Choosing the Right School

Whether you choose to enroll your child in a US curriculum or UK curriculum Esol Education school, the following principles will always apply. 

The curriculum will:

• be comprehensive and balanced, covering literacy, numeracy, and digital skills and a broad range of academic, technical, aesthetic, physical and creative experiences

• be adapted to complement and incorporate the local conditions in which the school is situated

• appreciate, recognize and  celebrate the cultural, ethnic and national diversity of the student population and acknowledge the international context  in which our students operate

• maximize choice and support each student by providing a range of options at external examination level

• provide challenge as a child progresses through school

• prepare students for the transition to college or university

• follow a subject-based curriculum that includes cross curricular links between subject areas so that students see the curriculum as a whole rather than an individual set of learning areas

• include an extra-curricular and co-curricular program for extension and enrichment and to provide opportunities for students to thrive in an area of interest or where they have a particular talent or gift

If you choose to study at one of our US curriculum schools: 

Each school will follow the Common Core Standards through Elementary and Middle School (age 4-16).  The Common Core State Standards define what every student should know and be able to do in Math and English Language Arts from Kindergarten through Grade 12. The Common Core focuses on developing the critical-thinking, problem-solving, and analytical skills of each student. The content to achieve these standards is left to individual schools though the Common Core document does set down areas of critical content for English Language Arts and Mathematics.

http://www.corestandards.org/

In Grades 11 and12, many students will follow the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) as a pre-university two year course prior to entry to higher education. Alternatively, students in Grades 11 and 12 can continue with Common Core Curriculum and attain the American High School Diploma. Students who do not choose to pursue the full IBDP may still pursue IB certificates in specific subjects. 

Visit Esol Education's American Curriculum Schools

United Arab EmirateS

• Dunecrest American School - www.dunecrest.ae
• American International School in Abu Dhabi (AISA) – www.aisa.sch.ae

Bahrain

• American School of Bahrain (ASB) – www.asb.bh

Hong Kong

• American School in Hong Kong (ASHK) – www.ashk.edu.hk

Egypt

• American International School in Egypt-Main (AISEM) – www.aisegypt.com
• American International School in Egypt-West (AISEW) – www.aiswest.com

Cyprus

• American International School in Cyprus (AISC) – www.aisc.ac.cy 

The above schools are also IB World Schools.

If you choose to study at one of our UK curriculum schools:* 

Each school will follow an adapted form of the English National Curriculum from Early Years to Year 9 (age 4–14).  The English National Curriculum is distinguished by highly prescriptive Programmes of Study (PoS) that specify subject knowledge, skills and concepts at each age level for the core subjects of English, Mathematics, and Science and for foundation subjects such as Art and Design, Computing, Design Technology, Geography, History, Foreign Language, Music and Physical Education.

All Esol Education schools will revise and improve each PoS as stated in the principles outlined above, sometimes replacing and amending topics to adapt to the local context and local Ministry requirements.  

For more information about the National Curriculum for England, click here. Or download the comprehensive curriculum framework to explore the program in depth.

Year 10 – Year 11 (age 14-16) will follow the qualifications for the attainment of the Cambridge International Examinations (CIE) International General Certificate of Education (IGSCE). Most students study between five and nine IGCSE subjects. At IGCSE only the core subjects are compulsory.  However, a tailored set of choices is available to students in all of our UK curriculum schools.

For more information about CIE and the IGCSE, you can download the Cambridge Prospectus.

In Years 12 and 13, most students will follow the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) as a pre-university two year course prior to entry to higher education.  Esol’s British schools also offer the A Levels or the IB Career-Related Programme (IBCP) as alternatives to the IBDP in Sixth Form.

http://www.ibo.org/

Visit Esol Education's British Curriculum School

Egypt

• Cairo English School (CES) – www.cesegypt.com 

 The above school is an IB World School.

The International Baccalaureate® (IB) aims to go beyond the scope of traditional curricula by offering high-quality programs of international education that share a powerful vision. An IB education is informed by the values described in the learner profile and:

• centers on learners – the IB’s student-centred programspromote healthy relationships, ethical responsibility and personal challenge
• develops effective approaches to teaching and learning – IB programs help students to develop the attitudes and skills they need for both academic and personal success
• works within global contexts – IB programs increase understanding of languages and cultures, and explore globally significant ideas and issues
• explores significant content – IB programs offer a curriculum that is broad and balanced, conceptual and connected.

IB learners strive to become inquirers, knowledgeable, thinkers, communicators, principled, open-minded, caring, risk-takers, balanced, and reflective. These attributes of internationally minded people represent a broad range of human capacities and responsibilities that go beyond intellectual development and academic success.

The IB is different from other curricula because it:

• encourages students to think critically and challenge what they are told
• is independent of governments and national systems, and therefore able to incorporate best practice from a range of international frameworks and curricula
• encourages students to consider both their local and international environment.

In order to teach IB programs, schools must be authorized. Seven Esol Education schools are authorized to offer IB programs, and are known as IB World Schools.

Visit Esol Education's IB World Schools

United Arab Emirates

• Dunecrest American School - www.dunecrest.ae

• Fairgreen International School - www.fairgreen.ae

• American International School in Abu Dhabi (AISA) – www.aisa.sch.ae

Hong Kong

• American School in Hong Kong (ASHK) – www.ashk.edu.hk

Egypt

• American International School in Egypt-Main (AISEM) – www.aisegypt.com

• American International School in Egypt-West (AISEW) – www.aiswest.com

• Cairo English School (CES) – www.cesegypt.com

Bahrain

• American School of Bahrain (ASB) – www.asb.bh

Cyprus

• American International School in Cyprus (AISC) – www.aisc.ac.cy

Q. If I would like my child to enter a US university should they automatically choose the US curriculum school?

A.  No. Students from the UK curriculum schools with the IBDP can apply and enter into US , UK or any university in the world.  The IB diploma is one of the most recognized international qualifications for pre-university entry.

Q. Why should I choose a UK or US curriculum school?

A. Each curriculum has parity of status.  However, if at some time in the future you may be considering returning or moving to the UK or US while your child is mid-school, it would be advisable to enable easy transition for your child to follow the same curriculum and style of education while you are overseas.

Q. What is an “international school?”

A. An international school is one that provides an education with an international focus, offering widely recognized national curricula such as the National Curriculum of England (British Curriculum) or the American Common Core Standards, by adding an international focus. In an increasingly globalized world, an international education offers students a wider scope of study and exposure to a diverse range of cultures and concepts.  An international school is typically characterized by:

• Transferability of the student's education across international schools.
• Multinational and multilingual student body
• An international curriculum.
• International accreditation or authorization (e.g. Middle States Association, Council of International Schools, International Baccalaureate)
• A multinational teacher population.
• Usually English or French language of instruction, plus the obligation to take on at least one additional language.