The International Independent School offers a comprehensive and vigorous academic program built upon the principles and standards of the American education system. The built curriculum is flexible and designed to inspire students to enrich their knowledge while opening new horizons and becoming conscious global citizens.
The curriculum encourages students to continue their studies in all major academic disciplines. High school students earn credits with each subject taken on a one credit per course per year basis.
IIS students have the choice at 9th grade to continue in the American system and thus work toward earning the American High School Diploma (AHSD), which is the document awarded for the successful completion of the high school program at the end of grade 12. Once a student has successfully achieved the minimum requirements they will receive the American High School Diploma that will serve as the foundation for their college education and admissions.
The AHSD is accredited by the American Educational Agency, AdvancEd, and the North Central Association- Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement (NCA-CASI) which is internationally recognized for its work with international schools. Our students at the high school level are academically challenged with demanding Advanced Placement courses, prepare for and excel on the SAT I and SAT II exams.
University admissions officers are allowed a better insight into our students’ academic experience and proficiency levels once obtaining this degree, which reflects the academic foundation that our students acquire at IIS.
AHSD Coordinator
Rabee Niami
Email: r.niami@iis.edu.jo
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Standardized Testing
It is of the schools best interest to monitor constantly the advancement of students throughout their academic years starting from the Kindergarten. Some tests are administered from the school while others are either from NWEA (Northwest Evaluation Association) or the College Board.
Below is a list of standardized tests that students take in the school.
A computerized adaptive test, which helps teachers, parents, and administrators improve learning for all students and make informed decisions to promote a child's academic growth. Students from the kindergarten to grade nine participate in the MAP (Measure of Academic Progress) assessment twice a year. The scores are gathered and compared to International benchmarks. Data from this testing informs the implementation of classroom and individual strategies to address identified student learning gaps and needs.
In the student’s freshman and sophomore years, 9th & 10th grades, students will sit for the PSAT exam. These exams are a practice to the SATs. After the tests, students have an idea where they stand in comparison to international standards and will discuss with their teacher their strengths and weaknesses in preparation for taking the SAT I.
Students are recommended to take this exam multiple times from the end of their junior year to the end of their senior year. Test scores on this test will give students, parents and university counselor’s valuable information as college choices are discussed.
A Three hours forty-five minutes test measures verbal, writing and mathematical reasoning abilities that students develop over time. The score is from 2400 (800 marks per section).
SAT I tests can be taken with a writing component.
Students should plan the completion of seven SAT II tests by the end of their senior year (depending on university policy). Each subject test is one hour long.
Students usually choose their subjects according to the field of study they desire to pursue, or if undecided, according to what the university requires or recommends. For any case, students require to fulfill the equivalency requirements for the Jordanian Ministry of Education.
Language tests with a listening component are given ONLY in November.
Some students may want to take the ACT in place of the SAT I Reasoning and/or in some cases the SAT II subject tests (depending on university requirements). The ACT is not an aptitude test, but rather a curriculum-based test, in which questions are directly related to what students have covered inside the classroom. The ACT consists of four sections: English, math, science and writing. Registration for the ACT can be done online.
Notes:
- Registration for the SAT I and SAT II exams is done through the school.
- Students will be informed with all deadlines for registration throughout the academic year.
- SAT exams are administered seven times a year, the first Saturday of the month except for January.
- Test dates, deadlines and score release dates are confirmed officially by the College Board.
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Advanced Placement
Founded in 1952 by a group of educators from some of America's top prep schools and universities, the Advanced Placement (AP) program enables high school students to measure achievement in a particular course or area of study through standardized exams. Although these exams are the culmination of college-level work in high school-and are sometimes awarded credit by colleges for entry-level courses-they are mainly used by private schools and colleges as a means by which students prove their motivation, challenge themselves academically and engage in advanced work in a given subject.
Exposes challenged and talented students to a vigorous college material, which accelerates students in colleges and universities. The AP scale is from 1 to 5, indicating that the student is extremely well-qualified to receive full or partial college course credit at the college chosen and is only offered once in May of each year at secondary schools all over the world.
Tests offered range from math and science (calculus at two levels, chemistry, biology and physics), to foreign languages (e.g. French, Spanish and Italian), to world histories and social science courses (such as psychology, macro- and micro-economics and human geography). The exams are offered at the end of a yearlong Advanced Placement course.
While hundreds of colleges and universities worldwide will grant a full semester or year's credit to students who have scored satisfactory marks (3 or above) on a certain number of AP exams, the benefits of taking these exams go far beyond this incentive. Courses that lead to AP exams are rigorous and thorough, teaching students how to write, think and calculate with clarity and authority. In one year, students develop a rich, university-level knowledge of any given subject matter.
Another benefit to the AP program is the flexibility, depth and number of course and exam offerings. The AP exams give colleges a better sense of the developing skills and interests of students and, as many admissions officers can attest, AP scores are a virtual must for students seeking entrance to top universities.
Once a student has matriculated at a university, AP credits can also be counted towards entry-level courses, allowing the student to proceed upon entry in freshman year to higher-level courses. Students at elite universities use AP credits as leveraging tools to take advanced courses, double majors or to open up schedule space for them to take more elective and extra-disciplinary courses or perhaps to take a semester abroad.
The AP program offers several AP Scholar Awards to recognize high school students who have demonstrated college-level achievement through AP courses and exams. Although there is no monetary award, in addition to receiving an award certificate, this achievement is acknowledged on any AP Score Report that is sent to colleges the following fall.
At the moment only Studio Art: Drawing is offered as an AP course at IIS.
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Exam Registration
Below is a summary of the registration process.
To ensure a smooth registration process, kindly commit to all requirements and deadlines for the sake of your child and their future.
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Deadlines and Timetables
Important Deadlines
| Deadline (1) | Submission of Important Documents:
- Passport size pictures (soft copy)
- A photocopy of a valid passport
| September 2018 |
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Deadline (2)
| Payment of fees and provision of receipt to coordinator.
| Maximum 1.5 months before exam session
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| Test Date | Normal Deadline | Late Registration |
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| October 6, 2018 | September 7, 2018 | September 26, 2018 |
| November 3, 2018 | October 5, 2018 | October 24, 2018 |
| December 1, 2018 | November 2, 2018 | November 20, 2018 |
| May 4, 2019 | April 5, 2019 | April 24, 2019 |
| June 1, 2019 | May 3, 2019 | May 22, 2019 |