How to choose a good international school

Today it is difficult for many families to choose between a local school and an international school. Thus, big cities most of all offer some international schools. And international schools combine a mix of foreign students and local students. Moreover, international schools prepare kids for English-speaking institutions worldwide. This guide is tailored for you to correctly choose an international school:

• history of international schools;
• facts and figures about international schools;
• demographics of a typical international school;
• new options for students;
• does the school have accreditation?;
• is the school a member of educational organizations?;
• what is the turnover of teachers and administrators?;
• does the school’s website make you want to visit it?;
• what is the culture of the school?;
• does the school value languages?;
• do students have access to technology?;
• does the school have a library with a teacher librarian?;
• does the school have extra-curricular activities?;
• what is the reputation of the school?

History of international schools

International schools were first set up for the children of missionaries and business people who were frequently moving around the world for work. The International Baccalaureate (IB) program was first created to serve as a framework for other international schools to follow. Under the guise of a standardized program, it didn’t matter where in the world a child ended up; they would be roughly learning the same things if the school taught the IB curriculum. Most international schools offer the IB Diploma; universities worldwide recognize this diploma.

The International Baccalaureate is an international education program offered to students aged 3 to 19 years by schools in 138 countries.

The countries are:

–       Albania;

–       Andorra;

–       Angolla;

–       Anguilla;

–       Antigua and Barbuda;

–       Argentina;

–       Armenia;

–       Australia;

–       Austria;

–       Azerbaijan;

–       Bahamas;

–       Bahrein;

–       Bangladesh;

–       Barbados;

–       Belarus;

–       Belgium;

–       Benin;

–       Bermuda;

–       Bolivia;

–       Bosnia and Herzegovina;

–       Botswana;

–       Brazil;

–       British Virgin Islands;

–       Brunei;

–       Bulgaria;

–       Burkina Faso;

–       Burundi;

–       Cambodia;

–       Cameroon;

–       Canada;

–       Cayman Islands;

–       Chile;

–       China;

–       Colombia;

–       Congo;

–       Costa Rica;

–       Cote Divoire;

–       Croatia;

–       Cuba;

–       Curacao;

–       Cyprus;

–       Czechia;

–       Denmark;

–       Dominican Republic;

–       Equador;

–       Egypt;

–       El Salvador;

–       Eritrea;

–       Estonia;

–       Eswatini;

–       Ethiopia;

–       Fiji;

–       Finland;

–       France;

–       Gabon;

–       Georgia;

–       Germany;

–       Ghana;

–       Greece;

–       Guam;

–       Guatemala;

–       Guernsey;

–       Honduras;

–       Hong Kong;

–       Hungary;

–       Island;

–       India;

–       Indonesia;

–       Iran;

–       Iraq;

–       Ireland;

–       Isle of Men;

–       Israel;

–       Italy;

–       Jamaica;

–       Japan;

–       Jersey;

–       Jordan;

–       Kazakhstan;

–       Kenya;

–       Kosovo;

–       Kuwait;

–       Kyrgyzstan;

–       Laos;

–       Latvia;

–       Lebanon;

–       Lesotho;

–       Liberia;

–       Lithuania;

–       Luxembourg;

–       Macao;

–       Madagascar;

–       Malawi;

–       Malaysia;

–       Malta;

–       Mauritius;

–       Mexico;

–       Monaco;

–       Mongolia;

–       Montenegro;

–       Morocco;

–       Mozambique;

–       Myanmar;

–       Namibia;

–       Nepal;

–       Netherlands;

–       New Zealand;

–       Nicaragua;

–       Niger;

–       Nigeria;

–       North Macedonia;

–       Norway;

–       Oman;

–       Pakistan;

–       Palestine;

–       Panama;

–       Papua New Guinea;

–       Paraguay;

–       Peru;

–       Philippines;

–       Poland;

–       Portugal;

–       Puerto Rico;

–       Qatar;

–       Romania;

–       Russia;

–       Rwanda;

–       Saudi Arabia;

–       Senegal;

–       Serbia;

–       Singapore;

–       Sint Maarten;

–       Slovakia;

–       Slovenia;

–       Solomon Islands;

–       Somalia;

–       South Africa;

–       South Korea;

–       Spain;

–       Sri Lanka;

–       Sudan;

–       Sweden;

–       Switzerland;

–       Taiwan;

–       Tanzania;

–       Thailand;

–       Timor-Leste;

–       Togo;

–       Trinidad and Tobago;

–       Tunisia;

–       Turkey;

–       Uganda;

–       Ukraine;

–       United Arab Emirates;

–       United Kingdom;

–       United States;

–       Uruguay;

–       Uzbekistan;

–       Venezuela;

–       Vietnam;

–       Virgin Islands;

–       Zambia;

–       Zimbabwe.

Other international school programs also exist alongside International Baccalaureate. These are a number of organizations that offer accreditation to schools like:

– Advanced Placement;

– Cambridge IGCSE;

– the Council of International Schools;

– the International Primary Curriculum;

– the New England Association of Schools and Colleges;

Facts and figures about international schools.

In 2000, there were 2,584 international schools teaching one million students – mainly foreigners. Today, that number stands at 5,676 schools teaching over 2.5 million students; by 2020, the prediction is that there will be over 11,000 international schools with more than 5 million students.

