A school can be more than just an educational institution for some families. Take the Kiradzievs as an example: they found a sense of belonging in XCL World Academy as they built their new life in Singapore.
There are so many factors to consider when looking for an international school, especially when you’re new to the country. There are factors like curriculum, budget, class sizes, and location to think about. Besides that, we also worry about whether the school has the right environment and support system to help our children settle in.
Moving from Slovakia, finding a school to help her daughters adapt to their new home was one of Lena Kiradziev’s top concerns. Her family found that and more after joining XCL World Academy (XWA), which continues to surprise them with how much it genuinely cares one year on. Lena shares her review of the school with us.
Hi Lena, can you share about your children and what you looked for in a school?
My twin daughters, Michaela and Natasa, attend Grade 10 at XWA. We were looking for a school that has a strong focus on academics and can help my daughters develop a global outlook.
At the same time, we also wanted a school to help our family, especially the girls, settle in as we built our new life in Singapore. We just moved here from Slovakia, so it’s a completely new environment for all of us: a new country, culture, and community.
What led you to choose XWA for your daughters?
We were immediately impressed by XWA when we first visited the school. The campus and its facilities were modern and thoughtfully designed, and it felt like the school was capable of catering to every student’s interests, whether it was in academics, arts, sports, or other areas.
But what truly made a difference for us was XWA’s community. When we spoke to the teachers and other parents, we could see that the school genuinely cares about the development of the whole child, not just their academic performance.
The school made us feel welcome and supported from the beginning. Since we’re new to Singapore, this meant a lot to us. XWA went above and beyond to help our family settle in, and that itself tells us that we’re making the right choice in enrolling our daughters here.
How did XWA make Michaela and Natasa feel welcomed?
The teachers and staff took time to help my daughters adjust to their new environment. They also encouraged them to participate in different activities and meet new friends. As the student body is quite diverse, the girls quickly felt comfortable and included. It didn’t just help them adapt to their new school; it gave them the confidence to thrive as well.
What do they like most about XWA?
The girls like that learning goes beyond traditional classroom teaching at XWA. The school offers the International Baccalaureate and uses inquiry-based learning. We find that this encourages children to ask questions, explore ideas, and truly understand what they’re learning rather than just memorising information.
My daughters find the teachers very supportive and approachable as well. If a student needs help, the teachers are always willing to take the time to guide them.
Bonus: Wonder how well XWA’s teachers know Michaela and Natasa? They actually found a cute way to tell them apart. The girls and Lena share this and more in a video they did with the school.
You mentioned the school’s facilities earlier. Can you tell us more about that?
XWA has facilities that allow students to explore and excel in whatever path they choose. From academics to sports and the arts, the school has excellent resources to support learning and development in these areas.
The modern facilities also help prepare our children for the future and give them the confidence to explore different passions.
How well does the school engage and communicate with parents?
XWA considers parents an important part of their children’s educational journey. We receive regular updates about our children’s progress, and the school is always open to discussions whenever needed.
Parents are encouraged to participate in many school events throughout the year, like cultural celebrations, language week, and community activities. This makes us feel involved and connected to the school community.
Does that mean that XWA has a strong parents’ community?
Very much so, and the school does a wonderful job of creating opportunities for parents to connect. There are regular workshops, community events, and activities organised for parents to meet and interact. For example, when I mentioned that I’d love to run a Zumba class for parents, the school was more than happy to let me do so. Now I host weekly Zumba sessions for parents at XWA, and it has grown into a wonderful little fitness community of parents from different countries.
For many expatriate families like ours, building a social network can be challenging, so these initiatives make a big difference. We get to come together, share experiences, and support each other.
What do you value most about XWA?
Even after a year, XWA continues to pleasantly surprise our family with how much they care, not just for its students but their families as a whole.
The school has helped my daughters grow into confident young adults, encouraging them to pursue their interests and ambitions. The teachers and staff are always ready to guide and support the students academically and personally. It has also given our family a supportive community that we truly value.
What advice would you give parents who are still looking for a school?
Do your research, and most importantly, visit the school in person. Speak to the community: teachers, students, and other parents. That’s the best way to really gauge what the school is like.
For families moving to a new country, it’s important to find a school that will support your child and family during the transition. Moving to a new school and a new country can be challenging for everyone in the family, so choosing a school that understands this and can help you settle in will make a huge difference.
Thank you for sharing, Lena!
This post is in partnership with XCL World Academy.
