Curriculum Overview

The curriculum at Cedars High School is a dynamic and inclusive framework that reflects the school’s guiding principles, designed to provide students with a comprehensive education that fosters academic excellence, holistic development, and global readiness. It equips students with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in an ever-changing world.

Educational Philosophy

Our curriculum is built on the principles of student-centered learning, holistic development, and inquiry-based approaches. We believe in adapting teaching methodologies to accommodate diverse learning styles, ensuring every student’s potential is nurtured. At Cedars High, education goes beyond academics, emphasizing values, critical thinking, and a global perspective.

1. Guiding Principles

The curriculum is built on the following core principles:

• Excellence in Teaching and Learning: Ensuring high-quality instruction and outcomes at every stage
• Inclusivity and Equity: Providing equitable access to education for all learners through tailored strategies
• Holistic Development: Fostering intellectual, emotional, creative, and physical growth
• Global Mindedness: Preparing students to excel on an international scale by adhering to globally recognized standards

2. Academic Pathways

Lebanese Program

The Lebanese National Curriculum forms the basis of the Lebanese Program, preparing students for official exams at key stages of their education. Students in Grade 9 take the Lebanese Brevet official exams, which assess their foundational knowledge and readiness for upper secondary education. In Grades 10, 11, and 12, students specialize in one of the structured branches—Humanities, Socioeconomics, General Science, or Life Science—leading to the Lebanese Baccalaureate official exams.

 To align the national curriculum with the school’s vision, an integrated approach is applied, fostering critical thinking and deeper connections across subjects. Students develop global awareness and multicultural understanding through discussions, projects, and curriculum enhancements that encourage engagement with international perspectives and real-world global challenges.

American Program (High School Diploma)

The American Program offers a flexible, student-centered curriculum tailored to meet the needs of diverse learners. It encourages creativity, inquiry, and real-world problem-solving through project-based learning and elective courses in Business, Psychology, and Humanities that supplement core subjects. Global awareness is fostered through interdisciplinary discussions, research projects, and curricular themes that engage students in international issues and perspectives.

Additionally, students are prepared for college and standardized tests, such as the SAT and other required exams, ensuring they are equipped with the necessary skills and credentials for higher education.

3. Core Learning Areas

Core Subjects

• Arabic: aligned with the national standards, fostering language fluency and cultural appreciation
• English and Mathematics: Aligned with Common Core State Standards (CCSS) to ensure rigor and global competitiveness
• Science: aligned with Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), encouraging inquiry, critical thinking, and innovation
• Social Studies: An integrated blend of Lebanese and international frameworks, designed to cultivate a nuanced understanding of global citizenship, history, and socio-political awareness
• French: A program that reinforces trilingual education, engaging students with Francophone cultures, historical contexts, and global perspectives
• Specialized Subjects: Art, P.E., and Theater aiming at nurturing creativity, expression, and physical well-being

Integrated Learning

• ProtectED: It is a comprehensive safety and well-being program addressing physical, emotional, and cyber safety.
• Technology Integration: Digital platforms and research tools are embedded in learning to enhance engagement, collaboration, and digital literacy across all grade levels.
• Social-Emotional Learning (SEL): It is integrated across all grade levels and embedded within various subjects to develop resilience, empathy, and essential life skills that support student well-being and character development.
• STEAM Integration: Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics are integrated to encourage problem-solving, creativity, and real-world applications through hands-on experiences.
• Cross-Curricular Learning: Subjects are connected through interdisciplinary themes and real-world applications, fostering deeper understanding, engagement, and transferable knowledge.

4. Assessment

• Diverse assessment strategies are employed to evaluate and support student growth:
• Formative assessments (quizzes, in-class activities).
• Summative assessments (tests, projects, presentations).
• Performance assessments (real-world tasks, experiments, role-playing, and problem-solving activities).
• Standardized exams for benchmarking and preparation.
• Portfolios and reflective practices to track progress.

5. Learning Support and Inclusion

Comprehensive support programs ensure inclusivity and student success:

Academic Intervention and Support: The Academic Intervention Support Program is designed to assist students who face academic challenges by providing targeted instruction and personalized learning strategies. Support is implemented through Individualized Education Plans (IEPs), differentiated instruction, and tailored interventions, ensuring that students receive the guidance they need to develop essential skills and achieve academic success.

Therapeutic Intervention: Therapeutic interventions address developmental, cognitive, emotional, and behavioral needs that may impact learning. Speech-Language Therapy (SLT), Psychomotor Therapy (PMT), and Psychological Intervention (PI) provide specialized support to help students enhance communication, motor skills, and emotional regulation, fostering both personal growth and academic progress.

Resource Room (RR) Program: This highly individualized and personalized support program is designed to assist students with significant learning challenges, providing targeted interventions and specialized strategies to help them progress academically.

Special Arabic and English Programs: special language programs are tailored for students who require differentiated instruction in language acquisition and literacy development.

6. Pedagogical Approaches

Teaching methods prioritize active learning and inclusivity and are central to the school’s educational approach.

• Inquiry-Based Learning: Encourages exploration, curiosity, and independent thinking to foster deep understanding and student ownership of learning
• Differentiated Instruction: Tailors teaching methods and resources to address the diverse needs, abilities, and interests of all learners
• Conceptual Understanding: Focuses on helping students grasp the underlying principles and ideas that connect knowledge across disciplines, fostering meaningful and transferable learning
• Real-World Applications: Embeds critical thinking, collaboration, and problem-solving activities into lessons to connect classroom learning to real-life contexts
• Technology Integration: Incorporates digital tools and resources to enhance engagement, collaboration, and accessibility in learning experiences
• Collaborative Learning: Promotes teamwork, communication, and shared responsibility through group projects and peer-to-peer activities
• Cultural and Global Awareness: Integrates diverse perspectives and global issues into lessons, fostering empathy and preparing students for a multicultural world
• Reflective Practices: Encourage both teachers and students to reflect on learning processes, outcomes, and strategies to promote continuous improvement

7. University and Career Counseling

• Personalized Counseling: One-on-one sessions are tailored to help students explore their strengths, identify interests, and align them with career paths.
• Orientation Events: Students interact with representatives from top universities to gain insights into academic programs, campus life, and admission requirements.
• Skill-Building Opportunities: Engagement in university-organized competitions and bridge programs are planned to enhance students’ readiness for academic and professional challenges.
• Comprehensive Guidance: Counselors assist students with university applications, personal statements, and preparing for interviews.

8. Co-Curricular Programs

Extracurricular activities provide opportunities for students to develop skills beyond academics:

• Competitions: Spelling Bees, STEAM fairs, Vocabulary Parades, and creative writing contests encourage intellectual curiosity and innovation.
• Creative Arts: Theater productions, art exhibitions and competitions
• Sports Activities: Tournaments and fitness programs promote teamwork, resilience, and physical well-being.
• Clubs: Book Club, STEAM Club, Coding Club, and Sports Club develop leadership, collaboration, and specialized interests.
• Community Service: As a cornerstone of our curriculum, community service initiatives encourage students to give back to society, develop empathy, and cultivate a sense of social responsibility.