In today’s world, success in academics and life depends less on innate talent and more on the ability to persevere, adapt, and keep learning. This mindset—known as the growth mindset—is at the heart of teaching and learning at Verbum Dei Academy and Verbum Dei International College.

1. What Is a Growth Mindset?

A growth mindset is the belief that intelligence and abilities can be developed through effort, practice, and persistence. At Verbum Dei, teachers help students embrace challenges, learn from mistakes, and see effort as the path to mastery.

2. Encouraging Effort Over Perfection

Rather than rewarding only the “right answers,” teachers at Verbum Dei celebrate persistence, creativity, and improvement. This approach reassures students that struggling with a task is not failure—it’s part of learning.

3. Teaching Resilience Through Mistakes

Mistakes are reframed as learning opportunities. Teachers often guide students to reflect on what went wrong, identify strategies for improvement, and try again. This builds resilience and reduces the fear of failure.

4. Using Language That Builds Confidence

Instead of saying “You’re so smart,” teachers focus on effort-based praise such as “I like how hard you worked on this problem.” This language shift encourages students to value persistence over innate ability.

5. Setting High but Achievable Expectations

Verbum Dei teachers strike a balance between challenging students and providing the support they need. Students learn to stretch beyond their comfort zones while knowing that their teachers believe in their ability to succeed.

6. Promoting a Love for Learning

From classroom discussions to extracurricular activities, Verbum Dei fosters curiosity. Students are encouraged to ask questions, explore ideas, and enjoy the process of discovery rather than merely seeking grades.

7. Role Modeling by Teachers

Teachers themselves model a growth mindset by showing openness to feedback, willingness to learn, and resilience in facing challenges. This authenticity inspires students to adopt the same attitude.

The Verbum Dei Promise

At Verbum Dei, fostering a growth mindset equips students not just for exams, but for life. With this mindset, they approach every challenge as an opportunity and every setback as a stepping stone toward greatness.