Parents are well aware of the importance of a good education in their child’s life. With multiple schooling options available in any city, it has become quite challenging for parents to select the most appropriate school for their child. Now they have to choose between a local school and an international school too.
International schools offer unique advantages to children, most notably preparing children for English-speaking higher education opportunities worldwide. While the final word would be yours, we could provide you with some pointers that can help you select the right international public school for your child.
Financial commitment
School fees are not just a one-time commitment. It is a recurring expense which keeps rising each year. When you decide on a school, you should be sure that you would bear that expense for the long term.
School credentials
With international schools mushrooming in every corner of the cities, it becomes essential to do your homework. Only a handful of international schools are globally recognized, and they are listed on the IB website. According to the website, only 85 IB schools in India have the necessary global recognition.
School curriculum and ethos
You should be clear about your choice of curriculum. If you have a job with overseas postings, International school board (IGCSE) is the best choice as your child’s education will not suffer on migration. Your decision should also be based on factors like the child’s past curriculum before you moved or the future courses or university they might be interested in. Factors such as class sizes and student demographics should also be considered. A lower student-teacher ratio can give more one-to-one attention to the child. Students of various nationalities can help give your child exposure to different cultures and be more accommodative to other people.
Your child’s needs
The most crucial factor to consider while looking for a school is considering your child’s own needs. Discuss the options with him/her and make sure he/she is happy about it. Consider his strengths and weaknesses to select the best school for him. Find schools that will encourage their strengths as well as help them improve on their weaknesses. Choosing a school which will make them happy and encourage them to learn is more important than picking the best school in your price range.
Student-centric approach
Not all children are equally prepared for schooling. Some may have some sort of learning disorders like dyslexia. Some may be gifted with unique talents or have a more substantial visual memory, etc. Many schools have learning resources centres in place to mentor such children with learning disabilities to be brought at par with other children in the class. It is always better to enrol your child in a school having such resource centres that can mould them and further hone their skill sets.
Logistics
It is essential to consider the school’s distance from your home or your workplace. Check if the school offers bus services or you will have to use public transport or your vehicle. If school bus services are available, consider the route it takes and factor in your budget’s bus fees. Another factor to think about is whether the school provides lunch or needs to bring his own. If the school does provide lunch, is it nutritious and well balanced?
Just make a list of all the shortlisted schools in your area based on the above factors and visit each school one by one. Talk to parents who send their children to these schools. Finally, make an informed decision and select a school that makes you and your child happy.
