Education must evolve to prepare students for the challenges and opportunities of an international environment. At Santa Monica, we have an international curriculum based on a student-centered educational philosophy that promotes holistic development through a balanced combination of high academic standards and a focus on social and emotional skills. This holistic approach is reflected in the personal, social, and academic learning framework, which encompasses aspects such as emotional well-being, global citizenship, and character development.One of the curriculum's distinctive features is its emphasis on fostering an international mindset in students. Through projects and activities designed to explore global issues, such as sustainability, social justice, and cultural diversity, students gain a deeper understanding of world issues and develop empathy for different perspectives and cultures.In preschool, we use the IEYC curriculum, designed for children in the early childhood education stage, generally between the ages of 2 and 5. This curriculum recognizes the importance of addressing children's development holistically, considering all areas of development. The curriculum focuses on providing learning experiences that promote cognitive, physical, social, and emotional development.The continuation of this curriculum is the Interdisciplinary Curriculum Project (ICP), designed for children in the primary education stage, generally between the ages of 5 and 11. The ICP is structured around interdisciplinary learning units, which integrate multiple subject areas, such as science, mathematics, social studies, arts, and humanities, around a central theme. This allows students to make connections between different areas of knowledge and understand how they relate to one another.The ICP is based on the principle that learning is most effective when it is relevant and meaningful to students. Therefore, the curriculum focuses on providing authentic and practical learning experiences that connect classroom learning with the real world.In secondary school, we have the Intermediate and Middle Years Curriculum (IMYC), designed specifically for students in the middle years, generally between the ages of 11 and 16. The IMYC focuses on developing fundamental skills, such as research, communication, critical thinking, collaboration, and problem-solving. The IMYC focuses on developing fundamental skills such as research, communication, critical thinking, collaboration, and problem-solving. The curriculum addresses locally and globally relevant topics, fostering an understanding of global interconnectedness and intercultural awareness among students.Finally, in high school, we offer the IB (International Baccalaureate), an international educational program that provides a comprehensive and rigorous approach to learning, centered on developing students' academic, personal, and social skills. The IB's main objective is to promote international education and intercultural understanding, preparing students to be active and engaged global citizens. Aimed at students aged 16 to 19, the IB is a two-year program that offers a balanced and rigorous curriculum across a range of academic subjects. Students complete courses in six core areas, including languages, sciences, mathematics, social sciences, and the arts, and also participate in extracurricular activities, an extended essay, and a Creativity, Action, and Service (CAS) program. Upon successful completion of the program, students receive an IB Diploma, which is widely recognized and valued by universities around the world.At Santa Monica, we are proud to offer these international curricula for the benefit of our students. We live in an increasingly interconnected world, where the ability to understand and adapt to different cultures and perspectives is essential. International curricula incorporate a global and multicultural perspective, preparing students to succeed in diverse and global environments.
