Expat Advice on Local School Options

[broti]

... To me, one of the main differences at the high school level between the International Schools and the local schools is that the International Schools are not or minimally selective, while better local schools are selective and top local schools highly selective.

Yes, an important observation !

...If your employer is paying the school fees and they are pretty average kids, then you should probably use the international schools.

Of course !

If your kids are below average academically, you might want to stump up the cash for an international school for obvious reasons. The international schools have top notch teachers and facilities (given their price!) while providing a holistic education for students with a large variety of abilities.

Generally true, but be aware that the label "International" only means that it is a foreign school (well, the largest International school is the Global Indian International school which may not be on your radar screen at all!)

[sundaymorningstaple]

Generally true, but be aware that the label "International" only means that it is a foreign school (well, the largest International School is the Global Indian International school which may not be on your radar screen at all!)

What language medium does the Indian School teach in? Do they use primarily English or do they use one of the major Indian dialects? Does the GIIS use the International Baccalaureate, British or American educational system of schooling? I am only asking because I'm sure a lot of others have probably wondered about this as well. In other words, would a Anglo Saxon British child feel comfortable in the GIIS style of education? Would it actually be suitable? Or while, by definition, GIIS is technically an International school, is it more an Foreign School aimed specifically at a certain Nationality or group of nationalities similar to the Japanese School, etc., etc.

I've always considered an "International" school as where the mix of foreign nationalities is rather heavy and varied. The others 'international' schools I look at a 'foreign' schools. I may well be wrong, so that's why I'm asking......

[boffenl]

I've been impressed with the GIIS students I've come across--they are amazingly well rounded and from all over the world. Yes, they do have a wide mix of nationalities, but I believe the largest is (hold on to your shorts) India.

My 2 cents.

[farawayfromhome]

I think as long as you are making the decision based on what is best for your child, you will make the right choice. IMO, you shouldn't send your kids to the local schools because you think you're a snob if you don't or to test how adaptable your kids are. Likewise, you shouldn't pick the International Schools because it's what all your friends are doing or because you think the local schools are beneath your family.

We researched all options extensively and enrolled our child in the local school but all of my friend's kids are in International Schools. We each chose based on what was best for our kids and, in the end, that's all that matters.

A bit off the subject, but I also think it's important to note that our decision had very little to do with money. Don't get me wrong, the savings is nice but I wouldn't think twice about spending the money if it was the right choice for my child. I also would not put my child in the international schools ONLY because someone else was paying for it (and I know there are many more valid reasons that parents go with internat'nl schools). In other words, the right choice is the right choice regardless of whose picking up the bill.

[road.not.taken]

What a nice post farawayfromhome. I completely agree. Schooling is a hot-button issue, no doubt. The only chance we have of making the best decisions I think, is to have all the facts we can, weigh the options and make the call. Come to think of it, that applies to all decisions

[WestCoastBaby]

Very well said, farawayfromhome! Good luck to everyone making the decision.

[boffenl]

Farawayfromhome you might be a newbie but you're spot on with your last comments.

It'sa grueling decision, choosing which system would best suit your child's needs and academic situation. You put it wonderfully, thanks for summing up!

[Nyambura]

Boffenl ,thanks for the clear and great posts on your local school experiences. Its rather sad that this forum has some very ill mannered persons ( who i strongly suspect are employed by it to respond incase no body else has an opinion on the subject) as they change face and references..at times refering to themselves as my wife and i or my husband and i or as military service men depending on what post they are trying to get into.

I come here as a last resort but google led me to this post. We are looking into schools for our son for next year and river valley primary school joined the list alongside other International Schools. Hope we make the right choice as its taunting not knowing how decisions will affect your child.

[sundaymorningstaple]

who i strongly suspect are employed by it to respond incase no body else has an opinion on the subject) as they change face and references..at times refering to themselves as my wife and i or my husband and i or as military service men depending on what post they are trying to get into.

[boffenl]

Glad my posts are helpful Nyambura, if you have any specific questions, do PM me. It's a daunting choice for sure, and I'm so very lucky I made the right one for my child.

Good luck!