Choosing the right school in Dubai is crucial to your child's future! That's why this article will take you on a journey that focuses on schools with a British curriculum and compares them to the American curriculum. Also, it will highlight the main features and exams to help you choose the perfect option for you and your child.
The U.S. education system begins in kindergarten, where children are usually five years old. Children may sometimes begin attending a program called "early childhood" or "preschool" at the age of 3 or 4. These programs are for specific children who meet specific criteria or charge tuition fees at private schools. However, schooling begins at the age of 5. Contrary to popular belief, the term "American curriculum" is not accurate. Although the United States has a Department of Education, it is not responsible for issuing a uniform national curriculum for all schools. As a result, the variety of programs in the United States varies from state to state and sometimes even from city to city within the same state. Since 2014, the Common Core State Standards, a set of academic standards that all schools in the United States, regardless of textbook or curriculum, have agreed to adopt. This has led all U.S. textbook publishers to update their curricula to meet these standards, resulting in significant similarities between U.S. textbooks. Therefore, any information that suggests that the American curriculum is "too simple" or "irrelevant" is outdated and based on personal experience. In addition, there is constant competition among curriculum publishers in the United States to produce high-quality textbooks and courses that help students achieve high scores on various final exams after graduating from high school.
One of the most important and well-known exams is the SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test). This is a typical test offered in the final year of high school in the United States and is designed to qualify students for admission to American universities and other universities outside the United States that require this test. The test mainly assesses students' skills in reading and writing in English and in various areas of mathematics. SAT test in Arab countries It is worth mentioning that most Arab countries do not recognize the SAT test and do not consider it equivalent to high Chinese or school graduation. Moreover, most universities in the Arab world do not accept them individually and require additional external examinations. In addition, the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Higher Education require the Arab High School Certificate to take an equivalency test, assessing students in many subjects, not just English and math, just like the SAT exam. The test that was previously recognized in the Arab world was the SAT Subject Test, also known as SAT 2, which is another test of the College Board, the agency responsible for the U.S. exam. However, these exams were cancelled and held for the last time in the summer of 2021, subsequently replaced by ACT or AP exams. One of the major problems faced by students in American Curriculum schools in the Arab world is that many schools do not prepare students for external exams for the American Curriculum. As a result, the burden of preparing for these important exams falls on parents, who are forced to enroll their children in expensive private lessons, adding to the financial burden of enrolling their children in international schools. So, if you choose an American System school for your child, make sure that the school prepares the student for these external exams.
The AP (Advanced Placement) exam is an American exam supervised by the College Board, which administers and administers the SAT exam. The AP exam is different from the SAT exam because the AP exam is more comprehensive and requires more preparation. Due to the difficulty of this exam, they usually require fewer subjects to be equivalent to the exam, as the level of these exams is equivalent to the content of a first-year university subject.
Also, while 5 or 6 ACT subjects may be required in the Arab world to be equivalent to a U.S. high school Chinese credential, a student's certificate requires only three AP subjects to be recognized as a high school diploma.
Some high-level curriculum schools in the United States take their students seriously to prepare for these exams, and their students achieve high scores, qualify for admission to the best colleges, and sometimes even receive scholarships for academic excellence. So, if you are looking for an outstanding school for your child, make sure that the school prepares students for these excellent exams. The ACT exam is issued by the ACT organization in the United States and is used as an entrance exam for American universities and is recognized by many Arab countries. The ACT General Test differs from the SAT in that it assesses students in four main subjects: English Language, Reading, Math, and Science. Most schools do not directly prepare students for this test, so few people rely on this test to graduate from American high schools in the Arab world. In addition to the ACT General Test, the board also offers ACT subject tests, and students can choose from a variety of subjects. The IB DP, or International Baccalaureate Diploma, is not an American exam, but an exam affiliated with the International IB organization, which is in charge of the schools of the International Baccalaureate system. However, many U.S. system schools, both inside and outside the U.S., require students to take these tests; Their preparation begins in Grade 11. IBDP students sit exams in 5 to 7 subjects, including science, humanities, and arts. What distinguishes these exams from others is the research aspect that depends on the student's grades. This makes it more challenging, so they may not be for everyone.
The U.S. education system is similar in content to the U.K. and other international English education systems. The U.S. education system is characterized by a great deal of flexibility in implementation, with significant differences in the following areas: the way the curriculum is implemented.
How do schools in the U.S. evaluate students in different programs?
As a result, this gives parents the flexibility and freedom to choose the best way to teach and assess that suits their child's personality. It is impossible to generalize because there are differences between the American curriculum and how it is applied. The American and British curricula have significant similarities in terms of scientific content. The main difference is in the way assessments are conducted and external exams. Therefore, whether the curriculum is easy or difficult depends on the school and how the school implements and evaluates the curriculum.
