Alternative Pathway
Affordable English Language Education for a Rapidly Changing World
Early Years Through University
During the earliest years, for us which starts anywhere between 2-5 years old, the main goal is to develop a love of learning that will hopefully last a lifetime. In our opinion, the age at which a child should start with us is dependant on each child's development. The best time to start is when the child wants to come. This is different for every child.
When a child is ready they will begin studying from stage 1 books in the core classes, but as a school, we do not assign or believe in homework during the primary years. Studies have confirmed that homework during this period has a negative correlation with standardized test scores in later teenage years.
We also believe in teaching for mastery rather than for "passing exams", and as such limit examinations to one end of term test per subject. During the course of the term, we do not test students. When they begin preparing for the GED and SAT exams after finishing stage 9, we shift gears and focus extensively on test-taking strategies.
What about IGCSEs and A Levels?
The British system wastes a lot of time during this part of the traditional high school pathway. If you are insistent on these, after stage 9 your child could easily change schools and progress through the British system. The question is why would you want to when they can be taking university-level courses and gaining credit towards a Bachelor's degree?
At the age of 13, a child is legally allowed to begin a US nationally accredited high school diploma program. Once passed, the student can then either enter the workforce to gain real-life experience while building up university credits part-time in the evenings or continue studying full time and finish university at a young age. This can be done by as early as 15 for faster learners, or go as slowly as needed for those who need more time.
How does a US High School Diploma work and is it recognized globally?
Most major universities around the world recognize a GED or other US nationally accredited diploma. You could, in theory, go to Harvard with a GED if you scored high enough on your SAT exams. However, mostly all the top Thai universities, US universities, English universities, etc. will all accept the US Diploma.
The truth is that a high SAT score will matter more in university admissions than having the name of an accredited international school on the application form. Many homeschooled children in the West end up doing university and post-graduate degrees at top institutions despite never having attended an accredited high school. Even UK universities which would normally state the need for A levels often accept students without SAT scores via performance based admissions. Basically, you sign up for a module, pass it, and you are in! It really can be that simple.
