Personal and academic excellence are among the core values of the International Community School (Singapore). We find out how the school helps its students achieve these…
Providing students with a quality, holistic education has always been the priority for International Community School (Singapore) (ICS). It’s not just about helping students achieve academic excellence, but personal excellence too. Both of these are part of the school’s core values, so how does the school ensure that its students achieve both? According to ICS, it all boils down to how they organise the curriculum – through vertical alignment.
What is “vertical alignment” in education?
Have we lost you? Don’t worry, although the term may sound unfamiliar, it’s actually something that most of us would’ve experienced during our own education. A vertically aligned curriculum is a progressive one whereby students learn the basics and build from there.
Take Maths for example: you start by learning core numeracy skills, which preps you for more challenging mathematical concepts (hello, geometry). And then before you know it you can tackle more advanced concepts like calculus and statistics. Voila, a vertically aligned curriculum. But why does this approach make a difference, and how does ICS achieve it?
Vertical alignment allows ICS to create a robust and high quality curriculum for its students
At ICS, clear lines of constant communication between the administration and teachers are established so that there’s synergistic relationship across all its divisions and departments. This way, the school can ensure that what students learn in earlier grade levels is sufficient to prepare them for the classes they will take in future grades (aka vertical alignment).
For this to happen, teachers work together across grades and with the Director of Teaching and Learning to align lesson plans and educational goals. The Director helps manage and develop the curriculum, as well as keep it up-to-date with the latest trends and best practices. By working closely together with the teachers, the Director knows the needs of each grade level and can create a holistic learning experience for each student.
This wouldn’t be possible without the close-knit community spirit ICS is known for
ICS’ size is also its strength – being a small school makes vertical alignment possible. There is an open, honest, and consistent communication culture upheld by every staff in the school. Teachers are more than happy to discuss and collaborate with each other at all times, which means lesson plans and goals across every grade level are interconnected, creating more capacity for vertical alignment and healthy synergy.
Another advantage of being small? ICS’ ability to react to the Covid-19 pandemic in the early days. The school could easily navigate through the rapidly changing safe management measures (SMM) without compromising on its students’ learning experience.
Learn more about ICS’ education strategy at their upcoming Virtual Open House
Interested to find out more about how ICS’ vertical alignment strategy guarantees your child’s overall success? Sign up for their Virtual Open House on 12 March 2022 to experience it for yourself!
Bonus: Attendees of the Open House will receive a $500 discount off student application fees should they enrol by 12 April 2022. So do book your slot today!
This post is in partnership with International Community School (Singapore)