Raffles American School is honored to have achieved full accreditation status from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) in the USA. WASC accreditation occurs in a six-year cycle. During the accreditation process, all aspects of the school are analyzed, and we develop action plans to guide us in our growth and continuous improvement over the next three to five years. An external team from the accrediting body validates our report and action plans to ensure that our plans are implemented. Each year, we submit a report updating WASC of the progress on our action plans. For more information please see our Accreditation Page.

Yes, the admissions process is the same whether an applicant is coming from another international school or from a local school in Malaysia or elsewhere.

RAS accepts applications throughout the year as part of a rolling admissions process. As an international school we understand that international moves do not always align with the American academic school year. Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply as soon as possible before their move or school transition to ensure space is available.

All of the requirements for submitting an application to RAS are available on the Admissions Page of our website.

RAS students are required to wear a RAS polo shirt on days when they do not have Physical Education (PE) class and a RAS PE sports shirt for Physical Education classes. Students can wear comfortable shorts, pants and skirts that fall within our school dress code policy in the Student Parent Handbook.

Yes. RAS offers door-to-door transportation for students both to and from school and after co-curricular activities. Please see our Transportation Fees for more information.

Our school bus service covers areas of Johor Bahru and Singapore. Please see our Transportation Fees for more information.

At RAS learning does not just happen in the classroom. Student learning is fostered in the classroom, but also takes place during co-curricular activities, on field-trips, on annual overnight Explore Week trips, in library discussions, in school assemblies and during PTA sponsored cultural events. RAS places an emphasis on holistic opportunities for student growth and development. Many of these occur within our extensive co-curricular program, which offers students opportunities to gain and develop skills in a wide-rage of sports and arts activities.

Student academic progress is monitored by individual teachers through summative and formative assessments each term. Assessments are varied to take into account students with different strengths and learning styles. Unlike school systems which limit student progress evaluation to one final test, at RAS student progress is continually monitored to allow teachers to adjust their lessons and teaching practices to meet current student needs. Overall student progress is measured through standardized MAP testing throughout the academic year. Additionally, RAS students are able to demonstrate intelligence and abilities that cannot be measured on a standard test. Student progress in the four GLO areas (Problem Solving/Thinking Skills, Organizational/Research Skills, Communication Skills, and Character/Interpersonal Skills) is monitored by classroom and elective teachers, and comments on student progress reports provide additional information to students and parents regarding progress, success, and ways to improve. Student-led conferences take place in the second half of the year to encourage students to demonstrate GLO skills and to further the partnership between students, parents, and teachers.

The MAP (Measures of Academic Progress) Test is an adaptive computer-based test, which measures student grade-level progress in reading and math. Every student is presented with a unique set of test questions based on their responses to previous questions. As students answer correctly, the questions become more challenging; if students answer incorrectly, the questions become less challenging. This ensures that they are scored according to their current ability and allows teachers to provide students with math and reading work that corresponds with their level of understanding.

Yes. RAS serves as an official SAT test site. We currently offer testing for October, November, December and June testing dates for up to 50 students. All students in grades 10 and 11 are required to take the practice SAT (PSAT) each year. Students in grade 11 are required to the take the SAT exam in June in preparation for college applications. Students in grade 12 will have the opportunity to take the SAT exams in October, November and December as necessary. Students are encouraged to visit Khan Academy and join the SAT Prep CCA at RAS for test preparation.

Student report cards are provided four times during the academic year after each full term. These reports provide information on student academic progress as well as their progress on the RAS General Learning Outcomes (GLOs). Additionally, student classwork and homework is graded and sent home with students; and classroom teachers are available to meet with parents to discuss student progress throughout the year.

Students are all individuals and learn and grow at different levels. However, in order to progress to the next grade level, students must show that they have met the learning standards for that grade as evidenced by their marks on their four term report cards. Within each subject area, teachers assist students in mastering specific grade level content standards. Over the course of one year, there are various “benchmarks” along the way to ensure that students are moving in the direction of mastery in each standard in each subject area. At RAS, the majority of our students progress successfully to the next academic year.

As students at RAS are assessed throughout the year, it is possible for teachers to adapt their teaching methods to meet student needs by providing differentiated lessons and materials for students learning at different levels. Because our class size is limited, a smaller class size allows teachers to provide more individual attention to students who need additional support or enrichment. Additionally, English Language Learning (ELL) and Student Learning Support (SLS) teachers are available to provide assistance as needed.

In order to receive a High School Diploma from RAS, students must have completed courses totalling 25 credit hours. The high school counselor will work with students to ensure that they are enrolled in the appropriate classes, however students are responsible for meeting the requirements necessary for graduation. The following graduation requirements must be met between the 9th and 12th grades:

With the assistance of the high school counselor, students are encouraged to consider their options for college or university and to research scholarship options. The high school counselor is available to help as needed throughout the process.

Graduates from Raffles American School can attend colleges and universities around the world. Our graduates have been accepted into Universities from the USA, China, Europe, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, and Hong Kong. For a full list of Universities that our students have been accepted into, please visit our High School page.

The rigor of our academic program prepares students for the challenges of college. Additionally, because RAS looks to develop the student holistically, students are given the opportunity to develop not only their academic skills but also strong life skills. This is done through our GLOs, Advisory Program, CCA’s and Student Service Learning Program. Additionally, our Explore Week program and Boarding Program provide students with the opportunity to grow in responsibility, while still under careful adult supervision.

RAS understands the connection between good nutrition and increased student learning. RAS offers a full menu of healthy food choices for breakfast, lunch, dinner and morning and afternoon snacks. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are provided for RAS Boarding Students seven days a week. Day students are provided with lunch and a snack during the school week. Multiple hot plate options are available, in addition to a sandwich bar and fruit, vegetable and salad side plates, and snacks.

A full time counsellor is available to provide social/emotional and behavioral counseling for all students from Pre-K to Grade 12.

RAS offers two programs for English Language Learners: the Sheltered Instruction English Language Learning (ELL) program and the English Immersion Program (EIP). The Sheltered Instruction ELL Program offers push-in and pull-out classroom support, as well as one to three additional ELL classes per week for lower-intermediate through advanced English language learning students. EIP is for students grades 3 – 10 wo do not meet our minimum English language requirements. This is a one-year immersion program that prepares beginning ELL students for the mainstream classroom. Our ELL support teachers are all ELL qualified/certified. For more information, please visit our ELL webpage.

RAS teachers all have teaching credentials from their home counties and several years of experience. Many have previous international experience and secondary degrees. All teachers have positive references detailing their previous teaching experience.

Regular professional development days are embedded into the school calendar in order for teachers to work together to keep abreast of best educational practices. Teachers also have the option of participating in external training, workshops and conferences.

Uniforms Optional Off-Campus Day and Overnight Trips Technology Fee (Grades PK4 – 4) / Individual MacBook (Grades 5 – 12) Application Fee, Refundable Deposit and Registration Fee Annal Re-Entry (Re-Enrollment) Fee Externally Led Co-Curricular Activities Please see our Fee Schedule for more information.

RAS believes that education is a three-way partnership between teachers, students and parents, and encourages parent participation and support in their child’s learning process. Parents are invited to be involved in the school through the Raffles Parents for Education, to attend school-wide cultural events or to volunteer in their child’s classroom or in another part of the school. If you are interested in joining the RPFE, please contact rpfe@rafflesamericanschool.org