WHAT IS AN INTERNATIONAL CURRICULUM? DISCOVER THE AMERICAN-STYLE CURRICULUM AT SUNSHINE VILLAGE ACADEMY

Choosing a learning program for your child means more than selecting a language of instruction or a set of subjects. It also means choosing the environment that will support your child throughout years of growth. With international, bilingual, and integrated programs available today, parents should take time to understand the academic content, assessment methods, graduation requirements, and transfer pathways before making a decision.

At Sunshine Village Academy (SVA), students from Grade 1 through Grade 12 follow an academic pathway based on U.S.-oriented programs, supported by a personalized approach to education. Alongside building a strong academic foundation, SVA helps each student understand themselves, develop their abilities, and gradually identify a path that aligns with their strengths, interests, and goals.

1. What Is an International Curriculum?

“International curriculum” is a broad term for programs developed based on the education system, academic standards, or curriculum framework of another country or an international education organization. In Vietnam, parents often explore options such as the U.S. curriculum, Cambridge, the International Baccalaureate (IB), and bilingual or integrated programs.

However, there is no single model of an international curriculum. Each program has its own subject structure, assessment methods, completion requirements, and criteria for recognizing academic results. A school’s use of a foreign curriculum does not necessarily mean that it is directly accredited by an overseas education organization or that it automatically awards a diploma from that country.

When researching an international curriculum, parents should consider three factors:

• Academic curriculum: What body of knowledge and academic standards will students follow?

• Educational accreditation: Which institution is accredited, by which organization, and what does the accreditation cover?

• Graduation credentials: Which institution awards the diploma, and what requirements must students meet to receive it?

Understanding these three factors helps families compare options using clear information and plan their child’s education with greater confidence.

2. U.S.-Oriented Learning Pathway at Sunshine Village Academy

At SVA, the academic pathway is divided into three stages, each designed to support students’ learning needs and development from elementary through high school.

Stage	Academic Program	Developmental Focus
Elementary (Grades 1–5)	Ivy Global School (IGS), following Florida academic standards in the United States	Building a strong foundation in knowledge, logical thinking, communication, and independent learning habits
Middle School (Grades 6–8)	Edmentum	Developing research and analytical skills, learning to express ideas, and discovering more about themselves
High School (Grades 9–12)	EdOptions Academy, part of Edmentum	Deepening academic knowledge, strengthening independent learning, and preparing for post-secondary options

Throughout these stages, students are encouraged to move gradually from receiving information to actively exploring, researching, and applying what they learn. The goal is not only to prepare them for the next stage of education, but also to help them develop a learning approach that suits who they are.

2.1. Elementary School: Building a Foundation for Thinking and a Love of Learning

In elementary school, students follow the IGS program, studying core academic areas such as Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies.

Alongside learning key concepts, students are encouraged to ask questions, observe, practice, and demonstrate their understanding through hands-on learning activities. From Grade 1, they are introduced to mind maps to help organize and connect what they learn. In the higher grades, they gradually develop their research, presentation, and information-processing skills, building a foundation for independent learning.

Learning experiences in Vietnamese language and culture, the arts, applied science, physical activity, and hands-on exploration broaden students’ understanding of themselves and the world around them. At this stage, what matters is not only how much children learn, but also whether they remain curious, take initiative, and enjoy discovering new things.

2.2. Middle School: Developing Independent Research Skills

In middle school, students follow the Edmentum program and gradually develop learning approaches centered on research, analysis, and expressing their own perspectives.

Academic content is connected to familiar topics such as Vietnamese history and culture, personal finance, emotional management, and real-world projects. This gives students opportunities to apply what they learn to explore and explain issues in everyday life, rather than simply memorizing information.

This is also a time when students begin asking more questions about themselves: What are my strengths? Which fields interest me? What abilities should I continue to develop to pursue my future goals? Through self-discovery activities and career exploration, SVA supports students as they identify their interests, abilities, and personal choices, without expecting them to follow a single, fixed model of success.

2.3. High School: Preparing for the Next Stage with Confidence

In high school, students follow the EdOptions Academy pathway, offered by Edmentum, with more advanced coursework and greater expectations for independent learning.

Learning combines online academic resources with guidance, progress monitoring, and support from SVA teachers. Students are encouraged to manage their progress, conduct research, and develop study methods that suit their abilities. Activities such as research, essay writing, debate, individual projects, and career exploration also give students opportunities to practice skills they will need in the next stage of their education.

Rather than waiting until the end of Grade 12 to consider their options after high school, students are encouraged to plan ahead based on their academic abilities, interests, and personal goals. Each student’s pathway should be discussed with the academic team to ensure it aligns with their profile and plans.

3. English as a Tool for Accessing Knowledge

At SVA, English is not only a subject but also a tool that helps students access knowledge across fields such as mathematics, science, language arts, and social studies.

By reading, discussing, researching, and presenting in English, students have opportunities to develop their language skills alongside their academic thinking. They are encouraged to use English to express ideas, explore issues, and connect what they learn with real-life experiences.

As students expand their English proficiency, SVA also continues to emphasize the Vietnamese language, history, and culture through content suited to each stage of learning. This approach allows students to broaden their knowledge while understanding and valuing the heritage that shapes their identity.

4. Personalized Education at SVA: Beyond the Curriculum

An academic curriculum defines the knowledge students need to explore, but each student’s growth also involves personality, skills, emotions, talents, and individual interests. For this reason, SVA combines its academic pathway with the Whole Child – Whole Development model, which aims to support balanced growth across knowledge, abilities, skills, and personal identity.

