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Academic Programs Academic Calendar Curriculum STEAM Specialities Academies
Academic Programs Academic Calendar Curriculum STEAM Specialities Academies

Curriculum

At California International School we have a unique and innovative approach to our pedagogy


We offer a full STEAM program with a Robust Makerspace where kids engage in pottery, 3D printing, Robotics, and Science.  We also offer two World Languages (Mandarin and Spanish), and a fine arts program, all in a project-based learning environment.  We are accredited with the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), WASC Accreditation Information and we are a candidate school for the international baccalaureate Information on the IB Primary Years Program. Take a look inside our school by watching our curriculum overview video.

CURRICULUM OVERVIEW (video)

Learning Approaches

  • Project-Based

    An innovative teaching and learning approach led by students with scaffolded support from teachers.

    Through exploration, research, technology, engineering, design and other project activities, students propose ideas to find the solutions.

    Project-based learning allows students to learn by doing while solving problems, as well as completing project learning goals, therefore, they can better understand concepts and master skills.

  • Personalized Whole Child Focus

    The whole-child approach to learning is a teaching philosophy that prioritizes all of the developmental and personal needs of students in addition to their academic achievements—in short, the whole child.

    Through the whole-child approach, students are immersed in learning environments intended to foster a sense of community and encourages interpersonal skills, problem-solving, goal setting, creativity, autonomy, and self-accountability.

  • Authentic Problem Solving

    Students can solve real-life related problems such as the environment, time management, self-care, etc. 

    In the process of authentic problem-solving, students take on a constructivist role and gain new knowledge through inquiry, problem-solving, critical thinking, and reflections, in real-world contexts.

Views Of Education

  • We believe that every child is a born explorer, artist, or entrepreneur. We respect the unique and individual characteristics of each child. We support them to discover their interests and desires, and we encourage them to challenge themselves, so that they continue to improve themselves during the learning process.

  • We learn and grow together with children.We learn from children, as we walk into their world, listen to and understand every student. For each child to gain true trust in us and confidence in themselves, we give them praise, encourage them with warm hugs, and provide strong support.

    Teachers are the wisest lifelong learners. Teaching experiences are a process of continuous self-learning and self-improvement. It is our responsibility to influence more children with this kind of spirit.

  • The world is a whole unit. Knowledge is presented through the very existence of people, and through the interconnectedness of things. Knowledge does not just consist of subjects categorized by humans. Therefore, we follow the natural laws of scientific knowledge, and use inquiry-based logic, to design our curriculum in an authentic manner. In this way, the curriculum can meet the needs of the children for knowledge and relatable experiences. Doing this maximizes learning potential for the children, bring the learning process to life, and make it meaningful for them.

  • First, Parents are the development community of school education.

    Second, Parents are a resource for education/teaching.

    Third: Parents are partners in their child's school education.

  • Our courses include all elements of the daily environment and interpersonal social contacts, because those areas impact the learning and development of children. Our curriculum is gradually developed and improved through positive interaction between the teachers and the students, and between the students and their environment.

  • Learning is life!

    Learning is a child's life. We encourage children to learn for life, and use a variety of academic knowledge such as mathematics, science, robotics, coding, and social studies to solve real-life problems, to meet their own needs and gain the ability to take care of themselves. This makes the learning process meaningful, joyful, and a rich and rewarding experience.

    Learning is work!

    Learning is to let children learn how to work, and work is the process by which they learn to solve problems. We cooperatively create a learning community while solving problems, carrying out creative learning, and letting the children experience the obligations and responsibilities of different community members.

  • Educational assessment is an effective way to respect each child's developmental differences. Assessment continuously encourages effective and high-quality interaction between students and teachers, and to maintain the student’s advantage in developing their ability to learn.

    School assessment is the cornerstone to encourage the orderly and high-quality development of the school. Assessment is a tool that supports the school to identify strengths and challenges, then to make changes to provide innovative solutions in the school's program, operations and management.

Core Values

  • We turn our open-minded attitudes into exciting and challenging actions. We fully utilize the advantages of being open to multiple languages and cultures. Our students become proficient at using technology to meet their curiosity and desire for knowledge. They learn in an atmosphere of continuous exploration and discovery.

    By effectively and efficiently managing our time and space, we establish and maintain our learning order. A big part of our learning philosophy is to teach the students the skill of self-management, so they can develop the enduring benefits of self-discipline that will benefit them throughout their lives.

  • We take care of ourselves and we care about others. Our words and actions to those around us express kindness and compassion. We carefully and politely listen to the voices of other people, and show deep respect for their opinions. We respect decisions made by other people that might be different than the choices we would make. We embrace the uniqueness in everyone. We work diligently to make the world a better place with our wisdom and global mindset

  • We believe strongly in the power of co-creation. Each one of us provides an indispensable contribution to the learning community. Every person takes responsibility in all matters, whether they are big or small. We use our wisdom, always try our best. We maximize our potential by working cooperatively to achieve goals.

  • We are a learning community with a deep sense of purpose. We maintain focus on our beliefs and goals. We pursue our direction despite potential challenges, and make adjustments as necessary. We perform continuous self-examination and self-reflection in order to creatively bring about the desired learning results.

Four Pillars-Our Beliefs

  • We believe in the power of taking advantage of the opportunities offered by incorporating the diversity of multiple cultures.

    It is our intention to nurture global citizens, who are able to navigate complex problems.

    CIS learners are responsible leaders in today’s interconnected world.We are an international culture.We are an international culture.

  • Our language learning is designed to be inclusive of multiple disciplines. We incorporate the Arts, world languages, and programming, thus preparing students to have a powerful impact in the world.

    We are a world language school.

  • We believe in the power of collaboration.

    Our community develops the vision to explore new ideas in order to seek solutions and lead the movements to create change. Together, we make a greater difference than we could generate as individuals.

    We are an agile community.

  • We believe in the power of innovation.

    We purposefully create the conditions for students to develop and explore their curiosity, through innovative learning environments that will challenge them to become more creative thinkers.

    CIS learners are problem solvers. They think critically and creatively to resolve potential issues that we present them, to develop their ability to bring situations to a successful outcome.

    We are innovators.

Portrait Of A CIS Learner

  • Students find meaning and motivation in their work, and feel capable, confident, and prepared for future learning.

  • Students organize information and make meaningful connections between resources, present their ideas effectively and creatively.

  • Students have compassion toward others, the ability to communicate, and a cultural understanding of the wider world.

  • Students tackle complex tasks with a scientific and mathematical mindset.

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