The Mendozas described Nexus International School (Singapore) as a big school that feels intimate, where their daughters are able to flourish academically, socially, and emotionally.
Seeing your kids thrive in school is one of the surest signs that it’s a great fit for them. Christine and Asa Mendoza noticed that in not just one, but all three of their daughters who attend Nexus International School (Singapore).
We spoke to the couple to find out the family’s favourite aspects of Nexus.
Hi Christine and Asa, can you briefly share about your school wishlist and how Nexus fits into it?
We were looking for a school that doesn’t just prioritise academic excellence, but the holistic development of children as well. Nexus stood out for us as it is committed to nurture both a child’s physical and mental health. We were also impressed by the school’s modern facilities and spacious, open-format classrooms, which we felt encourages creativity and collaboration among children – something that we’re looking for as well.
Can you tell us more about the open classrooms and facilities?
The open classrooms at Nexus help children to develop their social skills, as it allows for them to connect and collaborate with their peers from other classes. It also makes their learning environment more creative, which aids out-of-the-box thinking and problem-solving.
As for the facilities, our daughters enjoy visiting the library and heading to the pool for their weekly swimming lessons. They love the playgrounds too, which we felt were really well designed for the young learners.
How has your children’s schooling experience at Nexus been so far?
The school made them feel welcome with a dedicated orientation for new students, allowing them to meet their teachers before the school year so they start their first day with familiar faces. It also helps that they can see their fellow learners are happy to attend school, always with huge smiles on their faces.
Our daughters enjoy their lessons, especially art and music, which they look forward to all the time. They have incredible teachers who really foster a love of learning in each of them. Aside from that, they’ve made great friends at Nexus.
Most importantly, we’ve seen the girls thrive in all aspects – academically, socially, and emotionally – since they’ve started attending Nexus. The school has created an environment that focuses on helping a child grow holistically, and not just academically. Our oldest daughter in Year 3 has gained so much confidence and leadership skills; our second one’s reading skills have improved tremendously; and their youngest sister, who’s in Nursery, has displayed traits of being independent and creative.
How’s the level of communication between the school and parents?
We had great communication with their teachers since the first week of school. This is mostly through emails and updates on the girls’ learning progresses through the Seesaw app. We also get a biweekly newsletter, as well as emails from Nexus about parent workshops.
The teachers are open to communicating in-person too, and we can easily catch them during drop-off or pick-up to ask questions or let them know our concerns. In addition, each class has a WhatsApp group where parents can communicate with each other and receive announcements from the school.
Does Nexus have a community for parents?
Yes, the Nexus Community Group plans events for parents throughout the year. It encourages parents to participate and volunteer for school-wide events, such as the annual Christmas and International Fairs. The group also offers useful parent workshops on topics such as early years literacy and how to raise tweens and teens.
Sounds like you’ve found a great school for your family!
We did! Nexus has been instrumental in helping them manage their emotions effectively, build resilience, and develop a love for staying active. We believe the school’s well-rounded approach will equip the girls with the necessary skills to thrive in all aspects of their lives.
Plus, even though it’s a big school, it doesn’t feel overwhelming for our daughters as the Early Years, Primary, and Secondary schools all have their own spaces. Nexus also has a close-knit community, where all the teachers know every learner despite having so many learners in multiple classes for every age group.
Any advice for parents who are in their school-searching journey?
We highly recommend parents to visit each school in person to get a sense of the vibe, community, and facilities. We initially relied heavily on virtual tours due to the pandemic, but nothing can truly replace an in-person visit. On top of that, do check online reviews or speak to parents who have kids in your shortlisted schools.
Last but not least, pick a school that feels right for you and your family. We’ve visited many amazing schools in Singapore. Nexus was the right fit for our family, so we settled on this school and it’s been wonderful.
Thanks for sharing, Christine and Asa!
This post is in partnership with Nexus International School (Singapore).
