XCL American Academy International School
Description of XCL American Academy International School
- Location: Yishun, Singapore,
- Language of instruction: English,
- Type: mixed.
XCL American Academy is an international school with an American curriculum that provides programs for children from 2 to 14 years old.
The institution offers high-quality, effective, and affordable education. The programs are designed to offer comprehensive education for students planning to study, work, and live in the United States.
In the 8th grade, students are given the opportunity to transfer to the XCL World Academy partner school, located on the adjacent campus, and choose one of three diplomas that they will receive at the end of their high school education:
- Advanced Placement (AP) Diploma,
- U.S. High School Diploma,
- IB Diploma.
One of the standout features of American Academy is the PioneerTown Entrepreneurship Course. Students will participate in a large-scale simulation of the city, role-playing games and take on various responsibilities in the autonomous economy, learn important concepts: economics, negotiation, innovation, leadership, sales, commerce and many others.
Educational process
Starting in the first grade, the school administers the Measuring Academic Performance (MAP) test twice a year to ensure that students are achieving age-appropriate academic goals.
Programs and prices, tuition fees in XCL American Academy International School
Nursery
- Age - from 2 to 3 years,
- The term of study is one year.
In the youngest part of the school, a safe, caring and informal learning environment has been created for the gradual development of children from 2 to 3 years old. The play-based learning process awakens curiosity to explore the world around them and encourages interaction with other children through interactive and playful activities.
Daily lessons will include sand and water games, drawing, participation in collective communication and storytelling, music classes, nature exploration and outdoor games.
In kindergarten, important concepts are introduced, such as the ability to share with other students and empathize with them, waiting for your turn, self-control and self-care. A caring team of educators will be on hand to support and carefully guide each child in addressing the emotional issues that may arise when children begin to participate as active members of the group rather than as individuals. Each classroom has three highly qualified educators who help develop basic knowledge, creative and critical thinking skills, and necessary habits to support lifelong learning.
Children are encouraged to be independent and responsible learners. During a visit to the dining room, they will eat at common tables, help clean their seats after meals and wash dishes. They will also be properly accustomed to household needs: handling cutlery, visiting the toilet on their own, hygiene.
Kindergarden (Pre-K to KG2)
- Age - from 3 to 6 years,
- The term of study is three years.
The Pre-K to KG2 approach to learning is tailored to the developmental needs of childhood learners. Each subject area included in the academic program is considered from the point of view of the development of basic knowledge of the subject and the level of their understanding. Teachers help the child move at their own pace so that they can grow confidently, feeling supported and cared for.
Educators focus on creating a physically and emotionally safe space to maintain natural curiosity, nurture confidence, and develop a positive attitude toward school. The learning process is built on purposeful games and creative, critical thinking. Daily rituals to make each student feel valued include a namesake greeting during the morning meeting and a high-fives goodbye from the teacher at the end of the day.
The development of social skills and emotional competence is one of the most important goals of preschool education, so the academic program includes several aspects:
- Socio-emotional: development of personality and self-esteem, expression and control of emotions, management of frustration and perseverance,
- Language and literacy: the ability to listen, speak and write competently,
- Physical development: fine and gross motor skills, sensory perception,
- Cognitive: basic elements of mathematics, natural sciences and humanities,
- Approaches to learning: fostering the right attitude to learning, creating healthy attitudes and rules.
Primary Years: 1-5 Grades
- Age - from 7 to 11 years,
- The term of study is five years.
The primary school curriculum follows the generally accepted educational standards of American International Schools and is a combination of the fundamentals of American Common Core programs, complemented by the AERO curriculum. Students gain a solid academic foundation that will help them in their high school education.
In elementary school, children develop an attitude towards themselves and comprehend the world around them. In addition to a rigorous academic curriculum and playful learning environment, teachers strive to reveal each child's individual characteristics, intellectual curiosity, and creativity. In the process of learning, the young student is instilled with perseverance, teamwork skills, leadership and empathy.
Academic classes in natural sciences and humanities, mathematics and physical education are complemented by lessons in music, visual and performing arts. Extracurricular activities are also available to children, providing a wide range of opportunities to explore interests and hobbies.
