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ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE

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Key Facts 
2/3 of our IBDP students scored at or above the global average.
They’re taking the global lead in the IB, one of the world’s most respected curricula.
1/5 of our students achieved 40+ points.
Only 9% of IBDP graduates earn this level of achievement worldwide, granting our students access to top universities across the globe.
Perfect IBDP scores
Year after year, at least one BIS Houston student earns a perfect score – a remarkable accomplishment within the top 0.2% of all IB students globally.

PERSONALISED PATHWAYS TO ACADEMIC SUCCESS

The British International School of Houston cherishes every student's unique route – because there's no one way for your child to make progress and achieve success in their journey. We take a highly personalised approach to teaching and learning, and our talented teachers use their in-depth knowledge of every student to structure the ideal balance between supporting and challenging, step by step – for every goal, subject, or project.

Teachers work closely with students and parents to understand the child's ambitions and offer customised university preparation and strategic coursework from our impressive International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) to the distinct college-credit offerings of our International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme (IBCP).

BIS Houston student

OUR WORLD-LEADING CURRICULA

We bring well-established, globally mindful curricula to life every day at the British International School of Houston – from the International Primary Curriculum (IPC) to the International Baccalaureate (IB) – as we nourish our students’ growth as global citizens. Every age group’s carefully constructed curriculum encourages great variety and depth in their learning, while stimulating connections with the world. As a result, BIS Houston’s students are empowered to take the lead in their learning journey. 

We complement academic subjects with real-world opportunities to strengthen students’ well-being and personal enrichment, too. From our after school activities (ASAs) to our global partnerships, students choose from and access the best resources for their future – earning remarkable results along the way.

OUR CURRICULUM
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EARLY YEARS
  • EARLY YEARS
  • Primary
  • MIDDLE SCHOOL
  • HIGH SCHOOL

EARLY YEARS

In the Early Years (equivalent to preschool and kindergarten stages in the US school system), we begin to nurture the growth of the whole child, strengthening their emotional well-being as well as their cognitive and social growth. In our warm and encouraging environment, we focus on the individual child and build the foundation for a lifetime of learning.

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3 to 5 years old
THE EARLY YEARS FOUNDATION STAGE (EYFS) FRAMEWORK
The structured EYFS curriculum from the English National Curriculum allows our youngest learners to enjoy play-based activities that encourage their love for learning. Our programme stimulates knowledge and skills across communication; language; and physical, personal, social, and emotional development, with specific focuses on literacy, mathematics, understanding the world, and expressive arts and design. Students also take specialist lessons in the performing arts, swimming, PE, and languages.
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PRIMARY SCHOOL

From Years 1 to 6 (equivalent to 1st and 5th grades in the US school system), we believe our young learners’ experiences should be centred around each student discovering who they are and their place in the world, both as a learner and as an individual. We take a holistic, enquiry-based approach that focuses on building each student’s curiosity, independence, and agency. In turn, our students feel supported, challenged, and inspired to discover who they are and how they learn. 
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5 to 11 years old
THE ENGLISH NATIONAL CURRICULUM AND INTERNATIONAL PRIMARY CURRICULUM (IPC)
We follow the world-leading English National Curriculum in the subjects of mathematics, English, and science, and we also follow the highly respected International Primary Curriculum (IPC) – where we explore an interdisciplinary array of geography, history, society studies, international studies, and art and design using different themes connected to the world. Our young learners additionally grow through unique classes from our specialist teachers in world languages, physical education, and the performing arts – including our Juilliard-enhanced curriculum in music and dance.
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MIDDLE SCHOOL

From Years 7 to 9 (equivalent to 6th and 8th grades in the US school system), our Middle School students discover what they like and who they are. They embrace inspiration, passion, curiosity, trial and error, personal discovery, and exploration opportunities. Across our varied, rigorous academic programme, students take responsibility for their own learning and collaborate with peers and faculty through real-world experiences that prepare them for High School.

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11 to 14 years old
OUR MIDDLE SCHOOL CURRICULUM
Our Middle School curriculum comes from internationally recognised sources to ensure our students have the required level of knowledge and understanding they need for success in High School. They build key skills in preparation for the IGCSE and International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma, Career-related Programmes or High School Diploma. Our curriculum allows students to identify and nurture interests across English language and literature, world languages, humanities, science, math, design thinking, the performing arts, physical education, and enrichment.
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HIGH SCHOOL

From Years 10 to 11 (equivalent to 9th and 10th grades in the US school system), our younger high school students prepare for globally benchmarked testing through IGCSE-accredited international curriculum from the UK – heightening their academic achievements with these impressive qualifications.

