To achieve an IELTS score of 8.5, students need far more than strong test-taking skills. Educational research indicates that high scores are only sustainable when they are built upon a solid foundation of academic English, critical thinking, and the ability to use language effectively in real-world contexts. This philosophy lies at the core of the IELTS program design at The Dewey Schools—where the pursuit of high scores goes hand in hand with long-term preparation for higher education.
In practice, at The Dewey Schools, 43.5% of students achieve an IELTS score of 7.0 or above, with many cohorts successfully reaching the 8.5 benchmark on their very first test attempt. These outcomes are not the result of short-term exam drilling, but rather the product of a strategically designed learning pathway, consistently implemented and developed by the Dewey Educational Research & Pedagogical Council (ERPC).
IELTS is integrated into the formal curriculum with two periods per week, delivered continuously from lower secondary to upper secondary levels. The learning pathway is structured into two clearly defined stages: IELTS Stepping Stones (Grades 6–8), which focuses on building a strong academic English foundation while developing all four language skills and critical thinking; and IELTS Prep (Grades 9–12), which is designed according to proficiency levels, differentiated by students’ abilities and target scores, enabling learners to accelerate at the right time and sustain long-term effectiveness.
In addition to a structured IELTS program, students further strengthen their academic English through subjects transferred from Mount Vernon School (ranked among the Top 10 Innovative Schools in the United States), such as Humanities, Mathematics, Science, and MDE Innovation. Within a bilingual and multicultural learning environment, students continuously apply English to analysis, presentation, and critical discussion—thereby effectively supporting all four IELTS skills: Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing.
According to Ms. Trần Mai Trang, Deputy Director of the English Program at The Dewey Schools Hải Phòng, regular IELTS mock tests play a crucial role in assessing students’ actual proficiency. Based on assessment results, teachers adjust instructional approaches and collaborate with the university guidance team to update target scores aligned with each student’s higher education pathway.
At The Dewey Schools, IELTS 8.5 is not the final destination but a milestone within a structured and sustainable learning journey. When academic English proficiency is developed with sufficient depth, students not only achieve high scores but are also well prepared to study, think, and thrive in university and global education environments.
