Curriculum

Harbor City International School offers a comprehensive curriculum that is based on the belief that students learn best when content appears in an authentic context, when students are allowed to make choices about their own learning, and when they are appropriately challenged. Instruction at HCIS therefore has four priorities:

• Varied delivery of instruction emphasizing integration of subject areas
• Individualized learning
• An international perspective
• Alignment to Minnesota graduation standards

Current Learning Plans

HCIS strives to give all stakeholders access to information about the instructional programs at out school. In the interest of better communication and understanding, the staff makes available the current two week learning plan for all of the courses at the school. You can find them by clicking on the learning plans link above.


Base Camp
Base Camp is a weekly meeting where students meet with one another and an adult advisor to find motivation, insight, and assistance with their individual academic projects and life challenges. Adult advisors made up of teachers and other school staff will serve as liaisons to each student’s family for matters of concern, progress reporting, and other communication needs.

Life Skills
Success in the world beyond school requires proficiency in a variety of skills and abilities. These skills are taught and integraded throughout an HCIS education. The Harbor City International School curriculum emphasizes authentic experiences in the real world and provides intentionally designed academic opportunities to learn and practice needed skills.
Skill topics addressed include:

• Working in a group
• Elements of self assessment
• Time management
• Conferencing and meeting skills
• Learning outside of school
• Public speaking
• Research process components
• Critical thinking process skills
• Stress management and wellness
• Setting priorities

International

Harbor City International School recognizes that today’s students are and will be citizens of a global environment and marketplace and our curriculum reflects this understanding. Students will study their place in the world, from their local community to their global connections. International and multi-cultural perspectives, international travel, interactive projects with international partner schools and communities, and the study of a foreign language and culture fosters this progressive study.