Parents like to send their kids to international schools because of the quality of study there. Rich local families value English-language education. The expenses for such kind of education are quite high especially in countries with a low cost of living. According to ISC Research organization analyzing developments in the market of international schools, parents want to provide an international education for their kids.

“Asia has dominated the growth since January 2006 and with 3,000 schools. This accounts for 53 percent of all international schools worldwide,” says Nicholas Brummitt, Managing Director of ISC Research.

“The leading countries for international schools currently are China, India, Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates, and Thailand. Europe has also grown significantly and now has 1,324 schools. We expect future growth in Southern Asia, particularly in India and Pakistan; in Western Asia, in parts of the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia; in Eastern Asia, especially China, Hong Kong, and South Korea; and in South East Asia, in Vietnam, Thailand, and Singapore,” he says.

Demographics of a typical international school

In the recent years we see the growth in local kids getting an international education because of the increasing wealth of local families. “In many cases, an English-language education for their children is very high on their list of priorities.”

“It is now widely accepted that opportunities for students after international school are tremendous. The top universities the world over are consistently competing for the best students. Many local families want this opportunity for their children and most schools also see this as an enormous benefit for their expatriate intake; providing immediate and direct links with the local community that they’re living in.”

International schools employ a small number of local teachers where a vast majority of those comes from English – speaking countries. This includes teachers from the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the United States, and South Africa.

Currently, there are 350,000 fully qualified teachers working in international schools. Accordingly, that number is anticipated to rise to 500,000 by 2020, to meet the demand from increased student intake and additional new schools.

“This is the biggest problem facing international schools today,” says Nick Brummitt. “Not only to meet the demand of students, but also to maintain the high quality standards that most of these schools currently hold.”

New options for students

Nick points out that a recent new trend in international school options is the establishment of sister schools of top UK private schools. Harrow, Dulwich, Shrewsbury, Repton, Oxford High, and Wellington College have all opened foreign locations, while Epsom College, Oundle, Brighton College, and others are preparing for imminent school openings globally.

“Excellent schooling options for expatriate families continues to grow,” says Nick Brummitt. “In many cities, you may have the choice of several international schools.”

“Making your choice may therefore require the consideration of curriculum. You may well have the choice of schools focusing on the a national curricula, or a curriculum such as the International Baccalaureate or the International Primary Curriculum. Bilingual schools are becoming another alternative.”

Most of the cities offer some international schools while the other towns offer just one. So, most of all you can choose between some schools.

Some cities have many international schools to choose from; however, other cities have just one. If you have a choice between several schools, here are a few questions to consider.

Does the school have accreditation?

An accredited school offers a curriculum on the certain standards. The accreditation means that there is a positive learning environment and strategic plan for the future.

Accreditation also allows students to transfer credits between schools. If the school is accredited by an American organization, this allows schools to offer diplomas that are valid for American university entry, for example.

Is the school a member of educational organizations?

In Europe, high-quality international schools are affiliated with the European Council of International Schools. Each country has its own councils of international schools. Therefore school need to comply with certain standards. For example, a school in Germany may be a member of the Association of German international schools.

What is the turnover of teachers and administrators?

The students in international schools are transient. For example, teachers may stay a few years here and a few years there. A low turnover rate means the school treats employees well. The teachers may not to travel if the school gives pay and benefits, quality resources for the classroom and professional development. Please avoid the schools with high administrative turnover. If the employees are working for school for a long time it means they are pleased with the school and invested in the school, its vision, and its program. If the school hire a new director each year than its difficult to bring a new vision.

Does the school’s website make you want to visit it?

A school’s website should be up to date and must show parent meetings, sporting events, activities, or assemblies. The website should have student resources as well as parent resources available. The curriculum map, programs, and the school’s strategic plan should be easily accessible to anyone. The website should express that the school values clear communication with all stakeholders.

What is the culture of the school?

If you want  to visit the school, ask your tour guide to describe the school’s culture. They should be able to give you a description of the overall values of the school.

Does the school value languages?

English is considered to be the main study language. Also you will be required to learn the local language to fast acclimatize to their new home. Mostly international schools are taught in English you will hear the other languages there too. If kids speak only the local language this school is not considered to be international.

Students need the opportunity to have access to language classes that allow them to sustain their native tongue. Some schools offer these classes within the school day; others will offer them as after-school or weekend programs. Balancing language learning opportunities ensures that a student’s knowledge of the local tongue goes beyond simply knowing what to call their teacher.

Do students have access to technology?

For today, students and teachers should use modern tools in the classroom. By the way, teachers should use interactive whiteboards and projection systems in the classroom. Also they should use there laptops and tablets in the classroom.

Does the school have a library with a teacher librarian?

Today a librarian is not only about storing books, but they should work in classrooms to help students with research skills and help find ways to curate information and resources. So, librarians are so useful to guide students and teachers through a lot of digital and print resources available to them.

Does the school have extra-curricular activities?

An international school should offer not only academics but also extra-curricular activities. The arts are widespread there as well as participation in band, orchestra and choir. Thus, international schools provide with art, drama, dance, design, or technology.

Big schools are normally coworking with organizations that sponsor festivals and competitions for schools. And students compete against or join with students from other schools in a variety of ways. If you want your kids doing sports please ask about the sports activities offered by the school. Most of all, international schools contain sports programs in their curriculum.

What is the reputation of the school?

Ask everyone in your region about the international school you are interested in.

Some websites charge a subscription fee, although others are free. International School Community, International Schools Review, and The Good Schools Guide are a few places to start.