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CIA FIRST Curriculum
CIA FIRST International School offers a contemporary curriculum rooted in a Constructivist pedagogy. With our adoption of the Habits of Mind and the Understanding by Design (UbD) framework, we aim to fulfill our mission of providing inquiry-based, student-centered curricula, critical thinking, and a creative problem-solving skill set for life-long learning, preparing students for local and global tertiary education. Our diploma is both locally and internationally accredited. The Ministry of Education officially recognizes our international high school diploma as equivalent to the National Grade 12 Khmer curriculum diploma, while the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), one of the four regional accrediting bodies in The United States, officially recognizes it as equivalent to an American high school diploma.
CIA FIRST Accreditations
CIA FIRST International School holds prestigious accreditations and memberships, including WASC accreditation, a fully accredited Khmer program by Cambodia's Ministry of Education, membership in EARCOS, and College Board-approved Advanced Placement (AP) courses.
Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports
Our successful and motivational Khmer language programme is fully accredited by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports. The programme encapsulates a kindergarten and grade curriculum where all activities and exercises are child centred, fun, innovative and well resourced.
Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
CIA FIRST International School is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). The purpose of WASC is to foster excellence in education by encouraging school improvement through a process of continuing evaluation. That means CIA FIRST provides the highest quality learning experience for all students.
Habits of Mind
The Habits of Mind are a set of sixteen dispositions that encourage unique and creative ways for lifelong learning when confronted with complex problems. They are tools that foster critical thinking, persistence, and adaptability to empower students with skills for problem-solving and success in an unpredictable world.
College Board AP courses
CIA FIRST International School offers a wide array of Advanced Placement (AP) courses to maximise the chances of our students to gain admission to the highest quality universities around the world. The AP Syllabi are developed by CIA FIRST and approved by university professors through the College Board Course Audit.
AP Capstone
CIA FIRST is the first school in Cambodia to offer the AP Capstone Diploma, an innovative program by the College Board. The program includes two cornerstone courses: AP Seminar and AP Research, where students tackle real-world issues, conduct research, and present their findings. Completing these courses, along with four other AP classes, earns students the prestigious AP Capstone Diploma, setting them up for success at top universities worldwide.
East Asia Regional Council of Schools (EARCOS)
EARCOS membership connects CIA FIRST with a network of over 216 schools in East Asia, fostering cooperation, professional growth, and enriched educational opportunities. This prestigious membership places us among a select group of international schools in the region committed to the highest education standards, collaboration, and professional development.
CIA FIRST Study Programs
CIA FIRST offers three comprehensive study programs to meet diverse educational needs:
Full Time International (FTI)
A WASC-accredited curriculum adopting internationally recognized content standards (Common Core, AERO, and NGSS) and Advanced Placement courses for college credit.
Full Time Khmer (FTK)
Full Time Khmer Language and Culture (FTC)
FAQs regarding certificate of equivalence
What is the certificate of equivalence?
The certificate of equivalence means CIA FIRST international High School diploma now carries the same value as a Khmer high school diploma within the Kingdom of Cambodia.
What does this mean for FTI students?
Has the certificate of equivalence been recognized by the government?
With just a CIA FIRST international high school diploma, can students get national scholarships to local universities?
Is the status of equivalency of CIA FIRST international high school diploma permanent?
CIA FIRST Curriculum Framework
CIA FIRST International School delivers a modern curriculum founded on Constructivist pedagogy. Guided by the Habits of Mind and our School-wide Learners’ Outcomes (SLOs) framework, we emphasize inquiry-based, student-centered learning to foster critical thinking, creativity, and lifelong skills. Our internationally accredited diploma, recognized by the Ministry of Education as equivalent to Cambodia’s Grade 12 diploma and by WASC as an American high school diploma, prepares students for both local and global higher education.
Habits of Mind
School-Wide Learner Outcomes (SLOs)
Academic Standards
Habits of Mind
At CIA FIRST International School, we are proud to integrate the Habits of Mind into our curriculum, guiding students to become adaptable, thoughtful, and capable individuals ready to thrive in an ever-changing world. As an accredited school through the Habits of Mind Institute, we embrace this universal framework to cultivate essential dispositions, such as critical thinking, persistence, and collaboration, that empower students to tackle challenges where answers are not immediately apparent.
