There’s just something about One World International School that’s hard to put your finger on. It’s not for everyone, so we’ve taken a look at why that is.
There really is an amazing array of international schools in Singapore. We count ourselves gob-smackingly lucky to live in a city that offers so many top-notch institutions for our kids to spend their formative years learning, forging friendships, and building lasting memories. Of course, lots of options means strong competition, so all the schools work hard to be considered exceptional. That’s why it’s difficult to believe there might be a school here that just doesn’t cut it for everyone. Here’s what we found when we took a closer look at One World International School (OWIS).
1. Success is not always measured by numbers
Of course, there are exams and grades. In fact, in the recent International Student Assessments, OWIS Grade 3 to Grade 5 students outperformed, on average, all other international schools in the Asia-Pacific region (who knew?). But, chat to any of the staff at OWIS, and they’ll probably tell you that the school’s biggest measure of success is that once the kids finish school and venture out into the big bad world, they go on to do what makes them happy.
2. Teachers rarely leave their jobs
If that sounds boring, this isn’t the place for you. But if you value consistency and a strong sense of community in a school, One World is absolutely spot on. This is a school where kids ask each other which teacher they’ve got next year, and they answer with glee because they know exactly who’ll be taking care of them.
3. There’s no special treatment
One World is a multicultural kind of place. It’s a very accepting kind of place. So it’s natural that the kids there tend to see past the differences between them and just get on with the business of learning, collaborating, and helping each other out. While everyone is nurtured very carefully, there’s not really such a thing as a fellow student who’s ‘special’. Everyone is treated equally, and we think that’s rather nice.
4. You might have to find more things to do together as a family
We all know international schooling in Singapore can be costly. OWIS is certainly not the cheapest option you’ll find, but it’s nowhere near the most expensive either. Sending your kids to school here might mean you’ve got a few spare dollars for your spare time. More weekend getaways, perhaps?
5. They don’t spread the charitable love far and wide
Let’s be clear: we don’t discriminate between charities and not-for-profit organisations. Big or small, local or regional, they’re all in need of help to do the amazing work they do, and we all must do our best to make a positive contribution. But, at OWIS, the focus is on encouraging the students to get involved and be truly active in programs at a local level. Kids are invited to think about what they can do to help the community right here in Singapore, with initiatives such as The Great Kindness Challenge and volunteering at Willing Hearts Soup Kitchen. Because sometimes, the person who needs the most help is standing right next to you.
6. Kids get too much attention!
We jest a little here, but with some class sizes capped at 12, and only 160 students in the entire school, it’s a pretty sure bet that One World is an intimate and compassionate environment. Everyone looks out for each other, and everyone is a friend (within reason. These are kids, after all!).
So, there’s no question OWIS is not the perfect school for every family. But it seems to be perfect for anyone who wants their children to enjoy the spoils of an excellent academic and international education delivered by first class teaching staff, plus all the benefits that go with the saying, ‘good things come in small packages’. Don’t believe us? Pop along for a school visit to see for yourself. You’ll be welcomed with open arms.
This post is sponsored by One World International School.
