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academic excellence

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Key Facts
A Global Home in Charlotte, NC
We’re proud to be the only international school — with outstanding global offerings — in all of greater Charlotte.
Scoring 6.8 Points Above the Global IB Average
100% of BISC graduates have passed the IB, with our average score of 39.8 points, compared to the global average of just 33 out of 45.
Attending the World’s Best Colleges and Universities
We’re delighted that our students have accepted offers from UCLA, Duke, NYU, the University of Brighton, the University of Essex, Elon University, and beyond.

A ROADMAP FOR YOUR CHILD’S SUCCESS

At the British International School of Charlotte, we’re very happy to offer small classes of only about ten students per teacher, which allows our teachers to personalize your child’s learning journey — tailoring activities and assignments to what interests each child and aligning this with custom learning goals.

By approaching every step collaboratively with your child, each teacher-and-student pair create a detailed, work-in-progress “personalized success plan” (PSP) that acts as a roadmap for where your child is going and how they’re going to get there. With this personalized approach, our teachers know exactly where your child needs support and where they need to be challenged. As your child grows in their independence, they then become the driver of their plans, confidently owning and pursuing their strategic pathway towards an exciting future.
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EARLY YEARS
  • EARLY YEARS
  • PRIMARY
  • LOWER SECONDARY
  • UPPER SECONDARY

EARLY YEARS

Our Early Years Foundation program embraces your child within our nurturing, creative, and stimulating environment. These years, prior to beginning Primary School (Elementary), are devoted to encouraging your child's social, academic, and personal development.
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18 months to 5 years old
OUR EARLY YEARS FOUNDATION STAGE (EYFS) CURRICULUM
Our Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum from the UK features stimulating and imaginative learning-through-play experiences, alongside many hands-on activities that build our young learners’ understanding of literacy and math concepts. Following a series of themes and carefully structured experiences, your child will also advance their communication and social development, physical growth, and understanding of the world — all while having fun.
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PRIMARY SCHOOL

Equivalent to Elementary School, our Primary School explores the English National Curriculum and the thematic-based International Primary Curriculum (IPC) — a combination that ensures the development of core skills in math and literacy, alongside an interdisciplinary approach to other subjects. We make learning exciting, active, and meaningful by encouraging your child to make connections across all areas. We also build their critical thinking and problem-solving skills early on.
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5 to 11 years old
THE ENGLISH NATIONAL CURRICULUM AND THE INTERNATIONAL PRIMARY CURRICULUM (IPC)
Following the English National Curriculum, our Primary students develop their literacy (reading, phonics, spelling, writing, speaking, and listening) and math skills. Under the International Primary Curriculum (IPC), they also learn about science, technology, art and music, geography and history, physical education, literacy, and numeracy in a holistic way of connecting these subjects through themes and applications to the world. Additionally, they have exciting specialist opportunities to nurture their art, music, and language skills in French or Spanish.
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LOWER SECONDARY SCHOOL

Equivalent to Grades 6–8 of Middle School in the US system and Years 7–9 in the British system, our Lower Secondary School is when your child will study components of the English National Curriculum and the International Middle Years Curriculum (IMYC). This broad and balanced combination allows students to experience a wide range of subjects, while developing their critical thinking, collaboration, time management, and social skills.

These years are significant in your child's life as they grow through adolescence. As they make decisions about the future, teachers work closely to provide personal guidance and support.
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11 to 14 years old
THE ENGLISH NATIONAL CURRICULUM AND THE INTERNATIONAL MIDDLE YEARS CURRICULUM (IMYC)
While the English National Curriculum goes into greater depth with specific subjects, the IMYC offers a thematic approach to learning with its relevance to the world — bringing learning to life for your child. These combined curricula extend our students’ knowledge, skills, and understanding across English; mathematics; languages (including French and Spanish); world history and geography; the sciences; the arts; design and computer technology; and physical education.
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UPPER SECONDARY SCHOOL

Equivalent to Grades 9–12 of High School in the US system and Years 10–13 in the British system, our Upper Secondary School is when your child will first study for their IGCSEs before going on to complete the IBDP. 

