Schooling

• Academically, “British System” is more advanced than”American System” in the beginning years. But it balances out in the higher years. Would you agree? Elaborate.

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Answers to the second question!
I agree with the part, “British System” is more advanced than”American System” in the beginning years. But I don’t agree with latter part…

Because in the latter part both systems have plenty of choices and so your child can survive the Lower level math’s and science if he or she is not academically inclined …systems give u so much choice that you really can’t compare to a traditional O level or say the Indian system. This is where I love the Indian system where a basic foundation is laid out for at least first 10 years of educations….till one is 16 year old…and the child is given equal amount of knowldege where as all other systems differentiates the level of information given too..

Whereas the American System usually gives you a choice of varied disciplines and so the basic science and mathematics can be very minimal....

The choice of subjects is available for detailed reading in this link
http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/public/courses/descriptions/index.html

So the question you need to ask as a parent does it matter to you if your child passes AP in Art History or French Literature or wood work…Does it matter to you? I for one still think subjects like business studies /science/math’s/economics appeals to me still! May be I am just old fashioned!

What is the choice one faces at High school?

Choices are plenty and I am sure it depends on one's circumstances..

My first preference as an individual is
Central Board of Secondary education

Over 12 million students annually
And over 9000 schools

The curriculum can be found here

http://cbse.nic.in/welcome.htm

The only reason I like it is it gives you standardized subjects till you are 16 years old and Grade 10.

If you are in India my second choice would be ...
Council for the Indian School Certificate Examination (CISCE) website

This is very similar to the O levels - ICSE is available in India over 1500 schools across the country offer the same.
In an international scenario where no Indian curriculum
is available the choice for High School( upto 12th Grade) in my order of preference will be

1 The International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program is an internationally recognized diploma program that provides a challenging diversified and balanced curriculum that prepares high school students for university.

IB has more acceptance rates in universities compared to any other program. Check out the link if you want to make sure..

http://www.frenchamericansf.org/912/content.fsp?name=912_IBNA_student_survey&lang=en

2. The next choice available is the O levels or the IGCSE examinations.

This is what normally the British Schools follow and they offer the following subjects given in the link below!
The subjects are location dependent and school dependent.
Recognition
The General Certificate of Education (Ordinary Level), or O Level, is the national school-leaving examination in several countries, including Singapore, Brunei and Mauritius (where it is taken as a 'group' examination – the Cambridge School Certificate. O Levels are normally taken in seven to nine subjects across the curriculum after 11 years of education. The courses usually require 150 hours of teaching over two years.
O Level grading is on a five-point scale (A–E). Universities in many countries, including Canada and the USA, will admit students on the basis of their O Level performances alone.

http://www.cie.org.uk/qualifications/academic/middlesec/olevel/subjects
http://www.cie.org.uk/qualifications/academic/middlesec/olevel/recognition

Links that provide a wealth of information!


It is the norm that most colleges require 3-4 years of mathematics, science, and foreign languages.

And finally we have the AP System to choose from!

3. The Advanced Placement (AP) Program offers students the opportunity to study university level courses and earn college credit through standardized exams. More popular with American Universities!

AP Program normally requires about 20 to 25 credits which is broadly divided as
English – 4 credits
Social Studies – 3 credits
Math’s
Fine Arts
Life Skill


So all in all upto 10th grade my preference is

1.CBSE
2.ICSE
3.O level Progrm

for 12th would be

IB Diploma
A level
AP Program

Trust this helps in putting your thoughts together!