Wooden bike builderFrequently Asked Questions
What is a "house"?
BIHS has two "houses," Blue and Green, that divide the program into two smaller, more personal environments. Each ninth grade house has three courses in its core: Freshman Literature and Composition, Global Studies and Cultural Aesthetics.
Is there any difference between the houses?
As far as possible, no. The curriculum has been co-designed by all teachers to meet the same objectives for both houses. In addition, classroom norms and expectations have been cooperatively designed so that the learning environments are nearly identical.
Will students remain in the same house for all four years?
Yes, unless the houses are split because we think that they have grown too large. However, students will not necessarily remain with the same students for their classes each year.
What is a team?
Within each house there are teams of students who travel throughout the day together. This feature is designed to enhance the sense of community and coherence. It also proves valuable for cross-curricular group projects.
Is BIHS a Small School?
No. BIHS is a small learning community that provides for two or three of your student's classes at each grade level. Using features of successful small schools, BIHS employs a design that both creates a nurturing, supportive environment and provides for depth and rigor in its interdisciplinary curriculum.
How do the three freshman classes work together?
Of course, each class must meet state standards for its particular discipline and fulfill UC requirements, but wherever possible we have found meaningful links so that your student experiences the connections among the disciplines and his/her learning reflects greater depth, complexity and coherence.
Will students get college credit for upper-level classes?
Much like Advanced Placement, IB provides coursework and assessments that are recognized by many colleges and universities. Some colleges give course credit after students have successfully taken IB or AP examinations. Others weight grades for IB or AP courses. More information is available from the IBO website.
What kinds of academic support and enrichment are there for BIHS students?
Teachers provide after-school tutoring for students who need additional support or want enrichment. Enrichment opportunities also include BIHS teacher Jared Baird’s reading club, where students examine and discuss a book he group chooses together and BIHS teacher Kimberley D’Adamo’s after-school art studio. We are also planning a study center next year for BIHS students, a place where they can learn how to work together in study groups, develop study skills, get academic support, and study independently.