Strong curriculum systems do not happen by accident. In small international schools, curriculum development often happens over time; shaped by changing staff, new programs, accreditation requirements, and the evolving needs of students. This chapter is designed to help school leaders bring structure, clarity, and coherence to that process.
This chapter focuses on the practical side of curriculum: how to design, review, and refine a curriculum in a small school context where time, staffing, and resources are limited. It brings together key ideas, planning tools, and real examples that school leaders can use to strengthen curriculum systems across grade levels and subject areas.
Whether your school is building a curriculum framework for the first time or refining an existing program, this chapter is intended to provide a clear, manageable approach to curriculum development and review in small international schools.
This chapter is part of the AISA Small Schools Resource Hub and is designed to support leadership teams in building sustainable, coherent school programs.
Lisa Emborsky - Author of Full Chapter: Curriculum. Lisa is currently the K-12 Literacy Coordinator for the McLean School in Potomac, Maryland. She has served as the Director of Teaching and Learning in three overseas schools: The American School of Tunis, the American Community School in Abu Dhabi, and the International School of Dakar (which at the time was a small school). Lisa also was a special education teacher at ACS Abu Dhabi, the Rabat American School and the International School in Dakar. Lisa has her master’s degree in curriculum from Columbia University.
What You’ll Find in This Chapter:
What You’ll Find in This Chapter:
This chapter includes guidance and practical tools related to:
Curriculum design and review
Standards-based curriculum
Instructional coherence
Assessment systems
Curriculum documentation and mapping
Examples and planning tools from small international schools
Read the Full Chapter
Read the Full Chapter
The full chapter is available as a downloadable PDF. You can read it online or download it to use with your leadership team, curriculum coordinators, or accreditation committees.
How to Use This Chapter:
How to Use This Chapter:
You do not need to read this chapter from beginning to end.
You may wish to:
Start with the 10 Key Questions to reflect on your current program
Go directly to the Tools & Templates section for practical resources
Use this chapter to guide leadership discussions or strategic planning
Return to specific sections as your school grows and develops
10 Key Questions
10 Key Questions
Use these questions to assess your current practices and identify areas for improvement.
Tools & Templates
Tools & Templates
Practical tools, templates, and real school examples that you can adapt for your own school.
Full Chapter
Full Chapter
Detailed guidance and background information for a deeper understanding of this topic.
Use of Materials
These resources are provided for AISA member schools for internal school use and adaptation. If you adapt or share these materials, please acknowledge the AISA Small Schools Resource Hub. Materials may not be sold or publicly redistributed without permission.
Page updated
Report abuse