Our Mathematics courses align with Common Core State Standards (CCSS), following accelerated benchmarks provided by CCSS. Designed to give students the best possible chance of success on our Advanced Placement courses, our Math program develops critical thinking and problem-solving skills beyond computation.

Science courses are subject specific and aligned to Next Generation Science Standards. Our program emphasizes laboratory skills, modeling, scientific inquiry, and data analysis, which students explore across different scientific areas. The curriculum sets our learners up for success on our Advanced Placement courses.

Our skills-based Social Studies program aligns with the standards delineated by the National Council for History in Schools (NCHS). Social Studies courses at DAIS correlate to our English Language Arts program, creating connections across the subjects. Our meticulous American High School curriculum offers the best possible preparation for Advanced Placement courses.

Aligned to the National Standards for the Arts, our expansive Visual Arts program nurtures our students’ creative growth across a variety of mediums. Students also showcase their work at an annual Art Show held each spring. Building confidence and creativity, our American High School curriculum is the perfect stepping-stone to Advanced Placement courses.

Our Music program aligns with the National Standards for the Arts, enabling students to specialize in either instrumental or choral music. Our learners perform in at least one public concert each semester, with further performance opportunities offered every year.

English Language Arts

Our English Language Arts curriculum is primarily skills-based. It connects to correlating Social Studies courses and aligns with Common Core State Standards. Our program refines our students’ high-level reading, writing, speaking, and critical thinking skills through literary and/or non-fiction texts. Successful progression gives our students access to Advanced Placement English courses.

Aligned with American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) standards, our World Language courses focus on the five ‘Cs’ of language learning: Communication, Cultures, Connections, Comparisons, and Communities. Tapping into our local community and environment, our programs encourage learners to apply their language skills in real-world scenarios.

Physical and Health Education

Our PE courses align with Society for Health and Physical Educators (SHAPE) National Standards. In addition to completing the credit requirement for PE, our students also complete a semester-long Health Education course.

AGES 14 TO 18

THE DAIS HIGH SCHOOL CURRICULUM

Our international High School program provides a springboard to outstanding colleges and universities around the world. Students progress through the American High School curriculum on to Advanced Placement (AP) courses, which offer a university level of education, as well as A Level and Syracuse University dual enrollment courses. Challenging and academically rigorous, our programs create resilient, knowledgeable, and successful learners.

OUR AMERICAN HIGH SCHOOL CURRICULUM AND AP PROGRAM

High School at Dalian American International School is a dynamic and exciting time, where students enjoy an academically rigorous curriculum that prepares them for a successful college experience.

In a vibrant learning environment, our teachers stretch and challenge each student to fulfil their potential through our American High School curriculum. This sets them up for the challenge of Advanced Placement (AP) courses, A Levels, Syracuse University dual-enrollemnt courses, and Applied Studies opportunities.

Our AP programs are more challenging than typical High School curricula. As such, they are the perfect preparation for college and university. The number and difficulty of AP courses your child takes will play a significant role when a university assesses their academic level.

A LEVEL COURSES

The A Level program at DAIS/Huamei builds on Nord Anglia Education’s global excellence, strengthened by regional education expertise in China and our experienced school leadership. We are the only NAE school worldwide to offer both AP and A Level pathways in high school.

We offer the following A Level subjects: Mathematics and Further Mathematics, Physics, Economics, Business, and Chinese. These subjects can be combined flexibly to meet common university entry requirements.

Our A Level program is fully aligned with Cambridge Assessment International Education (CAIE). Renowned worldwide for its rigorous academic standards and global recognition, Cambridge A Level provides a well‑established and stable curriculum that emphasizes subject depth and the development of critical thinking skills. Examination results are widely accepted by leading universities across the UK, the United States, Australia, Canada, and Europe.

SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY PROJECT ADVANCE

Designed for qualified Grade 12 students, Syracuse University Project Advance (SUPA) allows DAIS learners to take Syracuse University courses during the regular school day while studying on campus at DAIS.

Through this dual-enrollment program, students earn both high school and university credit, gaining valuable experience with the rigor and expectations of college-level academics before graduation.

Currently, eligible students can enroll in SUPA courses including Calculus III, Practices of Academic Writing, and Introduction to Sociology.

