The US Curriculum Explained: Structure, Grading, and Your Options in Hanoi The US curriculum draws interest not just for being international, but for its flexible approach, which encourages students to think independently and develop around their own strengths. For parents weighing up a learning pathway for their child in Vietnam, understanding this system properly makes it easier to judge a programme's real value, rather than choosing a school based on its name or on a trend. The US education system, from preschool to kindergarten How Is the US Education System Structured by Level? The US curriculum runs across two broad blocks: K-12, from preschool through to the end of Grade 12, and higher education, covering undergraduate and postgraduate study. The first thing parents need to understand is that education in the US is mainly governed at state and local level — the federal government doesn't set a single curriculum for every school. As a result, the finer details can vary from state to state, though the overall structure stays fairly consistent along the path from kindergarten through to the end of high school. Preschool and Kindergarten Duration: Preschool in the US covers children aged 3–5, followed by kindergarten for ages 5–6. Preschool isn't compulsory in most states, while kindergarten serves as preparation before Grade 1. Curriculum: Children learn through play, group activities and interaction with teachers, with content that isn't heavily academic. The focus is on developing language, social skills, listening, self-care and getting used to classroom routines. Children are encouraged to ask questions, experiment, and express their thinking through speech, drawing or movement. Assessment: No grades are used; teachers observe development through everyday activities. Work such as drawings, crafts, class activities and behaviour during playtime is kept as part of the learning record. Parents receive periodic progress reports rather than a report card. The preschool stage helps children get used to a learning environment Elementary School Duration: US elementary school runs from Grade 1 to Grade 5, for students aged 6 to 10. Some school districts extend this to Grade 6, depending on the local structure. Curriculum: Core subjects: English, Maths, Science, and Social Studies. A single homeroom teacher covers most of the main subjects. Specialist subjects such as Art, Music, PE and Foreign Languages are usually taught by dedicated teachers. US elementary education doesn't just teach content — it also helps students practise explaining their thinking, expressing opinions and asking questions. Assessment: Schools use A–F letter grades or competency-based assessment. Results are based on assignments, tests, small projects, reading comprehension and class participation. Parents receive a report 2–4 times a year. US elementary school builds thinking and study skills Middle School Duration: US middle school runs from Grade 6 to Grade 8, for students aged 11–13. This is a transition stage between the elementary-school style of learning and the subject-based model used in high school. Curriculum: Students start being taught by a range of different subject teachers. The core subjects remain English, Maths, Science and Social Studies. Students can add electives such as art, music, foreign languages, technology or study skills. This stage helps students get used to a more flexible timetable and prepares them for the high-school pathway. Assessment: Grades are marked on the A–F scale, made up of tests, projects, homework, presentations and participation. Some schools introduce a grade point average at this stage so students get used to the assessment system used in high school. Middle school helps students identify their strengths High School Duration: US high school lasts 4 years, from Grade 9 to Grade 12, for students aged 14–18. This is a critical stage for a student's academic record ahead of university. Curriculum: High school runs on a credit system, requiring students to complete a minimum number of credits in subjects such as English, Maths, Science, Social Studies, a foreign language, art and physical education. According to data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), graduation requirements vary by state, with many requiring around 20–24 credits — most commonly 22 or 24. Subjects are offered at different levels: a standard level suited to most students, and an advanced level that's more demanding. Some schools offer Advanced Placement (AP) subjects set by the College Board, each with its own end-of-course exam. Students choose subjects based on their ability, interests and university plans. Assessment: A grade point average (GPA) on a 4.0 scale is the most common measure. For advanced subjects, some schools apply a weighted calculation, which can push the GPA above 4.0. Final grades are drawn from tests, projects, written work, presentations and participation. Students earn a US high-school diploma once they've completed enough credits and met the minimum requirements. US high school, with its credit system and AP subjects University and Postgraduate Study Duration: After Grade 12, students on the US curriculum can move on to higher education. A bachelor's degree in the US typically takes 4 years, a master's 1–2 years, and a doctorate anywhere from 3 to 6 years, depending on the field and area of research. Curriculum: Community colleges run 2-year programmes focused on foundational skills. Public universities are run by the state, while private universities are operated by private organisations. Vocational or technical colleges focus on specialist, job-ready skills. Students choose a major and can add a minor alongside it. The credit system continues to apply throughout. Assessment: GPA on a 4.0 scale remains the key measure. Grades are calculated from exams, research papers, presentations, group projects and discussion participation. Students graduate once they've completed enough credits, met the minimum GPA, and satisfied their programme's specific requirements. Image: The pathway from undergraduate to postgraduate study in the US How Does the US Curriculum Differ from Vietnam's Curriculum? Most people have heard it said that "the US curriculum is different from Vietnam's" — the more useful question is where it differs, and how that difference actually affects your child. The five factors below are where parents tend to see the clearest lines: Criteria US Curriculum Vietnamese Curriculum Curriculum design Based on state/district standards. Schools have flexibility in choosing materials and teaching methods. Follows the nationwide 2018 General Education Programme, using an approved set of textbooks. Structuring the pathway From high school, students follow a credit system with compulsory, elective and advanced subjects. Students study by year group, with a broadly similar timetable across the class. Level of personalisation Higher, as students can choose subjects based on their ability, interests and university plans. Lower, as most students follow the school's common curriculum framework. Assessment Uses GPA on a 4.0 scale. Grades come from assignments, tests, projects, presentations and class participation. Uses the familiar 10-point scale. Tests and exams tend to carry significant weight. High-school graduation Completing enough credits and meeting minimum requirements. There's no single national graduation exam. Sitting the national high-school graduation exam as required by the state. What Are the Strengths and Limitations of the US Curriculum? No curriculum is a perfect fit for every student. The US curriculum is valued for its flexibility, its ability to build independent thinking, and its clear focus on personalisation. That said, parents also need to weigh up the practical limitations before choosing a learning pathway for their child. 