primary schooling US vs UK - how equivalent is the curriculum?

[JennyWren]

We are thinking ahead (well I am, DH leaves that to me ) about a possible move to the US with DH's job over the next few years. We have children at school and about to start and I can't find any information about how similar the curriculum are. We have a lot of flexibility as to when we go and the key factor is to make sure that when we come back, our DC will fit back into school reasonably easily. If we came back to school when DD is going into Year 5, for example, would she be expected to have learned stuff to the same level as her peers here, or would she be behind? The same for DS, if he came back into Year 2 or 3. I can find out that they start school later, but nothing about what they are taught in each year, and I'm concerned that they'll really struggle to fit into school again here.

What are your experiences - can anyone help?

Do any mums have any up to date info/opinions regarding this? We are set to move to LA in June 2016, our two children aged 10 & 9 will be going to a local elementary and I'm finding it pretty difficult getting any true/recent comparisons/things to be aware of for primary aged children. Also any other tips/advice on moving to LA with children would really help. Thanks in advance!

Emms86 you'll have a wonderful time. We have spent several years in LA
Best schools in LA are in the following areas

Santa Monica & Malibu
Pacific Palisades
South Pasadena

But you'll have to live in the catchment areas for the individual schools within the correct school district

This is a helpful website www.schooldigger.com

If they are 9/10 and 10/11 when they start school, they will be going into 4th and 5th grades most likely. Elementary goes up to 5th grade. Then its middle school. Usually the start times are staggered for the exact reason that people have kids in both schools.

Emms86: Just want to add if your kids are 9/10 and 10/11 you may want to consider putting them up a year into 5th and 6th grade. It probably depends on the school you go to but we ended up doing this as the work was way too easy (and kids got bored). There are a range of ages in the grades too because kids get held back if the teacher doesn't think the should move up a grade. Try not to get to hung up on age and grade (the only thing is socially kids can need same we peers). Hope that helps.

Well I am a teacher and we are in the USA. The math here is far advanced compared to the UK...grade 5 is like what I did in grade 8 or even 9 in a grammar school!!
More multiple choice here so kids who can memorize do well on tests. We find the schooling good quality so far in California.

My kids are at a British school in Texas and studying the uk curriculum. If you will be here for a relatively short time and then returning to the uk, would it be worth looking at private international / British schools?

Oh that's interesting, thank you! I've narrowed our property search down to a couple of areas, both being in good school districts and have contacted my favourite schools re the enrolment process. I had thought about an international school but because DH isn't employed we wouldn't get any help with tuition and the schools I'm looking at seem really good so I think they'll be fine We will be in the US for 4/5 years with the possibility of either staying on or moving to Australia. I think my biggest worry isnt necessarily the difference in curriculum but more the cultural differences, both for them and for me when it comes to making friends with other Mums actually.

The areas we're considering are Thousand Oaks, Agoura Hills, Oak Park and possibly Camarillo-do you have knowledge of these?

Mine attended state schools in Texas for 6 months and whilst DD (Y3 at the time) was bored stiff, some of her classmates still couldn't read whereas in the UK she'd been a free reader from the middle of Y2. DS (Y6 and top sets) found the work challenging and don't get me started on cursive handwriting - the poor thing still has terrible handwriting and the constant telling offs made him a nervous wreck I still don't know how they managed the jump from grade 2 to 5 although DS had 3+ hours homework each night, DD probably about 1-1.5.

I loved the weekly reports and all the extra-curricular activities on offer and being able to go and have lunch with them on a Friday as it was a good way to meet other mums because you never got out of the car to drop off or pick up. You hung a number from your mirror and at home time the parent on traffic duty would radio your number to the pupil entrance and by the time you reached the front of the queue the kids were ready to jump in the car - fantastic in the texan heat and humidity!

You could google common core too.

I did UK infants so don't know about the differences up to age 7, but then bopped backwards and forwards from UK to US schools, I found that each excelled at different stages, for instance at age 10 U.S. we're ahead in Math(s) but behind in English, but that swapped around and it was vise versa the year after, lol, this happened right the way through. Over here (UK) we narrow our field of interest to focus on what we're best at, whereas in the U.S. they have a broader spectrum, so can seem behind in certain ways but ahead in others.

I have UK O'levels but no A'levels as I was then in the U.S. so got a high school diploma. My degree is US too.

I did the final year of a US degree as an exchange and it was easier than first year in the UK IMO. Very little writing. I much preferred the teaching and learning there though.

I'd agree Duck even at degree level there's much less focus on a specific area or subject, they're still very much working to a broader spectrum. Their Masters degrees are where a much more intense focus happens. My undergrad is actually a double major and a minor, meaning I still had three areas of focus, even at that level. I loved uni as I found it quite easy so had loads of time to party!

Much of US education actually has Scottish antecedents (even the term "high school" comes from Scotland) so has always emphasized breadth; specialization occurs at later stages than in the English system.

That's a good thing IMO.

We finally moved back in Sept 2013 Dd went straight into year 4 and I was very surprised to find that Dd was miles ahead of her UK peers in school, for reading, reading comprehension and was top set maths. In California she was average for maths and above average for Reading and reading comp. Now she's year 6 and getting ready for High school and remains top set reading and math. I think they are pretty comparable. No matter when you move back, it seems the kids catch up fine.
I actually liked the friendliness and relaxed way of Elementary school in California, I didn't think I would miss it.

Ems 86

I just want to say glendale unified school district is excellent. Not sure why someone dismissed it up thread. North glendale near la crescenta has amazing top rated schools as does LA Canada which us a school district next to it. One of the best in the California as far as scores go.

Thousand oaks is safe, kind of homogeneous....very American. Not sure about the schools...prob fine. Avoid LA unified district. I meet lots of Brits here and living here is just lovely...much more relaxed than in the UK. You will have a great time out here. Do message me if you have any questions.

This is a really old thread. It started in June 2012.

Emms86 resurrected it last December though & it is live again now for her, not the OP

Ah! All clear now

Generally speaking, websites where school district stats and feedback from parents are presented can be great, because Americans shop around for school districts and rely on those sites too.