Class of 2023 - University offers
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We focus on nurturing and strengthening independent learning in an environment that helps students become well-balanced, confident, and inspired by a love of learning and inquiry.
Learning at ISM is driven by our six learning principles. Created and developed by our teachers and based upon leading global research, they are a summary of what good learning looks like. Our learning principles are at the front and centre of all our conversations at school, whether discussing daily classroom teaching or long-term professional learning for teachers.
Abigail's welcome
We focus on nurturing and strengthening independent learning in an environment that helps students become well-balanced, confident, and inspired by a love of learning and inquiry.
Learning at ISM is driven by our six learning principles. Created and developed by our teachers and based upon leading global research, they are a summary of what good learning looks like. Our learning principles are at the front and centre of all our conversations at school, whether discussing daily classroom teaching or long-term professional learning for teachers.
Our focus this year is “challenge” and how we learn from it. When we struggle, when we have to think hard, that is when learning takes place. Our teachers are looking at the importance of challenge in the classroom, and they ensure that our students use it as fruitful and worthy of celebration. As Frederick Douglass said, “If there is no struggle, there is no progress.”
The Learning Pathway
Learning
Learning is planned, to build upon and develop the knowledge, skills, and understanding of all learners.
Engagement
Learners are highly engaged, genuinely curious, and reflect in a meaningful way.
Environment
Learners feel safe and valued as part of a learning-focused environment.
What, how & why
Learners know what they are learning, how they are learning and why they are learning.
Collaboration
Learning is driven by high expectations of behaviour, individual effort, and positive collaboration.
Feedback
Learning is deepened through effective and formative feedback on both the process and outcome.
Click the tabs below to explore our Learning Pathway from the Early Years School through to Year 13.
Kindergarten - Class 3
Kindergarten - Class 3
Laying the Foundations
(3 - 8 years old)
Welcome to the Early Years School, where we focus on providing a safe, secure, and happy learning environment in which each child:
- loves coming to school
- develops a range of social skills to work and play with others
- learns in two languages: English and French
- acquires basic skills in reading, writing, and mathematics
- discovers the joy of reading
The curriculum is made accessible to all children and is tailored to meet the child’s individual learning needs, level of language and stage of development.
The Primary Years Programme of the International Baccalaureate Organisation® caters for children aged 3 to 11 years. It is perfectly suited for young learners as its transdisciplinary nature caters for individual students at the various stages of their development. Early learning through the PYP offers a holistic learning experience that integrates social, emotional, physical and cognitive development through play, exploration and discovery. Through play and exploration, students will learn to inquire as they build and test theories to help make sense of the world around them.
From Kindergarten, Transition and Year 1, learning is organised into four units of inquiry with an emphasis on learning through play and inquiry. Children explore the various subject areas within the units of inquiry. Learning continues to focus on personal, social and emotional development as well as skills which apply across the disciplines such as self-management skills, communication skills, early reading and writing.
Children in Years 2 and 3 explore six units of inquiry per year. Teaching and learning is based around the programme of inquiry. This is made up of units of inquiry which give the children significant, relevant and challenging learning experiences, driven by a set of key questions which are conceptually based. Children are involved in a range of learning activities, planned in response to the key questions. The programme of inquiry draws together elements of different disciplines into a meaningful whole.
Language
We offer a bilingual balanced literacy programme in both English and French that includes:
Listening and Speaking
- developing oral fluency in both languages
- learning to listen to others
- speaking clearly and confidently in public
Reading
- reading aloud to students
- shared reading, where students and teachers talk about the literature
- guided reading, where teachers teach specific reading skills and strategies
- independent reading, where children can choose books that interest them
Writing
Writing serves as a communicative and expressive tool, and from an early age children are encouraged to write for a variety of purposes. The writing stages are:
- interactive writing, where teachers and students work together
- shared writing, where the teacher models different kinds of writing
- guided writing, where the teacher teaches specific skills and strategies
- independent writing, where students write for themselves
Mathematics
Our goal is that students become fluent users of the language of mathematics, its uses and applications, and that they are able to understand and apply the concepts taught.
Whenever appropriate, mathematics will be integrated into the Units of Inquiry and other areas of the curriculum to allow students to recognise and use mathematics in real and meaningful contexts. Numerous manipulatives, technology, and printed resources are available to aid students in their investigative work as they build their understanding concept by concept to an ever-increasing level of abstraction.
At ISM, the teaching of all mathematical concepts is first of all in English and then reinforced and practised in French.
