The American Curriculum is a rigorous, standards-based system that aims to educate the whole child for the successful realization of dreams and goals.
ACCREDITED BY THE WESTERN ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES (WASC)
The Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) is a renowned accrediting association which works closely with the Office of Overseas Schools under the US Department of State.
Obtaining and maintaining our accreditation is an integral asset to Raffles American School. This accreditation not only ensures the highest caliber of educational standards, but validates our students records and transcripts.
Additionally, with this accreditation, students receive an American diploma upon graduation from high school
STUDENTS PROGRESSION TO SUCCESS
Within the United States, each individual State maintains the right to deliver standards of its choosing, relevant to the State and region. American Schools abroad that offer United States’ curriculum have the opportunity to choose the most recent and rigorous and standards that are relevant to an international community within the host country. As students progress, they will possess the prerequisite knowledge and skills to move from one grade level to the next. Combining our chosen curriculum with our General Learning Outcomes, our students will be adequately prepared for a successful future.
A STANDARDS BASED CURRICULUM
For every school offering the American Curriculum, there are “standards” or content knowledge that students must master and demonstrate for every subject, at every grade level.
Within each subject area, teachers instruct and assist students in mastering these content standards. Over the course of one year, there are various “benchmarks” along the way to ensure that students master each standard in each subject area.
LEARNING OUTCOME APPROACH
All quality American schools abroad have adopted learning outcomes in some form and
teach to these outcomes. The learning outcomes encompass what the school truly believes all students should know and be able to do, now and into the future.
OVERALL STRUCTURE
Raffles American School caters to students starting in the Pre-Kindergarten program through to 12th Grade (ages 3 – 18). Traditionally, American schools are organized as Preschool, Elementary School, Middle School, and High School.
ADVANCED PLACEMENT (AP)
Students who successfully complete the American Curriculum will earn an American High School Diploma, which is recognized by universities around the world as a valid qualification for entry. The American Curriculum also offers students college-level coursework during their high school education in the form of Advanced Placement (AP) courses. U.S. College Board Advanced Placement (AP) study is offered to 11th and 12th graders at RAS. Students have the opportunity to earn college credit for successfully completing an AP course
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP)
The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) is an internationally recognized school programme emphasizing intercultural tolerance, academic achievement, and student enrichment. A two-year commitment spanning grades eleven and twelve, the IBDP focuses on teaching students how to think critically, culminating in six rigorous subject exams overseen by an international body. The IBDP provides a challenging and comprehensive education that enables future adults to create a better world through cross-cultural communication, understanding, and respect.
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL ® )
TOEFL Raffles American School is an ETS (Educational Testing Service) – Certified Test Center for the TOEFL® (Test of English as a Foreign Language™) Internet-based Test (iBT). The TOEFL® is a standardized test administered by ETS to measure the English Language proficiency of non-native speakers wishing to enroll in English-speaking universities. In addition to the test, TOEFL® iBT Prep for Success Classes are also provided for enrolled students to help them prepare for the TOEFL®.
TRANSFERABILITY
Because of the strong emphasis on the delivery of content knowledge through a learning outcome approach, the students “learn how to learn”, and the transferability to all other schools is quite strong. At the High School level (Grades 9 to 12) this transferability is even more important. Graduation from an accredited American High School is, in itself, a passport to potential entry into virtually every university across the globe.
CO-CURRICULAR PROGRAMS
American Schools strive to provide students with a rich variety of co-curricular activities so that students can explore their interests and develop their passions. A strong sports, arts, technology, academic competitions, and service learning program gives students a venue for application of both content knowledge and learning outcomes. Co-curricular activities are optional and allow students to either take a sampling of offerings or focus on developing a high level skill in a known passion.
