• Use technology to maximize student learning • Create opportunities for students to pursue individual passions and interests • Create global citizens authentically connected to local and global communities • Build purpose-built innovative spaces to facilitate 21st century learning The R&D process has profoundly impacted our staff. They returned this August with vitality and they have already dedicated countless hours to developing recommendations for future programs and planning for the high school. Concurrent with the high school development team’s ongoing work, the elementary and middle school divisions have also begun the R&D process. Two teams of 20+ faculty members recently went to 15 schools on the U.S. West Coast. There will be two more R&D trips this year, to the East Coast and to several international schools. The teams are incredibly energized. They are seeing examples of best practices in other schools that support current SAS programs, and they have also had their eyes opened to new and innovative ideas that might translate into our programs of the future.
Western Association of Schools and Colleges Accreditation Process This school year, we are also in the process of conducting a strategic review and will receive outside feedback through our accreditation process conducted by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). WASC is one of six regional accrediting associations in the United States, extending its services to over 4,500 public, independent, church-related, and proprietary pre-K–12 and adult schools. WASC accreditation 4
SINGAPORE AMERICAN SCHOOL JOURNEYS
recognizes schools that meet an acceptable level of quality in accordance with established, research-based criteria. Keeping accreditation status is important for SAS because many U.S. colleges and universities will only recognize a diploma from an accredited high school. This year SAS will complete the required WASC selfstudy. In addition to receiving the longest accreditation term possible (six years), our goal is to make sure that the WASC process is useful in helping us move toward our vision. This process, along with our new vision, input from our community, and the school-wide R&D process will provide the framework for building a new strategic plan, which will be presented to the Board in May 2014. The pieces are in place for SAS to continue to be a world leader in education. This is intellectually demanding and stimulating work, and must be done while we continue to educate nearly 4,000 students. The journey ahead will be exhilarating and challenging, and we are excited about what the future holds. We have a bright future. We will continue working to create global and real world experiences for our students, provide for the whole child through challenging academics, broad opportunities for co-curricular and extra-curricular activities, and individual learning in areas of passion. The work on which we are embarking will not only serve our current students, but will lay the foundation to ensure that as the world continues to change, SAS will continue to provide an educational experience that prepares students for success. This work will fulfill our vision of being a world leader in education, cultivating exceptional thinkers, prepared for the future.
FA L L 2 0 1 3