Curriculum

The following is a summary.  Not all countries have a national curriculum.  Japan, Switzerland, Germany, and Mexico track their secondary students which means their courses are individualized depending on their chosen (or chosen for them) career path.


Elementary School:

United States- Reading, Math, Social Studies and Science (Emphasis on Reading K-3)  (Emphasis on Math and Science 4-5)
Japan- Moral Education, Japanese Language, Arithmetic, Social Studies,
France- French, Arithmetic, Geography, Foreign Language, History, Arts
Switzerland- mother language, Arithmetic and Geography to a basic level for a foundation for high school.
Germany- German, English, Math, Unit of Inquiry, Performing Arts, Visual Arts, PE, Technology.  (Grade 5 add Spanish and French.)
 Mexico -social sciences, environmental studies, Spanish, mathematics,  geographic, ecological knowledge, health and human sexuality. 

Secondary School:
United States- English Language Arts, Math, Social Studies, Science, and Fine Arts
Japan Japanese language, English, mathematics, and science. In upper-secondary school, differences in ability acknowledged, course content and course selection individualized the second year, Vocational-technical programs
France- French, maths, history, geography, technical education, art/music, physical education, civic education, some science, and at least one foreign language.  Begin training in technical field in high school.
Switzerland - Apprenticeships
Germany - German, English, Math, Performing Arts, Visual Arts, PE, Technology, Spanish, French, Humanities, Science
Mexico -mathematics integrated to include geometry and algebra each year. grade 9, all students take trigonometry, foreign language, Science,  arts and technology.  high school, Mexican students must choose among schools that will lead them to college study, a technical career, or a business track.