At Dhirubhai Ambani International School one has the option to choose between the ICSE and IGCSE streams. What aspects should one consider in making this choice?
Find out what you can, about the ICSE and IGCSE Examinations at Dhirubhai Ambani International School, by reading the information provided by the school on its website (www.da-is.org) and talking to current students and teachers. Students who have studied ICSE and IGCSE are equally eligible to follow the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme at Dhirubhai Ambani International School in classes XI and XII.

If, after class X in the ICSE stream, I decide not to pursue the IBD Programme at Dhirubhai Ambani International School, what are my options?

Although all our class X students will have the opportunity to seek admission to the IB Diploma Programme in classes XI and XII, the final choices are driven by considerations of their own plans about further learning and future career preferences. Those students who do not chose to pursue the IB Diploma Programme do have the option to pursue the Higher Secondary examinations of the Indian education boards - national boards (ISC / CBSE) or the state boards (HSC) at another school; some of these students, post class XII, may also choose to do a professional course in engineering, medicine, management and so on. It must be noted that students doing their class XII with Indian education boards also have opportunities to pursue their higher education with universities abroad. Thus, certainly, an ICSE class X student has many possibilities and options.

During the last four years, about 30% of our ICSE class X students have joined the IB Diploma Programme at our school, while the remaining opted to pursue the Higher Secondary examinations of the Indian education boards.

How does an ICSE student stand to benefit specially from studying at Dhirubhai Ambani International School?
As a school that offers both national and international curricula, we are uniquely placed to blend the best elements of these different systems at various levels. The school-wide professional development of teachers through conferences and workshops serve as an effective platform to appreciate and share the strengths inherent in both curricula.

These help us to thoughtfully appreciate the curriculum requirements and pedagogical approaches at the higher classes and meaningfully carry down and align them to the lower classes. We believe that this trickle-down effect greatly supplements our efforts in instilling in children an early ability to develop research skills, think creatively, be self-reliant, as well as an intrinsic excitement that will finally make them lifelong learners. Thus, we are able to offer our students a continuum of learning and progression within the school, as well as elsewhere.

How does the ICSE grade a student’s performance?

Marks are awarded out of 100 for all subjects. The Council encourages a system of continuous assessment by the school and, therefore, all the subjects have an internal assessment component of 20% marks in the form of project work, while the final written examination accounts for 80% marks. With respect to the optional subject chosen from Group III, it is divided into a Theory paper and a Practical component, with each being assessed to the extent of 50% marks through internal evaluation and 50% marks by way of external evaluation / final written examination. The standard reached in ‘Socially Useful Productive Work’ (internally assessed) will be given grades A, B, C, D or E; A being the highest and E the lowest. A, B, C or D indicates a ‘Pass’ and E a ‘Fail’.

What are the requirements to get the ICSE Pass Certificate?
The ICSE Pass Certificates will be awarded to candidates who attain the ‘Pass’ standard in at least five subjects, which must include English. In addition, a candidate must attain a ‘Pass’ grade in ‘Socially Useful Productive Work’. The ‘Pass’ mark for each subject is 35%.

Further information on the ICSE Programme may be found at www.cisce.org