SECONDARY SCHOOL
Dear AIS Secondary Families,
Welcome to AIS Secondary School!
At the secondary level, we build on the strong foundation students bring from Primary School, guided by the same three pillars that define an AIS education: Think Critically, Act Ethically, and Serve Others. Our teachers seek to connect classroom learning to our local and global environment through project based learning, service learning activities, and interdisciplinary connections. We aim to ensure that learning feels connected and relevant — whether students are analyzing literature in an art studio or applying science through hands-on investigation.
We also prioritize our students' social-emotional growth alongside their academics. Through advisory, counseling support, and a culture built on strong relationships, we help students navigate the challenges of adolescence with confidence and resilience.
Secondary students at AIS pursue meaningful, personalized pathways — from Advanced Placement courses and honors seminars to Model United Nations, Student Council, and service leadership opportunities. Whichever path they choose, our goal is the same: to prepare each student to think independently, act with integrity, and contribute meaningfully to the world around them.
We believe families are essential partners in this journey, and we welcome your involvement, questions, and ideas as we work together to support your child's success.
Sincerely,
Lauren Streifer
Secondary Principal (Grades 6–12)
Interdisciplinary Connections
At AIS secondary school, we prioritize depth over breadth of instruction. One of our greatest strengths at the secondary level is cross-curricular collaboration of teachers. Students make deep connections, not only between courses, but to the real world, allowing authentic engagement and application of learning. That feeling when the lightbulb pops over your head, or you tuck the last piece of the puzzle into place!
Academic courses and fine arts compliment each other to create a greater impact. Imagine walking into the art studio with a wall of secondary student self-portraits, a variety of styles, mediums, designs. As you enter the art studio, you hear audio recordings of “Where I’m From” poems, written by 9th and 11th grade English classes, and recorded by 11th grade AIS Radio students who have been developing skills to speak audibly and with expression. This is AIS.
Social-emotional Development
Another strength is the intention with which we guide students’ social-emotional development. Our counselors provide age-appropriate comprehensive lessons where students can practice the five areas of social emotional learning, and learn socioemotional skills to use throughout life. Secondary teachers are assigned to a grade and they, with the support of counselors, provide the socio emotional learning lessons.
This program helps students learn more about their emotions, emotional regulation, social skills, conflict resolution, and empathy. They also have learned that there is a place where they are safe and can talk and share their personal experiences, ideas and opinions.
Inquiry & Project-Based Learning
At AIS we use a variety of assessment methods in order to provide a complete picture of the students needs and learning. We do offer traditional summative assessments (quizzes, tests, etc.) as well as standardized tests such as MAP Measures of Academic Progress, which guides student goal setting and measures their progress beginning in 2nd grade. Students also have the opportunities to take the PSAT and SAT once they are in high school.
More often than not, however, our students use inquiry-based approaches to engage in problem-solving and find solutions in their own unique way. An example of this was an introductory biology investigation in which students had to use the steps of the scientific process to determine whether Double Stuffed Oreos are truly double stuffed.
With no other instruction, the students set off stating a hypothesis, gathering and analyzing data, and drawing conclusions. Some scraped and measured mass, others focused on the volume of the stuffing. At AIS, learning can be serious…and sweet!
Meaningful and Personalized Pathways
Graduation Tracks
Classrooms are enriched by a diverse range of experiences and perspectives, and the same diverse student population also presents a variety of needs. At the most basic level, that means that all students have the opportunity to graduate with a Guatemalan diploma, meeting the requirements of the Ministry of Education (MINEDUC) and/or an AIS diploma.
AIS is accredited through the NEASC organization (New England Association of Schools and Colleges) as a rigorous international college preparatory for students considering university in the United States, Europe, or otherwise abroad.
Capstone courses
Seminario is a capstone course in which students complete a Life Project and collaborate as a group to complete a National Project.
As an alternative, upperclassmen may complete a Personal Project. The personal project formally assesses students’ approaches to learning (ATL) skills for self-management, research, communication, critical and creative thinking, and collaboration. Students create a product or outcome, keep a process journal, and write an account of the project and its impact in a final report. This year’s project topics include auto mechanics and fuel conversion, school uniform design, and film production.
Global Issues
Secondary students engage with global issues in a variety of ways including Model United Nations and in their Global Issues class. This interdisciplinary approach allows students to solve problems and improve possible solutions in relation to current events and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Advanced Placement (AP) and college courses
Additionally, we offer a variety of AP (Advanced Placement) courses and connect students with online dual credit / early college courses for those who seek to the opportunity to earn college credit, build their transcripts, and challenge themselves academically. 2022-2023 AIS course offerings include AP Literature and Composition, AP Spanish Language and Culture, AP Art and Design, AP Human Geography. Students are enrolled in AP Music Theory and US History.
Internships
Leadership development
Service (Interact) International Exchanges
Model UN
High school students have the opportunity to participate in Model United Nations, an international academic simulation that requires students to think critically as they represent the perspective of an assigned delegation in relation to contemporary global issues. Additionally, students are invited to participate in an international exchange programs.
Letter and the program description available HERE.
Student Council / STUCO
Student Council (STUCO) is a governing body of students in Antigua International School. STUCO representatives are elected by their peers to represent them and advocate for their interests. The primary role of the Student Council is to act as a liaison between the student body and the school administration, and to help facilitate communication and collaboration between these groups.
As elected representatives of the student body, the Student Council is formed to serve the students of AIS. To accomplish this, STUCO keeps students informed of relevant issues, promotes positive citizenship among the student body, offers opportunities for growth through community service and engagement, and acts as a liaison between the student body and the administration.
By participating in STUCO, representatives gain organizational, management, decision-making and leadership skills, engage in democratic practices, and practice tolerance and respect for the opinions of others.
The AIS Student Council has a two-part vision. First, STUCO aims to create and improve the communication between students and the administration. Second, STUCO designs activities to bring our community together and to raise funds, thereby allowing us to address student needs and promote positive change!
