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Co-Curricular

Lower School children, in a line, playing the violin
We encourage students to try new things, so that they can discover who they really want to be

Every student explores a wide range of co-curricular activities, from arts to sports, from STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) to Model United Nations. Because exploring is a vital part of growing. We encourage students to try new things, so that they can discover who they really want to be.

After School Activities

The Lower School co-curricular program is offered to all students in the Bilingual and International Programs from Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 5 and activities are included in the tuition fees. 

Activities are offered by different grade levels and students in both programs participate in the same activities.

The program offers activities, athletics (competitive and non-competitive), and leadership opportunities and is run over three seasons - fall, winter and spring. In addition, there are privately-run activities on campus, such as private mother tongue language clubs.

To allow for a greater focus on age/developmentally-appropriate activities, students in:

  • Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 3 can choose two activities each season.
  • Grade 4 can choose two activities each season
  • Grade 5 can choose up to three activities each season, the third one being an all year-long "leadership opportunity" activity
  • Private mother tongue language clubs are counted as an additional activity. There may be a fee for these sessions.
ZIS Lower School students in their PE Kit playing rounders on the all weather sports field

Example activities for all Lower School children

Activities

Imagination quest
Maths fun and games
Robotics, drones and programming
Science club
Shutterbugs photography
STEM (Science, Tech, Engineering & Maths)
First Lego League Jr.
Programming
Story workshop
Art makers and shakers
Cooking
Chess club
Jewelry club
Lego creation
Open drama
Drama, Musical
Origami
Sewing
Into the woods
... and more

Athletics (non-competitive)

Basketball
Cross Country
Cycling
Diversity Dance
ZIS Dance troupe
Gymnastics
Martial Arts
North American Sports
Rock Climbing
Soccer
Swimming
Table Tennis
Track & Field
Unihockey
Ultimate Frisbee
Yoga

Competitive Athletics

As part of our activities program we also offer a competitive athletics program at the Lower School for older students in:

  • Basketball
  • Cross-country running
  • Downhill ski racing
  • Gymnastics 
  • Soccer 
  • Swimming
  • Track and field

Leadership Opportunities

There are challenging leadership opportunities, and opportunities to represent the school, through:

  • Student Council
  • Student Ambassadors
  • Math Quest
  • Model United Nations
  • National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo)
  • Eco-schools and the ZIS Sports Leaders program.