The British Curriculum is a school curriculum adopted by many British Curriculum schools in the United Kingdom as well as outside the United Kingdom. British International Schools (BIS) employ two junior courses. This is the curriculum adopted by both public and private schools in the UK. The academic year for this course begins in Year 3 of the FS1 class (Foundation Stage 1), which is the Early Kindergarten or Nursery stage. The age of entry is one of the most significant differences between the British and American curriculums, supporting the needs of each child and family respectively. The preferred curriculum of many British curriculum schools outside the UK, including the British School in Dubai and some private schools in the UK In addition, the most significant difference between the two systems is the external assessment exams followed. English National Curriculum:
Cambridge Curriculum: Students in the UK who follow this curriculum take different primary and secondary exams, such as Cambridge CEM and Cambridge Checkpoint exams.
Like the SAT, these exams are designed to assess and track a student's progress and achievement and do not affect school graduation or college admission.
These tests are the main difference between schools in the American and British education systems. In UK system schools, exams for students to graduate and enter university begin at the end of Year 11 or 10, and preparation begins in Year 9 of the previous year. These well-known exams, which refer to the entire UK curriculum, are the IGCSE international exams, which are the equivalent of the UK national GCSE exams. Awarded by multiple ***, the most famous of which are Cambridge and Edexcel, there is little difference between the exams at these institutions, but the content and subjects offered are very similar. However, the style of questions in some subjects may vary, but even this is subject to change as these exams are revised each year. IGCSE exams are crucial because they sometimes account for 70% of a student's graduation grade and are an important indicator of final grade in the years to come. It is important to note that IGCSE exams alone do not qualify students for direct admission to universities in Arab countries and many other countries. However, it allows UK students to enter UK universities and colleges in their foundation year under certain conditions. Therefore, it is crucial to ensure that students complete 12 years of schooling and that the year of graduation is 12th grade or the equivalent of 13th grade. After completing the IGCSE exams, students will sit for the A-Level exams, which are divided into two parts, the first part being taken at AS levels in Year 11 and the second part being taken in the final academic year. In some cases, A-levels are held once at the end of the last school grade, and their results are a major factor in university admission. One of the most essential features of the UK education system is respect for the individual differences of pupils in the primary grades. Most UK curriculum schools ensure that students are grouped according to their level and ability in English and Mathematics, with the aim of providing students with better grades and more significant gains. However, it is important to note that not all British international schools implement this practice. Therefore, before doing so, you should familiarize yourself with the method of choice for the school you intend to enroll your child in. I like to call this issue the "million-dollar problem," and it's a question that takes up a lot of space and lengthy discussions among different groups of mothers. In fact, there is no one right answer to this question. While moms want to know the differences between the British and American courses and which is better, this question is influenced by many variables and factors. It would be naïve to give a predetermined answer without taking into account these variables, which include: the student's personality and learning style.
The educational and assessment methods followed by the school, regardless of the curriculum.
A student's ability to cope with numerous exam pressures and efforts.
Family plans for a student's college education (important only for high school students; If your child is in kindergarten, there is no need to worry).
The quality of education in the school and the competence of the teachers, regardless of the curriculum followed.
1.How many British Curriculum schools are there in Dubai?
There are 58 schools with British curriculum in Dubai. According to the latest KHDA report, which:
Ten schools have received an "Outstanding" rating to make them the best British schools in Dubai.
Nine were rated "very good".
Twenty-seven schools were rated "good."
This reflects the strong influence of quality education in the UK. 2.What is the curriculum like in a UK school?
Many British schools in the UAE and elsewhere have adopted the English National Curriculum, which includes a comprehensive range of subjects.
These include Mathematics, English, Science, Design & Technology, History, Geography, Art & Design, Physical Education, Computing, and Ancient and Modern Foreign Languages.
The course is designed to provide a well-rounded education.
3.How many American Curriculum schools are there in Dubai?
There are 29 American curriculum schools in Dubai. One of them, which is also the best American school in Dubai, received an "Outstanding" rating. Of these, 1 was rated "Very Good," 15 were rated "Good," and 12 were rated "Acceptable," reflecting the diversity of the city's U.S. education options. 4.What is the American curriculum in the UAE?
In the UAE, American Curriculum schools primarily adhere to the American Common Core National Standards for English Language Arts and Mathematics.
For science, they follow the next generation of scientific standards. These standards ensure that students receive a well-rounded, well-rounded education similar to what students receive in the United States. When choosing the right school curriculum for your child, it is necessary to study and read about different curricula and their methods of application, not to follow ignorant opinions or personal experiences.
Choose the school and educational experience that best suits your child's needs and personality, the one that best suits your budget and plans, and don't stress yourself or your child by believing that one program is better than another.
Ultimately, if the quality of education is high, your child will benefit. If they graduate with a high score, regardless of whether their certificate is American or British, they will be admitted to the best universities based on their academic performance.