Hillside World Academy 3.37

Hillside World Academy (HWA) was established in 2007 as the Chinese International School, and continues to uphold the global vision that integrates Eastern and Western values, through the International Baccalaureate (IB) philosophy.

In its abbreviated form, our newly renamed academy is HWA. This reads and sounds like the world for Chinese in Mandarin, and reflects our emphasis on Chinese language and culture, amid an international, three-programme IB learning environment. While we are proud of our Chinese roots and history, we also maintain a multicultural identity, where a diverse pool of students and teachers hail from East to Central Asia, and from Europe to the Americas.

We are a forward-looking, contemporary academy that believes in a holistic approach to teaching, and is 100 percent committed to lifelong learning for all. Advocating research and inquiry in the classroom, our teachers not only steer the lessons, but also take a step back to encourage students to get involved, collaborate, challenge what they are told, and reach well beyond the textbook experience.

Every student will receive an education that values the dual use of Mandarin and English, as well as support and respect for their mother tongue. The results of our unique pedagogy have been noteworthy. HWA emerged first place in the inaugural HSK Chinese Proficiency Test, and has remained in the top three every year thereafter. At the same time, we have consistently ranked well above the global average for the IB Diploma Programme (DP), and in recent years, have bettered the national average among Singapore IB DP schools.

Parents who visit our campus especially after school will hear a vibrant mix of Mandarin and English languages, as the older Chinese students exchange football tips and skills with their younger friends from Europe. In our family-like community, everyone finds their sense of belonging and purpose. And it is our belief that in building such an environment, students will be empowered and enabled to reflect HWA’s mission, and will walk confidently from our gates as caring, thinking and competent global citizens.