Although he had already received early admission offers from 28 universities in Vietnam and abroad, Trung Kiên (12Denver) remained committed to giving his very best in Vietnam’s National High School Graduation Examination. He went on to become The Dewey Schools’ top A1 scorer with an outstanding total of 27.25 points. Yet, what truly sets Kiên apart is not just his academic achievement, but the way he has transformed learning into a journey driven by genuine curiosity and passion.
An active member of the Dewey community, Kiên is a familiar face at major school events while consistently ranking among the school’s top academic performers. His homeroom teacher, Ms. Phương Thảo, was hardly surprised by his remarkable results.
“I believe there is no academic challenge too difficult for Trung Kiên. In fact, the more demanding the challenge, the more motivated he becomes to conquer it.”
One of Kiên’s greatest strengths is his independent learning mindset and his determination to understand knowledge at its core. Rather than memorizing formulas or repeatedly practicing exam papers, he spends time researching the underlying principles behind each concept and phenomenon. Instead of focusing solely on finding the correct answer, he has developed the habit of asking questions, engaging in discussions with teachers and classmates, and exploring the most effective solutions. Alongside Vietnam’s national curriculum, Dewey’s Mathematics and English-medium Science courses have helped him cultivate logical thinking, analytical skills, and the ability to solve real-world problems.
These strengths proved especially valuable in this year’s examination, where the Natural Sciences papers featured more questions connected to practical applications and modern technology. Rather than testing rote memorization, the exam challenged students to model real-life situations and apply their knowledge to solve authentic problems. This is precisely the kind of thinking Kiên has developed throughout his time at Dewey through interdisciplinary projects, from designing 3D architectural models using spatial geometry to applying mathematical concepts in financial investment simulations.
For Physics, Kiên regularly watched experimental demonstrations to gain a deeper understanding of scientific concepts. This habit enabled him to approach this year’s application-based questions with confidence.
“In the section on magnetic field experiments, the exam no longer focused on substituting numbers into formulas as in previous years. Instead, it assessed students’ ability to apply their knowledge to explain physical phenomena. Similarly, with Lenz’s Law, the exam wasn’t about recalling definitions but about understanding the fundamental principle that induced current always acts to oppose the change in magnetic flux,” Kiên explained.
Beyond his strengths in STEM subjects, Kiên has also demonstrated exceptional English proficiency. Without attending any external test-preparation center, he achieved an impressive SAT score of 1540 in Grade 11. His independent SAT preparation, combined with Dewey’s English-language curriculum, exposed him to an extensive range of academic vocabulary and subject-specific terminology. As a result, he entered the National Graduation Examination feeling confident and well-prepared, requiring very little additional revision for the English paper thanks to the strong foundation he had already built.
A score of 27.25 is undoubtedly an important milestone in Trung Kiên’s academic journey. Yet, what Dewey is proudest of is that throughout this journey, he has never lost his curiosity for knowledge or his enthusiasm for embracing new challenges. Perhaps that is the greatest purpose of education: to nurture individuals who love learning, continue exploring the world around them, and persevere in becoming the very best version of themselves.
