Courses of study
Preparing for success
In junior high school, Years 7 and 8 form an important part of your child’s academic development. Work covered previously is consolidated, and new subject areas are developed. These years also form an important base for senior study and qualifications. The programme is broad-based, to ensure that diverse skills are developed to successfully tackle a range of subjects at senior levels.
In Years 9 to 11, your child will prepare for the Cambridge IGCSE programme, one of the world’s most respected international qualifications for 14-16 year olds. In Year 11, for each subject, your child will receive a grade from A to G and a percentage mark. The curriculum caters for individual ability, with some IGCSE subjects having core and extended options. IGCSE provides your child with a foundation for higher AS and A Level courses and is recognised by universities and employers worldwide.
In Years 12–13 we continue to offer a challenging curriculum with our dual qualification pathway of Cambridge or International Baccalaureate (IB). Students are taught by specialist teachers and have the opportunity to choose some of their own subject areas. We prepare senior students for excellence in their Cambridge or IB examinations, and encourage them to take responsibility for their own learning as a way of preparing for further study at university and beyond.
Select your year level
Middle School – Years 7 to 10
Creative and critical thinking
Our strong focus on literacy and numeracy skills continues in middle school. At this stage, creative and critical thinking are also important, and ICT is integrated into most courses.
If your child wants to pursue Mandarin in Years 9 and 10, they must have at least one year of prior learning – either at ACG Parnell College or elsewhere.
Subjects Years 7 to 10
| Chinese | Mathematics | Science |
| Computer Science (two terms) | Music/Visual Art/Drama | Spanish |
| English | Physical Education/Health | Thinking Skills (two terms) |
| Humanities |
Middle School – Year 11 (IGCSE Level)
International study & leadership
At this level, students are able to start specialising in subject areas. With the help of teaching staff, your child will be able to choose some of their own courses, as long as specified entry standards are met for each subject.
Your child will usually take six IGCSE subjects plus Leadership (1 period per week). AS subjects are available if your child meets the entry criteria.
Compulsory Subjects:
- English language
- English literature
- Mathematics
Your child may select three subjects from the following and we recommend including a science subject.
Optional Subjects:
| Accounting | Art and Design | Biology |
| Business Studies | Chemistry | Chinese |
| Computer Science | Design and Technology | Economics |
| Geography | History | Music |
| Physical Education | Physics | Spanish |
For their final two years of school, students choose to study either the Cambridge A Level programme or the IB Diploma.
Cambridge A Levels
Most students at this level take four subjects each year. Year 12 courses usually consist of all AS subjects, while Year 13 courses may include either AS or A2 subjects. Please note that your child must have prior study to meet the criteria for foreign language subjects.
AS Level
Compulsory Subjects:
AS English language or AS English literature.
Optional (choose three)
| Art and Design | Computing | Mathematics |
| Accounting | Digital Media and Design | Music |
| Biology | Design and Technology | Physical Education |
| Business Studies | Drama | Physics |
| Chemistry | Economics | Psychology |
| Chinese | Geography | Sociology |
| Classic Studies | History | Spanish |
A2 Level
Choose three or four
| Art and Design | Computing | Music |
| Accounting | Design and Technology | Physical Education |
| Biology | Economics | Physics |
| Business studies | Geography | Psychology |
| Chemistry | History | Sociology |
| Chinese | Mathematics | Spanish |
IB Diploma
The ACG Parnell College IB Diploma Programme is a two-year academic course. Each student studies six subjects of their choice, plus three core elements: ToK (Theory of Knowledge), EE (Extended Essay) and CAS (Community, Action and Service). The maximum grade total for subjects and core for the IB Diploma is 45 points.
Subjects
Choose one subject from each of Groups 1 to 5, then a sixth subject from any of Groups 3, 4 or 6. Maximum grade per subject is 7, totalling 42.
Core
Every student takes part in the core areas below throughout the Diploma Programme. Maximum grade for core work is 3.
| Group 1: Literature | English, Chinese, Korean |
| Group 2: Learned Language | English, Chinese, Spanish Ab Initio, Chinese Ab Initio |
| Group 3: Humanities | Economics. Psychology, History |
| Group 4: Sciences | Biology, Chemistry, Physics |
| Group 5: Mathematics | Higher Level, Standard Level, Math Studies |
| Group 6: Visual Art and Music | Visual Arts, Music |
Success stories
More information
If you would like to know more about our curriculum and the subjects we offer please contact us.