Curriculum

The British American School of Charlotte prepares students to meet the growing challenges of a rapidly changing world. Our academic program is based on:

• The International Primary Curriculum (IPC)
• The UK National Curriculum

The combination of these distinctive curricula provides a comprehensive, international course of study which equips every student with the essential skills for lifelong learning. Our schools encourage independence and self-discipline in an atmosphere of mutual respect and appreciation of diverse opinions and cultures. The curriculum provides attainment targets for student learning, including how that performance will be assessed and reported. Our program gives teachers, students and parents a clear and shared understanding of the skills and knowledge that children will gain at school.

Early Years

Students in Nursery and Reception classes, known as the Foundation Stage (ages 2 to 5), follow the Foundation Curriculum which is tailored to the developing needs of young students and is based on the UK government's Early Learning Goals. The Foundation Stage covers six distinct areas of learning: personal and social and emotional development, communication, language and literacy, mathematical development, knowledge and understanding of the world, physical development and creative development. This academic program is designed to lay secure foundations for future learning. It is a curriculum that not only acts as a transition between home and school but also starts children off with the learning habits necessary to become successful lifelong learners.

Primary School

The International Primary Curriculum (IPC) and the National Curriculum provide the framework for educating students in Years 1 to 6 (ages 5 to 11). The IPC is a cross-curricular, rigorous program that integrates history, geography, science, art, information communication technology and design technology into thematic units and provides links to National Curriculum guidelines for literacy, numeracy, music and physical education. Children spend three to six weeks on Units of Work which are based around interdisciplinary themes of real interest to children so they are engaged and enthusiastic. This extended period of study allows students to approach topics from multiple perspectives and to make connections between subjects.

Focusing on three standards – academic, personal development and international mindedness – the IPC provides a creative system that prepares children, wherever they may live in the future, for the world of tomorrow. Fundamental to the IPC approach to learning is a clear progression in skill development. This even applies to the personal learning goals which emphasize adaptability, resilience, thoughtfulness, cooperation and respect. Internationalism is embedded into every IPC unit to ensure our children grow up with a very clear global understanding. Together, the National Curriculum and the IPC provide a well-defined framework which sets standards that measure how children are performing in each subject, helping teachers ensure high overall student performance.

Middle School

The National Curriculum forms the basis of study for all students in Years 7 through 9 (ages 11-14). The National Curriculum is a comprehensive course of study that includes twelve different subjects: English, mathematics, science, history, geography, modern foreign languages, design technology, information communication technology, art and design, music, citizenship and physical education. Subjects in the National Curriculum are delivered in a circular method so that topics are returned to in a way that allows students to make connections between varied topics. Learning at all ages is differentiated based on the individual needs of children, including ability and background.