Arts, Music & Drama
This encompasses visual arts, music, and drama, and participation in this programme develops the imagination, makes children more sensitive to their environment, heightens their critical awareness, and contributes to the development of personal taste. It also develops a range of aesthetic values and understanding of other cultures.
Social Studies
The traditional subjects of History, Geography, Science, and Health are presented in our Units of Inquiry. The aim of this part of the curriculum is to encourage students to be curious about their environment and the world around them and to begin to ask questions, especially the question “why”. Children build on their knowledge and experience by looking, listening, communicating, asking questions, exploring, and inventing.
Physical Education
All students have physical education lessons that are designed to improve their physical skills and teach them how to participate in individual and team games.
Personal and Social Education
The school’s Code of Conduct and Student Profile form the framework for our Personal and Social Education programme. Teachers nurture the social and emotional skills of the earlier years, guiding the child from a very egocentric world towards a feeling of respect and responsibility towards the group as a whole. They build self-esteem and confidence and foster a positive attitude towards learning.
Science and Technology
Science is primarily presented through the Units of Inquiry, promoting an investigative approach to the curriculum where students will develop observational skills and use these to identify patterns and start making predictions. They will also begin to show care and respect for themselves and for the environment.
Information and Technology
Information Technology is an integral part of the school’s curriculum, and students are taught basic computer skills from the very earliest years.
Class 4 - 6
Class 4 - 6
Building on the Foundations
(8 - 11 years old)
Welcome to the Primary School, where we focus on providing a structured and supportive learning environment in which each child:
- is a bilingual learner
- develops responsibility for his own learning and behaviour
- consolidates basic skills and their application across the curriculum
- becomes a thinker and responsible inquirer
- makes a positive difference in the lives of others and the environment
- acquires a growing enthusiasm and love of learning
The curriculum is made accessible to all children and is tailored to meet the child’s individual learning needs, level of language and stage of development.
The Primary Years Programme of the International Baccalaureate Organisation® caters for children aged 3 to 11 years. Teaching and learning is based around the programme of inquiry. This is made up of units of inquiry which give the children significant, relevant and challenging learning experiences, driven by a set of key questions which are conceptually based. Children are involved in a range of learning activities, planned in response to the key questions. The programme of inquiry draws together elements of different disciplines into a meaningful whole. Children in Years 4 to 6 explore six units of inquiry per year. In Year 6, children undertake five units of inquiry and the PYP Exhibition. The PYP focuses on inquiry-based teaching and learning. It allows students to be actively involved in their own learning and to develop agency in taking developmentally appropriate responsibility for that learning.
Language
As a bilingual school, language learning (English and French) is at the centre of all our teaching.
English and French teachers work very closely together to ensure that students develop a strong bilingual understanding of the common features of language as well as the ability to express themselves clearly, confidently, and accurately in both languages.
The teaching of reading skills and the development of strong independent readers is supported by our very well-established “class reader” and “independent reading” programmes.
In writing, a strong emphasis is placed on the basic skills of spelling, punctuation, and grammar as well as the application of these in independent writing across a wide range of genres.
Mathematics
Mathematics (English and French) is taught through a bilingual curriculum based on the world-renowned Singapore Maths Programme.
A strong emphasis is placed upon students mastering essential number and calculation skills and then applying them to the solving of word problems covering the key topics of: number, calculation, handling data, geometry, and measures. Students’ understanding of problem solving is supported by the use of bar modelling, which allows students to visualise and then solve complex word problems. This approach not only provides students with a solid foundation in Mathematics but also teaches them to apply what they know to problem solving.
In addition to this, number fluency and mental maths skills are developed through daily practice to embed these key skills.
Creative Arts
Music lessons once a week with Mr. Lobley
- Music curriculum based on skills and knowledge, with links to other curriculum areas where appropriate
- Opportunities to perform for peers and parents throughout the school year
Double Art lessons (90 mins) once every two weeks with Mr. Richards
- Art curriculum based on skills and knowledge, with links to other curriculum areas where appropriate
- Knowledge of elements and principles of Art.
Physical Education
All students have physical education lessons, which are designed to improve their physical skills and teach them how to participate in individual and team games.
We also promote sport through our Athlete friendly program in collaboration with the World Academy of Sport.
