Secondary School

Literature-13 and Writing-13 students engage in QSI’s new English curriculum. This inaugural year of the recently released updated course of study benefits from new-and-improved synchronization and tried-and-true timeless works of literary merit. Students assemble portfolios in Literature class, marshaling evidence to demonstrate how an author’s voice and perspective affect stories and how they are told. Using narrative fiction short story classics from Edgar Allen Poe, Isaac Asimov, Ray Bradbury, and W.W. Jacobs, students apply evidence from texts in literary analysis essays in Writing class. IB Psychology students concurrently progress on designing, implementing, and reporting on their recapitulation of a landmark experiment, while beginning study of developmental psychology. Drawing on the biological and cognitive bases of behavior, the class delves deeper into critical periods of development for perception, behavior, and moral development. In Theory of Knowledge, Year 2 students reflect on the scope, perspectives, tools & methods and ethical considerations as applied to the Human Sciences of economics, psychology, sociology, anthropology and global politics, as they gird themselves to teach each other “how we know what we know” in fundamental findings from Natural Sciences: basics of cosmology; chemistry; the nature of reality. It’s all in a day’s study! 

Students in AP Seminar have been hard at work learning the ins and outs of the course and even attempted their first Performance Task Team Presentation as they argued for how they will be surviving Junior Year. Students identified the biggest threats they may face this year through different lenses (such as sleep deprivation and various social pressures). We’re really looking forward to conquering these challenges this year and becoming even better students and people along the way!

Check out all the things happening with Mr. Shehu's students in Middle School IE, MS and SEC Literacy Support, and 13YO Cultural Studies!

In our Spanish class, we emphasize the significance of oral communication when acquiring a new language. We firmly believe that speaking is a cornerstone of language learning. Over the past few weeks, our students have been actively engaged in immersive activities. Through role-play exercises and dialogues, they've been putting their Spanish vocabulary into action. These dynamic learning experiences not only enhance their linguistic abilities but also boost their confidence in using the language. Working together on dialogues and role-plays has encouraged teamwork and mutual support, creating a positive learning environment.

Algebra students create math equations for a project called "Figure Me Out".  Students created various types of equations with numerical answers to describe themselves.

AP Biology students begin the course with a review of the properties of the most important molecule for life on our planet – water. Cohesion is a property of water that most people have observed when they pour more water than intended into a glass so that the water level is above the top of the glass. For living things, it allows a water strider insect to walk on water or tall trees to get enough water. Substances dissolved in water can affect this property. AP Biology students tested this using water and water with dissolved substances dropped onto the surface of a coin. We used the data on the number of drops added to make a statistical analysis of the effects of added dissolved substances. It is this statistical analysis and the bar graphs made from this data that provide practice in interpreting data which is required on the AP Biology test. And besides, who does not need a little fun with water in their day.