By Not all international schools are great. It is a common misconception that a school is automatically good if it is international or has ‘international school’ appended to its name. But such is not the case. Don’t be fooled by a school’s claim or name alone. It takes a lot to be a good international school. As a parent who wants nothing but the best for your child, you should be well aware of the main factors that make an international school great. This article will help you.
It will enlist ten essential qualities to look for if you’re looking for a great international school for your child. All ten qualities are highly important and non-negotiable. If your prospective international school does not have all of it, move along to your next choice. Your child’s future is too precious to be risked.
10 Qualities to Look For in an International School
1. Academic Excellence
International schools follow an international curriculum. This is the main thing that makes international schools different. Children enrolled in international schools will get to experience the challenging International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme if they’re enrolled in an international school. This is particularly important if you have plans of having your child study abroad for college.
But academic excellence is not seen in one’s used curriculum alone. A great international school should also nurture learning and inquiry at all times. Students should not only be allowed to increase their knowledge. They should also be allowed to demonstrate their comprehension. A good curriculum will teach and develop children to become:
- Thinkers
- Inquirer
- Communicators
- Knowledgeable
- Risk-takers
- Caring
- Principled
- Reflective
- Well-balanced
2. Personalized Learning
A good international school will see your child as a unique learner. This has been revealed by studies as important in securing student success. Each student needs to be seen and heard as a unique individual with different likes and interests. A good international school will cater to this important factor. It will provide varied learning methods that fit a child’s personality. Having a personalized learning curriculum will ensure that your child gets to truly explore his abilities and learn more about topics that he or she is passionate about. In Thailand, Bangkok Prep International School is known to provide a fully personalized learning curriculum for each and every student.
3. World-Class Faculty
A great international school has an excellent roster of world-class educators. It sources its faculty both locally and internationally to truly provide a well-rounded learning experience to its students.
All world-class teachers have the following characteristics:
- World-class teachers are committed to world progress and development. They instill such passion in the students they teach. They encourage their students to contribute to their community.
- World-class teachers are field experts. They have advanced degrees and training that suits the IB Programme.
- World-class teachers see each student as a unique individual and learner.
- World-class teachers are always open to collaborating with students.
- World-class teachers offer co-curricular programmes that enhance learning.
- World-class teachers are always open to sharing their knowledge and passion with all.
4. Excellent Facilities
A good international school has facilities that help in fostering collaboration and interaction. Its campus is open, flexible, and accessible. A great international school with excellent facilities will have students always feeling secure that all the resources and information they need are available to them.
5. Global Educational Networks
Your child should have access to global educational networks and this should be easily provided by a good international school. A good international school provides opportunities for students to participate in international activities abroad. Students of international schools should easily be friends with other international students from different parts of the world through academic activities.
6. Local Partnerships
Good international schools partner with local stakeholders to provide better learning experiences to their students. They have partnerships with local businesses and organizations that allow for easy access to intensive field training. Such local tie-ups allow students to be fully well-rounded and ready for the real world.
7. Solid Local Community
Your child should be exposed to the richness of his or her local community. This should be easily provided by a great international school. A great one will inspire students to reach out to their local community and move for positive changes. A student enrolled in a great international school will have many opportunities to volunteer and be of service to the local community.
8. History and Reputation
History is important. It tells you where an international school has been and where it is going. This is something that you should be fully particular with when it comes to international schools. A great international school has a stellar history. It has students that have reached peak success in their chosen field both in the local and international arena. A good international school has a solid reputation in the local community.
9. Dedicated Support Systems
A student needs to feel seen and supported at all times. An international school that is great has a dedicated support system that makes this a reality. It provides a solid group of staff and experts to ensure that students, faculty, and parents are all relating and collaborating harmoniously.
10. Extracurricular Activities
If you want your child to have a big chance of studying abroad and passing world-class universities like Harvard, Yale, and Princeton, you should ensure that he or she gets solid extracurricular activities. This is something that great international schools can easily provide. Great international schools have balanced programmes that allow students to excel not just in academics but also in athletics, arts, and community service.
