No, students do not need to speak French or any other second language to enter International High School. Students in the IB track can choose to start Chinese or French, or continue with Arabic, Italian, or Spanish.

Our students are smart, independent thinkers who enjoy academic challenges and like being around more eclectic classmates than traditional college preparatory schools provide. We call ourselves “International” for a reason. Our teachers and our student body are from all over the world. The international element is present in all of our classes and activities. Our baccalaureate programs ensure that there is never an intellectual glass ceiling. Our global travel programs are second to none. Working on a daily basis alongside other intelligent individuals from differing backgrounds guarantees that your day will never boring and predictable, and you will learn more.

This is the most interesting question. We recruit an astonishing range of individuals. We are not a one-size-fits-all school and we do not have a particular student applicant profile in mind. We want the best and brightest and most interesting students. To be accepted at International, you must convince us that you are ready to do the work and ready to bring all your unique qualities and intellectual curiosity without reservation.

If your middle school grades and standardized tests scores are strong and we can discern some extra, special talent or quality that will add value to our diverse, internationally-minded community, then it is likely that we will offer you a place.

If you have known all along that you are smart and curious, but your grades and standardized testing do not tell the whole story, do not despair. You can earn a spot if you can demonstrate to our Admissions team that you have the potential to thrive in our unique academic environment and are 100% ready to reinvent yourself. We have seen plenty of unconventional, late bloomers emerge as academic leaders and go on to the very best colleges. 

Whatever your profile is coming in, it will be up to you to take charge of your own destiny. Here at International we will look you in the eye and take you seriously, both as an individual and as an emerging young adult. We are exceptionally supportive, respectful and inclusive, but we do not coddle.

In summary: you can be feisty or on the quiet side, super-organized or a little dreamy; but you must be smart, be literate and numerate, have sparkle, be willing to explore your passions, and, on your best days, provoke and inspire your teachers and your peers.

Students arriving from our own 8th grade will be anxious to meet you. Many will approach you directly even on the first day and you will make new friends fast. These returning students grew up respecting and enjoying differences, and are interesting, open, and friendly. They love their school but, just like you, can’t wait to reinvent themselves in the
exciting new social arena of high school.

Our students look after each other and really value individuality and eccentricity. The kinds of things considered cool at International include: asking the teacher tough questions in a seminar class, making a wild spirit day costume, delivering an elegant oral presentation, being on a winning team, starting up an original club, or writing—and performing live—your own alternative folk song.

The French Baccalauréat (Bac) diploma and International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma are considered among the most
prestigious and rigorous programs in the world. They are both two-year mini degree programs that are among the best in preparing students for college and life beyond school. There are currently more than 900,000 IB students and 750,000 Bac students globally. International is proud to be the first IB Diploma school in San Francisco and the 4th IB Diploma School in the country. We have over 40 years of experience offering the IB.

It is also worth mentioning that the IB examinations actually take place in May of your senior year, long after February, when most US college acceptances are settled. While you will be able to use the results of the IB for college credit, it is the fact that you are taking the IB and, of course, obtaining good grades along the way,  that will get you into a great college.

The IB Diploma does not replace regular high school graduation. At International, you receive a recognized 8-semester transcript, with a regular GPA. The big difference being that the course titles on your transcript look really good in the eyes of college admission, because you will be engaged in so many IB honors classes. You still get focused preparation for SATs and personalized college counseling. You still get your regular high school diploma.

The French Baccalauréat is the diploma of choice for our students who are fluent in French, and feel completely at home in a French approach to teaching and learning. The International Baccalaureate is ideal for students who are
just beginning second language studies, or would like to pursue an international track of classes. Both diplomas are considered among the most prestigious programs in the world, and offer students the opportunity to self-direct
their learning and immerse themselves in challenging academic studies.

Learning differences are viewed as part of reaching and engaging every student in every class by our teachers. In fact, we want all students to be fully aware their own learning style. Under the guidance of our excellent Learning Specialist, we have many successful students who routinely receive extra time and other accommodations on exams, standardized tests as well as the final IB and French Bac examinations. We cannot dilute the work but we do offer great support.

We have a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) laptop program. This step was a logical progression in our modern learning program. By using a BYOD program, we are ensuring our students are prepared for college and the workplace trained on appropriate devices for writing, data processing, and computer programming.

AP classes are great, but we specialize in the IB.

It would be redundant for us to offer AP classes because our IB classes offer similar benefits. Both programs provide college level honors classes. In terms of gaining Admission to selective colleges, and being "advanced placed" in more interesting, advanced classes once you get there, both programs will serve you extremely well.

We prefer the IB because of its integrated, holistic approach. In a single, seamless package you explore six chosen subjects, write a major research essay, satisfy the action, creativity and service component and participate in the Theory of Knowledge seminar class. Intrinsically there is significantly more emphasis on extended writing and personal research in the full IB Diploma.

The AP has come a long way in recent years but a large proportion of their assessment is tied to multiple choice questions which can be graded inexpensively by machine. The development committees for each AP subject maintain excellent standards but, as the detailed course descriptions reveal, they tend to work as autonomous entities.

Every one of our students benefits from interactions, discussions, and shared activities with other students from various backgrounds, including: countries of origin, cultures and religions, ethnicities and races, family structures, income levels, learning styles, native languages, physical abilities, political beliefs, gender expressions, and sexual orientations. For us, bilingualism, internationalism, and an early appreciation for diversity in all its forms are keys to understanding and communicating across other cultures. We engineer this deliberately by bringing together families and educators from a wide range of backgrounds. Together we strive to create a shared culture that develops compassionate, confident, and principled students who will make the world better.