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Rethinking Success: What Top Universities Really Want in Today’s Learners
Rethinking Success: What Top Universities Really Want in Today’s Learners
Redea Institute Invites Parents to Learn Directly from An International Expert
Parents often associate success with high grades and academic achievements. But as the
world evolves, so too must our definition of success. Today’s leading universities—and
tomorrow’s global challenges—demand more than just an “A.” They call for students who are
not only knowledgeable but also ethical, communicative, and resilient.
To help families better understand what success looks like in today’s world, Redea Institute,
which oversees the Sekolah HighScope Indonesia School network, has invited Dr. Thomas
Guskey, a globally respected authority in education, for an in-person parent workshop titled
"Beyond the ‘A’: What Universities Really Want—and What Your Child Truly Needs" in Jakarta
(Wednesday, 21 May 2025) and Denpasar, Bali (Friday, 23 May 2025). Dr. Thomas Guskey is
a Fellow of the American Educational Research Association and has received its highest
honors for connecting research to real-world practice. He has authored or edited over 30
award-winning books and published more than 300 articles, book chapters, and scholarly
papers.
In his talk, Dr. Guskey shared practical insights drawn from decades of research and
experience in student assessment, professional learning, and educational reform. He
emphasized that while strong academic performance remains important, it is no longer the
sole key to future success. According to a survey conducted in 2023 by the National
Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC), other than grades colleges and
universities consider these to be among the most important factors in admitting students:
positive character attributes (28.3%), essay and writing samples (18.9%), and demonstrated
interest in the college (15.7%).
“How long do you think, on average, an admissions officer spends looking at each applicant's
information before they make a decision? Remember, these are top universities that only
accept 3% to 7% of their applicants, and they say that it takes them 6 minutes to make a
decision. ” said Dr. Guskey, co-author of Life Skills for All Learners with Redea Institute’s CEO,
Antarina S.F. Amir. He reiterates that Admissions officers value life skills that contribute to a
student's success in college and beyond such as their ability to adapt to different situations,
think critically, collaborate with people of different cultures, and contribute to their
communities. “These are the things that top universities want to know. And the framework
that the Redea Institute has developed, not only for the development of these skills, but also
for the assessment, including the record of it on the report cards and transcripts is really
remarkable. What they are doing is far ahead from the rest of the world.”
During the session, parents explored how a more comprehensive approach to
education—one that integrates academic excellence with real-world life skills—can empower
students not just to get into great universities, but to thrive in them and beyond. Including a
student sharing from Raja Michael Hegarty, a grade 12 student who went into great detail of
how the school equipped him with essential life skills that also prepared him for his
university admission. “I was very fortunate to get accepted into several universities. In
making my final decision, it requires a lot of critical thinking and reflections. I ask myself
several times, which major and university will provide what I need to become what I want to
achieve, do they provide the courses that I need?” Raja also shared how the school provided
him with many learning opportunities that enriched his portfolio in university applications.
During his visit to Indonesia, Dr. Thomas Guskey together with the Redea Institute also
visited the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education of the Republic of Indonesia. The
Redea Institute remains committed to supporting parents as co-partners in raising lifelong
learners and future-ready leaders. Antarina S.F. Amir, Founder and CEO of Redea Institute,
expressed her gratitude to all HighScope Indonesia School parents who participated in the
workshop. “It’s time we rethink what success truly means—and how we can best prepare
our children for it.”
Strengthening the Spirit of LOVE FOR INDONESIA
through the 75th Anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Indonesia
NEW NORMAL
To celebrate the 75th anniversary of the independence of the Republic of Indonesia in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, Sekolah HighScope Indonesia conducted a solemn event in this New Normal era, by utilizing online technology to hold a Virtual Flag Ceremony for the Independence of the Republic of Indonesia. The event, which was held this morning, involved 2,925 elementary, middle school and high school students along with approximately 1000 school directors, principals, teachers, employees, and parents of students from all HighScope Indonesia Schools in Java, Sumatra and Bali: SHI TB Simatupang, SHI Kelapa Gading, SHI Alfa Indah, SHI Kuningan, SHI Bintaro, SHI Pluit, SHI Rancamaya, SHI Bali, SHI Medan, SHI Bandung and SHI Palembang took part in this online ceremony.