The completion of the IGCSE and IBDP at BIS Charlotte offers an excellent well-rounded educational platform for entry into competitive colleges and universities worldwide. Our students become highly prepared for life at university and beyond: they can ask challenging questions, learn how to learn, develop a strong sense of their own identity and culture, and connect with others from a variety of countries.
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14 to 16 years old
THE INTERNATIONAL GENERAL CERTIFICATE OF SECONDARY EDUCATION (IGCSE)
The IGCSE is the world’s most prominent international qualification for 14- to 16-year-olds in Years 10 and 11, recognized by leading colleges, universities, and employers worldwide. Students study nine subjects over six terms, or their first two years of Upper Secondary School. They must study English literature and language, mathematics, and statistics. They then can study their personal selection from at least one humanities subject, two sciences, and one language. This may include biology, chemistry, physics, French, Spanish, history, geography, physical education, art, drama, or music.
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16 to 18 years old
THE INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE DIPLOMA PROGRAMME (IBDP)
The IBDP is a highly regarded international qualification recognized by the world’s leading universities for how well it prepares students for success at college or university and life in a global society. In these last two years of Upper Secondary School at BISC (Years 12 and 13), students study six subjects consisting of a literature-based language course, a conversational-based second language course, a social science, a science, a math course, and an elective. Students also complete the IB components known as the Theory of Knowledge (TOK), an Extended Essay (EE), and Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS).
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BISC_Charlotte_2019_195Academic Excellence | British International School of Charlotte - Key Fact Tiles
  • Early Years
  • Primary
  • Lower Secondary
  • Upper Secondary

EARLY YEARS

Your child will feel comfortable and safe in our kind, nurturing school environment, as they begin to make outstanding progress in their learning and development.
Ages
1.5–5 
years
Average Class Size
20
Languages Taught
Spanish and French
Student-Teacher Ratio
10:1

PRIMARY SCHOOL

Your child will feel secure to become more independent and self-sufficient, while learning essential life skills that help with time management, prioritizing, and problem solving.
Ages
5–11
Average Class Size
15
Languages Taught
Spanish and French
Student-Teacher Ratio
10:1 

LOWER SECONDARY SCHOOL

Your child will build their independence and work ethic under our personal guidance and support — not just academically, but also socially and emotionally.
Ages
11–14
Average Class Size
15
Languages Taught
Spanish and French
Student-Teacher Ratio
10:1 

UPPER SECONDARY SCHOOL

In school and beyond, your child will work collaboratively with our teachers to make the best choices for their interests, needs, and future.
Ages
14–18
Average Class Size
15
Languages Taught
Spanish and French
Student-Teacher Ratio
10:1
primary
  • EARLY YEARS
  • PRIMARY SCHOOL
  • LOWER SECONDARY SCHOOL
  • UPPER SECONDARY SCHOOL

A TYPICAL DAY AT BIS CHARLOTTE

Our days are full of magical moments of learning about ourselves and each other, building our abilities across a variety of stimulating learning activities, and making vibrant friendships built upon trust and care.
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WAKE UP, SHAKE UP!
We begin each morning with a boost of energy by participating in fun, interactive activities with peers. We move to the music, follow instructional videos, and connect with our teachers and friends, as we get excited to tackle the day ahead.
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CONNECTING WITH EACH OTHER
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STORYTIME
We embark on an imaginary journey through reading, allowing our minds to wander to new worlds as we practice our phonics and listening. We love to explore the magic of books, enriching our literacy through captivating storytelling from our teachers and peers!
BUILDING LITERACY
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QUIET TIME
At midday, we’ll take a break and refresh our minds with peaceful quiet. We can take a nap or simply relax so we can reset and rejuvenate. By learning when and how to pause, we get prepared to move through the rest of the school day with a clear, focused mind.
RESTING AND RECHARGING
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IMAGINATION GARDEN
We step into a world of discovery and fun in the Imagination Garden, which has plenty of toys and activities that encourage us to learn through play while building our motor skills and hand-eye coordination. We love to explore with each other in this special outdoor garden.
EXPLORING AND CREATING
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CIRCLE TIME
At the end of the school day, we gather in a circle to reflect and continue learning through play activities. We strengthen our relationships, remember what we’ve learned, look at our growth, and nurture our love for learning.
COMING TOGETHER