MORE ABOUT PROJECT ADVANCE

STANDARDS-BASED GRADING AT OUR PRIVATE HIGH SCHOOL IN DALIAN

We determine our High School students’ academic progress through a standards-based grading system. Our system reports on whether a student has mastered key knowledge and skills in each subject. Grades are based on academic factors only; non-academic factors such as attendance, behavior, effort, and responsibility aren’t considered.

At our international High School in Dalian, Grade Point Average (GPA) isn’t weighted. Only courses completed (excluding Applied Studies) are calculated as part of a student’s overall GPA. GPA is based on a 4.0 scale.

Сollege Counseling and Students Services |大连美国国际学校 - Feature Cards Pattern - Pathways

HIGH SCHOOL COURSE PATHWAYS

Designed by our Counseling Team, these course pathways help students align their high school studies with their university and career aspirations.

Each pathway provides a recommended sequence of courses from Grades 9–12, showing how academic choices can lead to specific majors, degrees, and future professions while keeping options flexible as students explore their interests.

High School Course Catalog

Business Pathways

Business, Economics & Finance Pathway provides students with opportunities to build knowledge and skills through AP courses, SUPA university-credit courses, and advanced mathematics, including AP Microeconomics, AP Macroeconomics, AP Business & Finance, AP Statistics, Calculus III (SUPA), and Intro to Sociology (SUPA), creating a strong foundation for future studies in business, economics, finance, accounting, and related fields.

View Course Pathway

Engineering Pathways

Engineering & Applied Sciences Pathway gives students a strong foundation in mathematics, science, computing, and design through advanced AP and SUPA courses, including AP Physics, AP Chemistry, AP Computer Science, AP Calculus, and Calculus III (SUPA), preparing them for university studies and careers in engineering, technology, and innovation.

View Course Pathway

Fine Arts & Design Pathways

Fine Arts, Design & Creative Industries Pathway empowers students to develop their artistic and creative talents through a blend of studio art, design, digital media, photography, AP Studio Art, AP English, and SUPA courses, building strong portfolios and preparing them for university studies and careers in the arts, design, architecture, animation, and creative industries.

View Course Pathway

International Relations Pathways

International Relations, Law & Social Sciences Pathway prepares students to understand global issues, governance, and society through a combination of AP and SUPA coursework, including AP Human Geography, AP Macroeconomics, AP Psychology, AP World History, Intro to Sociology (SUPA), Academic Writing (SUPA), and Model United Nations, building a strong foundation for university studies in international relations, law, political science, public policy, and related fields.

View Course Pathway

Liberal Arts Pathways

Liberal Arts (English & History) Pathway develops students' strengths in writing, critical thinking, communication, and historical analysis through a rich selection of AP and SUPA courses, including AP English Language, AP English Literature, AP World History, AP US History, Intro to Sociology (SUPA), and Academic Writing (SUPA), preparing them for university studies in the humanities, social sciences, education, law, and related fields.

View Course Pathway

Life Sciences Pathways

Medicine, Life Sciences & Health Sciences Pathway provides students with a strong foundation in biology, chemistry, mathematics, and psychology through advanced AP and SUPA coursework, including AP Biology, AP Chemistry, AP Psychology, AP Calculus, Calculus III (SUPA), and Academic Writing (SUPA), preparing them for university studies and careers in medicine, healthcare, biomedical sciences, and research.

View Course Pathway

Media Pathways

Media, Communication & Journalism Pathway develops students’ skills in writing, storytelling, media production, and communication through AP and SUPA coursework, including AP English Language, AP English Literature, AP Human Geography, Academic Writing (SUPA), Journalism, Film Studies, Digital Photography, and Yearbook, preparing them for university studies and careers in media, communications, journalism, public relations, film, and digital content creation.

View Course Pathway

Psychology & Sociology Pathways

Psychology & Sociology Pathway helps students explore human behavior, society, and research through a combination of AP and SUPA coursework, including AP Psychology, AP Human Geography, Intro to Sociology (SUPA), AP Statistics, Academic Writing (SUPA), and advanced science courses, preparing them for university studies and careers in psychology, sociology, counseling, public health, social work, and related fields.

