This international school may just be our biggest Education Awards winner yet! Find out how International Community School clinched six awards below.
Small school, big wins! International Community School (ICS) has always made it its mission to educate minds and transform lives in a biblically focused environment. ICS was first founded in 1993, and is a fully accredited K-12 international school teaching an American curriculum. The school fosters a caring community committed to providing each student with a quality, holistic education within and beyond the classroom – and it shows! At the Education Awards 2024, ICS swept up awards for its school size, curriculum, and even its commendable educators.
Best Small School of Singapore & The Curriculum Awards (American)
ICS is known to be a close-knit community that ensures every child feels heard, accepted, and nurtured, with opportunities to reach their full potential through personalised education and leadership development. The low student-teacher ratio allows for differentiated instruction suited to students’ needs. Advanced learners benefit from specialised enrichment programs, while those requiring additional help receive targeted support, ensuring every student thrives at their own pace. Now we know how they clinched Gold in the Best Small School of Singapore category!
ICS has also been commended for its American curriculum, winning Silver for The Curriculum Awards (American) category in the Education Awards. The American curriculum at ICS promotes holistic education by focusing on intellectual, emotional, and social growth. Individual needs of students are met by observation using MAP data in Elementary and Middle School, ensuring personalised development and readiness for the next stage. ICS students consistently outperform the global average by 5% to 7% in mathematics, reading, and language usage.
Did we mention ICS offers 25 rigorous AP courses? Students averaged a score of 4 out of 5, further highlighting how the American curriculum prepares students for higher education and positions them for global success at prestigious institutions. The school’s alumni have proceeded to excel in diverse industries worldwide, pursuing higher education at top universities and thriving in various fields. Notable examples include a head of school at an international school in Kuala Lumpur, an engineer in New Zealand, healthcare professionals in Singapore, law professionals and an economist in the U.S., and even a professional ballerina in Russia!
Outstanding teaching staff
Let’s give it up for International Community School’s amazing principals and teachers – who’ve won three golds and a silver in various categories this year! Here they share their teaching journeys and their favourite parts of the job.
Kara Stucky, Principal of the Year (Secondary): “Throughout my journey as an educator and principal, I’ve had the privilege of reaching a few significant milestones that have shaped my path and philosophy. I received the Curious Award from BSD in 2020 while I was teaching middle school Design Technology at ICS. A pivotal milestone came when I transitioned from teaching mathematics—a field aligned with my academic degree—to Design Technology, a move that challenged me to embrace a learner’s mindset after over a decade. This shift fueled my passion for student-centered learning, where I focused not only on engaging students but also on empowering them to showcase their knowledge in impactful ways. The most fulfilling part of my role as principal is empowering students and faculty to step out of their comfort zones and discover new capabilities within themselves. I find tremendous joy in encouraging others to try something new, providing the support and resources they need to take bold steps, and witnessing their growth as they accomplish things they may not have thought possible.”
Samuel Goh, Principal of the Year (Primary): “Throughout my 16 years in education, I have been blessed to be mentored by many dedicated leaders who have generously sowed into my life, and I’m very grateful for their trust and guidance. Having grown from a teacher trainee, classroom teacher, department head, and education policy work, and stepping into the principal role nine years ago, my educational journey has given me a good understanding of the challenges and opportunities at every level. The greatest joy and fulfillment I find being an education leader is seeing teachers and students do things they never thought possible. It’s encouraging to watch them grow beyond their expectations, overcome obstacles, and achieve things they once thought impossible.”
Elmer Dizon, Teacher of the Year (Primary): “While it is a tremendous honor to receive the Teacher of the Year award twice, I feel that my greatest achievements are reflected in the growth and joy of the children I’ve had the privilege to teach. Just to name a few: a student who once struggled with reading now enthusiastically devours one book after another; a student who used to feel reluctant about school now wakes up early, eager and excited to learn; and a student who hadn’t encountered the teachings of Jesus is now demonstrating kindness and empathy in ways that inspire those around them. My teaching philosophy is inspired by the Great Commission from Jesus, which emphasises sharing hope, love, and truth with others.”
Zarraz Lee Quick, Teacher of the Year (Secondary): “Every child in my classroom is different and unique. When I acknowledge this diversity, I am upfront with the students. I tell them exactly what they need to do to be successful in my classroom and continuously discuss their achievements. The exchange of knowledge is not a one-way road in my classroom. To make lessons more engaging, I incorporate current, real-world topics and hands-on activities that allow students to directly apply their skills. When students are presented with the opportunity to solve a problem, analyse a case or to take on a relevant task, their learning becomes more intrinsic. My favorite phrase to hear from students is ‘Mrs. Quick, I am smart!’ or ‘Wow, I figured it out!’. The joy on their face and the confidence they gain when they realize they can solve a question on their own lights up my day.”
Well done, International Community School!
This post is in partnership with International Community School.
