Skills that travel: How an American school develops confidence and independence

A comprehensive American school education doesn’t just provide a rigorous, challenging and internationally recognised curriculum; it also helps children develop socially and emotionally, take charge of their own wellbeing, and equip themselves for the next stages of their lives. At ACS, we consider ourselves an international school but we have American roots and offer all the benefits of an American school. We give students valuable transferable life skills that set them up for a bright future, and our high expectations are matched with equally high levels of support to help the child grow in every area of their life.

Our holistic approach to learning focuses on students’ readiness for the future, encouraging them to build transferable skills that improve independence and confidence through new experiences and enquiry-led learning.

Our values-based approach helps each child develop

At ACS, our values-driven approach to education means we provide an educational experience that helps each child develop into a confident, independent, and globally mobile individual. ACS has five core values that everyone is committed to living and working by, so we can deliver the ambitions we hold for each other and for our students:

Our core values

Imagine better: We look for innovative solutions and explore new ideas.
Aim high and make it happen: We have high standards and expect each other to meet and exceed them.
Welcome everyone: We believe every person has unique contributions to make to each other and to the world.
Work together: We collaborate eagerly, with each other, with our partners, and with local and global communities.
Act with kindness: We act with kindness, transparency and compassion.

New experiences help students forge new transferable life skills

Offering students a variety of opportunities to experience new things helps them build their confidence and independence in a safe environment. Our forest school for younger students enables children to learn in nature, push themselves to try new things, and practise new skills like safe risk-taking and learning from mistakes. Outdoor learning helps us bring to life traditional subjects (e.g., Maths) away from textbooks and into the outdoors, enabling children to embrace problem-solving in a real-world context. We find that outdoor learning is a powerful way for children to build resilience and foster a sense of responsibility for nature.

WATCH: Forest School at ACS Cobham Lower School

For our older students (aged 13-18) at ACS Cobham, boarding and living away from home allows students to develop their independence and confidence every day. Boarding students are given a unique opportunity to gain independence within the safety of the school environment.

All of our learners benefit from memorable and unique experiences, both on and off campus. For example, ACS Hillingdon students regularly engage with industry professionals on trips to Pinewood Studios. The annual Model United Nations event is an important date in the ACS diary. It’s hosted in the World Forum Centre, and students from around the world take on different roles of the United Nations, experiencing a simulation of a real meeting of the UN. Here, students learn how to use their voice in a low-stakes environment, discussing and debating the most pressing, ongoing geopolitical and socioeconomic issues of our time.

International schools foster belonging, which builds confidence

International schools like ACS enjoy all the benefits of belonging to a naturally diverse community. In an international school, everyone is different to the point where these differences become normalised, and everyone feels welcome.

With over 70 nationalities, our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) strategy has recently been updated to include belonging. This was in response to reflection from our communities and the DEI Council on what is most impactful for student wellbeing and success. We know that children feel more able to build their confidence and independence when they are in a safe and supportive environment with a strong sense of belonging.

Enquiry-led learning boosts autonomy

ACS’s multiple curriculum pathways offer students plenty of say in their own learning, building confidence through making more of their own choices. With enquiry-led learning as the norm, children enjoy a sense of autonomy in how and what they learn. They’re encouraged to ask questions, seek out information, test ideas and rely less on constant guidance, all of which help to foster a deep sense of independence that will serve them well throughout their lives. As one of our main pathways, the International Baccalaureate (IB) is highly regarded by universities because of the independent research skills students gain. This means they are already used to confident, independent studying once they arrive at university.

Take the next step in preparing your child for their future

At ACS International Schools, across our three campuses, we focus on developing future-ready students, helping them make the shift from local thinking to global thinking. Being future-ready isn’t about predicting the future perfectly. It’s about preparing young people to be resilient, open-minded, and motivated to keep learning – no matter what the world throws at them. It’s about learning without borders, both in the classroom and in mindset, and developing well-rounded individuals with transferable life skills that are the bedrock of any global citizen.

Book a visit to one of our Schools via the links below to find out more, or take a virtual tour.

Book a visit:
ACS Egham
ACS Cobham
ACS Hillingdon