A cornerstone of Crimson Global Academy’s education philosophy is enrolling students to study subjects according to their ability rather than their age. This is a very different approach to many traditional schools. Students often share their frustrations from school when they are given extra worksheets, told to help a friend or asked to read a book instead of being moved up.
At CGA, advanced students are able to build an excellent academic profile for competitive universities or simply explore more subjects and opportunities.
CGA’s Recommendations For Accelerated Learners
If your child is academically advanced in one or more subjects, a CGA Admissions Officer will recommend a mix of strategies depending on your child’s academic interests, long-term goals and whether they are joining full-time or part-time.
Some of these strategies are:
- Broaden Horizons: Instead of the usual one year of iGCSE and studying five subjects (equivalent to Year 10 AU / Year 11 NZ), advanced students can explore up to 10 or more iGCSE subjects over two years. This breadth of knowledge lays a robust foundation for A Levels and broadens a student’s academic perspective.
- Pursue Extra A Levels: For those seeking deeper academic immersion, studying additional and challenging A Levels such as Further Maths over three years instead of two can greatly improve a student’s academic profile for university.
- Diversify Challenges: Balancing a reduced iGCSE workload over two years (3-4 subjects annually) with unique academic opportunities like conducting research or participating in competitions provides experience, clarity on future pathways and an impressive point of difference for university applications.
- Venture into the US Curriculum: As CGA is registered to teach college level Advanced Placement (AP) subjects, students can explore a wider range of topics and challenges than ever offered by traditional schools.
- Learn at their own pace: Some advanced students are better suited to learn at their own pace with the guidance of an experienced Instructor. In this case, the 1:1 Da Vinci program is perfect for primary aged or part-time students.
Explore Accelerated Study Plans
To help visualise what these strategies could look like in practice, here are some examples of CGA student study plans during high school.
| Age | Study Load – A full-time student who is two years advance |
|---|---|
| 12 | Pre-IG Stage 1 (five subjects at Year 8 equivalent) |
| 13 | Pre-IG Stage 2 (five subjects at Year 9 equivalent) |
| 14 | iGCSE (five subjects at Year 10 equivalent) |
| 15 | iGCSE (five subjects at Year 10 equivalent) |
| 16 | AS Level (four subjects) & APs (two subjects) |
| 17 | A2 Level (four subjects) & Academic Competitions / Research |
| Age | Study Load – A full-time student one year ahead graduating high school early |
|---|---|
| 13 | Pre-IG Stage 2 (five subjects at Year 9 equivalent) |
| 14 | iGCSE (five subjects at Year 10 equivalent) |
| 15 | AS Level (four subjects) & APs (two subjects) |
| 16 | A2 Level (four subjects) & Academic Competitions / Research |
| Age | Study Load – A part-time student who is 3 years advanced |
|---|---|
| 11 | Pre-IG Stage 1 Maths (Year 8 equivalent) |
| 12 | Pre-IG Stage 2 Maths (Year 9 equivalent) |
| 13 | iGCSE Maths (Year 10 equivalent) |
| 14 | AS Maths (Year 11 equivalent) |
| 15 | A2 Maths (Year 12 equivalent) |
| 16 | AS Further Maths and AP Calculus (university level) |
| 17 | A2 Further Maths and AP Statistics (university level) |
| Age | Study Load – A part-time primary aged student 2 years advanced |
|---|---|
| 9 | iPrimary Stage 1 Maths and Science (via 1:1 Da Vinci) |
| 10 | iPrimary Stage 2 Maths and Science (via 1:1 Da Vinci) |
| 11 | Pre-IG Stage 1 Maths and Science (Year 8 equivalent) |
| 12 | Pre-IG Stage 2 Maths and Science |
| 13 | iGCSE Maths and iGCSE Chemistry |
| 14 | AS Maths and AS Chemistry |
| 15 | A2 Maths & AP Calculus |
| 16 | A2 Chemistry & AP Chemistry |
| 17 | Academic Competitions / Research |
What CGA Staff and Parents Consider Before Academic Acceleration
As students set their sights on an accelerated journey at CGA, there are important aspects to bear in mind:
Understanding University Age Requirements: While graduating high school and starting university early might sound appealing to advanced students, there are some courses where students must meet minimum age requirements. For example, aspiring medical students wanting to study in the UK must be at least 18 by September of their entry year, mainly due to clinical obligations. Outside of this specific scenario, the majority of global universities maintain a flexible stance on age, allowing young prodigies to commence their higher education journey sooner than most.
Assessing Maturity Beyond Academia: The accelerated pathway often leads young students to face the prospect of university life earlier than their peers. While their academic abilities show readiness for university, it’s essential to introspect if they’re emotionally and psychologically ready to navigate the nuances of university life.
Not all subjects advance equally: Students often advance quicker in subjects like maths than in subjects requiring maturity and lived experience like English Literature. As such, students at CGA can study at their ability in subjects they are particularly strong in while learning at their grade level for other subjects.
Aligning Expectations: Every student’s journey is unique, and so are their aspirations. It’s paramount that both students and parents are aligned in their vision for the future. Whether it’s about embracing the fast track to university or continuing with CGA’s enriching academic environment through to 18 years of age, clarity in these decisions ensures a tailored experience that resonates with the student’s goals.
Start Your Child’s Tailored Journey at CGA
At CGA, the accelerated pathway is not just about speeding through academic milestones. It’s about cultivating a holistic educational experience, tailored to individual capabilities. Whether through exams, projects, or international competitions, CGA students are poised to showcase their academic prowess to the world. However, as with all choices, students must be well-informed, ensuring their journey aligns with their personal and academic aspirations. To know more about your child’s starting point, book a meeting with an Academic Advisor where your child will be given free academic assessments.