Read our STUDENT ATHLETE FRIENDLY POLICY
Class 7 - 9
Class 7 - 9
Developing Responsibility and Independence (11 - 14 years old)
Welcome to the Lower Secondary School (Classes 7 to 9), where we focus on nurturing and strengthening independent learning in an environment that:
- provides a smooth transition from childhood to adolescence
- has a strong academic programme that challenges all students
- helps students become well-balanced, confident, and competent learners
- develops a strong relationship between staff and students
- instills life and study skills which support healthy personal development
- continues to promote a love of learning and inquiry
- has a fair and consistent approach to discipline
Class 10 - 13
Class 10 - 13
Preparing Students for the Challenges of a Changing World (14 - 18 years old)
Welcome to the Upper Secondary School, where we focus on providing an academically challenging and stimulating environment that:
- has a strong academic programme tailored to the needs of each student
- promotes intellectual curiosity, independent thinking, and excellent study habits
- strives to enhance student’s confidence and communicative skills
- thoroughly prepares students for external examinations
- provides career and university guidance
- encourages its students to care about the world’s people and environment
- maintains a strong extra-curricular and community service programme
Curriculum Class 10 - 11
Curriculum Class 12 - 13
We currently offer two main pathways for our students aged 16 – 18. These are the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) and the International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme (IBCP).
Both programs offer a rigorous and challenging experience for young people. They are both highly rated and highly recognised by universities around the world and will allow ISM students to follow their passions into further education or the world of work.
We also offer a third option, the Extended IBCP pathway, which allows high-performing student athletes to complete the International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme (IBCP) over a 3-year period instead of a 2-year period. This pathway is available upon request and is reserved for student athletes who meet certain criteria within the framework of ISM’s accreditation as an Athlete Friendly Education Centre (AFEC). Click here or watch the video below for more information about the benefits that our AFEC status provides for student athletes.
Academic results
ISM proudly celebrates a consistent IB pass rate of 100% with an average of 39.7 points in 2022, above the world average for IB schools.
Learning beyond the curriculum
ISM offers a rich, extensive extracurricular and enrichment program that takes advantage of the school’s spectacular locations between the mountains and the sea. Students from the age of 3-18 are able to access a wide range of activities across academics, service-learning, the arts, sport and adventure.
TEDxYouth@ISMonaco
TEDxYouth@ISMonaco
”TEDxYouth events are fun, imaginative, and smart TEDx events designed for, and often organized by, young people. They bring ideas worth spreading to all ages.”
TEDxYouth@ISMonaco
”TEDxYouth events are fun, imaginative, and smart TEDx events designed for, and often organized by, young people. They bring ideas worth spreading to all ages.”
Cambridge Science Competition
The Cambridge Science Competition is an exciting competition that gives IGCSE learners the opportunity to develop their passion for science through practical work, investigating topics of interest, and using the scientific method.
The Cambridge Science Competition is an exciting competition that gives IGCSE learners the opportunity to develop their passion for science through practical work, investigating topics of interest, and using the scientific method.
International Award
The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award is a prestigious award appreciated by universities and employers at an international level. The Award has a non-competitive framework in which participants set and achieve personal goals related to four sections: community service, skills, fitness, and adventure. Students can participate at either Bronze, Silver, or Gold level. As each participant creates his or her own programme within the Award’s framework, each Award is unique and specifically tailored to the student’s interests. It is a great way for students to develop meaningful and transferable skills for becoming leaders of tomorrow by exploring new interests, trying new challenges, and even stretching their comfort zones.
The Award is offered at Bronze level to all year 10 students, and at Silver level to all students from year 11. The Gold level is offered to those in years 12 and 13. Participants typically spend at least 6 months completing the Bronze level and a year or more completing the Silver level, depending on whether the participant registers as a direct entry or continues from one level to the next.
For more information, click HERE to visit the International Award website.
The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award is a prestigious award appreciated by universities and employers at an international level. The Award has a non-competitive framework in which participants set and achieve personal goals related to four sections: community service, skills, fitness, and adventure. Students can participate at either Bronze, Silver, or Gold level. As each participant creates his or her own programme within the Award’s framework, each Award is unique and specifically tailored to the student’s interests. It is a great way for students to develop meaningful and transferable skills for becoming leaders of tomorrow by exploring new interests, trying new challenges, and even stretching their comfort zones.
The Award is offered at Bronze level to all year 10 students, and at Silver level to all students from year 11. The Gold level is offered to those in years 12 and 13. Participants typically spend at least 6 months completing the Bronze level and a year or more completing the Silver level, depending on whether the participant registers as a direct entry or continues from one level to the next.
For more information, click HERE to visit the International Award website.
