Think your child may need a little more academic rigour? Located in the Yishun heartlands, 5 Steps Academy aims at high standards of teaching and believes each child has the potential to succeed. With a focus on mathematics, it offers a comprehensive multilingual curriculum paired with enriching co-curriculars. Check out what the school has to offer below, and hear from the school’s director.
How it works
Curriculum and schooling system
The school offers a Cambridge-based curriculum, with the flexibility to adapt content to each student. Teachers and parents can discuss goals and decide on the most effective learning plan.
Teaching methodology
The academy believes that mathematics builds critical thinking skills and creativity, allowing better mastery of other subjects. The classes develop natural curiosity, communication skills and self-learning. Technology is also incorporated, such as through the use of iPads, to enhance the learning experience.
Using the 5 Steps System that speeds up the learning process, the school focuses on allocating the right amount of time to each academic subject, taking into account the child’s age. The system has two components: a time and content component. The time component looks at time priorities in studying different subjects (e.g., mastering languages at the preschool age), while the content component looks at the principles of study for each subject (e.g., starting with basic skills for a broad range of topics, following by digging deeper into them with just the right number of recaps, determined individually for each student).
Assessment structure
Students undergo continual assessment through projects, practical work and more. Sttudents take monthly tests and exams to be promoted to the next level separately for each subject. Parents keep up with their child’s progress through face-to-face conversations, electronic tools (in real-time) and text messages with teachers.
Teachers and class sizes
Teachers are passionate about academic excellence. The school attributes its student successes to the high teacher-student ratio, where each teacher is assigned to eight students for individualised attention.
Co-curricular activities
Students can choose from drama and music to sports and coding. They are also encouraged to participate in the Social Program.
Need to know
- Grades: The grade categories are flexible, each subject can be mastered at the student’s own pace; children aged five to 16 can enrol. The school recognises that students learn and progress differently, so a personalised study plan is crafted.
- School hours: Classes are held five days a week: 10am to 1.40pm for Primary students and 10am to 2.40pm for Secondary students.
- Academic calendar: There is no fixed school year or term. Students can join at any time, and school holidays are flexible as each student has their own learning plan.
- Fees: Monthly Primary and Secondary fees are $1,500 and $1,800 respectively, with no deposits or hidden costs. Fees are paid monthly.
- Transportation: The school offers door-to-door transport. During registration, state your pick-up and drop-off location and this service will start two weeks after.
A chat with Dr Alex Kuznetsov, Director of 5 Steps Academy
What’s the story behind the academy?
My friends and I started 5 Steps as we were concerned with the pace of learning in schools; it seemed slow, and with a lot of unnecessary activities. We wanted a system where students can finish their syllabus as fast as possible, discover their talents and start exploring career options.
What do you feel is the best learning environment for children to succeed academically?
Small class sizes, personalised learning plans and the effective allocation of time and content, combined with passionate and professional teachers.
What do you think sets the academy apart from other schools?
We may not have impressive facilities like other schools, but we focus on excellent academic results and fast academic progress (and with affordable fees). We adjust the learning process to students’ needs, talents, styles and speeds. The curriculum (thoroughly examined by the MOE) allows students sit for exams on almost any examination board, including Cambridge (UK), College Board (USA) and SACE (Australia).
Our teachers hold PhDs, and our students win Olympiads and enjoy being young professionals in their early adolescence – not many schools can claim that! We pride ourselves on being one of the most academically efficient international schools in Singapore.
Written in collaboration with:
5 Steps Academy
#01-08, 632 Yishun Street 61
6257 0500 | info@5steps.academy | 5steps.academy
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