What's interesting about this ceremony is with the virtual choir of 348 students from all HighScope Indonesia Schools. This collaborative project is led by Hendro Ismoyo Jati, the HighScope Indonesia Institute's K-12 Management and Quality Coordinator of the HighScope Indonesia Institute, fully supported by the music and film teachers of HighScope Indonesia Schools.
THE SPIRIT OF LOVE FOR INDONESIA
"Sekolah HighScope Indonesia teaches students to respect differences, allow differences, encourage differences, until differences no longer make a difference."
The values ingrained in the slogan above are in line with Indonesia’s National Motto of Bhinneka Tunggal Ika. HighScope Indonesia upholds these noble national values by continuing to instill these values in our students through various learning experiences that reflect real conditions that occur in the world.
In welcoming the 75th Anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Indonesia, Sekolah HighScope Indonesia holds a Week to Commemorate Independence Day where in each school, HighScope students are encouraged to foster a sense of pride as Indonesians and love for the nation through every learning activity.
During the morning meeting, the students discussed important events surrounding The Proclamation and dissected the meaning of independence. The teachers use independence as a theme for the learning activities. Students learn about the events leading up to Indonesian Independence in History lessons, read patriotic poetries of unity and integrity in language lessons, sing the national song in music lessons and draw or create works of art depicting the conditions of independence Indonesia in Art lessons. The teachers also invited guest speakers from community leaders such as Kompol M. Marbun.SH., MM (Kapolsek Cilandak) and Rizki Lesus (Journalist & Writer) who discussed the values of independence and its relevance to students according to their respective education program. Elementary, Middle School, and all the way to High School.
The Week of Independence Day Celebration, which culminates in the August 17 Flag Raising Ceremony, is a milestone in the spirit of LOVE FOR INDONESIA which underlies activities at the Indonesian HighScope School in the next 1 year. In the second quarter, students will learn about the richness of Indonesian culture in Culture Week. And in the fourth quarter students will study entrepreneurship on Business Day, where in their business plans or proposals, students are required to use 60% locally-resourced materials in their marketed products.
THE MEANING OF INDEPENDENCE
In her address this morning, Mrs. Antarina S.F. Amir elaborated on the meaning of independence for ceremony participants, that independence means to be free to determine one's own destiny and does not depend on others. "We do need other people to work together, sometimes we need other people to be leaders, but we have to be able to make our own choices in life, be able to lead ourselves and not depend on others." said Antarina S.F. Amir, Founder & CEO of HighScope Indonesia. She also advised that we can be independent if we are able to work together in solving problems. At the end of her speech, she reminded all attendees and students of the advice of the Father of Indonesian Education, Ki Hadjar Dewantara:
“Apapun yang diperbuat oleh seseorang itu,
hendaknya dapat bermanfaat bagi dirinya sendiri,
bermanfaat bagi bangsanya,
dan bermanfaat bagi manusia di dunia pada umumnya.”
Panitia Peringatan 75 Tahun Kemerdekaan Republik Indonesia
Sekolah HighScope Indonesia
Congratulation to Arsyi Asy syarifah grade 11 got first place first and won full scholarship to the young learners program, Arsyi won the 2018 essay writing competition. Gusaimas matahachiro hanggoro himawan akbar (ago), was recognized as highly commended. This competition was held by Trinity Collage, University of Melbourne. We are proud of both of you.
Although the only knew about the scholar"s cup back in 2017, they were able to get through to the Tournament of Champion, the final round at Yale University, USA.
Their perseverance and hard work paid off. They were ranked 50 and 88 from 500 teams around the world. Congratulation ! keep up the good work.