The school instills the competent use of new technologies, since in the modern world they have a special impact on the development of skills. Students are presented with a variety of age-appropriate devices and programs to enrich the learning experience. From the third grade, each student will be provided with a personal device to search for learning information, collaborate and create their own digital portfolio.
Middle School: 6-9 Grades
- Age - from 11 to 14 years,
- The term of study is four years.
High school for students 11-14 years old offers a rich curriculum focused on developing a deep and meaningful understanding of subject areas.
Classes encourage students to think critically, question different concepts, analyze and explore. Natural sciences and humanities, mathematics, arts and physical education allow students to gain learning experience both in standard lectures and on the basis of projects, experiments, team collaboration in classrooms and outdoors.
Middle school students become mentors for the school's younger students. This approach helps students in grades 6-9 to gain the skills of leadership, empathy, empathy and competent regulation that they will need at further stages of the educational path.
In the 8th grade, preparation for high school begins. Students attend regular seminars on college admission, lectures on career guidance and specialized subjects, thereby identifying areas of interest to them.
Holiday Camps
- Age - from 3 to 16 years,
- The duration of training is a week.
During all school holidays, whether spring, winter or summer, students of partner schools XCL World Academy and XCL American Academy have the opportunity to attend thematic programs that develop skills in areas of interest to them.
In week-long classes, students will be taught the basics of coding, game design, robotics, cooking, technology, languages, or art. The number of specializations of the camp is more than a dozen, so every child will find an interesting course for himself.
Accommodation, meals, prices
Accommodation in the study area is not provided.
The institution cooperates with the catering company Mycelium Catering. The menu and food preparation are regulated by the owner of two Michelin stars - chef Emmanuel Stroobant. A team of chefs under his leadership provides students with healthy, balanced and delicious food every day. The dishes do not use nuts and other allergens, pork and lard, a large number of spices, including sugar. All portions are prepared in a modern on-campus kitchen and using fresh, locally sourced produce. Students can order dishes of different cuisines: vegetarian, Western and Asian. Children up to grade 4 need to regularly order food in advance, and students starting in grade 5 can visit the cafeteria and choose what is assigned to the daily menu.
Activities XCL American Academy International School
Leisure programs for students include full-scale courses in arts, sports, linguistics and the development of social qualities. Through a partnership with neighboring XCL World Academy, students will be able to engage in a variety of activities, including competitive and non-competitive sports, music, art, theater and dance, coding, and more.
The institution provides an advanced Chinese course that follows the primary school curriculum and focuses on developing listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. It is adapted to children's abilities, offered as a core or elective module for all students who need additional help in learning the language.
The sports program covers both physical and psychological aspects of teaching a child a healthy lifestyle. Sections of team and individual sports, including football, netball, athletics and wrestling, are open to children.
The art program is also included in the regular school schedule. Attending classes in drawing, music, modeling, theatrical and musical business, students develop their personal qualities, character and self-confidence, allow ideas and ideas to be embodied.
The Pioneer Town program is designed to help students build their character and become literally the pioneers of tomorrow. Participation in this program during the formative years of intelligence and interests can profoundly influence a child's lifelong learning trajectory. The course includes lessons on six topics related to the Jump$tart Coalition on Personal Financial Literacy and Common Core Standards. Practical and fun classes are carefully planned to teach the basics of economics and strengthen cultural knowledge, geography, mathematics, science, literature and civics.
Advantages
- Among the students are representatives of more than 10 nationalities,
- Most of the teachers are from North America and have the highest pedagogical qualifications: about 60% have received a master's degree,
- The ratio of teachers to children in the classroom is 1: 7-1: 28, depending on the school department,
- The number of students in the class is from 21 to 28,
- Accreditation of all programs, including IB.
Facilities and equipment at XCL American Academy International School
The institution's campus is located in the northeastern part of Singapore, in the Seletara and Yishun districts, about a 20-minute drive from the city center and the garden.
American Academy students have the opportunity to use both the territory of their school and the campus of a neighboring institution - XCL World Academy. Common facilities are:
- Bright and modern classrooms,
- 50-meter Olympic-sized swimming pool,
- Indoor heated swimming pool for children of the junior department,
- Assembly hall with a capacity of 750 people,
- A football field approved by the FIFA association and open in all weathers,
- Tennis courts with baseball and cricket equipment,
- 15-meter climbing wall,
- Treadmills
- Large dining room,
- Arts & Music Studios,
- Center for Contemporary Design,
- Garage Esports Complex.
