Which curriculum do you follow - the British or the American?
Neither. The curriculum of the International Baccalaureate Organisation (IBO), a non-profit educational foundation based in Switzerland, was developed over 30 years ago and designed to serve an increasingly mobile international community. It is based upon national systems of education, including the French Baccalaureate, English “GCSE” and “A” levels, the German Abitur and the American Advanced Placement system.
What are the qualifications of your faculty? Where do they come from?
At SIS more than 80 teachers from seventeen nations share this broad international experience, coming from such countries as Australia, Canada, France, Spain, Great Britain, the United States and South Africa. All faculty members have full credentials as teachers; many have taught overseas and hold advanced degrees.
What is the average class size?
The class size is limited to enable the school’s objectives to be met. The maximum class size is 20 for grades 3 to 12. In grades Pre K to 2 the class size varies between 14 to 18.
How will my child follow the class instruction if he/she does not speak English?
Non-native English speakers participate in instruction of English as an Additional Language (EAL). These EAL classes take place during periods of instruction that are too language intensive for the non-native speaker to understand, namely during the English classes. The greater part of the day is spent in class with classmates whose native language is English or who speak English fluently.
How many students attend the school?
With over 410 students registered in January, annually we welcome over 100 new students, from 3 years of age upwards.These students, representing nearly 56 nationalities, give an extraordinary cultural dimension to the life of our school. Many come from expatriate families although the proportion of long-term residents, Swedish or foreign, has increased considerably over the past few years.
What are the school hours?
All students attend school from Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 3.30pm.
What exams are prepared for?
We prepare students for the Baccalauréat International (IB). The school is also an examination centre for USA College Boards (e.g SAT).
What are the guidelines for admissions?
Whenever possible, register as early as possible and it is recommended that complete applications should be sent to Admissions. The complete admissions procedure can be found on our website under {Admissions}.
Are there waiting lists?
There are places in most years. Although some years may be full we see many students arrive and depart throughout the school year so it is always worth contacting us to discuss availability of places.
Will my child have difficulty re-adjusting to our national education system?
SIS students attain the highest academic levels in demanding, established academic programmes. SIS graduates are accepted into some of the best colleges and universities around the world. Students are taught at SIS to think and to learn independently, preparing them for responsible citizenship in any country of the world.
Is there an entrance exam?
There is no entrance exam. The school may request further relevant information or administer placement tests or request an extra interview if deemed necessary.
Do you have a guidance department for the students?
The school has an excellent counseling service to help the students through the complex process of choosing universities and colleges.
What kind of infrastructure do you provide?
Education facilities across the school typically include gym facilities, theatre and art workshops, computing rooms, library and multimedia centre.
What are the extra-curricular activities?
These activities are organized after school such as sports, theatre, choir, orchestra and language classes. More information regarding After School Activities can be found under {School Information}.
How is the transport service organized?
The School provides no school transport service.
Where is it possible to find regular updated information?
Our website is updated regularly. Visit the "news" section and the "Calendar" or contact the school Registrar and the teachers. There are also boards located around the school where posters and ads are available.
Is there a boarding house?
There are no boarding house facilities.
What is the SAT?
The SAT or Scholastic Assessment Test is produced by the College Board in the USA. It can be taken at designated times throughout the year and is required by colleges and universities in the United States as an indicator of academic achievement. SIS is a test center for the SAT and Practice SAT, offering these tests under supervision on several pre-determined dates for all students intending to study in the United States.
Will a full-day program overtax my four-year-old?
The International Primary Curriculum for three- and four-year-olds incorporates a structured but flexible learning environment, allowing for play, rest and free choice activities.