5 Core Strengths The US curriculum brings several notable benefits, helping students not just absorb knowledge but also develop independent, creative thinking. Here are the 5 core strengths parents should know about: A more flexible pathway: From high school onwards, students can choose subjects based on their ability, interests and university plans. A student interested in biomedical fields, for example, might prioritise Biology, Chemistry or related advanced subjects. This structure means students aren't forced down one identical path. A teaching method that encourages initiative: Students are regularly asked to ask questions, share their views, work in groups and explain their own reasoning. Teachers don't just check the final answer — they also observe how a student approaches a problem. More opportunities in STEM: Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths are usually delivered through projects, experiments or real-world scenarios. Students don't just learn formulas — they also learn to apply their knowledge to solve problems. A more well-rounded assessment approach: Grades don't come solely from end-of-term exams. Students are assessed through assignments, projects, presentations, discussions and class participation, giving a fuller picture of each student's learning journey. Extracurricular activities play a clear role: Clubs, sports, the arts, community work and personal projects aren't just add-ons. They're where students build leadership skills, teamwork, social responsibility, and a long-term university profile. The standout strengths of the US curriculum 3 Limitations Parents Should Consider Despite its strengths, the US curriculum also has a few limitations that parents should weigh up carefully before making a choice. Quality varies between schools: Not every school offering the US curriculum is of the same standard. Differences in teaching staff, facilities, management and financial resources can create a significant gap between schools. Pressure to build a university application starts early: Students need to balance several factors at once — GPA, advanced subjects, standardised tests, extracurricular activities, leadership, and a distinctive personal profile. As a result, the pressure doesn't just show up in the final year. Costs need long-term planning: Studying at a private school, an international school, or abroad in the US all require parents to plan their finances well ahead. Choosing a US curriculum in Vietnam still calls for a careful look at your child's ability, university goals and what the family can realistically invest. The limitations to weigh up when choosing a US curriculum Accessing the US Curriculum in Hanoi Through a Bilingual Model Once they understand the US curriculum, many parents in Hanoi start considering how to give their child an international education without sending them abroad too early. Three common options are: studying secondary school in the US, following a fully US curriculum within Vietnam, or choosing a bilingual model that references the US framework. 3 Common Options When parents consider giving their child an international education, three options tend to come up: High-school study in the US: Suits students who are ready to become independent early. Your child learns directly within a US environment, but the family needs to weigh up the cost, distance and how well your child is likely to adapt. A fully US-curriculum school in Vietnam: Suits families who want their child taught in English while staying in Vietnam. When choosing a school, parents should check its accreditation, curriculum, teaching staff and the conditions for its diploma. A bilingual model referencing the US framework: Suits families who want their child to develop an international way of thinking while still holding on to Vietnamese. This is a practical route if you're not yet ready for your child to study abroad too soon. Parents should compare all three options carefully to find the model that fits their child's ability, learning direction and the family's circumstances. If a bilingual model is under consideration, it's worth learning more about Westlink's Bilingual Programme, which is built on the US Common Core Standards combined with Vietnam's Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) curriculum. Choosing to study the US curriculum in Hanoi Check the Accreditation and the International School Network Parents shouldn't rely on labels like "US curriculum" or "international standard" alone. What actually matters is which body has accredited the school and how the programme is monitored. For the US system, look into accrediting bodies such as Cognia, WASC or MSA. For the IB system, check the accreditation status of individual programmes — PYP (Primary Years Programme), MYP, and DP. When researching a school that follows the US curriculum, membership of an international school network is a useful extra, but it doesn't replace programme accreditation. Parents should assess both factors independently to make an informed decision. Image: Accreditation of the US curriculum and international school networks The Curriculum Should Follow Clear Learning Outcomes A school running an international curriculum should be able to clearly explain which set of standards or academic framework it's built on. For a US curriculum, ask how it maps to standards in Maths, English or Science. For the IB, ask specifically about its framework and assessment methods. Parents can ask to see sample lessons, projects or grading rubrics during a school visit, to get a clearer picture of how assessment and progress actually work. An international curriculum needs clear learning outcomes Westlink's Bilingual Programme — An Option Worth Considering Westlink's Bilingual Programme is designed for middle-school students, from Grade 6 to Grade 9, combining Vietnam's MOET Replacement Curriculum with the US Common Core Standards. Students learn in both English and Vietnamese, building their academic ability in an international environment while keeping a solid grounding in Vietnamese language and knowledge. After Grade 9, students can move onto the IB MYP pathway and continue preparing for the IB Diploma Programme (DP) at the next stage. What stands out is that the IB pathway runs alongside the Bilingual Programme, allowing parents to choose the route that best matches their child's ability and learning goals. Westlink is currently an IB World School for both the Primary Years Programme (PYP) and the Middle Years Programme (MYP), and a Candidate School for the Diploma Programme (DP). Westlink is part of the International Schools Partnership network of more than 100 schools worldwide, giving students access to a diverse international learning environment. With a 2.5-hectare campus in Tay Ho Tay and LOTUS certification, Westlink provides students with well-rounded facilities throughout the K-12 journey. Westlink's Bilingual Programme in Hanoi The US curriculum opens up a flexible learning pathway, helping students build independent thinking and preparing them for the next stage of education. The right choice depends on your child, your family, and your long-term expectations — there's no single "best" option for every family. If a bilingual model feels right for yours, you can Book a tour to meet the academic team and see for yourself how it matches your family's expectations.
