At Sapolu Destined Academy, we strive to help our students become lifelong learners. This means embracing a spirit of curiosity, adaptability, and discipline. With these tools, students can carry forward their experiences at SDA into the rest of their education and beyond.
Here are four ways to help students become lifelong learners.
#1: Reward Curiosity
Lifelong learning requires curiosity: that is, asking questions about the world around you and engaging in active problem-solving. At SDA, we foster this mindset through small, tight-knit classes and peer relationships, field trips, individualized guidance from instructors and coaches, and a deep respect for diverse cultures and perspectives. When students graduate from SDA, they have built a foundation that enables them to remain excellent listeners, possess well-honed critical thinking skills, and maintain open minds and hearts.
#2: Encourage a Growth Mindset
Lifelong learners truly believe that there is always more to learn, another value we instill at SDA. We emphasize a continual growth mindset in both academics and athletics—that hard work and dedication can and will lead to results, and that self-improvement is always possible with initiative.
This attitude is especially helpful after students finish their official studies, when they no longer have the structure of an academic institution and must be self-motivated in order to learn.
#3: Promote Collaborative Learning
SDA students are a tight-knit group of teammates, peers, and friends who help each other learn and grow. These bonds help teach students that learning is often a collaborative process, and that close relationships with others—asking questions, talking complex problems through, and listening to different perspectives—deepens the learning experience. As lifelong learners, students will be equipped to think of learning a social endeavor, one that improves as it is shared.
#4: Promote Independent Learning, Too
While students work closely together in the classroom setting, they also gain the tools to work independently. For example, SDA’s high-tech learning environment not only helps students familiarize themselves with the latest digital resources, but also helps them become more adaptable to different forms of learning, so they’ll be able to adjust to future innovations with ease.
SDA students will also master time management and discipline—key skills for college athletes and lifelong learners. By balancing rigorous academics with elite-level sports training, students will develop the character necessary to excel in challenging situations (whether on the field, in the classroom, or in their future endeavors) and take responsibility for their own success. This sense of agency will serve them well in their future pursuits—whether hobbies they’re excited about, athletic goals, careers, or whatever else they set their minds to.
To learn more about how SDA can provide your child with the tools for a lifetime of learning, contact our admissions team.