At Lighthouse International School, our Early Years (Playgroup, Nursery, and Kindergarten) academic criteria focus on developing a child's early cognitive, social, and motor skills through structured play and foundational learning activities. These criteria typically emphasise social interaction, sensory exploration, and basic language skills. Activities include crafts, storytelling, and educational games that introduce concepts like colours, shapes, and numbers, which foster curiosity and social engagement.

Academic criteria include early literacy, such as letter recognition, phonics, and basic reading, along with introductory maths concepts like counting, number patterns, and simple addition and subtraction. Fine and gross motor skills are enhanced through activities like drawing, cutting, and physical play. Social-emotional development remains crucial, with a focus on cooperation, following instructions, and developing independence. The overall goal is to prepare children for the Primary Years by ensuring balanced development across academic and social domains.

In the Primary Years, we place emphasis on building essential skills in literacy, numeracy, and critical thinking. Students focus on mastering reading, writing, and basic arithmetic, including addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. Language arts include vocabulary development, sentence structure, and comprehension, while maths introduces concepts such as time, money, measurement, and problem-solving.

As students progress, the curriculum expands to include science, social studies, and more complex maths and literacy skills. Critical thinking, creativity, and independent learning are encouraged through project-based activities and discussions. Social-emotional learning continues, fostering collaboration, responsibility, and respect. The overall goal is to develop well-rounded students with strong academic foundations, preparing them for the challenges of the Middle Years.

Middle Years educational criteria focus on enhancing students' proficiency in core subjects while developing critical thinking and organisational skills. In language arts, students delve into literary analysis, argumentative writing, and advanced grammar. They explore a variety of texts, learning to infer, evaluate, and draw conclusions. Mathematics becomes more complex, covering topics such as algebra, geometry, and data analysis. Science becomes more specialised, introducing concepts in biology, chemistry, physics, and earth sciences, often through labs and experiments that encourage hands-on learning. Social studies include detailed explorations of history, government, and geography, with an emphasis on understanding historical events, civic responsibilities, and global interconnections.

In addition to core subjects, students are often introduced to elective courses such as foreign languages, technology, and the arts. There is also a stronger emphasis on social-emotional learning, helping students navigate adolescence, build resilience, and develop strong interpersonal skills. The overall aim is to prepare students for the academic and social demands of high school, encouraging both academic achievement and personal growth.