Admissions

How do we tell if a school is any good or not, particularly if friends do not know of it?

Although all schools put their best foot forward in formal presentations, such as open houses and tours, such events reveal true philosophies behind the programming, community, and curriculum, of which they are proud. Many differences between one school and another will become evident after attending and comparing a number of open houses or after visiting the school. Bear in mind that every school works well for some children and may not for others. Some questions to ask are what kind of children will and will not prosper at the school and how the teachers and the administrators handle problems should they arise. 

However, do not make such an important decision on the basis of attending formal programs alone. Make time to visit the school at drop-off and at pick-up time. Do children come by bus, with parents, or with nannies? Are there others with whom you could envision yourself and your child sharing your daily lives? In addition, if you have time, try to attend some extracurricular activities, such as a performance of a musical group, dramatic endeavor, or sporting event., You can learn a great deal about a school by observing coaches, students and faculty on the sports fields and parents in the stands.

Student led tours can be revealing. You can ask students what they do and do not like about the school and get an honest answer. Finally, ask the admissions office if you can speak with two current families who have children the same age as yours who currently attend the school. You can ask questions of these parents that you may not want to ask of the admissions officer.

Is it important to have high level contacts to gain admission at top schools?

While many families in large cities where admission is competitive use high level contacts to assist in securing places, at School Choice International we believe that it is not in the interests of the child to do so. While stressful, the admissions process is well thought out, and results in matching children with schools where they will prosper. When these procedures are circumvented, children may be admitted to a school that is too challenging, or in which their particular learning style is not addressed. Often these children do not enjoy attending school, many are unsuccessful academically, and they may be "counseled out." At School Choice International we believe that it is far more important for a child to be placed in a school where s/he will be successful than to get into the "top school" through any means.  We believe the best school is the one that is right for your child.

Is it possible to jump the waiting list?

This is a question that applies differently in different cases. There is no uniform answer. There are international or national schools worldwide that have absolute policies that prohibit families from moving ahead on the waitlist, except if they conform to their particular procedures, i.e., sibling priority. These schools tend to be firm because the majority of their applicants are high level executives at leading companies, and they have no way of distinguishing between one and another. Their boards are comprised of people from all of these companies, and they cannot favor one trustee's firm at the expense of another's.

In contrast, there are schools where board contacts can make a difference, where companies have purchased seats (or debentures) for their employees, where relationships with admissions personnel can be advantageous. At School Choice International, we have excellent relationships with schools in many countries because we have a reputation for sending them children and families who will be a good fit, both academically, and socially. As a result, schools take our recommendations seriously and even phone us if they have chance vacancies.

Is it necessary to pay registration fees in order to visit a school?

This is a practice that varies in different locations, but also differs according to what takes place during the school visit. In London, for example, it was common for schools to offer families tours without requiring that fees be paid. More recently, certain schools have begun to request registration fees in advance of a visit. In New York, however, all schools expect application fees to be paid in advance of a visit. The visit typically consists of a tour, a parent interview and a child assessment. School personnel feel that in order to schedule staff and dedicate time to this process, applications must be complete and fees paid.

Is it important to give donations?

In fee paying schools in some countries, tuition and fees cover the costs of education, and no private donations are solicited or expected. In others, tuition covers only a fraction of the cost of educating students, and private donations are customary to support extras such as capital improvements, sporting equipment, and scholarships to provide tuition assistance for those unable to pay fees themselves. In some cases the amount of donation is a private matter and there is no discomfort about making a contribution that feels comfortable to you. In others, there is peer pressure to give. It is wise to ask other parents about the culture of the school before joining.

In public schools, costs are supported by taxes. However, there are times when budgets are stretched and schools find ways of establishing vehicles to supplement public monies. Once again, current parents are your best source of information both about level of available resources and requests for funding from parents of enrolled students to ensure that you are comfortable with the school culture.

How many application fees should we allow?

The number of applications appropriate depends on the amount of competition for vacancies. In urban areas where schools are abundant, yet competition is intense, it is wise for students to apply to 8-10 schools as long as that number will consider an application. In these situations, each possibility actually is a long shot, and more irons in the fire will improve the likelihood of success. However, in a remote location there may only be one or two realistic options, so that many applications should be sufficient.

What do we do if we aren't accepted at our first choice school?

The competition for places at schools in some locations is intense and it is important to be realistic about your child's chances of success. Admission depends on the number of spaces, time of year, as well as his or her personal qualifications compared with the pool of applicants.  It is wise to keep your options open by applying to a range of schools. If you feel it is essential that you enroll your child in an independent school, you may have to apply to as many as ten schools in some locations.

