UPGRADE OUR CAMPUS

Possibilities #1

Upgrade campus to be more environmentally sustainable and improve learning environments, co-curricular opportunities, and community space

Why focus on this? We believe that it is our responsibility to ensure that our current and future students and SAS community members have thoughtfully designed, innovative and environmentally sustainable facilities that maximize our resources and investments. We know that all aspects of our campus play a significant role in the health and wellbeing, sense of community, relationships, co-curricular opportunities and impact on learning. Our campus size and location is unique and serves as a differentiator in Singapore and in the region including athletics fields and facilities and a one acre rainforest.  As a world leader in education, our physical campus should reflect the quality of our educational program and commitment to excellence as well as lead the way in terms of energy efficiency and sustainability of our campus.

What actions will be taken? Over the next six years, we will:

• Successfully complete our multi phase building plan that includes a new elementary school, a new middle school, a fully renovated high school, a new welcome center and campus square and a new athletics complex;

• Meet the highest levels of sustainability in campus design and human performance (meeting the Green Mark Platinum and WELL standards) and use these as educational tools for our students; 

• Engage with representative members of the SAS community on design, construction, and disruption related to the campus upgrade project.

• Provide relevant professional development to all educators to support the successful transition into the new campus and new learning environments.

How will we know if we are successful? The entire campus upgrade plan will be completed as designed, on time and on budget and will be certified as Green Mark Platinum and WELL certified. Purpose built facilities will exist to support new and existing programs and to allow for expansion gymnastics, robotics, swimming, APEx, and other identified areas. Learning spaces in the new campus  (classrooms, learning communities, performance, athletics, creative) will align with design principles and support multiple pedagogical approaches, innovative teaching and learning, and flexibility and adaptability within and across grades and divisions. There will be high levels of student, teacher and parent satisfaction with classroom environments and shared/community spaces

ENRICH INTERNATIONAL AND CROSS-CULTURAL PERSPECTIVES

Possibilities #2

Enrich our students’ international and cross-cultural perspectives by expanding opportunities to learn from the cultural and historical richness of Singapore and the region of Southeast Asia.

Why focus on this? We are very fortunate to be part of the community of Singapore with its remarkable diversity of cultures, its fascinating history at the crossroads of Southeast Asia and its promising future.  Our students have unique opportunities to learn first-hand about Chinese, Malay and Indian history and cultures.  As one of the world’s most successful economic growth stories of the past 50 years, Singapore also has much to teach about economic development, international trade, and the creation of high-quality public housing, education, health care and transport systems.  We want our students to be able to learn from Singapore’s past, its present and its future plans.  As a school whose mission statement commits us to “providing a high-quality American education with an international perspective,” we want to build on our US-based curriculum by taking advantage of the diverse international perspectives offered by Singapore and the region, helping our students learn how to navigate intercultural settings.

What actions will be taken? Over the next six years, we will:

• Develop and nurture community partnerships based in Singapore and internationally for service experiences, internships, field trips, and guest speakers and artists; 

• Revise specific curricular and co-curricular experiences to reflect international and cross-cultural perspectives;

• Expand classroom experiences and service opportunities where our students learn about Singapore and the Southeast Asia region’s history and its diverse cultures; and

• Revise existing experiential learning opportunities to increase opportunities for international and cross-cultural learning in Singapore and the region.

How will we know if we are successful? Every student will participate in curricular and co-curricular experiences that develop their international and cross-cultural perspectives, both in Singapore and the region. Students will better understand the history and cultures of Singapore and demonstrate high levels of achievement in our cultural competence learning aspiration. Students will have a variety of experiences with local organizations in Singapore and the region, including expanded opportunities for service.  We will have a growing sense of responsibility with our community partnerships in supporting students’ development of international and cross-cultural perspectives, helping them become bridge builders across continents and cultures.

 

EXPLORE AND DESIGN INNOVATIVE PROGRAMS

Possibilities #3

Continue to explore and design innovative programs to meet student needs and interests as well as the SAS strategic direction

Why focus on this? SAS prides itself as having a tradition of innovation. The creation and establishment of SAS was in itself an innovation. We believe that by continuing to support a culture of innovation, SAS will continue to be a world leader in education and our students will develop the innovative abilities that will be critical to their future success. We also believe that innovation directly supports and leads to a strong culture of possibilities, and our commitment to innovation is a key differentiator in our ability to attract and retain talented educators. We know that to remain competitive and relevant as an organization and to best prepare our students for success in their future, innovation is essential.

What actions will be taken? Over the next six years, we will:

• Continue our commitment to innovation by supporting educators and students in finding ways to innovate new and better approaches;  

• Provide more opportunities for students to innovate, including taking risks and learning from failure;

• Identify opportunities for research and development in the context of our strategic framework;

• Ensure our educators and students have opportunities to learn globally about cutting-edge practices;

• Communicate clearly with students, educators and parents about the purposes of pilot programs, criteria for success, data regarding success and failures, and plans to replicate or expand successful programs. This includes a willingness to recognize that not every innovation will be successful or should be continued; and  

• Communicate and celebrate innovation and innovative programs at SAS. (Check out some of our current innovative programs; Catalyst, Quest, Advanced Studies, TRi Time)

How will we know if we are successful? Students, teachers, and parents will easily describe or define what innovation means at SAS. Innovation will be valued and supported by the community. Students and teachers will feel safe and supported in their attempts to innovate, take risks, and learn from failure. Processes will be established that encourage and support innovation for faculty, staff and students. A research and development process will exist and regularly be used to explore new and innovative practices and approaches. Monitoring and reflecting will take place as innovations are being implemented to determine if what is being tried is successful and should be continued or modified.