From Years 12 to 13 (equivalent to 11th and 12th grades in the US school system), our students then enter the ‘Academy’ and will choose from one of three rigorous diploma pathways that best fits their future ambitions – preparing them for what they will do in college or university, their adult lives, and their careers beyond. Discover more in our High School Profile.  
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11 to 16 years old
THE INTERNATIONAL GENERAL CERTIFICATE OF SECONDARY EDUCATION (IGCSE)
Following the highly regarded IGCSE curriculum from the UK, BIS Houston’s High School students all study English, World Literature, Mathematics, and the BIS Houston Core (which gives students the prerequisites for the International Baccalaureate’s components of the Extended Essay; Theory of Knowledge; and Creativity, Activity, Service).

Students will also select from the Language Acquisition in French or Spanish; Humanities (Geography, History, Economics, or Sociology); Sciences (Biology, Chemistry, and Physics); and Creative Activity. They will pursue the corresponding IGCSE exams or will take internal BIS Houston exams.
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16 to 18 years old
THE INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE DIPLOMA PROGRAMME (IBDP)
The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) is considered the gold standard in global education, as a demanding academic programme for young adults prior to university. Students study at higher level (HL) or standard level (SL) across language and literature; language acquisition; individuals and society; the sciences; mathematics; and the arts.

They also explore three core elements: the Extended Essay (EE), Theory of Knowledge (ToK), and Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS). The IBDP’s breadth and rigour gives students outstanding preparation for higher education at the world’s leading universities.
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16 to 18 years old
THE INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE CAREER-RELATED PROGRAMME (IBCP)
The International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme (IBCP) allows students to select courses from three areas: IB subjects; a core group of personal and professional skills, service learning, a reflective project, and language development; and pre-professional study.

Pre-professional study can be in business through BTEC or from coursework from Baylor University, the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), ​or Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, depending on the student's future goals. These dual-credit and enhanced pathways in partnership with universities help our students accelerate towards their desired college destination.
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16 to 18 years old
THE BIS HOUSTON HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA
The BIS Houston High School Diploma allows students to focus on their strengths, as they opt for the combination of exams that best fits their future ambitions. They will earn graduation credits across their selection of electives, English, science, math, humanities, foreign languages, and arts/design.

Across Years 12 and 13, most courses are at Honours level: students can take six IB subjects at either standard level (SL) or higher level (HL), and they participate in a Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) initiative.
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WORLD LANGUAGES AT BIS HOUSTON

BIS Houston students may expand their knowledge of world languages and cultures by studying Spanish and French.

In Primary and Middle School, students who are literate in a language native to their home country or heritage may also choose to advance their study of this language. We currently offer Dutch and German heritage programmes for students whose first language is Dutch or German, for example.

By High School, students may choose to advance their languages through the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP), where they may even qualify for a ‘Dual Language Diploma’ to showcase their achievement in two languages.

HERITAGE LANGUAGES AT BIS HOUSTON
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  • EARLY YEARS
  • PRIMARY SCHOOL
  • MIDDLE SCHOOL
  • HIGH SCHOOL

EARLY YEARS

Our youngest learners build a strong foundation for a lifetime of learning.
Ages
3–5
Nationalities
80+
Student-teacher Ratio
9:1
World Languages Taught
French and Spanish

PRIMARY SCHOOL

Our young learners discover who they are and their place in the world.
Ages
5–11
Nationalities
80+
Average Class Size
18
World Languages Taught
French and Spanish

MIDDLE SCHOOL

Our middle schoolers dig deeper into who they are, how they work, and what they aspire to be.
Ages
11–14
Nationalities
80+
Average Class Size
18
World Languages Taught
French and Spanish

HIGH SCHOOL

Our high schoolers nurture the growth of their characters while pursuing outstanding academics.
Ages
14–18
Nationalities
80+
Average Class Size
15
World Languages Taught
French and Spanish
primary
  • EARLY YEARS
  • PRIMARY SCHOOL
  • MIDDLE SCHOOL
  • HIGH SCHOOL

