Boarding schools in Asia where students flourish

02 Dec 2019

Boarding schools were once associated with the elite, but the benefits they offer have since made them popular around the world.

Asia, there has seen a rise in boarding schools that offer the British or American curriculum, catering to a growing upper middle class who wish for their children to receive a holistic education.

Not only do these schools act as a wonderful stepping-stone to university life overseas, they also help students develop life skills such as independence, resilience, teamwork and interpersonal communication.

At these schools, children are not neglected, enclosed in a safe and supportive community of fellow peers and caring faculty.

They also have plenty of time to pursue their interests and passions during after-school activities as they aren’t subject to busy parents’ schedules.

They also tend to perform better academically, living in an environment that’s conducive to learning, where distractors such as televisions and computers are limited so students develop in other aspects.

Helen Waldron, an experienced academic coach, wrote on Forbes, “As a boarding school lifer, (29 years and counting), I’ve seen hundreds of students flourish in the rich culture of learning, friendship, arts, athletics and intellectual discourse.

“Why? Because boarding schools are twenty-four hour, intentional communities created with the student’s growth and development at the centre.

“With a college campus feel, this includes challenging academics, abundant arts and athletics offerings and a supervised, structured student life experience.”

These three boarding schools in thriving Asian countries are perfect examples of boarding schools that allow students to develop to their full potential.

SHATTUCK-ST MARY’S FOREST CITY INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL – MALAYSIA

This co-educational boarding school provides a safe and nurturing atmosphere for students from Pre-K to Grade 12.

Located in the beautiful and diverse country of Malaysia, the school is conveniently located just an hour away from thriving Singapore in Forest City, Johor.

Here, teachers develop a close relationship with students while looking after them full-time, as they also live in the same dorm as their students. This means students have trusted adults looking out for them in all aspects, not just academically, but also in terms of their personal development.

The American curriculum and American style of boarding makes it ideal for parents looking to send their children to the US for further study, preparing them for the higher education system and culture in the country.

Source: Shattuck St.Mary’s Forest City International School

Shattuck is also an SAT centre school, where those keen to take the SATs can do so at the school.

When students are in Grade 10, they have access to dedicated counselling services so they can make informed decisions in line with their academic goals.

The new purpose-built campus provides the perfect learning environment for children and teenagers to excel, where students can be engaged in activities such as taekwondo, table tennis, ballet, swimming, cooking/baking/ dancing, and more.

BRANKSOME HALL ASIA – SOUTH KOREA

This international day and boarding school is located on the picturesque island of Jeju, South Korea, known for its lush greenery, beautiful beaches and rich heritage.

The sister school of Branksome Hall Canada – an independent girl’s school in Toronto – offers coeducational day and boarding from JK prep to Grade 5, all while offering exclusive day and boarding for girls in Grade 6 to Grade 12.

The International Baccalaureate World School offers an academically rigorous and challenging Diploma Programme, Middle Years Programme and the Primary Years Programme.

Branksome Hall Asia

With an aim to develop empowered leaders with global mindsets, the school also offers an extensive student leadership programme. Students here can participate in a number of student-led organisations, developing skills such as confidence and public speaking.

Students learn in an engaging environment fully-equipped with state-of-the-art facilities such as eight purpose-built science labs, four spacious art studios, a design makerspace and four open Design labs, as well as a design library.

Sports facilities include an olympic-size swimming pool, official football-size AstroTurf Field, a dance studio, eight tennis courts, two yoga studios, a golf driving range and a putting green.

HARROW INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL – THAILAND

Located in bustling Bangkok, Harrow International School is part of the original British independent school dedicated to those aged 18 months to Year 13.

Offering a holistic education where students develop in all aspects, students here excel academically while developing life skills such as leadership, innovation and resilience.

Students receive an integrated learning experience in a caring boarding school atmosphere, where they’re nurtured to become enriched leaders through the Leadership in Action programme.

This is cultivated through activities such as expeditions, Model United Nations, International Awards, Junior Achievement, and more.

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There are also several sports and arts activities offered so students can express themselves in multiple ways while ensuring they’re also developing physically and creatively.

Sports facilities include shaded Multi-Purpose Outdoor Courts (60m track, two basketball and three volleyball courts), football pitches, a rugby pitch, a fitness suite, a climbing wall, a dance studio, six floodlit tennis courts, and a dedicated Athletics jumping and throwing area.

Students are also allocated a specific House where they develop a community-minded mindset, all while competing with one another through House competitions and a House Cup.

*Some of the institutions featured in this article are commercial partners of Study International