9th–10th Grade International Track

About

Kennedy International School’s International Track offers a uniquely immersive and globally minded educational experience—no prior French required. Designed for students from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds, the program emphasizes immersion and exposure as the most effective path to fluency. Our goal is to help students build confidence, competence, and authentic communication skills, as well as the ability to navigate multiple perspectives and cultures within an inclusive, bilingual community.

To support students who wish to enter the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme, Kennedy International School offers courses designed as clear pathways into the IB Diploma Programme for our 9th graders and 10th graders. The School’s intimate learning environment, with small class sizes and a strong emphasis on differentiation, ensures that students are known, supported, and challenged. Our annual Career Day also draws on our own community of diplomats, artists, and internationally engaged professionals, reinforcing real-world connections. In a rapidly changing world—where future careers may not yet exist—this focus on learning how to learn prepares students for long-term success as flexible, innovative, and resilient global citizens.

Academics

The International Track emphasizes multicultural perspectives, multilingualism, and global citizenship. Students engage with a wide range of subjects and self-directed projects, as well as build skills in communication, research, and social responsibility through exploring frameworks like the UN Sustainable Development Goals. By combining rigorous academics with real-world application and collaborative learning, the 9th grade International Track cultivates adaptable, confident, and globally minded learners ready for meaningful engagement in school and beyond.

Curriculum

Our curriculum is structured around the six IB subject groups: Language and Literature, Language Acquisition, Individuals and Societies, Sciences, Mathematics, and The Arts. Students select one subject from each group, ensuring a balanced and holistic education that nurtures intellectual, social, and emotional development. The program fosters curiosity, creativity, and self-directed learning, providing a strong foundation for success in the IB and beyond.

Subjects

Language and Literature (English)

The International Track's Language and Literature course prepares students for Studies in Language and Literature in the IB Diploma Programme. Students develop skills in listening, speaking, reading, writing, viewing, and presenting through collaborative projects, literary analysis, media exploration, and creative expression. This course engages with diverse texts and genres—from classical works to contemporary global literature—exploring multiple perspectives, cultures, and historical contexts. By examining themes such as identity, justice, and sustainability, students cultivate global mindset and deepen their understanding of personal and cultural identities.

Language Acquisition (French)

The International Track's French Language Acquisition course prepares students for Language Acquisition in the IB Diploma Progamme by developing foundational skills in listening, speaking, reading, writing, viewing, and interpreting. Students engage with texts, media, and real-world contexts to build proficiency in French while exploring the histories, traditions, and perspectives of French-speaking communities worldwide.

Individuals and Societies

The International Track's Individuals and Societies course empowers students to explore the complex interactions between people, societies, and the environment, while preparing them for Individuals and Societies in the IB Diploma Programme. Students engage with disciplines such as history, geography, economics, sociology, and political science, examining real-world issues like globalization, sustainability, social justice, and cultural diversity. By connecting learning to personal, national, and international contexts, students develop critical thinking skills, research skills, and the ability to analyze and interpret complex information in an interconnected world.

Integrated Sciences

The International Track's Integrated Sciences course prepares students for Sciences in the IB Diploma Programme by engaging them in inquiry-driven exploration of the natural world. Students explore topics across scientific disciplines, such as atomic structure, ecosystems, and scientific innovation, developin ga board and connected understanding of science as a dynamic and evolving human endeavor. Through hands-on experimentation, research, and real-world application, students investigate how scientific principles shape—and are shaped by—societal, ethical, cultural, and environmental considerations.

Integrated Mathematics

The International Track's Integrated Mathematics course prepares students for Mathematics in the IB Diploma Programme by developing strong analytical, logical, and problem-solving skills. Through an inquiry-driven curriculum, students engage deeply with mathematical concepts while exploring how mathematics functions as a powerful tool for understanding the world. The course builds a solid foundation across key areas such as numerical reasoning, algebraic thinking, spatial reasoning, and data analysis, fostering both precision and creativity as well as skills for applying mathematical concepts to real-world contexts. These experiences help students recognize the relevance of mathematics in everyday life and its role in addressing local and global issues.

Arts and Design

The International Track's Arts and Design course prepares students for The Arts and Design pathways in the IB Diploma Programme by fostering creativity, critical thinking, and purposeful expression. Through engagement in visual arts, music, theatre, and design-based problem solving, students explore how artistic and creative processes reflect personal identity, cultural context, and global perspectives. The curriculum emphasizes hands-on exploration, inquiry, and reflection, encouraging students to see the arts and design as powerful tools for communication and innovation.

Physical and Health Education

The International Track's Physical and Health Education course supports student development by empowering them to value physical activity, personal wellbeing, and make informed, healthy life choices. It prepares students for the holistic demands of the IB Diploma Programme through its emphasis on physical development, health education, and social-emotional learning, as well as lays a strong foundation for the Activity component of Creativity, Activity, and Service (CAS). Through sustained physical engagement, students learn to view physical activity not only as exercise, but as an essential element of lifelong health and fulfillment.