View Course Pathway

A GUIDE TO OUR HIGH SCHOOL CURRICULUM SUBJECTS

Mathematics

Our Mathematics courses align with Common Core State Standards (CCSS), following accelerated benchmarks provided by CCSS. Designed to give students the best possible chance of success on our Advanced Placement courses, our Math program develops critical thinking and problem-solving skills beyond computation.
Science

Science courses are subject specific and aligned to Next Generation Science Standards. Our program emphasizes laboratory skills, modeling, scientific inquiry, and data analysis, which students explore across different scientific areas. The curriculum sets our learners up for success on our Advanced Placement courses.
Social Studies

Our skills-based Social Studies program aligns with the standards delineated by the National Council for History in Schools (NCHS). Social Studies courses at DAIS correlate to our English Language Arts program, creating connections across the subjects. Our meticulous American High School curriculum offers the best possible preparation for Advanced Placement courses.
Visual Arts

Aligned to the National Standards for the Arts, our expansive Visual Arts program nurtures our students’ creative growth across a variety of mediums. Students also showcase their work at an annual Art Show held each spring. Building confidence and creativity, our American High School curriculum is the perfect stepping-stone to Advanced Placement courses.
Music

Our Music program aligns with the National Standards for the Arts, enabling students to specialize in either instrumental or choral music. Our learners perform in at least one public concert each semester, with further performance opportunities offered every year.
English Language Arts

Our English Language Arts curriculum is primarily skills-based. It connects to correlating Social Studies courses and aligns with Common Core State Standards. Our program refines our students’ high-level reading, writing, speaking, and critical thinking skills through literary and/or non-fiction texts. Successful progression gives our students access to Advanced Placement English courses.
World Languages

Aligned with American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) standards, our World Language courses focus on the five ‘Cs’ of language learning: Communication, Cultures, Connections, Comparisons, and Communities. Tapping into our local community and environment, our programs encourage learners to apply their language skills in real-world scenarios.
Physical and Health Education

Our PE courses align with Society for Health and Physical Educators (SHAPE) National Standards. In addition to completing the credit requirement for PE, our students also complete a semester-long Health Education course.

DAIS High School Course Catalog

DAIS catalog new.pdf (20 MB)

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APPLIED STUDIES COURSES

Our project-based Applied Studies courses encourage creativity and critical thinking, as well as enabling students to pursue their passions. Learners choose from a wide range of courses at our international High School in Dalian, which include Drama, Government, Engineering and Product Design, and Video Production. Each course culminates in a final project that will have a positive impact on the school community.

primary

Secondary School

A TYPICAL DAY AT HIGH SCHOOL

Every day, we provide a breadth of opportunities for our High School students to develop their interpersonal skills and academic knowledge, which prepares them for a global future.

High School Curriculum | Dalian American International School |Dalian Huamei School - 06 - Visual Timeline

Morning activity

Our students come together as they prepare for a busy day ahead.

morning activity

Mixed lessons

Our students immerse themselves in two blocks of learning, either in our labs, specialist spaces, or flexible classrooms.

mixed lessons

Lunch break

Learners enjoy a healthy meal cooked by our onsite chef, whose menu has been devised by a dietician.

lunch

Advisory class

Extended advisory classes on Monday and Friday bring our community together, as students enjoy whole-school assemblies, house events, Character Counts activities, and more.

ADVISORY CLASSES

Further lessons

Our students' academic education continues, as they delve into a range of subjects.

further LESSONS

Extra-curricular activities

A variety of After-School Activities give our learners the chance to develop their skills and pursue passions.

extra-curricular activities

Evening boarding

The day continues for our boarders, who benefit from guided study time before bed.

evening for our boarders

HOW WE TEACH

REALIZING YOUR CHILD'S POTENTIAL

Our highly experienced international High School teachers belong to an elite group of professionals, who set the highest standards and work hard to stay at the cutting-edge of best practice. Their energy and expertise will inspire your child, ensuring they achieve their full potential.

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OUR FACILITIES

SPACES THAT WILL INSPIRE YOUR CHILD TO SHINE

Our modern campus has been expertly designed with our students’ education in mind, ensuring a calm, comfortable, and collaborative learning environment. In cutting-edge classrooms, outstanding sports facilities, and dedicated labs and art studios, your child’s talents will shine.

DISCOVER OUR CAMPUS