Nestled on the scenic hills of Bugesera, Eastern Province, Ntare Louisenlund School (NLS) welcomed prospective parents and students for an immersive "Discovery Day," offering insights into its STEM-focused international curriculum, student life, and extracurricular programmes.

The event on March 22 aimed to introduce families to the school’s unique academic approach and world-class facilities, reinforcing its position as Rwanda’s leading boarding school for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education.

ALSO READ: PHOTOS: Ntare School Rwanda starts receiving applications, set to open in September

Established in 2024, NLS stands out for its commitment to student-centred learning, fostering collaboration, and nurturing STEM excellence. The school places a strong emphasis on personalized education, equipping learners with the skills to thrive in an ever-changing world.

Head of School, Damien Paul Vassallo, highlighted the importance of Discovery Day in providing parents and students with a firsthand feel of campus life, classrooms, and co-curricular activities before making enrollment decisions.

ALSO READ: PHOTOS: Minister Irere visits Ntare School Rwanda

"Discovery Day is an opportunity for learners and their parents to experience life at NLS firsthand, visiting our classes and our facilities and getting a glimpse of all this unique boarding school has to offer,” Vassallo explained.

The event featured campus tours showcasing NLS’s facilities and programmes including state-of-the-art STEM labs, art centers, and recreational spaces, allowing visitors to engage directly with students and teachers. The school, which currently has over 140 students, accepts online applications.

Commenting on the impact of Discovery Day, Vassallo remarked that the day has attracted interest in the school’s programmes, emphasising an uptick in the number of interested candidates and applicants.

"For a new school, NLS has one of the most enriching, diverse co-curricular programmes in the region. These activities range from robotics to traditional dance, from coding to crochet and fashion design, from Model United Nations, a Debating Society to basketball and karate,” Vassallo added.

"We offer around 25 co-curricular experiences in the realms of creativity, athletics, civics, sustainability, and community engagement. There is something for everyone here.”

NLS prides itself on personalised learning, where each student receives individual mentoring and a tailored academic portfolio to guide their educational journey.

The school integrates Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) into its curriculum, ensuring students develop not just academically but also emotionally and socially.

"Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) is the bedrock of our student life programme. Our Deans of Student Life and residence life coaches are familiar with this framework and use it to offer students guidance and support as they navigate the challenges of adolescence,” he said.

"Community life and learning experiences at NLS are tailored to foster positive interaction between members of the learning community, underpinned by the values that serve as the bedrock of our mission: responsibility, integrity, fairness, honesty, and a readiness to help.”

According to Vassallo, the school aims to reach its full capacity of 960 students over the next five years. The school admissions strategy targets up to 80 new students annually, emphasising the importance of Discovery Day as one of the school’s strategies.

One of the standout aspects of NLS is its commitment to scholarship opportunities. Currently, 90 per cent of students receive scholarships.

"In future cohorts, that number will be slightly over 50 per cent, with half of our students receiving full Plus-STEM scholarships from the Republic of Rwanda, and various other candidates receiving partial need-based and merit scholarships from the school directly,” he added.

NLS is currently working with corporate partners to create full scholarships for every promising STEM excellence candidate from economically disadvantaged families.

Partners represented at the event include Bank of Kigali, I&M Bank, and Sonarwa Life.

Parents who attended Discovery Day were impressed by the hands-on learning approach and the school&039;s commitment to holistic education.

Alphonse Nkuranga, a parent from Kigali, noted that the student-centred approach at NLS equips children with both academic and social intelligence.

"I loved how students actively participate in decision-making and learning. The variety of extracurricular activities, from sports to robotics, ensures they develop well-rounded skills," he said.

Nellie Ingabire, another parent, was particularly drawn to the school's focus on practical learning and agriculture.

"I would say that I love their way of doing things. The way the kids are so engaged in their learning and I also love how the kids are hands-on,” she explained.

"It's not about sitting down and listening to teachers, but they're engaged. We also visited their gardens. I am a farmer, so I love it when kids start learning about farming from schools. It is very important and when they come back home, they find it easy.”

She also praised the hygienic environment, strong teacher-student relationships, and the emphasis on student well-being, calling NLS a "beautiful learning space" that every parent should consider.

As the first school outside Germany to offer the prestigious Plus-STEM Junior Academy, a unique integrated educational programme for future top achievers and leaders, NLS continues to set up high-quality STEM education in Africa.

Vassallo expressed pride in what the school has accomplished in a short time, underscoring its commitment to providing top-tier education for future global leaders.

"I’m confident NLS students have the best possible educational opportunities to help them succeed and achieve their goals in an ever-changing and unpredictable world,” he said.