Finding a school that’ll get your teens on the track to success can be difficult but Stamford American International School (SAIS) makes it work! Here’s why parents Miriam and Andrew Acquaah-Harrison think Stamford American is the best fit for their family.
Ask any parent or teacher and they’ll tell you that high school is probably the most important time in a child’s life. For the next few years, teens will make decisions, form habits and learn skills that will have a big influence on the rest of their lives. That’s why choosing the right school during these formative years is critical.
We spoke to Miriam and Andrew Acquaah-Harrison, whose three children are currently enrolled at Stamford American International School. For the Acquaah-Harrisons, Stamford American International School has helped shape their children’s growth and development, which is why both Miriam and Andrew are confident that their children are prepared for the real world.
Tell us about the children you have attending the school?
We have three children who have been very happy at Stamford since they started in 2011. Nathan is in the 12th grade, Sebastian is in the 9th grade and Aisha is in the 7th grade.
What were the most important factors for you in selecting a school?
We visited several schools in Singapore and found Stamford’s atmosphere to be the warmest and most inviting. There was a feeling of warmth from teachers and parents which became our deciding factor. The current campus has some of the best school facilities in Singapore and our children have thrived as part of the Stamford family community.
How has the school lived up to your expectations?
We were new to the IB programme and were uncertain how our children would adapt to it. The programme has certainly exceeded our expectations because the IB Learner Profiles have helped to shape their growth and development in a way that better prepares them for a changing world.
What do your children like most about attending this school?
All of our children have told us the teachers are what inspire them the most. We never had the same feeling about our teachers when we were kids! The drama and music programme have really influenced our children as they have all played parts in spectacular shows.The after-school activities and the overseas field studies trip give our children an opportunity to participate in events that they truly enjoy and learn a lot from. The fields studies present an environment outside of the classroom and children are able to learn values such as leadership, communication and independence during the trip.
At the same time, Stamford has a very diverse community. Can you imagine that Stamford has over 70 student nationalities in school? That’s how diverse and international Stamford is. Events like the International Fiesta helps to demonstrate the diversity of culture in the school and our kids get to learn more about the different cultures.
What sort of curriculum does this school offer?
We love the fact that Stamford American International School offers the choice of the IB or AP Diploma alongside the High School Diploma. This way, each student graduates with a choice that would be most suited to the educational path they may wish to pursue. Stamford helps to tailor the education pathway that best suits each child’s ambitions, which is something that other schools don’t offer.
What advice would you give other parents trying to choose a school?
Parents know their children better than anyone else and choosing a school that offers the best environment to support their growth in a nurturing academic and social atmosphere would be a great starting point.
What do you value most about the school?
As parents, what we value most is a sense of family and community. The Parent Teacher Association (PTA) organises many events throughout the year and keeps the families in the school connected. One of the big events that is coming up is the Winter Wonderland which is similar to a Christmas Fair held in other countries. When we attended the event last year, they had train rides, Christmas Tree Lighting, Boutique Night Markets, Bouncy Castles and many more. I thought this event was really fun and exciting.
The school has a diverse cultural mix but always instilled a sense of acceptance which we are sure many parents and children will appreciate.
Are you satisfied with the level of communication you receive from the school and how they engage parents?
The school has developed an excellent portal called My Stamford which allows transparent communication between parents, teachers and students. It also lets parents monitor and see certain elements of their children’s school activities. We receive very prompt responses from teachers to our emails and are therefore very satisfied with the level of communication. Another avenue of communication we can use is the Stamford App.
How much homework is expected of your children?
We believe it varies from grade to grade, and child to child. Stamford American welcomes students all year round. Why not come over to one of their open houses? They have the Elementary & Secondary Open House coming up on 21st September. Book your place here.
This post is sponsored by Stamford American International School
