Maria Sweeney
Head of School
At XCL World Academy, we believe education should prepare students not only for academic success, but for life in a rapidly changing, globally connected world. Our approach combines the International Baccalaureate (IB) framework with bilingual learning and innovative technologies, empowering students with the skills, confidence, and adaptability to thrive wherever their journey leads.
Future-Ready Curriculum
From 18 months to 18 years, students follow the IB continuum, recognised worldwide for its academic rigour and inquiry-based approach. Learning extends beyond traditional subjects to include the arts, design, technology and sport, nurturing creativity, leadership, and critical thinking alongside strong academic foundations. Supported by a future-ready campus, students graduate confident,capable,e and ready to shape what comes next.
Innovative Bilingual Programme
Our bilingual programme fosters bilingualism from an early age. In Grades 1 to 3, students learn with two qualified teachers - one English-speaking and one Chinese-speaking, in an immersive classroom aligned with the IB Primary Years Programme.
Inclusive Global Community
Diversity is celebrated at XCL World Academy. Our nurturing campus brings together families from over 50 nationalities, guided by shared values to Aspire with ambition, Act with integrity, and Grow with purpose.
We invite you to join our community and begin your child’s educational journey with us.
We have organised the information available for this school into 10 sections and 38 questions. Click or tap on the name of each section to read more.
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Number of students
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1000
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Number of nationalities represented in the school
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Over 50 nationalities
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Most common nationality
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No dominant nationality
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Native English speaking teachers
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Yes
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Language support for students not fluent in English
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With students joining the school from all over the world, our English as an Additional Language (EAL) Programme provides outstanding language teaching and learning opportunities, to ensure that all our students are equipped with the necessary language tools to enable them to make the most of their time here at XCL World Academy.
We offer an Enhanced EAL programme for students from Grade 1 to Grade 8 and a Standard EAL programme for students in Grade 9 and 10.
If your child requires additional language support, they will be assessed during the admissions process to ascertain their current level of English.
Students entering Grade 11-12 must have fluent English, both spoken and written.
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Additional language classes offered by the school
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French, Spanish, Chinese (Mandarin), English - Chinese (Mandarin) Bilingual Programme, Japanese (DP Japanese A Language & Literature)
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Max. number of students per class
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Class sizes across the school (Nursery to Grade 12) currently range from 4 to 25 students.
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Average number of students per class
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Class sizes across the school (Nursery to Grade 12) currently range from 4 to 25 students.
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Does the school employ teaching assistants?
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Yes
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Use of technology in the classroom
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At XCL World Academy, technology is embedded into everyday learning rather than treated as an add-on. Students use digital tools across all grade levels to build creativity, problem-solving, and future-ready skills. Our SureStart AI Literacy Programme introduces coding, robotics, AI, and digital ethics in Grade 6, while younger students begin computational thinking and digital creation through the Accelerate Programme.
In our Digital Media Lab, learners use professional tools for filmmaking, VR simulations, and digital storytelling, connecting technology to real-world applications. We also emphasise digital well-being by teaching online safety, balance, and responsible use.
Through these programmes, students confidently create apps, films, and interactive projects, developing the skills and mindset needed to thrive in a technology-driven world.
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Is the school ready to use virtual classrooms when needed? (e.g. teaching lessons online during emergencies)
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The school is prepared for remote teaching (if needed)
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Do students practice religion at the school? What religion?
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NA
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External examinations or assessments available
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IB Continuum (PYP, MYP, DP), Globally recognised High School Diploma and Advanced Placement Courses
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Results in these examinations
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Students at XWA consistently perform above the global IBDP average and gain admission to top universities worldwide, including Ivy League institutions. Multiple students have also achieved perfect scores.
The Class of 2025, with 44 graduates, collectively secured over USD 16.44 million in university scholarships.
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Do teachers assign homework to their students?
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Homework is assigned to Secondary Years students (Grade 6 and above)
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Approximate hours of homework given
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Grade 6 - 8: 60- 80 mins
Grade 9-10: 90 -120 mins
Grade 11-12: as required
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Dedicated staff/programs for students with special learning needs
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Yes
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Learning support offered
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At XCL World Academy, we provide learning support opportunities for a wide range of learning needs across the school in an inclusive setting. We believe in fostering positive working relationships with students in a nurturing and inclusive learning environment.
The learning support staff are highly trained and experienced educators who provide a holistic approach that involves teachers, parents and students in their learning journey. Through the use of diagnostic assessments and observations, we identify, plan, implement and monitor support for learners with a specific learning need, difficulty or disability. Depending on the need, we are able to work with students in small groups, one-to-one or push-in support in the classroom. We believe these learners can be successful and become autonomous, lifelong learners.
Students enrolled at XCL World Academy must be able to function independently or with minimal support due to our limited learning support services. If your child requires any form of support, we encourage you to contact our Admissions Team ahead of the admission date and we will guide you through the application process. You will be asked to submit your child’s records and reports so that we can determine if we are able to provide the support that your child needs. Each application is considered on a case-by-case basis.
