Middle School comprises grades 6 – 8 and utilizes an American curriculum. Standards and benchmarks are adopted from the United States. The curriculum comprises both core and special classes. All classes are 70-minute blocks. Core classes meet three times a week except for language arts which meets five times a week. Specials also meet three times a week except for Bible, art, computers, and physical education which meet one time a week. Band and strings meet twice a week and choir meets once a week. Students attend five classes a day plus chapel/homerooms on Fridays.

Middle School Core Classes

Language arts and reading:
Students learn more about grammar and writing as well as expanding their reading knowledge. By reading literature, students will be exposed to new horizons and rich experiences. This course serves to encourage students to pursue lifelong passions of reading and learning. In grade 8, students are introduced to journalism and produce a middle school newsletter. Students also continue to study various genres of literature such as poetry, prose, and drama.

Social Studies:
The middle school students learn about ancient civilizations in grade 6; medieval and early modern times in grade 7; and American history in grade 8.

Science:
There are many areas of science studied throughout middle school. The 6th grade students learn about weather and climate, astronomy, animals, and bacteria and plans. Grade 7 students learn about environmental science, cells and heredity, and what makes up the earth. In grade 8, students focus on human biology and health and the earth’s changing surface and the earth’s waters.

Math:
The middle school math curriculum focuses on pre-algebra and algebra. This challenging math curriculum allows many students to complete high school algebra I by grade 8 and to proceed into geometry in grade 9. For students who struggle in math, they can take pre-algebra in grade 8 and then algebra I in grade 9.

Middle School Special Classes

Computers:
All middle school students are required take a computer class once a week. Students learn intermediate and advanced levels of Word 2007; beginning level of Excel 2007; intermediate and advanced levels of PowerPoint 2007; and Publisher 2007. Teachers of the core classes coordinate special projects with the computer teacher throughout the school year.

Bible:
Middle school students all take a Bible class once a week. This is a required class. Grade 6 focuses on foundations of the Bible and study the Old Testament. Grade 7 focuses on values of the Bible and study the New Testament. Grade 8 focuses on choices and the students compare world religions.

Art:
Art is a required course taught once a week to all middle school students. Beginning with the basic principles of art in grade 6, students in all three grade levels are challenged with numerous projects throughout the year. They also participate in a city-wide art competition at the end of the school year.

Physical Education:
This required class is for all middle school students in order to provide both mental and physical needs of the whole child. In grades 6 and 8, health is also taught to the students.

Thai Language and Culture:
All middle school students are required to take Thai Language and Culture class which meets three times a week. For students with a Thai passport, they are required to take the Thai for Thai class. For students with a foreign passport, they take the Thai for Internationals class. Both classes focus on the Thai language as well as understanding the culture of Thailand.

English as a Second Language (ESL):
Students who enter ICS with a need for extra help in English are required to take ESL for a minimum of one year. This class is taught at the same time as music. The classes are limited to no more than 10 students in order for the teachers to provide more individualized attention to the students. Every year in the latter part of the school calendar all of the ESL students are given a test to see if they still will need to take ESL the next school year.

Band and Strings:
This class is an elective for students who wish to play in the middle school band. Middle school students have the opportunity to take band or strings and meet two times a week. Performances are held twice a year for the students to exhibit their progress.

Choir:
Choir is an elective that meets once a week thus allowing students to take both band/strings and choir. This class is both for inexperienced and experienced singers. Performances are held throughout the school year.