What Curriculum Does International School Philippines Follow?

The International School Philippines has a good reputation for comprehensive education and accepts globally oriented education systems. Unlike conventional local schools usually tracked within the K-12 program of the Department of Education, international schools have full foreign curricula that bear a resemblance to the systems from which they originated or follow international standards. This is to prepare students for global citizenship, and the schools may incorporate contents that equip the students with such information as will allow them to successfully enter universities outside the country. The lists below depict the currently popular curricula among such schools in the Philippines. 

British Curriculum

The British curriculum, otherwise calledthe  National Curriculum of England, is one of the most frequently used programs of education in international schools in the Philippines. It is characterized by a structured, broad-based, and academic program with more emphasis on the building of core skills in English, Math, and Science, followed by History, Geography, Arts, and Physical Education.

The curriculum is classified into Key Stages, namely Key Stage 1 (5 to 7 years old), Key Stage 2 (7 to 11 years old), Key Stage 3 (11 to 14 years old), and Key Stage 4 (14 to 16 years old) whereupon taking the General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) or International GCSE (IGCSE) examinations. After IGCSE, students usually enter the Sixth Form (Key Stage 5) for Advanced Level (A-Level) qualifications. These A-Levels are recognized worldwide and are a standard requirement for admission into UK universities and many others around the globe.

Character education, extra-curricular activities, and personalized learning paths are an emphasis of British international schools. Assessment is based on continuous performance and standardized testing. The British School Manila and Nord Anglia International School Manila are among the most prominent schools in the Philippines offering this curriculum.

American Curriculum

Another system widely accepted across borders is the American curriculum, which is flexible and student-oriented. Some of the areas developed under the American curriculum include critical thinking, creativity, and the application of knowledge. These would generally cover a wide range of subjects offered. The American system typically breaks up education into Elementary School, which is defined as the range of Kindergarten to Grade 5; Middle School, which comprises Grades 6–8; and High School, which covers Grades 9–12.

Credits in high school include English, Math, Science, Social Studies, and other elective subjects. The credits, after being accumulated, become a requirement for the individual graduating from high school and earning a high school diploma. Students thus gain the qualification that enables them to apply for admission to colleges or universities in the United States or abroad, as long as these institutions recognize the American education system.

Often, standardized tests are required for college applicants, such as the SAT or ACT. Normally, international schools that feature the American curriculum also include Advanced Placement (AP) courses, whereby high school students can take college classes and obtain university credits. Among the premier institutions that provide the American system in the Philippines are International School Manila and Brent International School.

International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme

The International Baccalaureate is the world's education program where students are trained to be inquiring, knowledgeable, and caring young people. It aims to develop students into active, compassionate, lifelong learners. The four programs within the IB are the Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP), Diploma Programme (DP), and Career-related Programme (CP).

The IB curriculum is characterized by academic rigor and it is also a holistic education. It consists of six subject groups and three additional components: Theory of Knowledge (TOK), Extended Essay (EE), and Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) in the Diploma Programme. These components also require a cross-cultural understanding and therefore encourage students to think critically and reflect upon their learning and participation.

The country has many international schools that provide a full range of international baccalaureate programs while others may limit themselves to the Diploma Programme. International School Manila, British School Manila, and other schools in the country are IB World Schools accredited to offer these programs.

International Primary Curriculum (IPC)

Some international schools offer the International Primary Curriculum (IPC), a thematic, creative form of curriculum targeting students between the ages of 5 and 11. This curriculum seeks to develop knowledge, skills, and understanding across various subjects, including Science, History, Geography, and Art, via thematic units, which are child-friendly, relevant, and engaging. 

A global approach to learning encourages students to explore the world and to have an understanding of cultural differences from as early on in their lives as possible. The IPC is in line with internationally benchmarked standards and seeks to equip students for more rigorous middle school programs like the IB Middle Years Programme or the British Key Stage 3. 

One World School and The Beacon School have now embedded the IPC in their early years and elementary levels, thus cementing an educational experience within different contexts, constituting a very solid foundation for lifelong learning.

Other National Curricula

An example of such an international school is the Chinese International School, Manila, which offers a version of the standard Chinese education infused with international features as well as using bilingual modes of instruction in English and Mandarin.

Its counterpart is the European International School, which runs the French curriculum under the aegis of the French Ministry of National Education and the German curriculum. These schools are the right venues for expatriate families who want their children to continue in the education system of their home country or prepare them for reintegration upon return.

These national curricula are at par with global standards and allow access to universities both locally and abroad. Ideal for students who may move in or out of the Philippines at some stage during their education.

Accreditation and Quality Assurance

The international schools in the Philippines are typically accredited by international organizations that prove the standards of education required for the programs they offer. Accreditation agencies include, but are not limited to, the Council of International Schools (CIS), Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), or the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO), depending on the awarded curriculum.

These accreditations help maintain program consistency, quality, and worldwide recognition. They ultimately assure parents that their children will be educated in the same level of quality comparable to that in the country of origin.

Key Takeaway

International schools in the Philippines comply with different curricula that cater to the educational needs of their global students. Each one varies from the well-structured, academically demanding British and American systems to that of being internationally-minded, such as the International Baccalaureate and IP system curricula. Some are targeted to a particular nationality, providing continuity with the students from place to place. Hence, all these diverse curricula are organized in such a way that the education of students is internationally standard and sufficiently equipped.