Academic Programmes
Students enter the High School in grade 7. Class sizes are small with a maximum of twenty five students per class. All teachers exceed appropriate qualifications in their subject areas. Class periods are fifty-five minutes long.
In Grades 7 and 8, students take the core subjects: Mathematics, English Language and English Literature; French and Spanish; Integrated Science; Information Technology; Geography, History; Art, Drama and Physical Education. At this level the curriculum aims to introduce students to the skills, vocabulary and knowledge needed for advanced study.
Grade 9 students may add Business, Economics or Travel and Tourism. In grade 9 Biology, Chemistry and Physics are taught separately.
In Grades 10 and 11 students normally study 8 subjects. First Language English, English Literature, and Mathematics are compulsory. Students then choose further subjects from: History, Geography, Economics, Business Studies, Travel and Tourism, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, French Foreign Language, Spanish Foreign Language, Information Technology, Computing Studies. Students must take at least one foreign language, a humanities subject, and a natural science. Art, Music and PE are also offered.
Until 2007 students took CXC (Caribbean Examinations Council) examinations at the end of Grade 11. Since 2008, students have taken the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) examinations administered by the University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate (Cambridge International Examinations). These examinations are externally set and moderated. The IGCSE results in individual subjects are indicated by the grades A*, A, B, C, D, E, F, G. A* is awarded to candidates of the highest performance in a subject and grade G for a minimum satisfactory performance. Performance below grade G is not recorded on the certificate.
In Grades 12 and 13, students follow the International Baccalaureate Diploma program. The IB Diploma Program is a widely respected, comprehensive and rigorous two year curriculum consisting of six subject groups: Language A1 (language of instruction or mother tongue); Language B (foreign language); Study of Individuals and Society; Experimental Science; Mathematics; an elective group. Diploma students must pursue three subjects at Higher Level (HL) and three at Standard Level (SL), follow a course in Theory of Knowledge (TOK), engage in a minimum of 150 hours of CAS activities (creativity, action and service), and complete a significant piece of research entitled the extended essay. Students are tested through written and oral examinations prepared and evaluated by an international team of examiners. To obtain an IB Diploma, students must earn a minimum of 24 points for the six subjects graded on a 1-7 scale, and up to 3 bonus points for TOK and the extended essay. The following subjects are offered: English A1, Spanish B, Spanish ab initio, French B, History, Geography, Economics, Business and Management, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics HL, Mathematics SL, Mathematical Studies, Visual Arts. All subjects are available at Higher and Standard Levels.
The first students to sit the IB Diploma will graduate in June 2010.
Class Rank and Grade Point Average
Students are not ranked at Hillel Academy, nor are they given a cumulative Grade Point Average.
Grades are calculated four times a year. Grades are expressed as percentages or letter grades according to the following table. For comparison purposes only a grade point average is included.
| GRADE CONCEPT | GRADE
FROM |
RANGE
TO |
International
Letter Grading System |
Approximate
Grade Point Average |
| MOST OUTSTANDING | 90 |
100 |
A+ |
4.0+ |
| OUTSTANDING | 86 |
89 |
A |
4 |
| EXCELLENT | 80 |
85 |
A- |
3.7 |
| VERY GOOD | 75 |
79 |
B+ |
3.3 |
| GOOD | 70 |
74 |
B |
3 |
| FAIRLY GOOD | 65 |
69 |
B- |
2.7 |
| AVERAGE TO FAIR | 60 |
64 |
C+ |
2.3 |
| AVERAGE | 55 |
59 |
C |
2 |
| BELOW AVERAGE | 50 |
54 |
C- |
1.5 |
| PASSING | 45 |
49 |
D+ |
1 |
| POOR BUT PASSING | 40 |
44 |
D |
1 |
| FAILING | 35 |
39 |
E |
0 |
| FAILING BADLY | 0 |
34 |
F |
0 |
High achievement is recognized by awarding Subject Honors.
In grades 10 and 11, a student achieving above 90% (IGCSE grade A*) is awarded First Honors, and between 80 and 89% (IGCSE grade A) Second Honors.
In grades 12 and 13 (IB Diploma), a student achieving above 80% in a subject is awarded Honors.
Grade Distribution (mid-year 2008-09)
A (80-100): 44%
B (65-79): 27%
C (60-64): 22%
Below 59: 7%
Grade 13 Graduation Requirements
2 units English Language
4 units of English Literature
4 units mathematics
4 units experimental science
4 units history / social studies
4 units foreign language
2 units electives
Satisfactory participation in at least 2 extra-curricular activities each year, and / or satisfactory completion of the Hillel Community Service Program requirements, and / or satisfactory completion of a minimum of 150 hours of International Baccalaureate CAS (creativity, action, service) activities.
Director: Mrs. Peggy Bleyberg
HS principal: Mr. Alfredo Bennett
IGCSE Coordinator: Mrs. Lorna Igbe
IBDP Coordinator: Mr. Lloyd Holmes
University Admissions: Dr. Derek Bleyberg
CAS Coordinator: Ms. Flo Duncan
Grades 7-9 Coordinator: Mrs. Angela Thompson
CEEC: 866298
IGCSE centre number: JM 819
IB School Code: 3311
UCAS number: 45835
