Grade-level Programming

With the support of their academic advisors and the College Counseling staff, students will:

• Develop essential skills, such as setting academic goals and learning how to access support services and strategies for success. 
• Work on skills acquisition and core principles during advisory period. 
• Explore and become involved in extracurricular activities and try new sports, clubs, and activities to discover genuine interests 
• Acquire skills for studying and taking exams
• Participate in the Career Fair, offered every other year 
• Complete the Brevet (optional)

Grade 9 Program Highlight: "Debunking College Myths" session for students and "Introduction to College Counseling webinar for parents

In Grade 10, students continue to build their foundation toward the college search process. Key activities include:

• An introduction to the format and content included in the PSAT; all students take the test together in October, on campus
• An introduction to our college counseling platform MaiaLearning. Students will take character and interest assessments to explore various career possibilities
• Guidance for students and families around formally electing the French Baccalaureate or International Baccalaureate program to continue for Grades 11 and 12
• Participating in a curriculum overview session and an individual course selection meeting with the Director of College Counseling and either the French Baccalaureate or International Baccalaureate Program Coordinator
• Participation in the Career Fair, offered every other year
• Participation in the Grade 10 Work Observation program, a one-week career immersion program required of all students
• Attend College Fairs
• Explore options for summer programs, internships, or jobs

Grade 10 Program Highlight: Introduction to Global Higher Education Systems event for students and parents

The college search process formally begins in Grade 11. During this year, students will: 

• Participate in a College Kickoff event for students and parents in the spring 
• Begin individual meetings with College Counselor
• Learn more about higher education options globally
• Continue exploring with MaiaLearning, our college counseling platform, including researching and list building colleges and universities of interest
• Explore majors and careers of interest
• Participate in the PSAT exam and review of results (evaluation of SAT/ACT strategies, if applicable)
• Register for and take the SAT and/or ACT, if recommended 
• Attend College Fairs, schedule College Tours, and meet with College Reps visiting ISB
• Engage in various workshops around essay writing and resume building
• Participate in the Career Fair, offered every other year
• Explore options for summer programs, internships, or jobs

Grade 11 Program Highlight: University Campus Visit

The college search process is activated in Grade 12, when students will: 

• Participate in individual counseling meetings
• Assistance with writing and revising college essays and personal statements
• Participate in the student and parent Senior College Counseling kickoff event 
• Continue attending College Fairs, schedule College Tours, and meet with College Reps visiting ISB
• Seek out leadership opportunities on teams and with clubs where there is active participation
• Develop a personalized application strategy with a focus on creating a balanced college list
• Engage in various workshops around global higher education options and assistance with navigating various application platforms
• Guidance around deadline management
• Complete the French Baccalaureate and International Baccalaureate Diploma Exams
• Register for and take the SAT and/or ACT, if recommended 
• Explore options for summer programs, internships, or jobs
• Receive ongoing support on making choices from the first university acceptance all the way through the completion of final exams.

Grade 12 Program Highlights:

• College Transition Workshop, in collaboration with ISB's Health & Wellness Team
• Financial Aid Workshop for students and parents
• Participation in Mock Interviews, led by ISB Health & Wellness Coordinator Darlene Jacokes who is an experienced alumni admissions interviewer for her alma mater, MIT