A TYPICAL DAY AT BIS CHARLOTTE

Our days are full of magical moments when we cherish our growth and learning, discover the fascinating world, nurture our wellness, and make exciting connections across our subjects and interests.
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LION’S PRIDE
On Friday mornings, we begin with the Lion's Pride celebration, when our school recognizes our academic achievements, kindness, curiosity, and consideration. We learn how to encourage the qualities of hard work, positive attitudes, and thoughtfulness in each other.
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CELEBRATING OUR GROWTH
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ENTRY AND EXIT POINTS
Every day, we enter and navigate a huge world of learning, and we exit with new knowledge and experience. Through different themes, we explore hands-on activities like dressing up, tasting food, celebrating holidays, and diving into cultures — helping us to understand diverse perspectives.
DISCOVERING THE WORLD
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SPECIALIST CLASSES
We experience thrilling STEAM activities through our school’s collaboration with MIT experts, and we also have amazing dance and music classes, enhanced by our school’s collaboration with Juilliard. We also embrace exciting classes in art, French, and Spanish.
ENRICHING OUR ABILITIES
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BUILDING A STRONG FOUNDATION
We become natural at making connections across subjects, as we use our critical thinking and problem-solving skills across the curriculum. Thanks to the exciting hands-on experiences we have in and out of the classroom, we’re challenged and supported in just the right way for our needs.
BECOMING WELL ROUNDED
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SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL HEALTH
Our teachers and peers care about our well-being, and not only academic success, at BISC. We develop healthy habits and communication skills among each other, while learning how to regulate our emotions. Feeling safe and valued, we know we can strive for everything, academically and personally!
NURTURING WELLNESS

A TYPICAL DAY AT BIS CHARLOTTE

Our days are full of magical moments when we deepen our understanding of our place in the world, go after our goals, make connections across subjects, and build a strong sense of self while making lasting friendships.
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A FRESH START
Your student will start each day in their mixed-age form tutor group with other middle school students, where they engage in activities like spelling competitions, organizing their schedules, reviewing current events, and exploring new vocabulary. This time with their form tutor helps set a positive tone for the day, fostering teamwork and personal growth.
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FEELING EAGER
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STEAM-POWERED!
We learn how to apply “design thinking” to stimulating STEAM activities from MIT experts, as we become versed in thinking critically, approaching challenges with an open mind, and bringing our ideas to life. During hands-on experiments and research studies, we’re always learning something new that connects across the disciplines.
DESIGN THINKING
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GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP
Your student will engage with and be exposed to a variety of cultures, languages, and perspectives, broadening their understanding of the world and fostering a sense of global awareness. Our Global Citizenship class is designed to introduce students to wider communities, helping them explore how we are all interconnected and fostering a sense of shared responsibility.
BUILDING GLOBAL CITIZENS
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PERSONAL & CREATIVE BEST
Creative Best is a dynamic arts program that includes dance, drama, visual art, and music, fostering creativity and essential skills like self-expression, collaboration, and problem-solving. Personal Best incorporates wellness and movement to enhance coordination, teamwork, and athletic skills, while encouraging personal growth. It emphasizes both physical wellness and building strong community connections.
GOING FOR GOALS
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FAIL FAST AND FAIL OFTEN
Making mistakes is an essential part of the learning process because it provides valuable opportunities for growth and understanding. When we make mistakes, we are challenged to reflect on what went wrong and why, helping us identify areas for improvement. This process of trial and error encourages critical thinking and problem-solving skills, which are crucial for mastering new concepts. Mistakes also foster resilience, teaching us that failure is not a setback, but a stepping stone to success.
STRENGTHENING OUR WORK ETHIC

