British International Schools follow the National Curriculum for Primary and Secondary Schools in the UK and ensure that all students receive the same high standard of education. The British curriculum is divided into ‘Early Years Foundation’ and five ‘Key Stages.’ At the end of each Key Stage, students are tested on their progress.

KEY STAGES	AGE	YEAR GROUPS	US GRADE EQUIV.	ASSESSMENT
Foundation Stage	3-5	Nursery / Reception	Pre-school	-
Key Stage 1	5-7	1-2	Kindergarten	SATs
Key Stage 2	7-11	3-6	2nd - 5th	SATs
Key Stage 3	11-14	7-9	6th - 8th	-
Key Stage 4	14-16	10-11	9th - 10th	GCSE / iGCSE
Key Stage 5 (6th Form)	16-18	12-13	11th - 12th	A Level

The curricula is standardised, making it straightforward when transferring schools.

For more detailed information on the British International Curriculum see: www.gov.uk

Unlike the British Education system, the American Education system does not prepare students for national Examinations like GCSE or A levels. Instead, students work towards the completion of a High School Diploma. Assessment is generally continuous and made up of a combination of exams, essays, in-class work, homework assignments, group work, attendance etc. There is a final grade award for each course at the end of the semester.

These grades are averaged over the student’s high school career, resulting in a Grade Point Average (GPA). The student’s overall academic history is recorded in a transcript which is later requested by Universities seeking to evaluate the student.

Students who plan to go to college take college aptitude tests, generally the American College Testing (ACT) programme and the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT), both of which are recognised by accredited universities to evaluate potential students. Tests are of the multiple-choice type and are not based directly on school work, rather they are designed to measure aptitude and verbal and mathematical skills rather than knowledge.

LEVEL OF STUDY	AGE	GRADE	UK EQUIV.	ASSESSMENT
Nursery / Pre school	3-4	-	Nursery Reception	-
Elementary / Primary School	5-10	Kindergarten - 5th	Year 1-6 (Key Stage 1 & 2)	Continuous Assessment
Middle School	11-13	6th - 8th	Year 7-9 (Key Stage 3)	Continuous Assessment
High School	14-18	9th - 12th	Year 10-13 (Key Stage 4 & 5)	GPA - (Continuous Assessment)

For more detailed information on the American Curriculum see: sss.umn.edu

 

The IB programme is broken up into three parts, with some schools offering one of these programmes (most often the Diploma Programme), while other schools offer all three programmes.

The three IB Programmes are:

1. The Primary `Years Programme (PYP) for students aged 3 -12, with assessment carried out by teachers.
2. The Middle Years Programme (MYP) or pre-IB, for students aged 11-16, intended to prepare students for the IB Diploma.
3. The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (DP) is taught in English , French or Spanish. Students receive the diploma after passing exams and completing their programme requirements.

The Career Related Programme (CP) is for students engaged in career-related education.

PROGRAMMES	AGE	UK EQUIV.	US EQUIV.	ASSESSMENT
Primary Years Programme PYP	3-12	Foundation - Key Stage 2	Nursery - 5th Grade	Continuous Assessment
Middle Years Programme MYP	11-16	Key Stage 3-4	6th - 8th Grade	IB MYP Certificate (Must compete 8 e-assessments)
Diploma Programme DP	16-19	Key Stage 5	10th - 12th Grade	IB Diploma Certificate (External & Internal Assessment)
Career Related Programme CP	16-19	Key Stage 5	10t - 12th Grade	External & Internal Assessment

For more information on the IB curriculum see: www.ibo.org

Like the American system, education in Canada is a provincial responsibility, meaning there are significant differences between education systems in different provinces. Students work towards a High School Diploma (typically over 4 years). Assessment is generally continuous and made up of a combination of exams, essays, in-class work, homework assignments, group work, attendance etc. Requirements for being awarded the diploma vary by jurisdiction. Typically they include a combination of continuous assessment and exams.

LEVEL OF STUDY	AGE	GRADE	UK EQUIV.	US EQUIV.	ASSESSMENT
Pre-Kindergarten	3-5	-	Foundation	Pre-school	-
Kindergarten	5-6	Kindergarten Key Stage 1	Nursery-2nd Grade	-
Elementary	6-12	Grade 1-8	Key Stage 2-3	2nd-8th Grade	Continuous Assessment
Junior High	12-15	Grade 9-10	Key Stage 3-4	8th-10th Grade	Exam + Continuous Assessment
Senior High	15-18	Grade 10-12	Key Stage 5	10th-12th Grade	High School Diploma (Exam + Continuous Assessment)

For more information see: www.cicic.ca