In the coming years, a three-story library building, a multi-purpose sports hall, and specialized classrooms using the latest technologies will be added to the existing infrastructure.
The school has partnerships with local transportation organizations, so it offers students buses that run throughout the island: they will take children to classes in the morning, and in the afternoon or evening they will take them home.
Admission dates and extra charges
The academic year lasts from August to June. All classes are organized on weekdays: Monday to Friday from 8:30 to 15:30. Activities can be held both on weekends and in the afternoons.
The list of additional expenses includes:
- Additional lessons in English EAL for grades 1-8 - 2550 S$ ($ 1920) per semester,
- Learning support for students in grades 1-8 - 1750 S$ ($ 1318) per semester,
- Use of technology - 243 S$ ($ 183) per semester,
- Application fee – 896 S$ ($675), including 9% VAT,
- Registration fee - 2503 S$ ($ 1885), including 9% VAT,
- School uniform - about 265 S$ ($ 200),
- Study trips with an overnight stay - from 665 to 4118 S$ (from 500 to 3100 $),
- Some extracurricular activities - up to 665 S$ (up to $ 500),
- Lunches and snacks - about 40 S$ ($ 30) per week,
- External exams,
- Stationery.
The cost of the programs includes performance testing, basic academic materials and textbooks, bus transportation to school events.
Enrolment process
The process of entering the school includes several important stages:
- Filling out and sending an online application, required documents,
- Payment of the application fee,
- Verification of the application: the admissions committee will select suitable questionnaires and invite candidates for a small test,
- Passing entrance examinations and family interviews,
- Receiving an official invitation,
- Payment of the entrance fee,
- Completion of registration.
Perspectives
After graduating from high school, students successfully move to high school at XCL World Academy for an IB, AP or American High School Diploma. They can also choose to enter any school they like in the UK, Canada or the USA, since the final results of education at XCL American Academy allow them to successfully continue their education in English-speaking institutions.
Entry requirements, how to apply, what is required to enrol
Admission to the school is carried out according to age criteria for each class: from 2 to 13 years. Future students must provide:
- Personal documents: passport, visa or residence permit, health insurance and vaccination card,
- Academic reports for the current and previous years of study,
- Certificate of English proficiency. The level of language skills will help admissions officers determine in advance whether a student needs study support.
Applications are accepted throughout the school year.
Scholarships XCL American Academy International School
Thanks to the cooperation with XCL World Academy, located next door, students who are particularly successful in their studies and extracurricular activities can apply for scholarships from this institution. The American Academy itself does not currently provide awards and material support.
Institution on the map
Residence permits, citizenship and other services
- Guardianship services during the studies
- Student supervision
Review about XCL American Academy International School
Recommendations on when to apply
| Language courses, schools and children's language camps | Primary and secondary education - private schools | Preparation programmes for entering universities - higher education | Higher education (after completing accredited programs A-level, IB, High School) - Bachelor, Master, MBA |
| - we recommend to apply 6-9 months before the start of the course (some camps and schools offer discounts for early booking or for lengthy study programs) - there are some very popular and high demand children's camps, where the applications need to be submitted 1 year in advance (in particular Switzerland , Great Britain , USA , Canada , Austria) | - we recommend to apply one year before the start of the training program, - some schools have a specific time frame (September-November - please specify an individual school) - some schools require tests in several stages (UKISET, internal tests of the school: English, mathematics, logics, subjects, interview, some require a personal visit) | - we recommend to apply one year before the start of the program, - for Foundation and Pathway programs, IELTS and TOEFL certificates are usually required, respectively | - recommended submission one year before the start of the program, - the deadline normally closes in January, for TOP HEIs and, as a rule, in March in other universities - for a bachelor, a Foundation or Pathway preparatory program a completed A-level, IB, High School + IELTS / TOEFL are required - for Masters you need a graduated higher education, in some cases you need a pre-Masters program - MBA requires completed higher education, work experience preferably at least 2-3 years, etc. |