A TYPICAL DAY AT BIS HOUSTON

Whether it's during play time, enquiry activities, or moments of peer connection, our Early Childhood days are filled with exciting new ideas, as we discover more about our world and each other.
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EXPLORING THE WORLD
Our stimulating environment, bespoke curriculum, and nurturing teachers spark our curiosity every day. We learn to be enquirers, as we discover the world through units like ‘Dinosaur Detectives’ or ‘Once Upon a Time’. We show our learning in different ways.
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ENQUIRING AND EXPRESSING
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LEARNING HOW TO FOCUS
On the carpet, we’ll practise our phonics, maths, and writing skills, and we’ll continually build upon our knowledge at each unit of learning. By working on focused activities one-on-one with our teacher or in small groups, we get to focus, practise, and apply what we’ve learned.
TRANSFERING LEARNING
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A RESTFUL PAUSE
Snack times, lunch, and play times throughout the day give us the chance to recharge from our busy lessons. We’ll also socialise with classmates. We build friendships by helping each other, chatting with each other, and making decisions together.
SOCIALISING AND SHARING
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THERE ARE NO LIMITS
Our state-of-the-art facilities at school allow us to do ‘dolphin dives’ in the pool, ‘cook’ a gourmet meal in the mud kitchen, or perform on stage! Every day is full of playing, as we learn new skills and have fun – going beyond what we already know.
PLAYING AND SKILL-BUILDING
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REFLECTING AND SHARING
We love hearing our teachers read stories to fire our imaginations, help us reflect on what we’ve learned today, and teach us more about the world! We also share songs and practise our phonics together.
STORYTIME
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CO-CURRICULAR FUN
After school, playful learning continues during our favourite co-curricular activities (CCAs), from building with Legos to jumping in sync during dance. We can’t wait to learn new skills from our coaches, alongside our friends.
EXTENDING AND ENRICHING

A TYPICAL DAY AT BIS HOUSTON

Whether it's during maths class, while playing an instrument, or during a discussion around UNICEF's social impact, our Primary School days are full of stimulating challenges that nurture our growth and motivate us to take the lead.
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BECOMING ENGLISH ENTHUSIASTS
We'll build up our skills in phonics, spelling, and grammar while reading interesting stories from different parts of the world, helping us connect with a diverse range of literature. We'll share our thoughts and respond to ideas in the classroom through writing exercises.
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SPEAKING, READING, LISTENING, AND WRITING
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MATHS MASTERY
We're posed with different problem-solving tasks, where we reason through the practicalities of real-world scenarios and calculate solutions. Every day, we get closer to mastering each challenge, working at our own pace through each unit.
REASONING AND CALCULATING
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SPECIALIST SUBJECTS
During specialist lessons, we take centre stage! We'll boost our performance in physical education, music, and performing arts. We'll also expand our language skills by learning French or Spanish or also continuing our native language through BIS Houston's heritage programme.
ENHANCING OUR SKILLS
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DRIVING OUR ENQUIRY
We have many different opportunities to follow our curiosity and connect our learning to the world around us. While our teachers give us many exciting projects and challenges, during ‘Exit Points’, we showcase the variety and intensity of our learning to the entire community.
SHARING KNOWLEDGE
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BECOMING GLOBAL LEADERS
We’re glad to have voice and choice at BIS Houston. We decide what to pursue in our Enrichment Programme, including leadership opportunities like serving as House Captains, Sports Leaders, Well-being Warriors, UNICEF Ambassadors, ECO-Club Members, or IT Gurus.
TAKING THE LEAD
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A WORLD BEYOND THE CLASSROOM
After school, the learning continues! During co-curricular activities (CCAs), we explore the world that lies outside the classroom. We can participate in physical games and sports, creative arts and crafts, coding, or other activities that employ our critical thinking skills.
DEVELOPING OUR INTERESTS

MIDDLE SCHOOL

Whether it’s during a Student Leadership meeting, during a lunchtime game of soccer, or while running through Texas Mock Trial, our Middle School days are full of moments of growth and independence – alongside our peers and teachers.
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MAKING OUR VOICES HEARD
We begin every day by coming together with our Bulldog community, as we listen to and support each other, so we can be ready for a full day of learning. Our voice in the student body is important – we’ll speak during Student Leadership meetings, house events, or assemblies.
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ENCOURAGING WELL-BEING
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IN OUR OWN HANDS, IN OUR OWN WORDS
Moving between neighbourhoods and collaborative spaces, our state-of-the-art campus encourages us to enquire and collaborate. Because we have the freedom to lead our learning, we can explore the impact of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), design a landscape using Desmos, or bring literature to life.
OWNING OUR LEARNING
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JUST BEING US
During midday lunch, we relax and refuel over a nutritious meal in the Boma. We have quality time with our friends, and we can play sports, catch up with teachers in the Agora, or run a meeting among our UNICEF club, so we plan sustainable initiatives.
RELAXING AND REFUELLING
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FLOURISHING WITH CREATIVITY
Whether we're filming presentations in the green-screen room, acting out scenes in the Black Box theatre, combining art and tech, or honing our opening statements for the Texas mock trial, creativity abounds! We're always finding inventive ways to use our skills and talents.
DEEPENING SKILLS, ENRICHING TALENTS
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GOING THE EXTRA MILE
After school, we'll jump into the activities we love to explore. Whether we’re building products in the makerspace, representing our school on the pitch, chairing an MUN committee, or rehearsing in the theatre, we're always cultivating our passions.
PURSUING INTERESTS AND GOALS

