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), and we are a candidate school for the International Baccalaureate. Take a look inside our school by watching our curriculum overview video.
Curriculum Overview (video)
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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.
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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.
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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.
Four Pillars-Our Beliefs
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
CIS Learner Portrait
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Students find meaning and motivation in their work, and feel capable, confident, and prepared for future learning.
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Students organize information and make meaningful connections between resources, present their ideas effectively and creatively.
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Students have compassion toward others, the ability to communicate, and a cultural understanding of the wider world.
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Students tackle complex tasks with a scientific and mathematical mindset.
Core Values
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We show empathy, respect, and have a help-first mentality. We listen and withhold judgment.
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We take responsibility by being honest, accountable, and transparent.
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We look at problems as opportunities. We are flexible and adaptable in order to find effective solutions.
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We consistently give 100% effort and strive to exceed expectations.
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We are humble, coachable, and appreciate diverse ways of thinking.
Views Of Education
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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.
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We learn and grow together with students. 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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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