Nurturing global citizens through international education

Finding the right school one of the major concerns for many families when relocating to a new country or city. Should you opt for state-based curricula, vocational career-related certificates or more global pathways? If it’s the latter, should you choose the International Baccalaureate, Advanced Placement or A Levels? Which would suit your child best: co-ed or single-sex school? Urban or rural campus? Academic or arts-focused? Are there schools that can cater to my child’s specific needs?

The questions are many, but there is good news for those heading to Asia. The region’s booming international education sector is offering more options to cater to a diverse range of learners. According to the 2020 Global Opportunities Report, around 3.7 million pupils were attending international schools in Asia in 2020. Enrolment in Western Asia has grown by 20.6%, reaching a total of 1.7 million in July 2020. Whereas, in Southern Asia, it has increased by 64.6% to 763,900 in the past five years.

For parents, this means more choices and often, more affordable fees too. The huge rise in international schools in Asia also contributes to more diverse student intake. This reinforces the existing strengths of international schools: academic excellence, global focus, a strong foundation in cultural understanding and valuable connection with the progeny of the movers and shakers of this era’s most dynamic continent. It’s a setting that inspires success — especially in the development of soft skills crucial for the future workplace. Here are four international schools in Asia that best exemplify this:

Compass International School Doha 

Compass International School Doha (CISD) is one of Qatar’s top international schools that produces excellent academic and social outcomes for children at all levels. This Nord Anglia school offers the finest in British and international curricula, from Early Years through to A Levels and the IB Diploma Programme. The school celebrates individual talents and creates ambitious learners through a personalised approach to learning, enhanced by collaborations with world-leading institutions. 

Source: Compass International School Doha

One of them is MIT. The partnership with the elite university allows Compass educators to teach STEAM in innovative ways: creative, experimentative and practical. Another is with one of the world’s premier conservatories The Juilliard School. From the age of four right through to middle school, Compass students can experience a repertoire of core works in music, dance and drama of a wide range of genres, styles and cultures designed and curated by Juilliard.

That’s not all. In collaboration with UNICEF, students can research, develop and debate challenges facing our society through special activities and events with the United Nations agency. “We educate your child for the future by enhancing learning through collaborations with the world’s best institutions,” says Executive Principal Paul Holyome. “Individually tailoring our approach to your child enables them to achieve outstanding academic results whilst developing the skills and mindset to thrive in a changing world.”

CISD is located in four campuses placed across the city: Gharaffa, Rayyan, Madinat Khalifa and Al Themaid. Each is home to a thriving community — over 77 nationalities are represented — where every pupil is supported to achieve their best academically, socially and personally. To learn more, set up a Virtual Discovery Meeting.

Singapore American School 

Located in Woodlands, Singapore American School (SAS) is recognised as one of the world’s leading American international schools. It is home to 1,200 high school students representing 48 nationalities. From early learning to high school, students are thought to think critically and discover their passion. Advanced Topic (AT) and Advanced Placement (AP) college level courses prepare students for life after school. 

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With over 180 high school course options and an average class size of 18.9, it is no wonder that the school maintains an impressive track record of graduate success — all of last year’s class won admission to universities all over the world. SAS is accredited by the US-based Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and registered with the Singapore Council for Private Education.

For one week during the second semester, all regularly scheduled high school courses are put on hold to make time for an extraordinary global programme called the Interim Semester. This is when students get to pursue Global Studies, Eco-Adventure and Service Learning. 

“This experience will definitely benefit me in the future, as I am gaining a lot of practical knowledge about the robotics and mechanics field,” says alumnus James Quek. 

Regent’s International School Bangkok 

Regent’s International School Bangkok is a leading international day and boarding school for students aged two to 18 years old and the only Round Square School in the region. The school proves its success through the enhanced English National Curriculum, world-beating IGCSE and IB exam results.  

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Sally Atchara Hinke who studied at Regents and graduated with an IB Diploma said “The IB diploma will really prepare you to learn how to work under pressure, manage your time, think critically and analytically.”

RIS delivers a typical British education that is based on the UK National Curriculum — from the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) at nursery level through to IGCSEs in Years 10 to 11. The school has a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policy, with students having iPads from Year 5 and laptops from Year 8. RIS says it is “at the forefront of cloud computing for students in Bangkok. They have anywhere, anytime access to learning.”

A Regent’s education is a balanced education. There is a breadth of co-curricular opportunities to choose from. Students can choose from a range of sports such as football, basketball, tennis, and swimming; arts such as the theatre, jazz bands, and individual music lessons.

Sally Atchara Hinke who studied at Regents and graduated with an IB Diploma said “The IB diploma will really prepare you to learn how to work under pressure, manage your time, think critically and analytically.”

Dulwich College Seoul

Dulwich College Seoul (DCS) is made up of 700 students from age three to eighteen, with over 40 different nationalities represented in their diverse student body. The College collaborates with selected universities and organisations from around the world to provide opportunities for students to learn directly from practitioners in a range of disciplines such as the Royal Shakespeare Company, the Royal Northern College of Music and the Berklee College of Music. 

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In year ten, students begin the IGCSE, which culminates in exams at the end of year eleven, and prepares students well for the two-year IB Diploma Programme starting in year twelve. Academic results place Dulwich among some of the best performing schools locally, regionally and internationally.

DCS is situated on a purpose-designed city campus just south of the Han River in the centrally-located Seocho District of Seoul. It hosts outdoor play areas, all-weather sports field,  futsal astro court area, indoor gymnasium and 25-metre indoor swimming pool. 

“Thanks to the amazing opportunities Dulwich provided, I earned valuable experiences through different events not only for my course, but for my whole life as well, including leadership, life, team working and social skills,” said alumnus Rosen. 

*Some of the institutions featured on this article are commercial partners of Study International