Tips for selecting right international schools in China
by tnmom – from ShanghaiExpat Forum
Here are some things I would ask:
1. Class size? Subjects offered?
2. Language program – Opportunities to learn Mandarin, How much cultural emphasis in the curriculum?
3. Compatibility with home country curriculum – not a problem if this is a pemanant move, but if you will be moving back to Australia you want to make sure that your kids will be able to slip back into the curriculum as well as possible (or you may decide that the cultural experience is worth a little give and take academically)
4. Extra curricular activities – do they have what you want or will you have to search outside of school?
5. College recruitment program – for older grades – where do their graduates go to college? Who recruits at the school? What is the reputation? Do they offer appropriate college tests? Counseling for college application process?
6. Drug testing policy, uniform policy, etc. – nice to know up front.
7. Be sure to ask what the acceptance process is like – we were surprised to end up on the waiting list at SAS because we thought we had a seat guarantee from our company. It all worked out, but we moved here not knowing exactly where our younger two kids were going to school.