Curricula in English-language international schools are most often based on education in the United Kingdom, education in the United States, or curricula specially designed for international schools such as the International General Certificate of Secondary Education or the IB Diploma Programme. These international curricula are committed to internationalism, developing the global citizen, providing an environment for optimal learning, and teaching in an international setting that fosters understanding, independence, interdependence, and cooperation.
Like other schools, international schools teach languages, mathematics, the sciences, humanities, the arts, physical education, information technology, and design technology. Developments specifically for primary school include the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) and International Primary Curriculum (IPC). Secondary education is provided through the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) and rInternational Middle Years Curriculum (IMYC). The launch of the International Early Years Curriculum (IEYC) in 2016 has provided an international curriculum for early years learners aged 2–5 years.
In 2023 there were over 3000 schools offering the international baccalaureate curriculum in the world and over 1000 schools offering the IEYC, IPC, and/or IMYC around the world. The number of Cambridge International schools is over 10,000 globally.