High School at BAKIS comprises grades 9 – 12 (ages 15 – 18). At this stage, students are ready to become the leaders and the innovators of the future. They are also starting to think about their future after high school, and to make some choices regarding their interests, talents and energies. BAKIS has a robust program of elective subjects which begins at grade 10. Students continue with the core subjects such as English, Mathematics, Physical Education, Arabic, Islamic, Moral Education and ICT, and also have choices for elective subjects including Environmental Science, Economics, Business, Robotics, Public Speaking and Accounting.

Different Career Tracks

At this stage, students also consider whether they want to pursue the advanced track where they study AP (Advanced Placement) courses in the Sciences, Mathematics or Arts or the regular track, where they choose to study regular courses. Students and families work closely with academic and college counsellors to make informed decisions about their futures. We provide a very rich and focused career guidance to help our students make the right choices for their future.

As is the case in all sections of the school, elements of UAE heritage, history and Islamic culture are incorporated during teaching and learning activities across all disciplines.

High school courses (2022–23)

Creative Writing

An Exploration in Creative Writing provides students the opportunity to read, analyze, and critique a variety of rigorous text(s) in order to find their own voice, style, and story. Students will read and create writing pieces that model masters of various genres, as well as establish their own personal writing style. Genres to be explored through both reading and writing include poetry, fiction, drama, non-fiction, essay, biography, screenplay, letters, visuals, song, and graphic novels. Students will be afforded ample experiences revising, reflecting, presenting, and showcasing their own writing with peers and the instructor. Peer review, collaboration, and deep engagement in the writing process is a key component of the course.

• Careers: Advertising copywrite, Arts administrator, and Creative director. Digital copywriter, Editorial assistant, Magazine journalist, Newspaper journalist.

Public speaking

This is an introductory course to public speaking. Students will develop positions on various topics and issues of interest and prepare a variety of speeches reflecting different genres. Students will enhance their skills in researching, writing, and presenting speeches. The focus of this course is to provide many and varied speech opportunities.

• Careers: Effective communicator, Instructional abilities, Leadership, Sales ability, Negotiation tactics, Interpersonal skills, Ability to engage with the audience, Active listener, Speech writing

Introduction to business

An introductory course that will provide a foundation of the business world. Students will develop an understanding of the role and purpose of business activity in the public and private sectors. Topics include customer needs, marketing, teamwork, finance, international business, innovation, and entrepreneurship. Students will work both individually and cooperatively in groups and they will prepare both presentations and written reports. Students will look at how to start a business and will create a business plan with sustainability as a focus.

• Careers: Business adviser, Business analyst, Business development manager, Chartered management accountant, corporate investment banker, Data analyst.

Computer Science

This course provides an introduction to computational thinking and problem solving. Students will be able to apply elementary computing concepts including variables, loops, functions, lists, conditionals, concurrency, data types, simple object-oriented concepts, I/O, events, syntax, and structured programming.

• Careers:Data Scientist, Software Developer, Information Security Analyst, Database Administrators.

Robotics

Robotics introduces students to the field of robotics. Through the use of Robotics Systems, students learn to build and control robots, Students become familiar with basic computer science concepts as they learn a programming language, which is to utilized to manipulate a robot along with its various sensors. Once written, the Program, running on a computer, will interface with the robot to make it achieve the desired outcome. The course includes in class robotic projects, where student teams will design and program a robot to solve various challenges.

• Careers: Aerospace engineering and operations technicians, Electro-mechanical technicians, Computer and information research scientist, computer programmers.

Drama

In Theatre, Cinema, and Film Production, a half-credit course, students explore the elements of film and cinematic techniques used by those who create movies. Students study the techniques in film that serve the story and articulate the theme.

• Careers Actor, Community Centre Instructor, Critic, Director, Drama Editor, Drama Teacher, Event Planner, Fundraising Coordinator.

Art

Students will explore basic art media and techniques, such as drawing, painting, graphic design, photography, collage, ceramics, printmaking, and sculpture and more! Art criticism, aesthetics, and art history are an integral part of the class.

• Careers: Animator, Graphic designer, Curator, Printmaker, Art teacher/university lecturer.

French

Students will explore basic art media and techniques, such as drawing, painting, graphic design, photography, collage, ceramics, printmaking, and sculpture and more! Art criticism, aesthetics, and art history are an integral part of the class.

• Careers: Book Publishing Professional, Diplomat/ Attaché/ Foreign Service Officer, Editor/ Proofreader, Foreign Exchange Trader.

Pre-Calculus

Pre-calculus completes the formal study of the functions begun in Algebra I and Algebra II. Students focus on modeling, problem solving, data analysis, trigonometric and circular functions and their inverses, polar coordinates, complex numbers, conics, and quadratic relations.

Pre AP-Calculus

In AP Precalculus, students explore everyday situations and phenomena using mathematical tools and lenses. Through regular practice, students build deep mastery of modeling and functions, and they examine scenarios through multiple representations.

AP Calculus

AP Calculus is roughly equivalent to a first semester college calculus course devoted to topics in differential and integral calculus. The AP course covers topics in these areas, including concepts and skills of limits, derivatives, definite integrals, and the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus.

Accounting

This course focuses on the process of auditing financial statements. It also includes discussions of the accounting concepts, profession, its regulatory and legal liability environments, plus the need for the audit function, professional standards and conduct.

Environmental science

Environmental science is a course dedicated to understanding the interactions between earth's natural systems and the demands placed on them by the human population.

AP Bio

AP Biology is an introductory college-level biology course. Students cultivate their understanding of biology through inquiry-based investigations as they explore topics like evolution, energetics, information storage and transfer, and system interactions.

AP Chemistry

AP Chemistry is an introductory college-level chemistry course. Students cultivate their understanding of chemistry through inquiry-based lab investigations as they explore the four Big Ideas: scale, proportion, and quantity; structure and properties of substances; transformations; and energy.

AP Physics

AP Physics is an algebra-based, introductory college-level physics course. Students cultivate their understanding of physics through classroom study, in-class activity, and hands-on, inquiry-based laboratory work as they explore concepts like systems, fields, force interactions, change, conservation, and waves.