Welcome to this episode of our Parent Interview Series — a story of the shared journey between a family and SIS.
This family’s story with SIS began with a chance meeting. From a good first impression to a thoughtful decision, they have journeyed from Nursery to Kindergarten alongside Aydan—watching him grow in confidence and happiness.
Lawrence, the parent featured in this interview, shared:
“It's absolutely a great school with great belief. I think it’s definitely shaping good kids—future global leaders who contribute to the world. I strongly believed in that, and I still do.”
For them, SIS is not just a school — it is the starting point of their child’s future journey and a trusted partner in education.
Reading this story will take about two minutes.
In a cozy restaurant at Sea World, we met Lawrence and Cynthia, parents of a Kindergarten student at SIS.
A Chance Encounter
That Became a Turning Point
Lawrence shared why they chose SIS. Several years ago, they relocated from Hong Kong to Shenzhen in search of a suitable school for their child.
“When we first came to Shenzhen during COVID,” he says, “we met some teachers from SIS here in this restaurant. They were so positive, confident, and outgoing—and not in a superficial way. I remember thinking, I want my kid to be taught by people like that.”
For him, this interaction represented more than friendliness; it reflected SIS’s core values.
“You can see that their positivity comes from a confident mindset, from knowing the world and wanting to interact with it. That’s a very high level of development in a person. Although I'm not that type,” he laughs, “but I wish my kid to be in that league.”
This was the moment he knew SIS aligned with his aspirations for his child.
A Vision That Matches
a Family’s Values
When asked what they appreciate the most about SIS, Lawrence answers without hesitation:
“I like the vision of the school—cultivating a thinking mind, a critical mind, a child with global exposure and diverse viewpoints. I also value the balanced curriculum.”
As parents with international experience, they sought an environment that nurtures not only academic foundations but also life skills, mindset, character, and confidence.
Play-Based, Inquiry-Driven Learning
Aydan’s learning experiences reinforce their decision. Lawrence shares a moment from home:
“My kid told me yesterday, ‘Daddy, do you know what class I like the most?’ I had no idea. Then he said, ‘Free Choice. I like Free Choice the most.’ For a five-year-old to articulate that—that’s amazing.”
Lawrence sees this ability to express thoughts and preferences as proof of strong inquiry-based learning.
“That mindset—and being able to articulate feelings—is exactly why I like SIS.”
Unlike traditional learning, SIS prioritizes curiosity, creativity, and meaningful engagement.
“I want my kid to learn math in a fun way,” Lawrence says. “Not just memorizing formulas, but solving problems he’s interested in. That’s invaluable.”
He emphasizes: “I was taught the old way. I don’t want my kid to go through that. SIS is one of the few schools in Shenzhen truly able to do inquiry-based, play-driven learning.”
For the family, SIS offers an educational experience that is both rigorous and joyful — one that builds lifelong learners rather than short-term performers.
At the end of the interview, Lawrence expresses heartfelt support:
“It's absolutely a great school with great belief. I think it’s definitely shaping good kids—future global leaders who contribute to the world. I strongly believed in that, and I still do.”
He encourages the school to continue honoring its vision while communicating its long-term educational value to local audiences:
“The school should always stick to its core values. There’s nothing wrong with them. But communication can be more down-to-earth to help parents understand. You have good teachers, a good programs, and a good product—you just need to let more people know.”
He adds with sincerity: “Academics are only one part of a person’s life. SIS has a strong balance—health, sports, integrity, and personality. Keep it up. Just be yourself.”
We sincerely thank Lawrence and Cynthia for sharing their SIS story with us. SIS always values parents' voices.
We will keep improving through these sincere insights and feedback. We are committed to working with all families. Together, we will build a better school community.
繁体
