Catalyst Project

There is much that sets a Singapore American School (SAS) high school education apart from other international schools—and certainly from US high schools. At the forefront is the Catalyst Project: an in-depth, personalized learning experience that is both transformative and forward-looking.

The Catalyst Project is a unique opportunity for students to embark on a self-directed, mentor-guided exploration of a subject they are passionate about. Each project is designed around a clear, strategic, and measurable goal, empowering students to demonstrate competencies aligned with SAS’s core learning aspirations: character, collaboration, communication, creativity, critical thinking, and cultural competence. Students also focus on self-awareness and the practical application of their learning.

Research shows that learning is most meaningful, relevant, and impactful when student-initiated and student-led. Ask adults what they remember most from high school, and they often recall experiences where they could dive deeply into a topic, apply their knowledge in real-world contexts, and find personal meaning in the process. Colleges also recognize students who pursue such rigorous, self-driven learning as strong candidates for admission and success. This is the foundation and rationale behind the Catalyst Project course.

This innovative approach challenges SAS juniors and seniors to design and execute a culminating project that reflects their unique interests and ambitions. Through Catalyst, students demonstrate readiness for higher education and life beyond SAS by blending core knowledge, personal growth, and essential 21st-century skills, such as communication, collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking.

The possibilities within Catalyst are limitless. When students embrace a growth mindset and ignore the limits, this is when they embrace choice, ownership, and voice. A student might conduct university-level laboratory research on autoimmune treatments, launch a cosmetics business, design an extended service-learning initiative, or complete an internship in a professional art studio. No two projects are the same, and each reflects the student’s passions, autonomy, and capacity for complex, meaningful work.

For SAS high school students, Catalyst serves as a defining milestone of their educational journey. It prepares them to stand apart in college admissions and as future leaders, innovators, and lifelong learners. Catalyst is more than just a course; it is a signature feature of a SAS education, showcasing our graduates' excellence, unique abilities, and readiness to achieve at the university level and beyond.

For all the ways you can engage in the Catalyst Project, see the current Program Planning Guide (PPG).