The Parent’s Checklist: What to Evaluate When Choosing a School Curriculum

When choosing a school curriculum, parents must evaluate essential factors, such as subject options, teaching quality, curriculum flexibility, and the school’s ability to support their child’s unique learning style and future aspirations.

A suitable curriculum lays the foundation for a child’s academic success, personal growth, critical thinking, and future opportunities. Therefore, one of the most crucial decisions parents make for their child’s education is choosing the right school curriculum. This checklist can serve as a guide to help parents to make informed decisions and ensure that their children’s needs and aspirations are effectively met.

Child’s Learning Style and Interests

To identify a curriculum that maximizes the potential of a child, the first step is to understand the child’s unique learning style – whether visual, auditory, kinesthetic, or a combination – and consider their interests.

A curriculum that aligns with the child’s natural learning style can make absorption and retention of knowledge easier. By catering to a child’s individual preferences and strengths, the right curriculum can create an engaging and effective learning experience, build a deeper connection with learning that extends beyond the classroom, and promote academic success. It is, therefore, recommended that parents consider the child’s interests, such as a passion for technology, arts, or sports, and match curriculum features to the child’s strengths and preferences. This may include hands-on projects and practical applications for kinesthetic learners, while visual aids and multimedia can benefit visual learners. 

When selecting a curriculum, consider subject availability and specialization options, as it allows children to explore their interests and talents more deeply. A curriculum offering a broad range of subjects can enable children to gain a well-rounded education and discover new passions. To enhance their children’s academic and career opportunities, parents must assess whether the curriculum offers advanced courses, electives, or vocational training. This is because specialisation options in areas, such as science, arts, or humanities, can provide children with an opportunity to focus on the subjects of their interest, or that align with their future aspirations. The availability of specialised subjects also plays a significant role in university admissions or career readiness. 

A quick checklist:

• What is a child’s learning style?
• What are the child’s interests and passions?
• Which curriculum best matches the child’s strengths and preferences?
• Which curriculum allows the child to explore his/her talents and interests deeply?

Future Academic and Career Goals

Selecting a curriculum that supports a child’s future academic and career goals is crucial for long-term success. Whether aiming for university, vocational training, or specialised fields, parents must look for a curriculum that supports both a broad foundation and allows for future specialisation to ensure that the child’s educational journey is both fulfilling and aligned with their goals.

There are several academic curriculums that adopt different approaches and emphasise distinct skills to prepare students for higher education and careers. For instance, international programmes like the International Baccalaureate and IGCSE are more focused on developing critical thinking, global awareness, and research skills, which are valued by universities worldwide. On the other hand, curriculums such as the ISC and ICSE are more focused on local educational standards, providing a strong foundation in subjects that align with competitive exams and regional opportunities. Still other curriculums that focus on vocational education with specialised courses and practical training, offer direct pathways to career readiness. 

The key strengths of international curriculums like the IB and the IGCSE are global recognition and university acceptance, as these curriculums enjoy wide recognition by top universities around the world. With an emphasis on skills such as critical thinking, research, and global perspectives, these curriculums prepare students for diverse international opportunities. At the other end of the spectrum, are local curriculums like the ISC and ICSE that align more with national educational standards and prepare students for local competitive exams. While international programmes can provide a broader global focus, local curriculums provide students with a more tailored approach to the cultural and academic expectations of a given country. Depending on the child’s future aspirations and preference between a global or locally focused educational pathway, parents must make a carefully thought-out decision.

A quick checklist:

• What is the chosen focus – global or local education? 
• Does the curriculum enjoy global recognition?
• Does the curriculum offer a tailored approach to academics?
• Does the chosen curriculum support future specialisation?

School and Teacher Quality

The quality of the school and teachers is critical in effectively delivering the curriculum and shaping a child’s educational journey. Experienced, well-trained educators and a supportive school environment play a key role in ensuring that each student receives personalised attention and achieves full potential.

Schools that invest in robust infrastructure, teaching quality, and support services, create an environment that nurtures academic excellence and personal growth of students. Well-equipped classrooms, libraries, and modern technology, create a conducive environment for effective learning, as they ensure that students have access to the tools and resources, they would need for academic success. Teaching quality is equally critical, as experienced and trained teachers can add life to the curriculum, make learning engaging, and help students to navigate complex subjects easily. In addition to teaching quality, a robust support system that encompasses counselling, special education services, and extracurricular activities, are vital for all-round development of the students. By addressing students’ emotional, social, and developmental needs, these support systems significantly contribute to well-rounded education. 

The availability of experienced and trained teachers is crucial for the successful implementation of any curriculum, as they can deliver content more effectively. Teachers who are well-versed in the specific curriculum, understand the structure, assessment methods, and teaching strategies required for each curriculum, and are better equipped to meet the unique demands of the programme. This ensures that students can grasp the concepts and develop necessary skills. Schools that recruit trained teachers and focus on their continuous professional development are able to maintain high teaching standards, adapt to evolving educational practices, and enhance the overall quality of education and student outcomes. 

A quick checklist:

• Are the teachers well-trained and experienced?
• What is the quality of teaching?
• Does the school have a robust infrastructure?
• Are support systems to address a child’s emotional needs available?

Conclusion

Selecting the right school curriculum is an important decision that can directly impact a child’s educational journey, academic success, personal growth, and future opportunities. Each curriculum offers unique benefits. Therefore, to ensure that the chosen curriculum meets their child’s strengths and aspirations, parents must evaluate factors such as the learning style of their child, subject availability, teacher quality, and global recognition. Equally important is to consider the infrastructure, support systems, and how the curriculum prepares students for higher education and careers.

To make an informed decision about your child’s education—visit GSIS’s Programmes page to explore how our academic offerings can shape their future.