PROGRAM CURRICULUM

 

International Academy Manila’s curriculum emphasizes quality over quantity, ensuring that students acquire essential competencies and relevant life skills tailored to their individual needs and contexts. We partner with both local and international educational institutions to provide a comprehensive and internationally recognized educational experience. Additionally, through the integration of our progressive education program students are equipped with critical thinking and leadership skills, preparing them to become effective leaders in today’s dynamic world.

 

Our homeschooling curriculum is built upon three key principles of progressive education: Eclectic, Steiner, and Multiple Intelligence, each offering a unique approach to learning.

Eclectic (Natural Learning): Eclectic homeschooling blends various educational resources to create a highly personalized learning experience for each child. This approach tailors education to the child’s individual strengths, learning styles, and interests, allowing for a customized and dynamic educational journey.

Steiner (Learning by Example): Inspired by Steiner/Waldorf education, our program aligns with children’s natural tendencies, focusing on activities such as sensory play, exploration, storytelling, visual arts, drama, movement, and music, while minimizing early exposure to technology. The Steiner approach emphasizes developmental stages:

• Imitation (up to age 6/7): Learning is based on imitation and imagination, with activities including outdoor play, arts, crafts, and practical tasks like cooking.

• Imagination (ages 6/7-14): As formal academics begin, subjects are taught through the arts, incorporating play, nature, drama, crafts, music, and dance.

• Discrimination (ages 14+): At this stage, students engage in more academic work, focusing on abstract concepts and critical thinking.

Multiple Intelligence (Learning by Doing): Based on the theory of Multiple Intelligences, this approach recognizes that every child possesses unique strengths. The curriculum supports eight distinct types of intelligence:

• Verbal-linguistic (Word Smart)

• Logical-mathematical (Logic Smart)

• Naturalistic (Nature Smart)

• Interpersonal (People Smart)

• Intrapersonal (Self Smart)

• Visual-spatial (Picture Smart)

• Bodily-kinesthetic (Body Smart)

• Musical-rhythmic (Music Smart)

Rather than asking “Am I smart?”, our program encourages students to explore “How am I smart?”, adapting learning materials and schedules to highlight each child’s natural abilities.

Our curriculum nurtures students’ practical, social, academic, and artistic interests, fostering self-discovery, creativity, and individuality. Through experiential learning, students are guided to develop and master essential competencies.

Aligned with the Internationally recognized K-12 curriculum, our homeschooling program ensures a seamless transition between traditional schooling and family-supported education. Additionally, International Academy Manila integrates our Values Education curriculum, drawing on the principles of holistic development to instill essential life skills in our students.

Benefits of Homeschooling:

1. Customized Learning Experience: Homeschooling adapts to a child’s unique needs, whether they are advanced, require extra support, or have specific interests and learning styles.

2. Parental Control Over Education: As a parent, you have the freedom to set the pace, choose the learning approach, design the curriculum, and provide personalized academic guidance that aligns with your child’s strengths and interests.

3. Holistic Development: Homeschooling allows you to focus on your child’s overall well-being, prioritizing their mental, emotional, behavioral, spiritual, and physical health in tandem with academic growth.

4. Nurturing Family Environment: A home-based education fosters strong family bonds and serves as a solid foundation for social development, values, and faith formation.

5. Active Community Engagement: With a flexible schedule, there’s ample opportunity for your child to participate in community service, volunteer work, extracurricular activities, and even entrepreneurship, enriching their educational experience.

6. Efficient Use of Time: Homeschooling offers a low student-teacher ratio, enabling focused, efficient learning without the distractions of busy work or wasted time common in traditional classroom settings.

7. Meaningful Education: By avoiding the pressures of standardized testing and rigid curricula, homeschooling allows for a more meaningful, interest-driven learning experience that goes beyond merely meeting minimum standards.

8. Smooth Path to Higher Education: With a well-crafted transcript and the ability to focus on strengths, homeschooling can provide a stress-free route to university admission, offering academic freedom that prevents burnout.

9. Flexibility for Special Circumstances: Homeschooling is adaptable to various family situations, including those that involve frequent travel, illness, or irregular work schedules, ensuring continuity in education no matter the circumstances.

By thinking long-term, you can determine the essential knowledge and skills that will not only prepare your child for future careers but also equip them to navigate life successfully.

 

DELIVERY

Learning experiences will primarily be delivered through homeschool methodologies, supported by various tools such as learning management systems, synchronous and asynchronous videos, discussions, and other educational resources tailored to specific competencies.

All instructional materials and activities will be managed through our main Learning Management System. Assessments and follow-up activities will be conducted collaboratively between the school and families. To optimize students’ time and efforts, content and assessments will be integrated across different subjects. Regular and consistent feedback from subject teachers will play a critical role in achieving learning objectives and supporting student progress.

 

ASSESSMENT 

Academic performance will be evaluated based on quarterly assessments, summative evaluations, and a portfolio of activities completed during homeschooling and/or online classes. Students will submit their graded activities in their designated folders, as outlined in the Course Requirements provided at the beginning of each quarter. These Course Requirements will serve as a guide for course activities and assessments. Timely and constructive feedback will be provided to ensure high-quality learning. Progress reports will be available through the Wela portal and will be issued quarterly, accompanied by an online consultation with parents to discuss the student’s progress.