About Round Square

What is Round Square?

Round Square is a world-wide association of schools in 40 countries across five continents sharing unique and ambitious goals. Students attending Round Square schools make a strong commitment, beyond academic excellence, to personal development and responsibility. This is achieved by participating in community service, work projects, exchange programs and adventuring, which can, and often does, take students half way around the world.

Round Square schools collaborate on a holistic approach to learning that is built around six IDEALS: Internationalism, Democracy, Environmentalism, Adventure, Leadership and Service.

Round Square IDEALS

1. Internationalism: The most powerful force in advocating and promoting international understanding is exposure to different cultures. Students from all nationalities are taught to appreciate value and respect all cultures, religions and languages. Students learn to see themselves as global citizens and are asked to look beyond gender, class, race, nationality and culture to understand human nature.
2. Democracy: Freedom of thought and speech is greatly encouraged and appropriate forums and channels of communication are set in place. Students are also taught to appreciate the importance of self-discipline and are trained and expected to share in the running of the school.
3. Environmentalism: Students are expected to demonstrate an active interest and concern for all natural environments, to be aware of proven problems and to play a practical role in tackling environmental issues. Students are taught the fine balance and the interdependence needed to maintain a healthy relationship between human beings and the planet.
4. Adventure: Building the body and soul through adventure, meeting the physical challenge and developing an appreciation of the outdoors are essential. Each school arranges outdoor and extra-curricular activities that challenge and strongly engage students, individually and within groups – in ways that promote personal growth and self discovery.
5. Leadership: Students are taught that true leadership is found in those whose convictions are rooted in personal responsibility, kindness and justice. Opportunities for student leadership in the school’s community are fostered. A high level of responsibility is passed on to students individually and collectively.
6. Service: A key method used by Round Square to prepare students for life is by the expectation of serving others. Each student is encouraged to perform a substantial number of service hours, either in school-sponsored, regional or international projects. Round Square international projects have been in existence since the early eighties, occurring in developing countries, where both staff and students from all Round Square schools work together.

Click here to see how King’s Academy puts Round Square IDEALS in action!