High School Curriculum

American Curriculum & Advanced Placement Program
美高项目 & AP 课程

Click here for the Chinese version | 点击这里查看中文版本.

Standards-based Grading at DAIS and DHS

Academic grades are determined using a standards-based grading system which reports how well the student mastered the knowledge and skills from the adopted standards. Grades are based on academic factors only; non-academic factors such as attendance, behavior, effort, and responsibility are not factored into grades.

Grade Point Average (GPA) is not weighted. Only courses completed (excluding Applied Studies) at Dalian American International School and Dalian Huamei School are calculated into an overall GPA. GPA is based on a 4.0 scale.

Mathematics

Mathematics courses emphasize critical thinking beyond computation and are aligned to the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) for Mathematics. The Mathematics program follows the accelerated standards progression provided by CCSS as its designed to provided students with the greatest access to and success within either of six Advanced Placement (AP) courses offered within the department.

Science

Science courses are subject specific and are aligned to the Next Generation Science Standards. Science courses emphasize laboratory skills, modeling, scientific inquiry, and data analysis as they explore different scientific fields. The progression of courses is designed to ensure access to and success within any of the six Advanced Placement (AP) courses offered within the department.

Social Studies

Social Studies courses are skills-based, aligned to the historical thinking skills standards delineated by the National Council for History in the Schools (NCHS). Social Studies courses are connected by time periods to correlating English Language Arts courses. The Social Studies department offers a robust offering of Advanced Placement (AP) courses from grades 9-12.

Visual Arts

Visual Arts courses are aligned to the National Standards for the Arts. Visual arts standards and provide opportunities for students to develop as artists in a variety of mediums. Visual Arts students showcase their art in the annual Art Show held each spring. The progression of courses is designed to provide access to and success in the Advanced Placement (AP) Studio Art course.

Music

Music courses are aligned to the National Standards for the Arts music standards and provide students the opportunity to specialize in instrumental or choral music. Music students perform in at least one public concert each semester with more opportunities for public performance growing each year. The progression of courses is designed to provide access to and success in the Advanced Placement (AP) Music Theory course.

English Language Arts

English Language Arts courses are skills-based vs texts-based, are connected by time periods to correlating Social Studies courses, and are aligned to the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) for English Language Arts. All English courses develop students’ skills of reading, writing, speaking, and critical thinking through literary and/or non-fiction texts. The progression of courses is designed to ensure access to and success within either of the two Advanced Placement (AP) English courses offered.

World Languages

World Language courses are aligned to the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages focusing on the five “C”s of language learning: Communication, Cultures, Connections, Comparisons, and Communities. Tapping into the local community and environment, students in World Language courses get to apply their language skills in the real world on a regular basis as well as being prepared for the Advanced Placement (AP) Chinese Language and Culture course.

Health & Physical Education

Physical Education courses are aligned to the Society for Health and Physical Educators (SHAPE) National Standards for K-12 Physical Education and Health Education. In addition to completing the credit requirement for Physical Education, all students are required to complete one semester-long Health Education course.

Applied Studies

Applied Studies courses are project-based and culminate in a showcased project that impacts the school community. Students may repeat Applied Studies courses multiple times.