British International School of Chicago, South Loop

The British International School of Chicago, South Loop[1] is a private international school located in the South Loop area of Chicago. BISC-SL offers education for ages 3 to 18 (UK Nursery to Year 13/US Pre-K to Grade 12).[2] One in three Nord Anglia graduates in 2015 was accepted to one of the top 100 universities in the world as ranked by the QS World University Rankings.

British International School of Chicago, South Loop
Address
161 W. 9th Street

Chicago
,
Illinois
60605

United States
Coordinates41°52′13″N 87°37′57″W
Information
School typePreschool, Primary, Middle and High School
MottoBe Ambitious!
Established2001
PrincipalMike Henderson
GradesPre Nursery to Year 13 (12th Grade)
Age range3 to 18
Campus typeUrban
Houses4 (Great Wall, Pyramids, Stonehenge, Rushmore)
AccreditationIB, CIS, COBIS
Websitehttp://www.bischicagosl.org

History

The school, then British School of Chicago, was founded in 2001. Located in the Andersonville neighborhood the school opened with 14 students ages 3–5. In 2008, with 350 students across all 15 grades, the school relocated to a new building in the Lincoln Park neighborhood which is now the current site of British International School of Chicago, Lincoln Park. In 2015, British International School of Chicago expanded to a second campus in the South Loop neighborhood.[3]

Curriculum

In preschool through grade 5, the school utilized the English National Curriculum in conjunction with the International Primary Curriculum (IPC). In grades 6-8, student focus solely on the English National Curriculum. In grades 9-10, students follow the International General Certificate of Secondary Studies (IGCSE) and in grades 11-12 students study the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme.[4]

Teachers

The vast majority of the BISC-SL staff are British and have been educated in the United Kingdom. They mainly hold UK degrees as well as teaching qualifications. Some teaching staff hold master's degrees. The school actively promotes the professional development of teaching staff through ongoing programmes of training carried out in the US, UK, and Europe to promote world class learning practices through adapting and adopting examples of best educational practice from around the world. Whilst the teaching staff are primarily British educated and teach a British curriculum, courses are designed to reflect a global perspective and the international nature of the student body.

Student body

The British International School of Chicago South Loop's current enrollment comprises approximately 670 students. Approximately 70% of students are American and 10% are British. Large contingents of students are from Germany, India, China, Spain, The Netherlands, Brazil, Australia, Italy and many other countries. There are over 40 nationalities represented at the school. The school serves Pre-K (3 Years) to Year 13 (Grade 12).

Location

The school is located in the South Loop neighborhood of Chicago, which is near a number of cultural and historical landmarks. The neighborhood is the southern part of Chicago's downtown center, the Loop.

Facilities
  • 98,000 square foot building
  • A 9,000-square-foot gymnasium
  • Interactive technology in all classrooms
  • Two student libraries
  • Computer lab
  • Industrial arts workshop
  • Fitness studio and weight room
  • 2 Fine arts studio
  • Dance studio
  • Private music rehearsal rooms and recording studio
  • Science laboratories for Biology, Chemistry and Physics
  • Kitchen and cafeteria
  • Outdoor soccer field
  • Green rooftop

Global Initiatives

Juilliard-Nord Anglia Performing Art Program

In February 2015, Nord Anglia Education and The Juilliard School announced a global collaboration to enhance performing arts education for students in grades K-12. The program includes an embedded curriculum along with continued support and engagement with Juilliard alumni and affiliated artists.[5] It also includes professional development for teachers, a summer school and private lessons.

The curriculum focuses on key works of music, dance and drama.

CEO of Nord Anglia Education, Andrew Fitzmaurice, has criticized today's education for focusing too much on league tables and wants to "inspire children to engage with all their studies and develop a love of learning" through the Juilliard collaboration.[6]

Global Campus

Nord Anglia students are connected through Global Campus, an initiative which use online communities to connect students with their international counterparts. This helps students develop a global perspective and a network of friends around the world.[7] The program offers a wide range of activities undertaken in school, online or at destinations around the world.[8]

References
  1. "Take a Tour Through the South Loop's New British School". Curbed Chicago. Retrieved 2016-04-12.
  2. "British School Announces September 2015 Opening for South Loop Campus". DNAinfo Chicago. Archived from the original on 2016-07-15. Retrieved 2016-04-12.
  3. "British School Announces September 2015 Opening for South Loop Campus". DNAinfo Chicago. Archived from the original on 2016-07-15. Retrieved 2016-04-12.
  4. "British International School Chicago South Loop". International Baccalaureate®. Retrieved 2016-04-12.
  5. Singh, Rani. "China Buying In More Arts In Education -- Because It Can". Forbes. Retrieved 2016-04-12.
  6. "Reject League Tables in Favour of Inspiration". The Huffington Post UK. Retrieved 2016-04-12.
  7. "Knowledge is power | Southeast Asia Globe". Southeast Asia Globe Magazine. Retrieved 2016-04-12.
  8. "Pattaya Mail".
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