Our Approach to Curriculum at EBV

At EBV, we believe that a strong curriculum is both research-based and student-centered. Our approach is anchored in the Understanding by Design (UbD) framework developed by Grant Wiggins and Jay McTighe, which emphasizes starting with the end in mind. This year, our professional development focus is on Stages 1 and 2 of UbD to clarify desired learning outcomes and align assessments, and ensure that our curriculum is vertically and horizontally coherent across grade levels.

We adopt a standards-based approach guided by these recognized frameworks which are also used by international schools world-wide:

  • NGSS (Next Generation Science Standards) for Science
  • CCSS (Common Core State Standards) for English Language Arts and Mathematics
  • C3 Framework for Social Studies
  • SHAPE America Standards for Physical Education
  • NCAS (National Core Arts Standards) for the Music, Visual, and Performing Arts
  • ISTE Standards for our Innovation Program through STEAM

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Through professional learning sessions, our teachers unpack these standards and prioritize them using REAL —standards that demonstrate Readiness, Endurance, are Assessed, and have Leverage (Marzano & Ainsworth). This enables us to audit and ensure that we provide what Marzano describes as a “guaranteed and viable curriculum”, in order for us to give every student equitable access to essential learning. Drawing on the research of Thomas Guskey, we also ensure that our grading and reporting practices accurately reflect achievement and growth which will be our focus as we identify our assessed standards for each subject area and grade level.


Curriculum with the EBV Identity

While grounded in global standards, our curriculum reflects the EBV identity which is a balance of rigor, creativity, and joy in learning. We design experiences that prepare students to ensure that our students will become successful in international programs such as the International Baccalaureate (IB), and also to enable them to thrive as curious, innovative, and compassionate learners.

To bring clarity and coherence, we use:

  • Quarter Maps: snapshots of key projects and learning experiences across subjects, ensuring balance, variety, and cross-curricular connections
  • Learning Continuum: defining how knowledge and skills progress across grade levels over time
  • Toddle Platform: our school-wide system for documenting, aligning, and reflecting on curriculum, which supports collaboration among teachers and transparency for families.


Teacher Coaching at EBV

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