade 11 and 12 and ensures all application materials are submitted to universities.

The following standardized tests are offered to High School students who wish to take them for their US college entrance requirements:

• Preliminary Scholarly Aptitude Test (PSAT): All Grade 10 students sit the PSAT to give them standardized college testing experience. The PSAT is designed to prepare students for the Scholarly Aptitude Test (SAT) and gauge college readiness.

• Scholarly Aptitude Test (SAT) I and II: The SAT I is the standard SAT test format, which students need to take for most US college applications. The SAT II tests are subject-specific tests that might or might not be required, depending on where students plan to apply.

Inclusion Statement:

At the International School Yangon (ISY), our community celebrates the unique qualities of each student, fostering an environment where they can truly flourish. We prioritize the holistic development of every learner, supporting their emotional, social, physical, and academic growth to realize their full potential as valuable members of our compassionate global community. ISY is dedicated to providing equitable access to learning and ensuring equal opportunities for personal achievement for all students. By fostering an inclusive educational environment, we empower learners to become independent, lifelong learners who are a force for positive change in our world.

ISY Inclusion Admissions Statement:

ISY is committed to catering to learners who exhibit a wide array of learning differences through the implementation of inclusion practices. Our instructional approach is specifically designed to offer the necessary academic support for each student’s individual needs. Our priority is to ensure that every student feels a sense of belonging within our inclusive ISY community.

ISY IB Inclusion Statement:

ISY implements a fully inclusive Diploma Programme; therefore, the inclusion philosophy also aligns with the International Baccalaureate Programme inclusion guidelines. “Inclusion is an ongoing process that aims to increase access and engagement in learning for all students by identifying and removing barriers” (Learning Diversity and Inclusion in the IB Programmes, 2016). It is about responding positively to each individual’s unique needs and not marginalizing students because of their differences. Read more here about equity and inclusive education in the IB.

Just as students will master a standard in different ways, their academic achievement and growth against a standard can be assessed in different ways. The two most important factors in assessing academic achievement and growth are fairness and accuracy. To meet a student’s needs, a teacher must have a fair and accurate picture of a student’s achievement and growth. This will require a combination of tests, assignments, and observations. It is also very important that our students develop an ability to develop self-assessment strategies that promote a belief in their capability, an understanding of their performance, and goal-setting for deeper learning.

 Parents and guardians will receive standards-based reports outlining student academic achievement and growth at the end of each academic Quarter. The Quarter 1 and 3 reports are  accompanied by Parent Teacher Conferences that students are also encouraged to attend. These are wonderful opportunities for teachers and parents to share insights into student progress and a very important part in maintaining a teacher-parent-student partnership that will meet the needs of each student.

 During the year, at any time, parents and guardians are very welcome to contact teachers directly by email to share any information or ask any questions in relation to their child’s development or academic progress. We value open communication with our families and our teachers are always grateful for any information or insight that can help them best meet the needs of their students.

• ISY Assessment Guide

• ISY Academic Honesty Practices & Procedures

Click on the links below for academic courses overviews in the following grade levels:

• Grade 9 Academic Course Overviews

• Grade 10 Academic Course Overviews