“A sense of home” was one of the top things that the Pearces prioritised when choosing a school for their children. Read on to find out how International Community School (Singapore) embodies this.
Update: This advertorial has been updated for accuracy purposes.
When it comes to schools with a warm and welcoming environment, International Community School (ICS) (Singapore) is one of the top schools to come to mind. After all, the school has won Best Small School in Singapore and School Where Everybody Knows Your Name in the HoneyKids Asia Education Awards more than once.
This is one of the top factors that led Darren and Caroline Pearce to enrol their sons at ICS. Having been part of the ICS family for the past four years, the couple are happy to see their children thrive in the school’s warm and welcoming environment. Here’s what they have to say about their experience with ICS.
Hello Darren and Caroline, can you give us a little background about what you were looking for in a school?
Prior to joining ICS, our boys were from a small university model school in the US that was half classroom time and half homeschool. As such, when exploring school options in Singapore, we sought one that has a warm, community-oriented environment that’s similar to what the boys had at the university model school, This is so that they can feel like they’re part of a family. We also prioritised finding a Christian school that instils a biblical worldview, academic excellence, opportunities in athletics, and a school with teachers who know their students well.
We found all these in ICS: it has an environment where students feel a strong sense of belonging, solid academic programmes, consistent sports involvement, and it’s committed to integrating a biblical worldview into all aspects of the curriculum.
How did ICS’ welcoming environment benefit your sons?
For starters, the transition from homeschooling to ICS was seamless, thanks to the personal and welcoming environment of the school. You instantly feel welcomed and at home the moment you enter the school. Every aspect of it – from the front office to the classrooms, and even during school events – gives off a warm feeling, exactly like being with family.
Our children have never expressed feelings of being left out or lonely throughout the four years they’ve been at ICS. They thrive in this school, where inclusivity and kindness are consistently being promoted. Teachers are responsive to all their students’ social and emotional needs, which has a very positive effect on students’ academic performance and personal growth. We’ve also witnessed how this inclusive atmosphere fostered our sons’ love for sports, which leads to them forming lasting connections with their peers. Their learnings from Bible class lessons have also sparked meaningful conversations in our home.
Does this inclusive and warm atmosphere extend to the school’s parents’ community as well?
Definitely. ICS’ parents’ community is genuinely friendly and welcoming. The school creates many opportunities for parents to engage with each other actively. We’ve attended mum prayer groups, book clubs, and Saturday morning get-togethers for fathers. There’s also the holiday parties which we love.
How would you rate the communication between the school and parents?
The communication with ICS is quick and responsive. It’s reliable and stress-free for parents, as we can easily reach out to them and instantly get answers at any day and any time.
What do you value most about ICS, aside from the factors mentioned above?
We love ICS’ focus on values like virtue, goodness, kindness, and acceptance. The school’s emphasis on these values truly sets it apart. It’s a school that cares about its students’ hearts and souls, treating each student as an individual with a future and eternity. We’ve witnessed how this focus has shaped our children to treat others with respect. It’s truly amazing how ICS does this while nurturing students and building a solid academic foundation at the same time.
Sounds like you’ve found the perfect school for your sons! Can you share some tips with other parents who have yet to find a school that’s a perfect fit for their children?
We strongly recommend parents to consider their children’s future when choosing a school. Project ahead to the next decade or two of their children’s lives; reflect on the virtues, values, morals, and faith they wish to instil in their children. It’s essential to recognise that there’s no morally neutral environment, and that the worldview children are exposed to will invariably shape them. In short, we suggest parents to proactively choose an educational setting that aligns with their family’s core principles.
Thank you for sharing, Darren and Caroline!
This post is in partnership with International Community School (Singapore).
