New Pathways for the Next Century

By Giles Pinto, High School Vice Principal/Diploma Programs Coordinator

 

New Pathways for the Next Century

 

What makes a successful graduate of YIS? To help address that question, in less than a month on October 23, we will be welcoming our Grade 10 parents to campus for our evening session on course and program selection in Grades 11-12. A few days after that, we will officially kick off our celebrations for the YIS Centenary, which will spotlight our rich history. It is also a very good time to highlight the new pathways we are developing for YIS students in the next century.

International Graduates from the Class of 2024

 

For students entering Grades 11-12, a major shift has been the further expansion and establishment of expectations in regards to the YIS Diploma pathway. We are increasingly seeing more and more students who are electing to not follow the IB Diploma pathway in Grades 11-12. This could be because they are heavily engaged with high performance athletics or the arts and need more flexibility in their schedule. Or it could be because they appreciate having more Study Hall time for independent learning. Or it could be because they only need to attain IB course certificates rather than the IB Diploma for their future plans: a good explanation can be found here.

 

Students Carefully Working Together in Science Class

 

Greater engagement with the YIS Diploma pathway is a very positive sign for our school. This is because, looking into the next century at YIS and our impact strategy, we especially want to cultivate more autonomy within our students. We want them to know that even with our school’s impressive results in relation to the IB Diploma, this is not the only pathway open to them as they move toward graduation. We also want them to know that by taking the YIS Diploma pathway, they will have even more of an opportunity to build their digital portfolio and personal brand through the Global Citizen Diploma.

HS Students Presenting Their Personal Project to Younger Dragons

 

Students within the YIS Diploma pathway attend the same classes as their peers, benefiting in equal measure from the exceptional dedication and skill of our teachers as well as our world-leading facilities. Based on their own authentic choices and in their pursuit of self-discovery, they engage in what the acclaimed scientist Neil deGrasse Tyson calls “the most human activity”. They are embodying our mission by living well, learning with passion and creativity, and leading in their own unique ways. We know this will carry them through to their next steps after high school and the fulfillment of their life’s ambitions.