Leading International Schools in Asia

06 Sep 2017

“Asia is probably the most dynamic continent in the world and economically it presents endless opportunities. The centre of gravity is moving towards the East.”

This quote from Alexander Stubb, former Prime Minister of Finland, perfectly encapsulates the attitude of those who live and work in Asia. Above all else, choosing to study here gives children the opportunity to experience an explosion of culture and diversity in one of the world’s most exciting regions.

Job opportunities for graduates are endless as the business and technology industries continue their market-leading growth, while investment into the education sector is continuing to push the boundaries even more. Schools and universities across Asia are consistently rated among the best in the world, with first-class education drawing students from every corner of the world.

Below are four schools that are leading lights in Asian education:

YEW CHUNG INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF SHANGHAI

The Yew Chung International School of Shanghai (YCIS Shanghai) holds a vision of providing a global education, by immersing students in both Eastern and Western cultures through a unique academic experience. Students are welcomed to YCIS Shanghai from across the world, and all acquire a high proficiency in Chinese and English, encouraging them to discover and explore a deeper appreciation of the language spectrum.

With the longest running and most developed Chinese Language and Culture programme of any international school in the Shanghai, YCIS students are immersed in a multicultural and bilingual learning environment with two Co-Teachers – one international and one Chinese – in every Kindergarten and Primary classroom. All students at YCIS study Chinese for an hour every day, and study Chinese Culture every week, helping them develop language skills and exceptional cultural understanding.

The School integrates technology, sciences, and the arts to prepare students for the competitive world of work later on in life. Each classroom is equipped with interactive smart boards and the latest learning devices and equipment, while dedicated science, design and technology, and music composition rooms allow students to achieve their maximum potential.

At YCIS, Secondary students are part of a long tradition of academic excellence with top IGCSE and IB scores year-after-year, resulting in YCIS being the only school in Mainland China to have received the prestigious “Cambridge Award for Excellence in Education” from Cambridge International Examinations.

INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY SCHOOL SINGAPORE

The International Community School Singapore (ICS Singapore) is a Christian School focused on providing a dynamic, challenging and holistic education that recognises the personal quirks of the individual and helps them to flourish into 21^st century citizens.

Here, every child benefits from a personalised learning experience, where teachers get to know the pupils and make them feel at home in the ICS family. The international atmosphere on campus is an open door for all cultures, races and nationalities. The School works proactively to help build relationships between students and teachers alike, going beyond all classroom and grade levels. ICS wants students to learn to respectfully interact across age, culture and ethnic boundaries.

ICS prides itself on its excellent academic record, characterised through a dynamic and challenging curriculum. The School views education holistically, creating opportunities for students to apply their attained knowledge outside of the classroom while maintaining a focus on core subject matters. Students at ICS are encouraged to grow a love for life-long learning.

More than 26 nationalities make up the School community of 450+ students, making it a truly global study hub. Students are taught to love and respect people of all cultures through everyday interactions, as well as annual international community service projects where the School partners with ministries in Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, the Philippines, and throughout the rest of Southeast Asia.

ICS understands the importance of technology in education and the world today, and is dedicated to preparing students for the digital age through technology integrations- a common theme of the ICS learning environment. All students have access to fast and reliable wireless internet, while the School also offers a 1:1 laptop programme for High School students, Chromebooks for the Middle School and, while students in Grades K4-3 have access to iPads and laptops in the classroom, they’re also permitted to use the state-of-the-art computer lab.

RUAMRUDEE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL

Based just outside of Bangkok, Ruamrudee International School (RIS) has provided its students with a first-class education experience since 1957 – making it Thailand’s second oldest school. An inclusive and interfaith curriculum explores a variety of topics, including intellectual empathy, perseverance, integrity, compassion, humanity, generosity and responsibility, working alongside a rigorous academic syllabus specifically-designed to suit every pupil’s individual needs and abilities.

Ruamrudee is a Thai word which translates to ‘Union of Hearts’, confirming the School’s commitment to act as a friendly environment of inclusiveness and diversity. Students here are able to discover and learn about different cultures and languages through interaction with diverse peers.

Based on a beautiful 28-acre Wi-Fi enabled campus, the School boasts an impressive range of facilities to suit and develop a child’s hobbies and expertise – from a number of arts and athletics venues to computer labs and recording studios.

Students at RIS also consistently score higher than global averages in both the IB and AP programs, forging a long history of attendance at some of the top universities worldwide. This year alone, the school received 129 offers from the top 100 ranked universities, including University College London, the University of Sydney and the University of New York.

INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL HO CHI MINH CITY

The International School Ho Chi Minh City (ISHCMC) boasts an impressive 100 percent university acceptance rate, proving itself to be an academic centre of excellence. Modern teaching methods and proactive learning experiences serve as a smooth transition into university or college life around the world. The School champions its student wellbeing and diversity, with more than 50 nationalities represented on campus.

The ISHCMC campus is situated in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City, providing students with an incredible opportunity to uncover the city’s unique history. The campus features 75 classrooms, an indoor gymnasium, a 25-metre swimming pool, and a number of sporting facilities. There are also science labs, a makerspace, music rooms, art rooms and a health clinic.

This academic year will also see a brand-new, cutting-edge secondary school campus, which boasts a 350-seat professional theatre and a wide range of sporting facilities to further support student welfare.

ISHCMC was also the city’s first International Baccalaureate (IB) accredited school to offer all three programmes.

*Some of the institution’s featured in this article are commercial partners of Study International