High School

High School
International Baccalaureate Middle Years and Diploma Programmes

Overview

Green Hills Academy offers a balanced, holistic education that provides a strong academic foundation for all learners while allowing them to explore specialist areas according to their interests, strengths, ability and university aspirations. To achieve this, the High School offers the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (MYP) in Grades 9 and 10 and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (DP) in Grades 11 and 12, which are described below. 

In addition to our rich, rigorous academic programs, High School learners engage in inquiry- and project-based learning, extracurricular activities, experiential learning, sports and outdoor activities that enrich their learning and ensure that they develop knowledge and skills to prepare them to be global citizens equipped to solve real-life problems.

Grades 9 and 10 – International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme

Curriculum

The MYP comprises eight subject groups, offered in different languages. At Green Hills Academy, we offer the eight subjects in the languages indicated below:

  1. Language and literature: Offered in English in the English program, in French in the 50/50 Program, and in Kinyarwanda in both programs.
  2. Language acquisition: French, Kinyarwanda, German or Mandarin are offered as electives in the English program, while English, Kinyarwanda, German or Mandarin are offered in the 50/50 program.
  3. Individuals and societies: Offered in English in the English program, and in French in the 50/50 program.
  4. Mathematics: Offered in English in the English program, and in French in the 50/50 program.
  5. Sciences: Offered in English in both programs.
  6. Arts: Offered in English in both programs.
  7. Physical and health education: Offered in English in both programs.
  8. Design: Offered in English in both programs 

The MYP Personal Project

MYP learners complete a Personal Project, where they decide what they want to learn about, identify what they already know, discover what they will need to know to complete the project, and create a proposal or criteria for completing it. MYP learners explore an area of personal interest over an extended period in their final MYP year, which is Grade 10. The personal project assesses learners’ Approaches to Learning (ATL) skills, which are thinking, research, communication, social and self management skills. The product provides evidence of tangible or intangible results: what the learner was aiming to achieve or create. Learners keep a process journal where they record ideas, criteria, developments, challenges, plans, research, possible solutions and progress reports. They also produce a report, which is an account of the project and its impact, including a bibliography and evidence that documents learners’ achievement.

Learn more about IB here.

Grades 11 and 12 – International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme

The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (DP) is a two-year programme of study designed to lead to a Diploma or a Certificate, both of which are accepted as university entrance qualifications throughout the world. While the IBDP is a challenging programme, it is open to learners of a wide range of abilities. The DP is respected by leading universities across the globe. Through the DP, GHA develops learners who:

  • Have excellent breadth and depth of knowledge
  • Flourish physically, intellectually, emotionally and ethically
  • Study at least two languages
  • Excel in traditional academic subjects
  • Explore the nature of knowledge through the programme’s unique theory of knowledge course

 

For the IB Diploma, learners are required to study six subjects, from six different groups, three at Higher Level and three at Standard Level, as well as a core programme. In all subjects, learners are assessed through a combination of coursework throughout the two years and exams at the end, which are marked externally. The top grade in each course is 7, and up to 3 bonus points can be gained for the Extended Essay and Theory of Knowledge. A total score of 24 is required to be awarded the Diploma. Learners for whom the full Diploma Programme would be too challenging can opt to take the Certificate which allows a wider range of course choices. 

Core Programme

Made up of three required elements, the DP core underpins all learning and aims to broaden learners’ educational experience, and challenge them to apply their knowledge and skills. The three core elements are:

  1. Theory of Knowledge (TOK): Learners reflect on and have discussions on the nature of knowledge, and on how we know what we claim to know. TOK is composed almost entirely of questions, the most central of these being “How do we know?”
  2. The Extended Essay: An independent, self-directed piece of research, ending with a 4,000 word paper. The extended essay provides:
  • Practical preparation for undergraduate research
  • An opportunity for learners to investigate a topic of personal interest to them, which relates to one of the learner’s six DP subjects, or takes the interdisciplinary approach of a World Studies extended essay
  1. Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS): Learners complete a project related to these 3 concepts. The three strands of CAS, which are often interwoven with particular activities, are characterized as follows:
  • Creativity – Arts, and other experiences that involve creative thinking
  • Activity – Physical activity contributing to a healthy lifestyle
  • Service – An unpaid and voluntary exchange that has a learning benefit for the learner. The rights, dignity and autonomy of all those involved are respected
Subject Areas Offered at Green Hills Academy

Higher Level 

  • English A Language & Literature
  • French A Language & Literature
  • German A Language & Literature

 

Standard Level

  • English A Language & Literature
  • French A Language & Literature
  • German A Language & Literature
  • Kinyarwanda Language & Literature

 

Higher Level

  • English B
  • French B
  • German B

 

Standard Level

  • English B
  • French B
  • French ab initio
  • German B
  •  

 

Higher Level

  • Economics
  • Geography
  • History
  • Business & Management 
  • Information Technology in Global Society
  • Psychology

 

Standard Level

  • Business & Management 
  • Economics
  • Geography
  • History
  • Psychology
  • Information Technology in Global Society

Higher Level

  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Physics

 

Standard Level

  • Biology
  • Chemistry 
  • Environmental systems & societies
  • Physics
  • Sports,  Exercise & Health Science

 

Higher Level

  • Analysis & Approaches
  • Applications & Interpretation

Standard Level

  • Analysis & Approaches
  • Applications & Interpretation

Higher Level

  • Visual Art

 

Standard Level

  • Visual Art