ACADEMICS
The Cambridge Assessment International Education (CAIE) curriculum at Dodi International
School prepares students for life – helping them to stimulate curiosity and lasting passion for learning.
It helps students become confident, responsible, reflective, innovative and engaged, ready to tackle
the demands of tomorrow’s world and capable of shaping a better world for the future. With the
Cambridge Pathway at D.I.S, students build more than just a deep understanding of their subjects.
They also develop higher order thinking skills so that they can apply them and build problem solving
skills. We follow an integrated approach to learning through cross curricular teaching. We base this
on the principle that all subjects can be taught in relation to each other. In order to deliver this
hands-on and flexible curriculum, we ensure that our teachers get access to teaching resources and
trainings on a regular basis.
At DIS, learning extends beyond school hours into the after-school clubs that enhance the overall growth of the student. Some of these clubs include coding, taekwondo, cooking and gymnastics. In order to ensure a deeper understanding of the Ghanaian culture, we have introduced TWI into our language learning club.
School trips and project work further promote the hands-on application aspect of learning.
This breadth of curricular resources and pedagogy enables us to deliver to our students a world class
educational experience that equips our students with the broadest range of subject knowledge and critical thinking skills currently available in educational establishments across the region and world-wide.
The Cambridge Assessment International Education system is widely lauded for providing the most intellectually mature and academically sound foundation for further study at University level.
Early Years
Program
Dodi International School offers the Montessori curriculum in its Early
Years Program. This is a progressive curriculum that integrates physical, cognitive, language, communication, social and emotional development. The curriculum is designed to meet the needs of young learners and is based on international best practices.
The Montessori Curriculum offers children five key areas of study:
Practical Life, Sensorial, Mathematics, Language, and Cultural Studies.
Each area of study is made up of a set of educational materials that increase in complexity. Children progress through the Montessori Curriculum at their own pace based on their stage of development
and interests.
The Key Curriculum Areas include:
Practical life: Independence, social skills and care for the environment
Sensorial: Colours, shapes, textures, weights, dimension, discrimination and distinguishing between smells, taste and sound
Mathematics: Numbers, quantities, counting, addition, subtraction, decimal system, multiplication and division
Language: Oral language, phonics, letter formation, sentence structure, vowels and consonants, writing, reading and early literacy skills
Culture: Geography, botany, zoology, science, history, music and art
The journey with D.I.S. Early Years program ensures a smooth transition to Cambridge Primary along with holistic development where learning is beyond books..
Primary
School Program
Cambridge Primary is typically for learners from Grade 1 to 6. The program provides a natural progression for children from primary education and prepares the students for higher education programs that lead to formal qualifications.
The curriculum is structured through curriculum frameworks that reflect the teaching targets for each year group and provide comprehensive learning objectives.
The six-stage Cambridge Primary program provides a broad and balanced education for learners, helping them to thrive throughout their schooling, work and life. With ten subjects to choose from, including English, mathematics and science, students get plenty of opportunities to develop creativity, expression and well being in a variety of ways.
At D.I.S. we offer a delectable mix of subjects that suit our context, culture and school ethos. Some of these include English, Mathematics, Science, Global Perspectives, ICT, Art and Design, History, Geography, Music, Physical Education, Mandarin and French.
Each subject is meticulously delivered and enhanced with project work, practical sessions in our well-equipped laboratories, debates, drama, group presentations and school fairs.
The testing structure at D.I.S. incorporates both internal and external assessments that provide an international benchmark, enabling teachers to identify learner strengths and weaknesses within
individuals and class groups, develop further teaching and learning support, and, provide learners with a statement of achievement at the end of their primary schooling.
The external assessments include:
Cambridge Primary Progression Tests: from stage 3 of the curriculum. Marked by DIS teachers as per a marking scheme
provided by CAIE.
Cambridge Primary Checkpoint: Diagnostic tests for English, mathematics and science, taken at the end of the programme.
Provides comprehensive feedback on the strengths and weaknesses of each learner. Marked by CAIE examiners.
Lower Secondary Program
The Cambridge Lower Secondary program is for learners from Grade 7 to 9 and helps prepare students for the next step of their education, providing a clear path as they progress through the Cambridge Pathway in an age-appropriate manner. The curriculum frameworks build on the knowledge gained in the Cambridge Primary Program thus ensuring a smooth transition.
The curriculum is flexible enough to incorporate students coming from other national/international curricula and to structure the program as per the needs of the students.
This three stage programme develops the skills, knowledge and understanding that prepares students for the Cambridge Upper Secondary program.
Career development sessions further expose the student to a wide range of subject combinations and options in order for students to make an informed choice of stream in the Cambridge Upper Secondary/ IGCSE program.
Each student is regularly assessed through internal and external tests to ensure that they are able to fully grasp the essence of the subject.
The external assessments include:
Cambridge Secondary 1 Progression Tests: for each stage of the curriculum. Marked by DIS teachers as per a marking scheme provided by CAIE.
Cambridge Checkpoint: Diagnostic tests for English, mathematics and science, taken at the end of
the programme. Provides comprehensive feedback on the strengths and weaknesses of each learner.
Marked by CAIE examiners.
S.T.E.A.M. Education
At D.I.S., we believe in teaching 21 st century skills to children of all ages through instruction in
S.T.E.A.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics). Our goal is to develop
students who are fuelled by curiosity and equipped with crucial problem solving and critical
thinking skills.
S.T.E.A.M. lessons are integrated into coursework in the Primary and Lower Secondary schools.
These lessons are extensions of classroom learning and they provide an opportunity for children
to interact with everyday materials and to discover how things are connected and work together.
Focused heavily on project-based learning, our S.T.E.A.M. sessions offer tactile experiences and
exposure to new technology. Students explore science, technology, engineering and art in playful
and inventive ways, encouraging them to tinker, experiment and be creative!