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Student access to education psychologist
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As a school, it is important that we know each student in terms of their social, emotional, and academic development. It is also important to know their strengths and areas for improvement so that their education can be tailored for greater levels of personalised learning. Our caring and dedicated Counselling team is here to address the individual needs of our diverse learning community.
School counselling services promote the personal, social, emotional and educational development of students through proactive programmes, curriculum input and personal counselling for students.
School counselling is a short-term solution-focused solution that supports students through the types of social and emotional issues regularly navigated in school years. It can also serve as the first step for students who would benefit from additional professional services outside of school. Working collaboratively with students, our team of counsellors build strong relationships and confidential bonds, helping them to process new experiences, understand their feelings, develop resilience and learn various skills to manage personal and interpersonal difficulties.
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Entry evaluation for students
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Yes
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Brief description of entry evaluation required
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Students entering Grade 1 and above whose first language is not English, or who previously attended a school where English was not the medium of instruction, may be required to take an English proficiency assessment. This helps us determine whether the student can access our English-based curriculum and whether additional language support is needed.
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Waiting list
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No. However, we encourage you to apply as early as possible due to the limited availability of places.
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Deadline for registration (new academic year)
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XCL World Academy welcomes applications throughout the year
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Students can join after academic year begins
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Yes
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School start time
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8:30 am
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School finish time
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3:30 pm
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Supervised care before/after school
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We are planning a new extended care programme starting with our Nursery and Pre-K students enrolled for a full-day programme. The programme will run from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm at no additional cost for the first year.
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School bus service available
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Yes. We provide door-to-door bus services for all students. We also have post ECA strategic drop off locations.
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School provided lunches
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Yes. We offer a range of healthy and nutritious dining options for students of all ages.
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Food alternatives for special dietary needs (ie. vegan, kosher, halal etc)
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Vegetarian meals
Allergy-free meals
Nut-free meals
No pork/no lard meals
Pre-ordered and a-la-carte meals
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Uniform required
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Yes
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Facilities at the school
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XCL World Academy offers a wide range of facilities to support learning, creativity, and innovation across all age groups. These include:
Early and Primary Years Facilities:
Dedicated Early Years classrooms and indoor play learning spaces
Air-conditioned classrooms
Two science labs
Junior Design Centre
Dance studio
Two music rooms and two art rooms
Nine world language rooms
Library with over 15,000 books
Gardening centre
Full-sized gym
Indoor and outdoor play areas
Innovation and Technology Facilities:
Singapore’s first Innovation Hub including AI studios, robotics labs, 3D printing and fabrication workshops, design thinking labs, digital multimedia lab, VR suites, and a podcast studio
Personal computers and iPads for students
Additional science labs
Arts and Performing Arts Facilities:
Black Box Theatre
Drama studio
Music rooms
Art studios / visual arts rooms
Green screen room
750-seat auditorium
Other Facilities:
IB DP and Secondary Years student lounge
Top-floor student lounge in the Innovation Hub
Primary and Secondary Years library
Kindergarten library
Cafeteria and parents’ café
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Sports facilities at the school
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XCL World Academy provides extensive sports facilities to support physical education and competitive sports, including:
Olympic-sized swimming pool (50 m)
Early Years indoor heated swimming pool
550-metre athletics running track
15-metre indoor climbing wall
All-weather football and rugby pitch
Football field and rugby field
Cricket nets and batting cages
Two basketball courts
Tennis courts
Netball court
Indoor sports hall
All-weather sports field
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Qualities and characteristics best defining the school
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XCL World Academy is a family-orientated international school in Singapore for students aged 2 to 18. We equip children with the academic and lifelong learning skills to be agents of their own success – helping to prepare them for further education, future careers or navigating the opportunities and challenges they will encounter in their lives.
To prepare students for an increasingly global world, we prize diversity and are proud to host students from over 60 nationalities, with no one dominant culture or background. Our world-class teachers are trained to identify each student’s special strengths, so we can create personalized pathways that recognize each student’s unique strengths. All this makes XCL World Academy a truly international school that prepares students to stay a few steps ahead of the future.
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Teaching approach of the school
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We place an emphasis on the holistic development of every child. Academic development is as important as character development and we strive to build qualities like confidence, resilience and leadership in every student. EQ is as much sought after as IQ. XCL World Academy believes that some of life’s most important lessons can be learned outside textbooks. That’s why we have created a vibrant environment through countless opportunities in technology, sports, arts, innovation, community service and extracurricular activities.
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Curriculum
XCL World Academy offers a personalised and well-rounded international education comprising three International Baccalaureate (IB) programmes that stretches beyond traditional academic subjects to embrace the arts, music, drama, design, innovative technologies and sport.
As an international school with a diverse student population, XCL World Academy understands how important it is for students to have globally recognised qualifications that enable families to move with ease around the world. To support this, XCL World Academy students undertake International Baccalaureate (IB) authorised study in the Primary Years (PYP), Middle Years (MYP), and Diploma Programmes (DP).