Extracurricular Sports & Physical Activities
A variety of sports and physical activities are available after school each day. The activities on offer vary from year to year and may include Outdoor adventure club, basketball, rugby, aerobics, a variety of team games, yoga, running club, and sailing.
ISM also has sports teams that represent the school in various inter-school competitions across the year.
Click below to view a short video of our Outdoor Adventurous Activity Club’s excursion to Ecole Bleue in Monaco:
A variety of sports and physical activities are available after school each day. The activities on offer vary from year to year and may include Outdoor adventure club, basketball, rugby, aerobics, a variety of team games, yoga, running club, and sailing.
ISM also has sports teams that represent the school in various inter-school competitions across the year.
Click below to view a short video of our Outdoor Adventurous Activity Club’s excursion to Ecole Bleue in Monaco:
Music, Drama & Visual Arts
In addition to the music and drama programmes that are part of the curriculum, a range of other musical and art activities are on offer at ISM. For budding musicians, a variety of musical instrument lessons are available with visiting specialist teachers in piano, violin, guitar, flute, saxophone, and drums. Singing lessons are also available, and we have two choirs.
Students may register for the graded music exams of the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM). Our results have been excellent, with many students gaining Merits and Distinctions.
Students may also take lessons in Public Speaking, Musical Theatre, and Drama and present for the examinations of the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA). Many of our students have also gained Merits and Distinctions in these exams.
Lovers of art can join after-school art workshops, and the IB Visual Arts students present a public exhibition of artwork every year to which the whole school community is invited.
In addition to the music and drama programmes that are part of the curriculum, a range of other musical and art activities are on offer at ISM. For budding musicians, a variety of musical instrument lessons are available with visiting specialist teachers in piano, violin, guitar, flute, saxophone, and drums. Singing lessons are also available, and we have two choirs.
Students may register for the graded music exams of the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM). Our results have been excellent, with many students gaining Merits and Distinctions.
Students may also take lessons in Public Speaking, Musical Theatre, and Drama and present for the examinations of the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA). Many of our students have also gained Merits and Distinctions in these exams.
Lovers of art can join after-school art workshops, and the IB Visual Arts students present a public exhibition of artwork every year to which the whole school community is invited.
Model United Nations
In today’s era of globalisation, introducing students to the world of diplomacy and leadership is of ever-increasing value. The art of compromise has never been so important.
An extracurricular activity, MUN encourages critical thinking and develops social and emotional intelligence. Lobbying and debating with other students from around the world is a key part of the MUN experience; students learn to grow their cognitive flexibility when faced with representing a country with vastly different opinions to their own. The skills fostered in MUN are hugely relevant to any future career – not only international relations and diplomacy.
Students attend local and international conferences, and ISM also hosts its own annual MUN conference.
Contact: keith.oxley@ismonaco.com
Website: MUN Website
Videos:
ISM Model United Nations conference (ISMMUN) 2020
In today’s era of globalisation, introducing students to the world of diplomacy and leadership is of ever-increasing value. The art of compromise has never been so important.
An extracurricular activity, MUN encourages critical thinking and develops social and emotional intelligence. Lobbying and debating with other students from around the world is a key part of the MUN experience; students learn to grow their cognitive flexibility when faced with representing a country with vastly different opinions to their own. The skills fostered in MUN are hugely relevant to any future career – not only international relations and diplomacy.
Students attend local and international conferences, and ISM also hosts its own annual MUN conference.
Contact: keith.oxley@ismonaco.com
Website: MUN Website
Videos:
ISM Model United Nations conference (ISMMUN) 2020
Culture / Field Trips
Visits to museums and places of local interest form a valuable complement to academic life.
In the Primary School, field trips normally take place for a week in the spring.
In the Lower Secondary School, the field trips are an integral part of our curriculum in trimester 1, and learning is directed towards these trips in all subjects. These trips are mandatory for all Lower Secondary School students, and these trips give our students a real learning experience outside of the classroom.
Recent new destinations for the Secondary School have included a leadership and intensive study course in Oxford, while class 11 enjoyed a geographic expedition to Iceland. Art and science trips complement an already rich programme of expeditions for IB students.
Visits to museums and places of local interest form a valuable complement to academic life.
In the Primary School, field trips normally take place for a week in the spring.
In the Lower Secondary School, the field trips are an integral part of our curriculum in trimester 1, and learning is directed towards these trips in all subjects. These trips are mandatory for all Lower Secondary School students, and these trips give our students a real learning experience outside of the classroom.
Recent new destinations for the Secondary School have included a leadership and intensive study course in Oxford, while class 11 enjoyed a geographic expedition to Iceland. Art and science trips complement an already rich programme of expeditions for IB students.
