A 3-peat phenomenon: ACS Jakarta, continuing the Ivy League legacy

Could this unique approach hold the key to gaining admission in today’s world top universities amidst the competitive landscape?

As we delve into the captivating realm of education, one institution stands out for its indelible imprint on students’ open-mindedness and empowerment. Welcome to Anglo-Chinese School Jakarta (ACS Jakarta), a trailblazing institution that places students’ happiness at the forefront.

“Each student is seen as a person, [and we] really want to help students enjoy learning, school life, and have good memories of the school before graduation. […] We don’t want to hinder or demoralize them because not every child is the same,” said Dr. Lee Khen Seng, Executive Principal of ACS Jakarta on emphasizing the school’s commitment to fostering a joyful learning environment, prioritizing students’ well-being over the mere pursuit of entering into top universities.

While academic excellence, exemplified by achieving the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) and International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (IBDP) milestones, remain crucial, ACS Jakarta reimagines variety of ways to nurture students’ true potentials—beyond the 3-peat Ivy League acceptances.

Speaking to The Post, three accomplished alumnus who secured spots in prestigious universities shared their ACS Jakarta journey. The graduates collectively discovered a culture of empowerment, unity, and inclusivity within ACS Jakarta’s community which resonated deeply while crafting their personal statements.

Dazzle, now a freshman at Oxford University, highlights the significance of passion and insight gained from extracurricular activities, a sentiment echoed by Valerie and Greta, freshman at the University of Pennsylvania (UPENN) and the University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley).

“Just recently, my coachees [joined] a debate competition and they went to the quarterfinals and it's like that type of moment that makes me very proud of not only where I've gone but also where other people have gone,” enlightened Dazzle, a now freshman at Oxford University who received a full scholarship from Beasiswa Indonesia Maju.
Prior to receiving his prestigious place at Oxford University, Dazzle shared how his scholarship application was strengthened by joining extra curricular competitions—one of which is the government sponsored event, the National Schools Debating Championship. Scholarships today are looking for ways in which students can contribute to the country and students could visit Pusat Prestasi Nasional’s Instagram profile for more resources, added Dazzle.

“What was really important for a university to see is sort of the passion and the insight that you got from whatever activities you did […] how that changed you as a person.”

Valerie and Greta, both alumnus of ACS Jakarta and a freshman at University of Pennsylvania (UPENN) and University of California, Berkeley, (UC Berkeley), shared their roles as Clanheads during ACS Jakarta’s orientation week. They emphasized the value on forging meaningful relationships with others, which has been instrumental in forming their communities through clubs. Additionally, their leadership roles allowed them to explore their respective subject-interests beyond the school’s available resources.

“To prove to these colleges that your commitment aren’t just ornamental,” explained now UC Berkeley freshman, Greta.

Securing Greta’s acceptance at UC Berkeley also cultivated a commitment to excellence that transcended academics. Prior to graduation, she published a research paper during her internship with a stem cell lab whilst pursuing IBDP at ACS Jakarta.
“I think they are looking for students who are consistently hungry for more […], a part of my personal statement was explaining my reason as to why this is so important for me as a daughter, as a sister, all aspects of my non-academic self.”
ACS Jakarta has become a place where students don’t just dream of success—they turn their dreams into reality by cultivating lifelong learners and igniting the flames of curiosity and creativity, as depicted through the alumnus journey.

Recent initiatives, including tailored programs to accommodate diverse peaks of excellence, underscores the institutions dedication to nurturing passions while maintaining academic rigor.

Dr. Lee revealed ACS Jakarta’s progressive approach, welcoming students to pursue professional sports to adjust their schedules to balance training and education. Such innovative measures epitomize the school’s commitment to embrace holistic growth.

“There were two students who approached me to express their desire to pursue professional sports,” expressed Dr. Lee. “This year we decided to start a program for them. They will attend regular lessons in school up to noon, and then they will go for their sports training outside the classroom in the afternoon. The school made adjustments in the timetable for them such that they will eventually do well in IBDP and in their pursue to become professional sportsman.”

During her time at ACS Jakarta, Valerie, a UPENN freshman, took on a remarkable IBDP CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service) project by planting trees in her neighborhood to combat flooding, showcasing her dedication to community service. Additionally, she also reflected back to a surprising moment in tenth grade, when her physics teacher selected her to participate in a NASA-sponsored competition.

Valerie’s profound appreciation extended to the school’s enduring motivation, empowering students to flourish independently. Most importantly, she was grateful for the teachers who believed in her during her journey of self-discovery when confidence was still evolving.
“So I think from that experience, the main takeaway was to really be yourself, express as much [of] yourself as you can on your statement,” shared Valerie.
Through their Higher Education Class, a once-a-week period class for 11th and 12th graders, students of ACS Jakarta receive guidance and support in crafting authentic personal statement and planning their educational pursuits ahead. With seven Higher Education counselors present, ACS Jakarta represents mentors for various university regions worldwide such as: United States of America, United Kingdom and Europe counterparts, Australia, Asia and more.
“It is not just about the students doing well in their exams”, added Dr. Lee. “I want to let them know that loving their high school, ACS, is the best thing that could happen to a student.”

For the teachers and staff, the torchbearers of ACS Jakarta are the student themselves. The school values learning from students to foster continuous growth. A spirit of unity prevails.

When asked to describe ACS Jakarta’s spirit, these were what executive principal, Dr. Lee, and the outstanding alumnus conveyed:

“Vibrant community” said Dazzle, freshman at Oxford University. “There’s like this mentality that we’re all in this together.”

“Reflective,” said Greta, freshman at UC Berkeley. “Enjoy the process, don’t put too much pressure on yourself, don’t forget to have fun.”

“Challenging”, said Valerie, freshman at UPENN. “Take more risks, get any opportunities that comes your way.”

“Legacy and joy,” closed Dr. Lee. “You begin to realize that there’s joy in accomplishing much and then leaving a legacy for those who come after you, because you have lived your life meaningfully and purposefully. So that’s how ACS spirit continues from generations to generations.”

In the forthcoming time, ACS Jakarta has a vision to illuminate the path for often-neglected students, with plans to create a special-needs course for their primary schools. A testament to its unwavering commitment to inclusivity and community, proving that education is more than just academic excellence, it’s about embracing the personal dreams of all.