Life Map: Understanding Yourself to Guide Your Growth

Life Map is a tool that supports students as they identify their strengths, areas for growth, and future direction. It may track areas such as well-being, personality, behavior, academic abilities, skills, talents, and career interests.

Rather than focusing only on grades at a single point in time, Life Map gives students and families a broader view of a child’s development: their current strengths, the challenges they may be facing, and possible next steps. It is more than a personality test; it is part of an ongoing process of understanding and supporting each student.

Life Coaching: Developing Character and Self-Management

Alongside academics, SVA helps students understand how they relate to themselves, interact with others, and respond to different situations in life. Through Life Coaching, students explore emotions, responsibility, communication, relationships, leadership, and critical thinking.

The goal is not to make students all alike, but to help each one listen, respect differences, take responsibility for their choices, and gradually develop a strong sense of self.

Portfolio: Documenting Learning and Experiences

From around Grade 4, students are guided in building a Portfolio that documents their growth and developing abilities through research projects, community activities, skills, academic achievements, and personal experiences.

Activities such as the World Scholar’s Cup, Model United Nations (MUN), ASMO, and cultural exchange programs can give students opportunities to practice research, debate, teamwork, and adaptability in diverse settings. A Portfolio’s value lies not only in the number of achievements it contains, but also in helping students better understand what they enjoy, which abilities they are developing, and which goals matter to them.

5. Graduation Credentials: What Should Parents Find Out?

Graduation credentials are an important factor when choosing an international curriculum, especially for families considering a transfer or future university study.

At the elementary and middle school levels, students have academic records and assessment results based on their respective programs. In high school, students following the EdOptions Academy pathway may earn an American High School Diploma if they are appropriately enrolled and meet all graduation requirements set by the diploma-awarding institution.

These requirements may include specific courses, credits, and program completion criteria. Parents should confirm the pathway and requirements that apply to their child with the academic or admissions team before enrolling.

An American high school diploma does not guarantee admission to every university. Admissions decisions depend on the requirements and policies of each institution, program, and country where a student plans to study.

6. Cognia and WASC Accreditation: Identify Which Institution Is Accredited

When researching an international curriculum, parents should clarify which institution is accredited, which organization grants the accreditation, and which activities or programs it covers.

According to information publicly available from EdOptions Academy, the institution is accredited by Cognia and WASC. Parents may refer to this information when learning about EdOptions Academy’s high school program and diploma pathway.

Please note that EdOptions Academy’s accreditation does not automatically mean that Sunshine Village Academy is directly accredited by Cognia or WASC. Accreditation applies to the institution named on the certificate and should be understood according to the accrediting organizations’ official information. Before enrolling, families should request confirmation of current documentation, enrollment conditions, and the program requirements that apply to their child.

Clear information about the program, diploma-awarding institution, and scope of accreditation gives parents a stronger basis for making decisions that support their child’s long-term educational goals.

7. Can Students Transfer to Another School?

Families should explore transfer options early, especially when comparing education systems or considering a change in learning environment in the future.

A student’s transfer to a public school, private school, or another program depends on their academic records and the admission policies of the receiving institution or relevant authority. Within applicable guidelines, SVA can help provide student records and information about their learning progress. However, decisions about credit recognition, grade placement, or any additional coursework are made by the receiving institution and relevant education authorities.

Requirements may vary from one case to another, so parents should contact the prospective school directly to confirm documentation requirements, credit recognition criteria, and timelines. Early communication can help families plan their child’s education with greater confidence.

8. Frequently Asked Questions About SVA’s International Curriculum

Which education system does SVA’s academic pathway follow?

According to the pathway presented by SVA, the school follows a U.S.-oriented academic pathway: IGS at the elementary level, Edmentum at the middle school level, and EdOptions Academy, part of Edmentum, at the high school level.

Can SVA students earn an American High School Diploma?

Students following the EdOptions Academy pathway may earn an American High School Diploma if they meet the diploma-awarding institution’s enrollment conditions, credit requirements, and graduation requirements. Parents should confirm the requirements that apply to their child.

Do students need to be proficient in English from the start?

English requirements depend on the student’s grade level and program. Families should speak with the academic or admissions team to assess their child’s readiness, support needs, and program requirements.

Does the program include Vietnamese language and culture?

Yes. Alongside the U.S.-oriented academic pathway, SVA continues to emphasize Vietnamese language, history, and culture through content suited to each stage of learning.

How does SVA support students as they prepare for post-secondary options?

SVA encourages students to explore their interests and potential career paths at appropriate stages, while guiding them in building a Portfolio from around Grade 4. Projects, academic activities, and other experiences help students better understand their interests, abilities, and goals, giving them a stronger foundation for planning what comes after high school.

Choosing a Learning Program Means Choosing Part of Your Child’s Growth Journey

A suitable learning program is defined not only by its language of instruction, academic content, or graduation credentials, but also by how its learning environment helps students discover their abilities, develop their character, and prepare for future choices.

At Sunshine Village Academy, the U.S.-oriented academic pathway is complemented by Life Map, Life Coaching, and personal development experiences. Together, these elements support a meaningful educational journey that deepens students’ knowledge while respecting each child’s individuality.

Because the goal of education is not only to help children understand what they can do, but also to help them discover who they want to become.

Parents are welcome to schedule a school visit or a one-on-one consultation with Sunshine Village Academy to learn more about the program, learning requirements, and pathway best suited to their child.