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.”