We take a peek inside the Early Years curriculum, programs and facilities at Stamford American to see what the kids get up to there!
A wander through the campus at Stamford American International School is enough to wow anyone looking for an impressive ‘second home’ for their kids in Singapore. But, not ones to be won over by glossy packaging alone (except in the case of overpriced kefir/kombucha/kale-based beverages), we decided to dig deeper into what the kids of Stamford American actually get to experience at school every day. It’s fair to say, we weren’t disappointed. Here are five pretty great reasons to take a look for yourself.
1. Language love! Kids can learn Mandarin or Spanish from age two in a Daily or Bilingual Program
Stamford American International School believes that being multilingual is hugely important for global citizenship, so it offers two of the most widely spoken languages globally – Mandarin and Spanish – as part of the core curriculum from age two (yep, age two!). Classes are taught by native-speaking specialists, and students can choose between the daily and bilingual options. Lessons foster cultural appreciation and enhance communication skills, which helps with not just life at school, but across all educational experiences, work and travel. The established Mandarin/English Bilingual Program is offered from Pre-Kindergarten to Grade Four, and aims to develop students into truly bi-literate, bilingual and bi-cultural little humans!
“We chose Stamford American back in 2011 initially because of the opportunities offered in Mandarin. Both our boys attended a bilingual local preschool, so we wanted to make sure they could maintain their Mandarin abilities even after the switch to an international school system. At that time, most international schools offered Mandarin only 2-3 times a week but Stamford American offers daily Mandarin classes and also an opportunity for our younger son to continue having bilingual education.” – Sari Nobell, a Finnish parent at Stamford American.
2. Musical appreciation: World-renowned Suzuki Violin from age three
Everyone loves a good ditty! At Stamford American, the aim is to embed music into the lives of students from a young age, so it’s a core part of the Early Years curriculum. Children enjoy the fantastic opportunity of weekly music lessons under the impressive Suzuki Violin Program from age three, and they have the option to progress to cello at age five. The great thing about playing the strings is that it’s proven to enhance concentration (hmm, we probably should have stuck with those lessons back in the day). Not only that, the kids foster emotional awareness and creative development through the Suzuki philosophy of encouragement, listening, and learning with others. The exceptional music pathway at the school offers students plenty of opportunities to join musical ensembles right through to graduation.
3. Getting those bods moving! Specialist Physical Education from age two
Starting from as little as age two, Stamford American lays foundations in Physical Education (PE) by offering SMART Steps, a well-respected specialist PE Program. Kids then progress to the Perceptual Motor Program (PMP) at age five, developing essential body and brain skills. The school is fortunate to enjoy a unique association with the Smart Steps founder, Gill Connell, who provides specialist training for the teachers as they implement this important program. PMP assesses each child’s development on a weekly basis, working to build skills that support reading, writing, focus, perceptual awareness and attention development. Elementary and Secondary years seamlessly continue this emphasis on Physical Education, competitive sports and co-curricular activities (CCAs), building on the excellent groundwork from the early years.
4. Oh lordy, the food! Encouraging healthy eating through a partnership with a dedicated team of professional chefs
25% organic ingredients and no Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) kind of seals the deal for us! The school’s delicious family-style lunch for students up to Kindergarten 2 is carefully prepared by a team of professional chefs to encourage healthy eating and table etiquette in those impressionable early years. Plus, Stamford American has a strict no-nut policy on campus, a wide range of allergy free meals (all prepared in a dedicated allergy-free kitchen), and a huge choice of Western, Asian, and vegetarian dishes.
5. Attentive to your every need: A dedicated Admissions Concierge tailored for each child
To top it all off, customer service is a very important emphasis at Stamford American. With a dedicated Admissions Concierge who is well versed in all the great programs and facilities on offer, the friendly team hosts free early years playgroups, monthly open houses, and personal tours tailored to each family’s interests and concerns.
Of course, you don’t need to take our word for it: Join Stamford American for their Open House on 7 October and be one of the first families to tour their brand new Early Learning display pod (we’ve heard it’s beautiful!). In August 2017, Stamford American plans on opening an incredible new state-of-the-art campus (check out the preview video here) for little learners aged 18 months to six years. The display pod is your chance to take an early sneak peek at the new campus and hear all about it.
Stamford American International School, 1 Woodleigh Lane (off Upper Serangoon Road), Singapore 357684, p. +65 6602 7247.
This post is sponsored by Stamford American International School.