My name is Sarita Myers and I would like to welcome you to our Senior High School. We are immensely proud of what Riverside students achieve in these final four years of school, a time when many years of hard work and investment yield remarkable results. During these years, the Senior High students enjoy an environment of academic challenge surrounded by a vibrant, diverse, caring community. It is a privilege to see them grow into well-rounded, confident, globally minded individuals.
Riverside’s aim is to provide a relevant international curriculum for every student to enrich their life and to prepare each one for the experiences, opportunities and responsibilities of adult life.
Riverside’s Senior High curriculum centres around the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) programme and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP). Graduating students earn the Riverside High School Diploma by acquiring the requisite number of credits in a broad area of the curriculum (described in our Senior High Curriculum Document) and also pursue the IB Diploma.
IGCSE’s are governed by the University of Cambridge and Edexcel Examination Boards. They are two year courses studied in Years 10 and 11 and provide an excellent foundation for higher level courses, including the IB Diploma Programme.
The IB Diploma Programme is an academically challenging and balanced course of study that prepares students for study in university and life beyond. The IBDP takes two years to complete with exams taken at the end of Year 13. Successful IB results open doors to admission to the world’s major English and many non-English speaking universities. Strong IB results can earn students up to one full year of advanced standing or credit at universities in the USA and Canada.
The Senior High Curriculum:
During Years 10 and 11 students study International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) external examination courses governed by the Cambridge Assessment International Education and Edexcel Examination Boards. IGCSEs are the world’s most popular international qualifications for 14 to 16 year-olds. They are a gateway to higher level courses, including the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme. IGCSE courses take two years to complete with external examinations written in May/June of Year 11. Results are issued in August.
In Years 12 and 13 students have the opportunity to study the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme. The IB Diploma Programme is a highly respected and academically challenging programme that gives students a unique opportunity to graduate with an international diploma that is recognised by the best universities worldwide. The IB Diploma Programme takes two years to complete with external examinations written in May of Year 13. Results are issued in July.
The IB Diploma course is demanding and will require full commitment from students, but the final rewards are well worth the sacrifices made by the students during the study of the course.
The High School Diploma is a four year programme of accreditation towards higher education based on the US education model. Students are awarded credits for each subject they successfully complete and their end of year grades are converted to a Grade Point Average (GPA). Student progress and attainment is internally assessed and students who achieve the required number of credits (23) are awarded a High School Diploma at the end of Year 13. The Diploma is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) and is recognised by a number of countries and is a college requirement in North America. Credits and a High School Diploma are awarded to all successful students, irrespective of their educational destination.
Riverside Senior High offers a wide array of course options, allowing students to pursue a range of subjects of interest in increasing depth.
In Years 10 and 11, all students study English Language & Literature, Co-ordinated Science (Physics, Chemistry, Biology), Mathematics, and Physical Education. In addition, they select five additional elective courses.
In Years 12 and 13, students select six subjects to make up their IB Diploma Programme course load. The selected courses must meet the requirements of the IBDP.
Riverside is an international school recognised by the Czech Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports (Ministerstvo školství mládeže a tělovýchovy), and it is found on the list of international schools with a valid permit for fulfilling compulsory attendance in the Czech Republic (Seznam zahraničních škol s platným povolením plnění povinné školní docházky na území České republiky).
The programme is based on the Framework Educational Programme for Basic Education (Rámcový vzdělávací program pro základní vzdělávání RVP ZV) and primarily focuses on the educational area (Czech) Language and Literature. The aim of the programme is to develop the skills and competencies required to succeed in official testing within the Czech system, culminating in the final year of assessment (Year 10). Senior High Czech for Czech lessons take place during the regular school day. Students must select Czech for Czechs as one of their elective course options. They are additionally required to attend Czech History lessons one day per week as a morning session (7:30-8:10). Official testing takes place four times a year.
Riverside Senior High boasts an outstanding location in the heart of Prague. Students benefit from state-of-the-art facilities which include science laboratories, a professional grade recording studio, fully equipped art and drama studios, and a newly opened Innovation Centre all located at our Hradcanska campus. Students participate in Physical Education, Outdoor Adventure, and competitive sport utilising our purpose-built facilities on the Primary School Campus. Thanks to our exceptional location, Senior High students are able to easily visit local exhibitions, museums, and cultural sites.
Riverside is shaped by the voices of the students. The collaborative environment where students are respected and trusted allows all students to share their thoughts and drive both challenge and change. Students serve as leaders and lead through service. Their well-being is supported through being connected to the caring community in a meaningful way with the knowledge that their voice matters.
At Riverside, we believe in nurturing the whole child by providing more than a high quality education, extending the educational experience to develop skills and passions that students will carry with them for a lifetime. This is achieved through a vast range of opportunities provided in our Skills for Life extracurricular programme.
The Skills for Life clubs provide Riverside students with opportunities to explore new interests, build physical and social skills, deepen understanding of a range of fields of study, gain experience, and support personal growth and development.
During the school day, Riverside Senior High students make use of our well-resourced classroom and specialised facilities by participating in eight lessons, each lesson scheduled for 40 minutes. Some lessons are scheduled as double lessons, lasting for 80 minutes. PE and extracurricular Sporting clubs take place at our purpose-built facilities on our Sedlec campus.
Riverside graduates have been accepted to some of the most prestigious universities around the world.
