No matter to where in the world your family is relocating, it is vital to properly research and be familiar with the international school scene prior to your arrival. At the forefront of most parents’ minds is the academic system: what curriculum does the school follow? Will my child be able to adapt easily? Will my child be able to readapt smoothly into my home country’s education system upon return? YCIS Beijing’s veteran Curriculum Coordinator Jennifer Mills was able to offer some key academic elements to which every prospective parent should pay particular attention.

Standardised Curriculum at Every Level

International schools come in many different formats and can offer a variety of school curricula, with some being more international than others. When choosing an international school, it is important to identify curriculum standards that will support children and family’s long term choices, while meeting wider learning needs.

The YCIS curriculum, for instance, is based on the frameworks of the National Curriculum in England (Years 1–9), the International General Certificate of International Education Programme (Years 10–11), and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (Years 12–13). Added is an international perspectives theme, which teaches students to confidently connect with the global world in a meaningful way. This meld ensures that students adhere to a high standard of education that will prepare them for whichever education system they enter after their time abroad while still taking advantage of the international setting that Beijing offers.

In particular, the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) is one of the most valuable options for expat families with children in Secondary School. The IBDP is authorised by the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO), and globally recognised for its rigorous and international preparation for competitive admission to the world’s leading universities.

An International Quality of Education

While attending an international school offers students a myriad of unique benefits, many families with children in international schools do not live abroad for the entirety of their children’s academic careers. This means that international schools must offer a curriculum that prepares them academically for their return home. The YCIS curriculum adheres to a four-year review cycle where each curriculum taught is critically analysed for its effectiveness in delivering a robust academic programme that challenges, supports, and stimulates students. Following the British National Curriculum ensures students receive a first class education, recognised globally as one of the most rigorous in the world. In senior years, the globally-recognized IGCSE and IB Diploma programmes challenge students with university-level academics.

No matter which country you originally hail from, it is vital that your child’s education during your time abroad does not suffer. At YCIS Beijing, through high standards, comprehensive support, and rigorous assessment, we ensure that students are able to return to their home countries not just as confident and able learners, but as global citizens whose time spent abroad has complemented their education and growth in the best way possible!

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