A TYPICAL DAY AT BIS CHARLOTTE

Our days are full of magical moments when we connect with our communities, deliver our talents in ways that serve others, realize our strengths and independence, and feel confident and supported in pursuit of our goals and future aspirations.
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MORNING INTENTIONS
We begin our day by taking a few minutes to reflect, meditate, or set goals, as we focus on cultivating a positive mindset. By centering ourselves this way, we approach each day with a renewed sense of energy and purpose.
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REFLECTING AND SETTING GOALS
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CREATIVITY, ACTIVITY, SERVICE
We learn how to use our skills across creative pursuits, physical activity, and community service to benefit others, helping us come to a well-rounded understanding of how we can make a meaningful difference in the world, both locally and globally.
CONTRIBUTING OUR ABILITIES
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COLLABORATION AND INDEPENDENCE
We’re thankful for our teachers’ guidance and parents’ support when we have a challenge. Our teachers always take a collaborative approach towards working with us, as they document our progress and communicate openly with our parents to identify ways we can improve.
COMMUNICATING AND IMPROVING
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THE IB SUITE
In the IB suite, we build our time management and study skills by using the quiet, private cubicles, meeting spaces, and resource-rich reference area for our projects and assignments. During flex time, we meet with teachers or collaborate with peers, just like we will at university.
STUDYING AND MANAGING OUR TIME
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GLOBAL CITIZENS
Whether we’re representing a country at the Model UN Conference at the United Nations Headquarters or helping a local village in Tanzania, we recognize the differences between ourselves and others, as we consider unfairness and how to challenge inequalities with peaceful solutions.
RECOGNIZING DIFFERENCE
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WORLD-CLASS INSTRUCTION

HOW WE TEACH

Our teachers know that when school isn’t relatable or interesting, it’s natural to disengage. That’s why they’re experts in “differentiated learning,” which means they know how to cater every lesson, assignment, or activity to what truly fascinates and challenges your child, motivating them to continue to dig deeper, so they can always discover more. 

Because of our small class sizes and use of “personalized success plans” (PSP), our teachers get to know your child really well, as they guide them in identifying how they learn best — creating a personal toolbox of strategies and techniques, built upon their strengths and interests.   
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teaching excellence

LEARNING FROM CARING EXPERTS

At the British International School of Charlotte, we follow global standards of excellence from the UK that allow your child to benefit from the most highly regarded and up-to-date teaching practices in the world. All our teachers hold UK Qualified Teacher Status and have taught in the UK. This means they’re authentically experienced in the British approach of varying instruction towards each child's goals and learning style, while delivering the right combination of support and challenge. 

Our teachers also get boosted support in upholding best practices from Nord Anglia Education’s Oxford-based Global Team, who drive success across academics, quality assurance, accreditation, and safety by collaborating with top NAE educators worldwide. Additionally, in any areas of growth or improvement, our teachers can go through world-class professional development with Nord Anglia University (NAU), our online training platform with fantastic resources that keep them at the top tier of excellence.
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Throughout my time at BISC, I’ve not only come to realizations I otherwise wouldn’t have come to, but I’ve transformed as a person. Given that I spent my entire life in public school prior to high school, only at BISC could I have experienced the level of camaraderie and support that gives me infallible confidence. BISC has made me release my true abilities.
 
IB Student

CELEBRATING OUR STATS

At the British International School of Charlotte, our high schoolers show they have everything that it takes to perform with incredible success — and we commend their fabulous scores, alongside the invested care and effort they’ve put into their futures.
13
Average size of our IB classes.
100%
of our IB students have passed their exams.
34.1/45
Our high-performing average IB score over the years.

AN EDUCATION THAT TRULY MOTIVATES

At the British International School of Charlotte, there’s a thrilling world of learning to discover — both in and beyond the classroom. No matter what your child’s curiosities may be, their interests will be nourished through meaningful connections and inspiring global adventures.

OUTSTANDING BISC EXPERIENCES
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