Choosing the best form of education for students is one of the most important decisions a parent will make. These formative years directly impact a child’s future with the foundation of their careers and opportunities arising from the earliest phases of education. With the American curriculum being a popular choice for international schools, it will come as no surprise that it is the norm for education across the UAE. Furthermore, UAE-based parents are the world’s second-highest spenders on education, proving how important a solid education is to this forward-thinking nation.
We offer a developed American curriculum at the School of Modern Skills as we believe our pupils deserve the best. This article will explore what this teaching style includes to showcase how sms students stand to gain an elevated educational opportunity at our school. Keep reading to learn exactly what the American curriculum is across the UAE.
What Is an American Curriculum?
The American curriculum is one of the most popular educational styles worldwide. The teaching style was founded in the US as a way to combine education and practical skills in an all-encompassing educational system. This mainly aimed to support students from early years through to graduation. Another difference is that credits are built throughout the education system which leads to a student being able to graduate. This is different to other curriculums who rely on the results from external exams to provide final certification levels.
Based on the US National Common Core Standards, the ultimate goal is to ensure that students are equipped for a life outside of required education, whether in further training or workplaces. This demonstrates why education and real-world teachings are combined in the curriculum, as it offers a way for students to get a taste of what life has in store. Every aspect, from the lessons taught to the school calendar and hours, has been carefully curated to offer an informative experience for pupils.
What Are the Levels of the American Curriculum in the UAE?
One of the main differences between the American curriculum and other popular teaching styles, such as the British education system, are the levels to which teaching is split into. These are as follows:
Kindergarten (Ages 5 -6) – This forms the first year of education which gives students a chance to get used to common teaching styles and the social expectations placed on them within a classroom.
Elementary School (Ages 6 through 10) – This stage is the first official stage of educational schooling, which was conducted straight after the introduction of kindergarten. Students also lay the foundations for all lessons included within the curriculum, focusing on language, social skills and problem-solving.
Middle School (From 11 to 13) – Middle school is the next phase of education that introduces the importance placed on students taking control of their learning. During this time, more lesson options and a focus on wellbeing are provided, which is highly important for developing children at these ages.
High School (Ages from 14 to 18) – The final years of education include academic focus as well as skill-based lessons to ensure students are ready to take on their first adventures outside of the required education system.
What Subjects Does the American Curriculum Include?
The American curriculum is an ideal choice for the children of the UAE as it offers an informative blend of education and life skills essential for the forward-thinking nation. As the UAE is home to some of the biggest businesses and innovators in the world, the American curriculum is ideal for shaping the next generation of leaders.
To achieve this high standard of education, the subjects are split into two areas: compulsory subjects and co-curricular programmes. The compulsory subjects covered are similar to other educational curriculums, with an even split between language, mathematics, scientific and cultural matters. Whilst the topics may be the same, the American curriculum offers a more advanced method of teaching information and applying it to real-life situations, offering a more immersive type of learning for students. Compulsory subjects include the following:
- Mathematics
- Languages (English plus foreign languages as chosen by the particular school)
- Arts (Music, Drama, Design and Technology)
- Science (Physics, Biology and Chemistry)
- Drama
- Physical Education
- Social Studies
The co-curricular studies that we have mentioned are often offered to older students who want to have the option to diversify their learning and focus on skills needed for their plans. These lessons are intended to provide opportunities to develop new skills, explore their interests, and interact with their peers. They take place outside of traditional hours and commonly include the following:
- Arts, including drama, physical design and creative outlets
- Sporting endeavors
- Social skills such as public speaking or debating
What Are the Benefits of Following an American Curriculum?
One of our main goals at the sms school is to provide students with proven methods of excelling in their future lives This is made possible thanks to the brilliant advantages on offer from following an American Curriculum. Some of these benefits are included below.
Focus on Critical Thinking and Emotional Intelligence
Emotional intelligence can be developed from an early age by offering students a way to conceptualize the real world and gain skills aside from educational knowledge. This is essential as the skill is harder for people to acquire as they age. Another benefit is that a global perspective is achieved, creating a generation of confident and culturally aware children.
Provides More Targeted Support for Students Resulting in High Results
The curriculum is known for being more detail-oriented and results-driven by giving students different methods to achieve brilliant results. This is intended to help students achieve more and fine-tune critical thinking and social skills simultaneously.
Broad Range of Subjects and Options for Unique Education Opportunities
Offering students flexibility and the push to take control of their education ensures they are more engaged with the lessons being taught. This is essential for ensuring each pupil meets their needs, which can lead to a stronger connection. Furthermore, this means that schools that adopt an American curriculum are more likely to offer better academic facilities due to the variety of teachings. Whether this is sports or art, it means lessons are more likely to resonate further for better results.
Focus on Technology.
Lastly, an American curriculum is known for focusing on current and emerging technologies. This ensures that not only can the latest skills be gained but that pupils are used to how technology can support their education, meaning more value is added in later life. This also gives pupils a career advantage when they enter the working world, as we all know that the world is becoming more technologically dependent at a rapid rate.
Why Does the School of Modern Skills Prefer the American Curriculum?
Our vision and mission is to ‘shape the future of education through innovative approaches, fostering creativity, critical thinking, and global citizenship’. By offering an American curriculum, we wholeheartedly believe this is possible and that we can support our students in achieving their best. As the benefits have been covered, by sharing the education style, our pupils can excel academically and establish the social and emotional skills needed to thrive in the adult world.
As a school, we put our students at the core of everything. From providing expected medical care to going above and beyond the norm for health and safety, we ensure every aspect of their experience is elevated. This is backed up by the incredible educational opportunities we have on offer that our developed American curriculum offers.
To learn more about our school, whether it’s pupil experiences or student transportation, simply fill out our parent inquiry procedures form. As passionate experts in the American curriculum and providing unique experiences for students, we are ready and waiting to help shape your child as one of our future leaders.
