This course has the option to be taken at the AP level. The course is divided into two different parts. One portion of the class is an in-depth view of the United States political policy-making process. The other portion is a Comparative Government course. Both portions are taught concurrently and last the entire year. The course begins with a background in Political Science theories and traces the modern development of rights, liberties, and limited government. Six countries serve as case studies for students to compare and contrast governmental priorities and organizations: the UK, Russia, China, Iran, Nigeria, and Mexico. Students also study international organizations like the UN, the EU, the AU and NAFTA. The course then builds upon the constitutional and political knowledge gained in International Studies 5. Students enter with an understanding of the US government and its functions. In International Studies 6, the focus is placed on how policy happens. This includes the study of congressional committees, public opinion polling, linkage institutions, and special interest groups. As a part of this course students will complete field research and compose a formal research study as a capstone project.

International Studies 4 begins by tracing developments in western civilization from Rome’s fall to the middle of the 20th century. The course begins with a study of North Sea civilizations, including the Vikings, the Anglos, the Saxons, and the Picts. Following this is an in-depth look at Europe from the Feudal Medieval Age, through the Renaissance, the Age of Exploration, and the Enlightenment. During this section, specific attention will be given to major agricultural innovations, conflicts within the Catholic Church, the effects of the Crusades, new methods and motivations for navigation, the fragmentation of Christendom, Absolute monarchies, and the major philosophers of the Enlightenment. The second semester focuses on the causes and influences of Revolution and the impacts of European Colonialism. Several major revolutions included in this study are the American Revolution, the French Revolution, the Haitian Revolution, and the Atlantic Revolutions. Across all these revolutions, students will compare their origins and outcomes to test current theories of revolution, based on Crane Brinton's Anatomy of a Revolution. The legacies of European colonization are studied, beginning with the Spanish Caribbean, and moving across North America, Africa, and India. The students will focus on the societal and political landscapes of these regions as they gained their independence and developed as sovereign nations. Students complete a year-long National History Day Project as now experienced researchers. Students spend the year engaged in long-term research analyzing and interpreting primary sources. Then, students choose to either "go it alone" or "group up" in creating either a performances, exhibits, multimedia documentaries, web sites, and research papers. Students can choose to compete in the senior division of National History Day at three levels: regional, state, and national.

This course is an introduction to the middle school music ensemble experience. The instruments offered are violin, viola, cello, and double bass. Students will build upon knowledge of music literacy, vocabulary, expression, skills and techniques as it relates to their specific instrument and their role within the instrumental ensemble. Students will demonstrate their learning through school and community performances. No prior string experience is required.

Visual Art—Comprehensive courses enable students to explore one or several art forms (e.g., drawing, painting, two- and three-dimensional design, and sculpture) and to create individual works of art. Initial courses emphasize observations, interpretation of the visual environment, visual communication, imagination, and symbolism. Courses cover the language, materials, media, and processes of a particular art form and the design elements used. Advanced courses encourage students to refine their skills while also developing their own artistic styles following and breaking from traditional conventions. Courses may also include the study of major artists, art movements, and styles.

Students in 6th grade science develop understanding of key concepts to help them make sense of life, earth and physical science. The ideas build upon students’ science understanding from earlier grades and from the disciplinary core ideas, science and engineering practices, and crosscutting concepts. The cycling of matter and energy within systems and relationships between living and non-living components of systems are recurring themes in the 6th grade year. The science strands/modules include: Nature of Science and Growth Mindset, Impact of the Water Cycle, Impact of Weather Systems on Living Things, Humans Depend on Natural and Synthetic Resources, the Cycling of Energy and Matter in Plants, and Cycling of Energy and Matter in an Ecosystem.

Students in 7th grade science develop understanding of key concepts to help them make sense of life, earth and physical science. The ideas build upon students’ science understanding from earlier grades and from the disciplinary core ideas, science and engineering practices, and crosscutting concepts. While 7th grade maintains the themes of matter and energy flow within and between systems, the year is divided into larger isolated systems and the processes that occur within those systems over time. The science strands/modules include: Climate Change, Fields of Force and Non-Contact Forces, Geologic Change, Chemical Reactions, Chemical Reactions in Living Things, and Heredity.

This year-long college-prep course is designed to help students understand the principles of chemistry in the context of Earth science phenomena. Students will use science and engineering practices and crosscutting concepts to investigate chemical processes within Earth systems. Specific topics include structure and properties of matter, chemical reactions, and chemical processes in everyday life. Students will also explore conservation of energy and energy transfer. Students will investigate the history of planet earth as well as earth materials and systems, including natural resources, natural hazards, the role of water in Earth’s surface processes, and climate. Honors Chemistry in the Earth System is integrated into the Chemistry in the Earth System course, there is not a separate registration needed for honors. All students will be given "Honors" opportunities for enrichment and extension within the coursework which can qualify them for an “Honors” designation on their transcript.

AP Physics 1 is an algebra-based, introductory college-level physics course. Students cultivate their understanding of physics by developing models of physical phenomena through inquiry-based investigations. Students build their understanding of physical models as they explore and solve problems in these content areas: kinematics, forces and translational dynamics, work/energy/power, linear momentum, torque and rotational dynamics, energy and momentum of rotating systems, oscillations, and fluids.

Humanities 6 builds on the previous humanities courses’ foundations of literature, philosophy, critical thinking, and writing. Students will focus on structural, stylistic, tonal, and thematic analyses of various works of world literature, including short stories, poetry, novels, and drama. Over the year, students write a college essay, at least four in-class essays, two longer papers (one involving research), and several formal and informal creative assignments. The curriculum is the same for Humanities 6 students, but AP students have extra assignments. AP Students read two novels over the summer and write a short paper due the first day of school; they also write at least ten short literary analysis papers over the year in which they define various literary terms and discuss their function in a particular work. At ICS this course is taught concurrently with ENG495, ENG496 AP English Literature and Composition. Students can elect to receive either honors or AP credit.

Part of the Fine & Performing Arts department at International Community School.

Part of the Fine & Performing Arts department at International Community School.

Visual Art—Comprehensive courses enable students to explore one or several art forms (e.g., drawing, painting, two- and three-dimensional design, and sculpture) and to create individual works of art. Initial courses emphasize observations, interpretation of the visual environment, visual communication, imagination, and symbolism. Courses cover the language, materials, media, and processes of a particular art form and the design elements used. Advanced courses encourage students to refine their skills while also developing their own artistic styles following and breaking from traditional conventions. Courses may also include the study of major artists, art movements, and styles.