Our Curriculum

Children Innovating the Future

What is the KEIS curriculum?

Our 21st-century curriculum is the International Baccalaureate Organisation (IB) Primary Years Programme (PYP) and candidate school for Middle Years Programme (MYP)* , one of the most highly acclaimed, inquiry-based educational programmes in the world. To implement the highest quality of the PYP and MYP in Košice, we provide internationally-experienced teachers, English native-level teachers, specialist subject teachers, and Slovak language teachers. KEIS is fully authorised IB PYP World School. Košice International School is a candidate school* for the MYP. This school is pursuing authorization as an IB World School. IB World Schools share a common philosophy- a commitment to high-quality, challenging, international education- that we believe is important for our students. * Only schools authorized by the IB Organization can offer any of its four academic programmes: the Primary Years Programme (PYP), the Middle Years Programme (MYP), the Diploma Programme (DP), or the Career-related Programme (CP). Candidate status gives no guarantee that authorization will be granted. For further information about the IB and its programmes visit http://www.ibo.org.

Kindergarten and Primary School Curriculum

The PYP is a curriculum framework for young learners aged 3–12 years. Founded on a philosophy that recognises a child’s natural curiosity, creativity and ability to reflect. The PYP generates a stimulating and challenging learning environment, nurturing the development of the IB Learner Profile attributes and a lifelong love of learning in every child. Our programme is transdisciplinary, meaning that single subject disciplines do not stand alone. Students learn across subject areas while investigating big ideas that construct a holistic meaning and understanding of our world.

Middle School and Secondary School Curriculum

KEIS Middle and Secondary School 5 years programme is designed for students 12-17 years (in school year 2024/25, we open classrooms up to 16 years of age). Our integrated curriculum is delivered by qualified and experienced teachers with English as the language of instruction. Students will learn mathematics and languages as stand-alone subjects to gain thorough knowledge and skills that will help them to succeed in their further studies. They will explore sciences, humanities and social studies through project-based learning to transfer their understanding between individual disciplines and develop their thinking and inquiry skills. The KEIS Middle and Secondary School program is built on Slovak and Australian curriculums using an inquiry-based interdisciplinary framework to help students understand the diversity of today’s world. We aim to provide a holistic education based on the best international practices.

KEIS Middle School fosters in students a positive attitude to learning through its focus on problem-solving, creativity, ingenuity and active community involvement. It encourages critical thinking in the student as well as personal and academic reflection. It develops intense research and investigative skills in the student.

Does the curriculum have a specific set of standards?

In the PYP, there are three main aspects to the programme: The Written Curriculum; The Taught Curriculum and The Assessed Curriculum. Each specific discipline of learning as a set of developmental learning phases and they are embedded within six transdisciplinary themes that guide units of inquiry. They are:

• Who we are
• Where we are in place and time
• How we express ourselves
• How the world works
• How we organise ourselves
• Sharing the planet.

Units of inquiry interweave subject areas of: Mathematics, Language, The Arts, Science, Physical, Social and Personal Education, and Social Studies. This approach encourages students to make their own connections between what they learn in core subject areas and how it relates to, and be applied to, the world around them.

Our youngest students in Early Years (3-5 years of age) experience inquiry programme which consist of 4 units every year:

• Who we are
• How we express ourselves
• How the world works
• Sharing the planet.

In Middle School and Secondary School, we use an interdisciplinary approach in the following subject areas:

• Mathematics
• English Language and Literature
• Sciences (physics, biology and chemistry)
• Individuals and Societies (geography, history, civics, economy, business, psychology, sociology, philosophy)
• Arts
• Physical and Health Education
• Design
• Slovak Language and Literature
• Spanish Language Acquisition

Each subject has a set of developmentally appropriate phases of learning. These subject-specific achievements enable the Learner, Learning and Teaching, and the Learning Community to support students in consolidating and mastering curriculum expectations in a broad, balanced, holistic and transformative learning context.

What are the advantages of our education?

• IB World Schools (the only schools authorised to offer IB programmes) are subject to a strict accreditation process monitored by the IB, ensuring that schools provide a high-quality education.
• IB teaching methods and curricula are research-based and draw from the best educational practices from systems around the world.
• IB teachers are required to participate in many professional development opportunities to continually promote their awareness of current educational practices and apply new thinking and skills.
• IB students develop a sense of the world around them and their responsibility to it.
• IB programmes are recognised internationally and ease the educational transitions of mobile students so that their education is not adversely affected if families relocate.

Do KEIS teachers receive special training?

Absolutely! Our educators are lifelong learners. IB teachers receive annual IB professional development from certified IB workshop leaders. This is a requirement for IB World Schools implementing the programmes, and Košice International School firmly supports its teachers in their continuous professional development.

Does the implementation of an international curriculum at Košice International School mean my child will not receive Slovak language, grammar and literature education and/or education about the home country?

Slovak is the home country language, and at KEIS, we have Slovak Language teachers. At KEIS, Slovak language is part of the transdisciplinary Programme of Inquiry in Primary School, and lessons are delivered by an experienced and certified Slovak teacher who can fulfil the Slovak language curriculum requirements. Our Programme of Inquiry is enriched by the transdisciplinary nature of the PYP, providing a deeper engagement into our local, national and international context. In the Middle School, we offer Slovak Language&Literature and Slovak Acquisition (for Slovak non-natives) as separate subjects. Local history and geography are also incorporated into our Individuals&Societies (Integrated Humanities) subject.

Will my child have to transition to a regular Slovak school?

Our long-term goal is to provide a full IB continuum through to university.

For where we are in place and time (school year 2024/25), our school curriculum is designed for students aged 3 to 16 years – 3-5 in Early Years (English Kindergarten), 6-12 Primary School (Grades 7 to 9), 13-15 Middle School (Grades 7-9) and 16-17 years of age Secondary School (Grade 10 in 2024/25, Grade 11 from 2025/26). We expect to expand the school gradually to offer a full continuum up to 19 years of age.