Environment & Community Service
Various projects linked to environmental awareness help our students to understand the importance of taking care of the world in which they live.
Outreach helps our students to become internationally minded and reach out to help others through annual Giving Projects and fundraising for charity.
Various projects linked to environmental awareness help our students to understand the importance of taking care of the world in which they live.
Outreach helps our students to become internationally minded and reach out to help others through annual Giving Projects and fundraising for charity.
Other Clubs & Societies
The majority of our co-curricular clubs are offered throughout the year; however, some work on a half-term cycle to allow students the opportunity to benefit from the large range of clubs on offer.
A specific programme is circulated at the start of each half-term, and students sign up for their chosen activities based on their interests and needs.
We want to ensure that our students show commitment to their clubs, and we expect students to show regular attendance at their chosen activities.
Our clubs and societies include:
- Journalism (school newspaper)
- Maths enrichment groups
- Sustainability Club
- Robotics Club
- Multilingual Creative Club
- Community Leaders Group
- Student Council
- Yearbook Committee
- Forensics Club
- Chess Club
- Drama Club
- Club Ecologie
The majority of our co-curricular clubs are offered throughout the year; however, some work on a half-term cycle to allow students the opportunity to benefit from the large range of clubs on offer.
A specific programme is circulated at the start of each half-term, and students sign up for their chosen activities based on their interests and needs.
We want to ensure that our students show commitment to their clubs, and we expect students to show regular attendance at their chosen activities.
Our clubs and societies include:
- Journalism (school newspaper)
- Maths enrichment groups
- Sustainability Club
- Robotics Club
- Multilingual Creative Club
- Community Leaders Group
- Student Council
- Yearbook Committee
- Forensics Club
- Chess Club
- Drama Club
- Club Ecologie
University Counselling
The International School of Monaco has a diverse student body: each student has his or her own particular interests, talents, academic needs, and personalities. The university counselling process is tailored to identifying the school that best fits each individual student. From discussing personal goals, career aspirations, and personal preferences, to co-creating the plan for successful university admissions, our college counselling process supports students from start to finish.
Laura Núñez, University Counselor
M.A., M.S. University of Michigan, San Francisco State University
Class of 2023 university offers
We are delighted that our Class of 2023 students have received outstanding conditional offers from some of the most competitive and prestigious universities throughout the world, and we are excited to share with you an overview of their offers here!
University acceptances 2017-2022
UK UNIVERSITIES |
EUROPEAN UNIVERSITIES |
NORTH AMERICAN UNIVERSITIES |
| CASS Business School | Aarhus University | American University |
| Cardiff University | American University of Paris | Boston University |
| Durham University | Bocconi University | Clark University |
| Goldsmiths University | Copenhagen Business School | Concordia University |
| Heriott-Watt University | Ecole Hôtelière Lausanne | Emory University |
| Hult University | Ecole d’Art Contemporain de Luxembourg | Fordham University |
| King’s College London | Erasmus University Rotterdam | George Washington University |
| London School of Economics | ESADE University | Loyola Marymount University |
| Royal Holloway University | ESSEC University | Merrimack College |
| Sussex University | EU Business School | McGill University |
| University Arts London | IE University | The New School |
| University of Bath | International University of Monaco | New York University |
| University of Brighton | La Salle Campus Barcelona | Northeastern University |
| University of Bristol | Istituto Marangoni | Northwestern University |
| University of Cardiff | Modul University | Pace University |
| University College London | Parsons School of Design Paris | Parson’s School of Design |
| University of Edinburgh | St. Louis University, Madrid | Pepperdine University |
| University of Exeter | Turiba University | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute |
| University of Manchester | University of Amsterdam | Santa Clara University |
| University of Nottingham | University of Copenhagen | Tufts University |
| University of Oxford | University of Rijeka | Tulane University |
| University of Reading | Vienna University of Economics and Business | University of Michigan |
| University of St. Andrews | Willem de Kooning Academy | University of Oregon |
| University of Warwick | University of San Francisco | |
| Queen Mary University | Washington University St. Louis | |
| Yale University | ||
| UCLA | ||
| Villanova University |
University Visitors
The International School of Monaco welcomes university visits throughout the year. Our school is located at 12, quai Antoine 1er on the Port Hercule. It is easily accessible from the Monaco train station approximately 25 minutes from Nice by train.
Please contact Laura Núñez at laura.nunez@ismonaco.com or +377 93 25 68 30.
