Curriculum:

The HGS Secondary Section aims to develop students’ sense of independence when it comes to their studies. Grade VI marks the beginning of a challenging and rewarding 3-year journey towards Grade IX. From Grade VI-VIII, students will be subjected to a rich academic curriculum that focuses on developing their study habits. Students at this stage will be guided and supported as they discover their personal interests and strengths.

When students reach Grade IX, they make the seamless transition to the AKU-EB curriculum, which places a heavy emphasis on conceptual learning. At this level, students are offered a choice between three disciplines, i.e., the sciences, humanities, and commerce, which they will study alongside 5 pre-determined compulsory subjects. The AKU-EB educational stage gives students the opportunity to develop a strong foundational knowledge while gently transitioning into the subjects they hope to pursue in their future.

Assessments

Up until grade VII, students are subjected to a strict “no grades” policy. Instead, students were given regular constructive feedback to help them grow and improve, without the labels of a letter grade. From Grade VIII onwards, students are given a blend of formative and summative assessments to evaluate if they can apply their learning to the real world. It is at this point that class participation becomes worth 40% of their term grade. This emphasis on formative assessments has radicalised the school’s teaching system by raising students’ curiosity. Inquiry-based learning and regular assessments have helped our students become independent learners who perform exceptionally well on high-stake board examinations.

Class VI-VIII:

Students’ performance is communicated to parents in the form of the take home communication diary at grade VI and VII. The evaluative performance report is shared twice annually at midterm and annual term. These reports are formulated to reflect each student’s overall performance against the outlined learning outcomes. Descriptors and narrative comments are the main mode of communication in these reports. Meanwhile, grade VIII students receive a unit report for each of the 6 units of the academic year.

Class IX-X:

The academic year is now made up of 5 units in which students are prepared to sit the AKU-EB board exam. The mode of evaluation at this stage changes to marks and grades