Curriculum Overview
Xiwai International High School offers a rigorous and diverse academic program grounded in globally recognized standards. Students follow one of three primary academic pathways: the Cambridge IGCSE and A-Level curriculum, the College Board’s Advanced Placement (AP) courses, or a regular high school stream benchmarked to the California Common Core State Standards.
All Chinese nationals are also required to pass nationally mandated subjects–Chinese Language, History, Geography, and Politics–to qualify for the Shanghai Municipal High School Diploma. This dual-pathway approach enables students to graduate with both a recognized domestic diploma and an internationally competitive academic record.
Placement into IGCSE, A-Level, AP, or regular-stream courses is determined through diagnostic testing and in consultation with the College Counseling Office. Particular attention is given to English proficiency to ensure students are placed into appropriate language and literature levels that match both their academic ability and future university goals.
Teaching Philosophy
At Xiwai International High School, teaching is grounded in the belief that rigorous academics must be paired with critical thinking, creativity, and character development. Our faculty–drawn from both China and abroad–embrace student-centered methodologies that emphasize inquiry, discussion, and application.
Instruction is differentiated to meet students at their current level of understanding, with honors and advanced options available for those ready to pursue greater academic challenges. We recognize that students have diverse learning needs and future goals, and our teaching aims to cultivate intellectual independence, cross-cultural competence, and a lifelong love of learning.
Professional development is a core feature of our faculty culture. Teachers engage in regular training focused on curriculum design, assessment practices, and classroom innovation to ensure our instruction remains aligned with international best practices.
Subject Offerings
Xiwai International High School offers a broad selection of subjects across IGCSE, A-Level, and Advanced Placement (AP), as well as courses aligned with the California Common Core. Students are expected to engage in a balanced academic program that includes humanities, sciences, mathematics, and the arts. Course selection is guided by academic placement, personal interest, and university aspirations, with support from the College Counseling Office.
Mathematics
English as a Second Language
English Literature
Biology
Chemistry
Physics
Economics
Business Studies
Computer Science
History
Mathematics
Further Mathematics
Physics
Chemistry
Biology
Economics
Business
Art and Design
Chinese Language and Literature
Psychology
Computer Science
English Literature and Composition
English Language and Composition
Microeconomics
Macroeconomics
Psychology
European History
United States History
Precalculus
Calculus AB
Calculus BC
Statistics
Chemistry
Biology
Physics 1
Physics 2
Physics C: Mechanics
Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism
Computer Science A
AP Capstone: Seminar
AP Capstone: Research
Art History
Human Geography
Streaming and Grouping
At Xiwai International School, students are placed into appropriate course levels through a combination of diagnostic testing, prior academic records, and consultation with the College Counseling Office. This ensures that each student is enrolled in courses aligned with their long-term academic goals and current ability level.
Particularly in English and mathematics, students are grouped by performance level. For example, students with stronger English proficiency may be placed in accelerated or honors sections, while those needing more support may study in foundational classes with a focus on language development. This approach promotes academic confidence while allowing students to progress at a pace that challenges them appropriately.
Some subject groupings are also influenced by students’ intended university pathways. Students targeting competitive international programs are guided toward more rigorous coursework, including IGCSE, A-Level, and AP tracks.
This flexible, student-centered grouping model ensures that all learners–regardless of background–receive appropriate academic support and opportunities for extension.