About Us

UPPER SCHOOL

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The Upper School comprises all students from Grade 7 to Grade 12. Our current enrolment is 783 students.

The International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme serves as the cornerstone of the learning experience in the Upper School. All students in Grade 11 and 12 are enrolled in the full Diploma Programme (DP). The DP is designed as an academically challenging and balanced university preparatory programme. The programme is taught over two years culminating in final examinations and has gained recognition and respect from the world's leading universities. In Grades 7 – 10, all students are enrolled in the Middle Years Programme (MYP). The MYP provides a framework of academic challenge that encourages students to embrace and understand the connections between traditional subjects and the real world, and become critical and reflective thinkers.

In addition, the Upper School is inspected annually by the Ontario Ministry of Education and is authorized to grant credits for courses taken by students in Grades 9 - 12 for the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD). See our Course Calendar for details regarding the interface between the IB Programme and the OSSD.

In Grades 7 and 8, as part of the MYP, in addition to the core subjects of Math, English, Science and Humanities, all students will take French, Mandarin, Music, Drama, Visual Arts and Health and Physical Education. In Grades 9 and 10, students have several subject choices available from the areas required by the MYP and the OSSD. In Grades 11 and 12, as part of the Diploma Programme, students study six courses at higher or standard level but must choose one subject from each of Groups 1 to 5 (see course calendar), thus ensuring breath of experience in Languages, Social Studies, Science and Mathematics. The sixth subject may be an Arts course taken from Group 6, or the student may choose another course from Groups 1 to 5.

As students prepare for university admission, we provide counselling and academic support tailored to meet goals, needs and strengths. Significant opportunities exist for students to become involved in athletics, arts, leadership and community service. CDNIS students graduate with more than knowledge. They have been challenged and equipped to demonstrate initiative and leadership and to make a difference in the world according to their talents and interests. We take pride in the fact that our achievement levels are very high as we prepare students for the transition to university and life beyond school.