Featured articles > School Systems, Curricula and Exams
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All curricula mentioned in the GSGI, brief descriptions of each as we find sources and succinct descriptions in clear English), and schools that use each curriculum. (some with descriptions as we find authorities who can put each one in clear concise terms....which is almost NEVER the official and mostly useless website set up to do that).
SATs, GCSEs, APs, A levels, IB....what are they, what do they mean? Does one equal or substitute for another, who needs them....?? What age child takes which exam in what year? Here you will find equvilencies between systems (GSCE vs American Diploma), the IB explained, transitions decoded.
What to expect from American schools in America, what is the "American curriculum", and what makes it different from other curricula?
Articles
Use this cryptic chart to figure out which age and stage your child will take various examinations for the English or Scottish National Curriculum systems, or the IB.
Sydney has more than its share of very good schools, but places for expats are in short supply. Beware, and plan early. It's not impossible, but read carefully to sort out a backup strategy.
Find everything you need to know about the British school system....wherever you find it, in this article written for Paragon by Sandra Hutchinson, one of the leading editors from The Good Schools Guide.
This may be the clearest, most succinct description you'll ever find on these elite European Schools funded by the European Union, run for the dependents of that vast bureaucracy, and resulting in the European Baccaulareate (but not to be confuse with the IB).
A quick description of the ins and outs of the French education system: how it works, what to expect and how non-French children (and parents) make the system adjust to themselves (they don't), or learn to fit in (and it is possible).