Equipping our Children for a Boundless Future
Published by SchoolAdvisor | Mar 25, 2025
As parents, we wonder: Will my child be ready for the world ahead? With AI reshaping jobs, industries evolving, and new career paths emerging, the future is uncertain. So how do we equip our children for a future we can’t define?
For many Malaysians, the British curriculum has long been the go-to choice, offering structure and familiarity. However, in a world that values adaptability, creativity, and critical thinking, it is time to consider a different approach.
At Oasis International School Kuala Lumpur, the American curriculum is shaping students into confident global citizens. But what makes this approach different, and why does it matter for your child’s future?
Beyond textbooks, Oasis students engage in hands-on projects that bring learning to life.
The American vs. British Curricula: What’s the Difference?
Traditional education often rewards memorization over understanding, yet the real world doesn’t operate on multiple-choice answers. While the British curriculum relies on high-stakes exams like IGCSEs and A-Levels, the American system takes a different approach. It focuses on continuous learning through projects, research, and practical application.
Oasis parents, Kyle (left) and Komi (right), shared why they chose the American curriculum for their children’s education.
For Oasis parent Komi, who was raised in Malaysia under the British system, the shift to American education was a game-changer. “I tried A-Levels myself, and it didn’t work for me. The American system, on the other hand, gave me a broader perspective of the world. You’re not just learning subjects directly related to your field, you gain exposure to different disciplines, which makes you a more well-rounded individual,” she explained.
This flexibility allows students to discover their strengths organically, rather than being forced into rigid academic tracks too early. At Oasis, learning is interactive and engaging, ensuring every child—whether they excel in academics, arts, or leadership—finds their place and thrives.
Why the American Curriculum Works Best for the Future
According to the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2025, 170 million new jobs are expected by 2030. The key to success? Adaptability.
Students need more than knowledge. They need problem-solving, creativity, and resilience, skills that can’t be memorized from a textbook. This is where the American curriculum stands out:
1. Progressive Learning for Every Child
At Oasis, assessments aren’t limited to final exams. Teachers track progress throughout the year with projects, presentations, and personalized support, ensuring each child gets what they need to reach their full potential.
For Komi, this was a major reason for choosing this system for her child; “My daughter was always eager to know how well she was doing. Waiting until the end of the year for an exam result didn’t sit well with her, so a system that tracks her progress continuously made perfect sense.”
Ben Hale, Head of School at Oasis, ensures that learning reflects real-world experiences, preparing students for university and beyond.
Oasis ensures that learning reflects real-world experiences. Oasis Head of School, Ben Hale explained, “It’s important that the kids’ education reflects what a job looks like. In a job, you work on solo and group projects, conduct research, and become an expert in your field. We teach in the same way, so students feel comfortable when they enter a university setting.” Oasis teachers challenge students beyond what they think they can handle, a quality Komi values; “At Oasis, they recognize individual strengths and push students to do even better.”
2. Personalized, Flexible Learning
What makes the American curriculum unique is its adaptability. Schools can tailor their teaching methods while adhering to U.S. education standards. At Oasis, students engage with diverse global topics, explore different disciplines, and take ownership of their learning. “We’ve enriched our curriculum with books and topics from around the world, making learning more engaging and representative,” explains Shelby Blackburn, an Oasis Elementary School teacher for Grade 5 English and Social Studies.
Shelby Blackburn, an Oasis Elementary School teacher, personalizes her teaching approach to make learning exciting and meaningful for her students.
Rather than a one-size-fits-all approach, she encourages students to choose how they want to present their work—through videos, presentations, essays, or hands-on models. “They’re at the age where they’re learning to be independent but still quite reliant on the teacher,” Ms. Blackburn explained, highlighting why this approach is crucial for her Grade 5 students.
This builds confidence, responsibility, and time management, qualities that Komi has seen in her daughter. “She manages her workload, keeps track of assignments, and balances extracurriculars. It’s incredible to watch,” Komi shares with a smile.
3. College and Career Readiness
The school nurtures well-rounded students by encouraging extracurricular involvement, leadership roles, and specialized coursework. “We wanted a program that would make the transition to an international university seamless,” expressed Kyle, an American Oasis parent with four children, either currently enrolled in Oasis or alumni. “We found out that Oasis had a strong American curriculum, which was important to our family as Americans. For my eldest son, who is now in a U.S. university, the shift was smooth because Oasis prepared him well.”
Oasis high school students take core subjects while choosing electives in the arts, business, and technology. This allows them to explore passions while staying on track for university anywhere in the world.
Andy Dawson, an Oasis High School teacher, emphasized how AP classes help students unlock their full potential and prepare them for university success.
Another major advantage that excites parents is the Advanced Placement (AP) courses that offer college-level academics in high school, saving both time and tuition costs. Andy Dawson, a high school teacher at Oasis, explained that AP courses challenge students at a university level. “By the time students graduate, many have earned college credits, giving them a head start. This approach helps students specialize early, whether in STEM, business, or the arts.”
4. Emotional Intelligence & Leadership Development
Success isn’t just about academic excellence – it’s about resilience, confidence, and emotional intelligence.
That’s why Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) is deeply embedded in the Oasis experience. Through programs like Eagles Nest in elementary school and Student Hubs in middle and high school, students build self-awareness, emotional regulation and leadership skills.
As Mr. Hale put it, “Many of today’s jobs may not exist in 10 years. What will always be valuable? The ability to think critically, solve problems and work with people.”
Kyle is pleased that Oasis places such a high emphasis on character development and encourages students to step up. He shared how his once-reserved eldest son took on the mantle to become the school’s first student body president, and how he had carried that leadership into university.
5. Technology & Digital Literacy
Technology is an integral part of modern education, but at Oasis, students are encouraged to be creators rather than passive consumers. Mr. Hale understands that many parents worry about issues such as screen addiction, but he believes the key is not to limit access, but to guide students in using technology to build, innovate and contribute meaningfully to the world around them.
Komi agrees with this strategy and says, “The school is making all the right moves—giving students access, even to AI, while ensuring they use it responsibly.”
6. Making an Impact Through Service Learning
Andy Dawson, High School Service Learning Coordinator, guides students as they engage in meaningful community service, turning learning into action.
In modern education, it is part and parcel for lessons to extend beyond the classroom. Through service learning projects, students lead initiatives that impact their community and beyond.
From sustainability projects in primary school to refugee health screenings in high school, Oasis students understand that success isn’t just personal advancement; it’s about making a difference.
“Service Learning at Oasis is a core program,” explained Mr. Dawson, who also serves as the High School Service Learning Coordinator, highlighting how these experiences shape students beyond academics. Ms. Blackburn added that it’s not just about giving back but about developing character and teaching students to lead with empathy and purpose. “By the time they graduate, Oasis students aren’t just well-educated; they’re prepared to make a lasting impact in the world.”
Great Education Starts with Great Teachers
What truly sets Oasis teachers apart is their dedication to student growth. They aren’t just educators; they are mentors and role models, shaping students into critical thinkers, leaders, and innovators. As Mr Dawson explained further, “At Oasis, we don’t just focus on academic excellence. We develop well-rounded individuals who can lead, think critically, and adapt to an ever-changing world.”
Parents see the impact first-hand. Kyle expressed how teachers go the extra mile: “They truly care about their students and hold them to high standards. They’ll do whatever it takes to guide each child individually, helping them grow into confident, capable leaders.”
At Oasis, a great education isn’t just about what students learn—it’s about who they become.