The Habits of Mind are more than just skills; they are tools for problem-solving and intellectual growth that align seamlessly with our Understanding by Design (UbD) framework. In today’s unpredictable world, where future jobs and challenges are yet to be defined, these habits prepare our students to transfer their knowledge and skills into novel situations. By nurturing dispositions like managing impulsivity, thinking flexibly, and striving for accuracy, we ensure our learners are equipped to adapt, innovate, and contribute meaningfully to society.
At CIA FIRST, we believe in fostering metacognition—thinking about thinking—as a cornerstone of education. Our students learn to reflect on their problem-solving processes, articulate their strategies, and grow their capacity as efficacious thinkers. Through this approach, they develop a lifelong love for learning and a mindset that celebrates curiosity, resilience, and continuous improvement. We invite prospective families to join our community, where students are empowered to face the future with confidence and creativity.
Name of the 16 Habits of Mind and Image: https://www.habitsofmindinstitute.org/learning-the-habits/
Finding Humor
Laugh a little!
Applying Past Knowledge to New Situations
Use what you learn!
Gathering Data Through All Senses
Use your natural pathways!
Creating, Imagining, and Innovating
Try a different or new way!
Managing Impulsivity
Take your time!
Persisting
Stick to it!
Listening with Understanding and Empathy
Understand others!
Questioning and Posing Problems
How do you know?
Taking Responsible Risks
Venture out!
Responding with Wonderment and Awe
Become intrigued!
Remaining Open to Continuous Learning
Learn throughout your lifetime!
Striving for Accuracy
Check it again!
Thinking Interdependently
Work together!
Thinking Flexibly
Look at it another way!
Thinking & Communicating with Clarity and Precision
Be clear!
Thinking About Your Thinking (Metacognition)
Know your Knowing!
Habits of Mind
At CIA FIRST International School, we are proud to integrate the Habits of Mind into our curriculum, guiding students to become adaptable, thoughtful, and capable individuals ready to thrive in an ever-changing world. As an accredited school through the Habits of Mind Institute, we embrace this universal framework to cultivate essential dispositions, such as critical thinking, persistence, and collaboration, that empower students to tackle challenges where answers are not immediately apparent.
The Habits of Mind are more than just skills; they are tools for problem-solving and intellectual growth that align seamlessly with our Understanding by Design (UbD) framework. In today’s unpredictable world, where future jobs and challenges are yet to be defined, these habits prepare our students to transfer their knowledge and skills into novel situations. By nurturing dispositions like managing impulsivity, thinking flexibly, and striving for accuracy, we ensure our learners are equipped to adapt, innovate, and contribute meaningfully to society.
At CIA FIRST, we believe in fostering metacognition—thinking about thinking—as a cornerstone of education. Our students learn to reflect on their problem-solving processes, articulate their strategies, and grow their capacity as efficacious thinkers. Through this approach, they develop a lifelong love for learning and a mindset that celebrates curiosity, resilience, and continuous improvement. We invite prospective families to join our community, where students are empowered to face the future with confidence and creativity.
Name of the 16 Habits of Mind and Image: https://www.habitsofmindinstitute.org/learning-the-habits/
Finding Humor
Laugh a little!
Applying Past Knowledge to New Situations
Use what you learn!
Gathering Data Through All Senses
Use your natural pathways!
Creating, Imagining, and Innovating
Try a different or new way!
Managing Impulsivity
Take your time!
Persisting
Stick to it!
Listening with Understanding and Empathy
Understand others!
Questioning and Posing Problems
How do you know?
Taking Responsible Risks
Venture out!
Responding with Wonderment and Awe
Become intrigued!
Remaining Open to Continuous Learning
Learn throughout your lifetime!
Striving for Accuracy
Check it again!
Thinking Interdependently
Work together!
Thinking Flexibly
Look at it another way!
Thinking & Communicating with Clarity and Precision
Be clear!
Thinking About Your Thinking (Metacognition)
Know your Knowing!
