What makes an international school an excellent one? You’d think of great grades, top-of-the-range equipment, and expansive campuses, but to learners from Nexus International School (Singapore), it’s more than that. When asked that question, learners shared that strong support, great relationships with teachers, and personal growth were the qualities they valued most during their time at school.
Nexus is an accredited member of the Council of International Schools and a recipient of the exclusive Apple Distinguished School (ADS) status. While these accolades are impressive, they are not as convincing as what Nexus learners and graduates say. Many reflect on how the school’s team of internationally qualified and highly experienced educators have inspired them to become better learners.
“I used to hate languages and humanities, but the teachers in the school really made me love all my subjects,” says Emmanuel, a Year 13 learner who recently graduated as one of the school’s top scorers. “You get the sense that they love their job and are passionate about teaching.”
Before Nexus, Emmanuel admitted that he had a difficult time – certain subjects like Chinese were hard for him, and he struggled with his mental health. Things took a positive turn when he joined the school, as he appreciated the sense of community and caring teachers it had. Today, he’s a proud graduate of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) and even scored 12 points above what he was predicted to achieve according to the CAT4 cognitive assessment.
“The overall environment at Nexus has helped me grow, not only in terms of academics but also emotionally, as a person,” he adds. “I wasn’t a very sociable person either but now I’m learning how to better myself.”
Stories like Emmanuel’s are common here at Nexus. The school understands the importance of building learners up; by taking a holistic approach to education, learners are empowered to construct an understanding of knowledge and their world through carefully developed learning and social skills. Each child is actively supported through focused guidance, innovative teaching, and strong, personal relationships that unlock their potential and allow them to go beyond and exceed expectations.
“Nexus has a very, very strong support group,” says Khayra, who scored four points above her predicted IBDP score based on her CAT4 assessment. “I care for all of my teachers because they’re so inspirational to me. Here at Nexus, I believe that it’s not just about getting good grades, it’s also about building those relationships with the teachers because they want you to succeed.”
Personal growth is a core theme at Nexus. The IBDP, the gold standard for preparing learners for university and life beyond, promotes that. The school emphasises working with each learner rather than just the cream of the crop, ensuring they help each individual carve out pathways to success. This has been effective – the IBDP Class of 2024 scored 33.2 points, higher than the global average of 30.32, with learners scoring as many as nine points above their predicted results.
“You’re not in your comfort zone at all times, and that pushes you to become a better person – not just in the classroom, but also outside the classroom,” says Kapil, who scored 6.5 points above his predicted grade. “My Economics classes put it into perspective that what happens in the classroom is nothing compared to what will happen in the real world. And that taught me a lot about how I can easily overcome the challenges that we have today, no matter how big they are.”
So impactful is Nexus in helping learners exceed expectations, that many are eager to head to university to continue pursuing a rich variety of pathways and vocations. Emmanuel’s next destination? Prestigious universities like the National University of Singapore (NUS) or Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) for a potential triple major in math, computer science, and physics. Khayra is jetting off to Léon in France to study 3D animation and visual effects, and Kapil is set on travelling to Hong Kong to study asset management and private banking.
“Being a part of Nexus has been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made because it not only helped me grow as a student, but also as an individual in society,” says Hrishikesh, a fellow IBDP graduate, He’s joining the University of New South Wales for a degree in aerospace engineering. “I’ve learned a lot about caring for others and this school because we like to make time for others or even collaborate with each other – not just to make myself happy, but to see them happy as well.”
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