HIGH SCHOOL

Whether it’s helping a community in need, studying for an important exam, or reflecting on our aspirations for the future, our days are full of exciting activity. We refine our skills and pursue our goals, so we can make a difference in the world.
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COMING FULL-CIRCLE
We start our day by reflecting on our ambitions and progress so far, as part of our well-being. We share varied perspectives, meet with college counsellors, and take the lead through student initiatives. Through it all, we’re nurturing our open-mindedness, collaboration, and wellness.
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BALANCING OURSELVES
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EXPLORING OUR INTERESTS
Our academic choices are as varied as our interests – and as deep as our ambitions! We’re solving higher level maths problems, exploring undergraduate aeronautics, filming our own movies, and writing essays. We can match our courses with our desired future and create the path that works best through our goals.
CARVING OUT OUR OWN PATH
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R&R: REST AND RECREATION
We’ll pause midday to enjoy our lunch – choosing from a selection of diverse cuisine in the Boma or from a smoothie and snack in the coffee shop. Unwinding, we can catch up with friends, play sports, or tinker with our own robotics, as we leisurely explore what makes us happy.
RESETTING, REFUELING
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APPLYING OUR SKILLS AND TALENTS
We give back to our communities, whether it’s by organising blood drives, hosting the Head of UNICEF USA, or fundraising for our international trip to Tanzania. Through ‘creativity, activity, and service’, we use our skills and talents to be a driving force for good – in our school, in Houston, and beyond.
MAKING A DIFFERENCE
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GROWING AS YOUNG ADULTS
After school, we enjoy exercising our leadership and building community – whether it’s on our Varsity sports teams, while planning a national MUN conference, experimenting for the Science Olympiad, or rehearsing for the school play. We make the choices that define who we want to be.
EXTENDING OUR LEARNING
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CUSTOMISED GOALS, STRATEGIC PATHWAYS

HOW WE TEACH

By focusing on each child’s individual goals and aspirations, BIS Houston’s teachers inspire all students to unlock their greatest potential. 

Our teachers will foster an excellent relationship with your child – ensuring their happiness throughout their experiences – and will give just the right balance between support and challenge to motivate your child and stimulate their growth.
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TEACHING EXCELLENCE

LEARNING FROM THE BEST

Our talented teachers at the British International School of Houston are truly passionate about their profession and remain continually energised to bring their skills to the next level. They never stop learning and embrace a culture of advancement that inspires their students – so they can go on to achieve more than they ever imagined possible.  

To maintain top standards of academics and the high quality of instruction, BIS Houston’s teachers pursue professional development through Nord Anglia University (NAU) – an online training platform of world-class resources from Nord Anglia Education. By regularly reflecting on and upgrading our practices, our teachers deliver their talents with utmost confidence.
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The school has very experienced college counsellors who really know how to help us and understand what things I need to focus on, so that my future career is more achievable to me.
 
Harish
Year 13 (Class of 2023)

OUR STATS SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES

Our high-quality learning environment and teachers’ expertise help our students to earn fantastic results, lighting the pathways to top-ranked universities.
IGCSE AND IB PERFORMANCE HIGHLIGHTS
Outstanding IB Diploma Results
Year after year, our IBDP average score at BIS Houston has been 13–17% higher than the global average.
IBDP Pass Rate
98%
Our exceptional pass rate of 98% has once again exceeded the global average of 89%.
A Perfect Score
One student has achieved perfect marks of 45 points on their IB Diploma this year – an achievement only 0.2% of all IB students worldwide accomplish.
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OUR ALUMNI

British International School Houston has a rich network of alumni who are making our world a better place. We celebrate their experiences and achievements, as they’ll always be part of our community and inspire us.


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Lilianna
Class of 2022
“I think what makes the school truly special is the support and the flexibility they give to students. They not only allowed me to achieve things within the school but also outside of school. I was able to get the title of a National Merit Finalist, which I don’t think I would’ve been able to achieve without the support of the teachers as well as the rigour of the academics here."
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Batyr
Class of 2022
"No matter what programme you choose to do in your high school career at the British International School of Houston, it's rigorous, so I feel the level of academic work has prepared me for what I'm going to do in university. I feel really prepared for this next stage in my life, and it feels like a great accomplishment to be able to graduate after four amazing years at BIS Houston."

TRANSFORMATIVE LEARNING

At the British International School of Houston, we have many opportunities for your child to pursue everything that interests them. No matter what their aspirations may be, we’ll nourish their growth through inspiring activities that connect them to the world.

Outstanding Experiences
British International School Houston student