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High School | "Lunch with Principal" Event Successfully Held: Insight into the Future, Empowering Growth

April 8, 2026

On April 2 and 3, SHSID High School successfully held the "Lunch with Principal" Event in the Xianmian Building, catering to students in Grades 9-10 and Grades 11-12, respectively. Participants were selected via a random lucky draw during the preceding Pi Day week activities. Principal Ma sat in a circle with the students, engaging in sincere, pragmatic, and highly inspiring dialogues covering academic planning, personal interests and development, and the challenges posed by the era of Artificial Intelligence (AI). He listened intently to the students' voices, addressed their concerns about personal growth, and provided guidance for their high school journey and future trajectory.



On April 2, G11-12 students, combining their learning experiences from the IB, A-Level, and AP curricula, candidly shared their academic uncertainties. Principal Ma responded thoughtfully, emphasizing that university acceptance results are not the sole standard defining one’s future. Drawing on case studies of alumni, he encouraged students to transcend the "ranking-only" mentality and focus instead on cultivating core competencies and practical skills. Regarding major selection, Principal Ma affirmed the students' perspective: "Prioritize interested majors and avoid blindly chasing popular trends.” He reminded everyone to rationally draw on seniors' experiences, adapt them to their own circumstances, and develop critical thinking. Furthermore, students provided suggestions regarding campus facilities and services, all of which Principal Ma addressed, and for which solutions are being implemented.



The April 3 session for G9-10 students focused on the essential transition from middle school to high school and foundational academic planning. Principal Ma pointed out that Grade 9 is a pivotal period for cultivating self-management abilities, encouraging students to proactively explore their interests and future directions. In terms of course selection, he emphasized the importance of rational choices aligned with individual interests and capabilities, opposing the blind pursuit of high-difficulty courses; the school's diverse course combinations will help students find a development path tailored to them. For personal development, Principal Ma shattered "elite university superstitions" using examples of graduates from institutions like UIUC and Purdue securing employment at top-tier tech companies, illustrating that individual effort and capability are the real keys to career success.


The impact of AI on education was a shared hot topic in both sessions. G11-12 students affirmed the school’s initiatives to strengthen collaborative projects involving AI practice. They proposed that education should focus on teaching students to utilize and evaluate AI, rather than simply prohibiting it or turning AI use into a competitive race. Principal Ma aligned with this view and analyzed the impact of generative AI on the IB assessment system. He shared insights using a case study from Princeton University, discussing with students the possibility of using oral "defenses" to guarantee academic integrity.


Addressing the G9-10 students, Principal Ma laid out expectations regarding the challenges of the AI era, stressing the importance of building a solid foundation, cultivating critical thinking, and developing stress resilience. He used an anecdote about a Stanford alumnus who successfully transitioned careers to illustrate that the ability to adapt to change is paramount. In response to various uncertainties, he advised "explore inward, gather information, and manage time," encouraging everyone to cherish their high school years and focus on nurturing core capabilities.


The atmosphere of both sessions was relaxed, fostering deep mutual resonance between teachers and students. Principal Ma empowered the students with sincere responses and a forward-looking perspective. The students actively expressed their needs, showcasing the independence and responsibility characteristic of SHSID High School students, while simultaneously highlighting the school’s student-centered educational philosophy.


(Pictures and written by High School School Affairs Office   Edited by Mr. Cody Turner)