You should always make sure to have a safety school that you would be comfortable having your child attend. Often a family may feel negatively about a school that is possible for their child to get into, and yearn for one that is unattainable. However, it is important to visit schools that do have places, speak with current and past parents, and learn as much as possible about them.

School reputations can be very different from the education they offer - generally because reputations take a long time to change when practices may have in fact changed much earlier.  In addition, what works for someone else's child may not be what is right for your child. Therefore, the only way to judge a school is based on personal experience.

If you have explored all options carefully and your original top choice truly is the best fit, but no places are available, you can always reapply to the school the following year when your child is more settled.  In our experience, children generally end up at the schools which suit them best but it can be a grueling process and it is important to keep a sense of perspective and above all protect your child from any feelings of disappointment you may feel.

What do we do if only one of our children is admitted?

It depends why.  Some schools only accept children based on merit, and if a child is not accepted it could be that they would not flourish at that particular school. In that case it is more advantageous to find a school that suits their needs more closely where s/he will thrive. Although having your children together is convenient, no child benefits from constantly being in his or her sibling's shadow.

If it is purely a question of space, your consultant and the admissions director will be able to determine if a vacancy is likely to become available later in the year and whether being patient is the answer.  Even if one child is not clearly academically stronger than another, there are also psychological advantages when a child has his or her own school.

Your consultant will always be available to help you consider your options and to decide whether or not to continue searching for a school that will accept both children or whether to search for an alternate school for the unplaced child.

What are the implications of signing a contract?

Read the contract before signing it. You should expect to be bound by its terms. In the UK, families commit to schools by the term, and one term's notice must be given if a family wants to leave a school without financial penalty. In NYC, once a parent has signed a contract with an independent school, no other school will consider the child, even if they are on a waitlist. The family is committed to a full year's fees even if they leave the area. International school contracts offer varying degrees of leniency throughout the world, from no tuition refunds, to providing refunds if a family gives six weeks notice. Given all of the variation in contract terms in different locations and according to type of school, it is essential for companies and families to be familiar with the contracts signed in order to avoid major losses in the event of a mid-year transfer or, simply, if a child is not happy.

Transitions

What do I do if my child hates the school?

Keep in mind that transitions take time. Don't jump to conclusions if your child doesn't settle in instantly, although your parental instinct may want to do whatever you can to improve the situation.

At prolonged signs of stress, speak to the teacher. You may need to begin by explaining the transition that your child has been through. Except in international schools, teachers may be unfamiliar with the effects of relocation and may not understand what children are experiencing. and do not understand the symptoms they are witnessing. With a little coaching, they can become supportive and assist the child's progress through this process.

Next, you need to see if your child is struggling academically or socially. If there is a problem with learning unrelated to the transition, find out what it is and see what learning support is available at the school or ask the school to recommend outside resources. If it is a social issue, strategize with the teacher as to how your child can make friends or cope with unpleasantness. Many schools have a school psychologist who will be able to give you strategies for helping your child adjust. All schools should have an anti-bullying policy and be able to tell you what it is and how they implement it.

It is important to keep perspective that this is a natural part of the process and, indeed, of growing up, and one that your child will learn from. Develop an alliance with the school rather than treating teachers or administrators as adversaries. Other parents are your best resource for learning how to approach the school effectively rather than alienating school personnel.

What do I do if my child is so homesick s/he refuses to make an effort in the new school?

Homesickness is inevitable but generally does not last too long. Staying in touch with old friends is much easier now that phone calls are cheaper and the internet is available. Encourage continued contact but within limits to make sure your child is also making new friends. Elicit the help of the teacher to stimulate your child's interest in school.
 
Explain to your child that there is a  process of acclimating to a new culture: the honeymoon phase when everything and everyone is wonderful, followed by a period of disenchantment when everything about the new culture seems negative and hateful; and the slow emergence into a more balanced, accepting view of the new culture. Tell them that everyone adjusts at a different pace but it does happen. Curiosity about the new culture, even the bits they hate and those aspects which seem strange, helps.

What do I do if my child is not at the popular table?

This is a tricky one. We all want our children to be happy but the unavoidable reality of relocating is that we do disrupt our children's friendship groups and then introduce them to a new environment where friendships will have already been established.

When you are visiting schools, ask what orientation procedures they have for new children. Some schools have a buddy system so the new child receives peer guidance for the first few weeks, others have a constant flow of international children so there will always be other children in the same situation. Schools that are particularly sensitive may have popular children selected as buddies, which immediately smoothes the path for the newcomer. Arrange play dates so your child has the chance to interact with a variety of children until they discover those with whom they can be friends. Be patient. It takes time to integrate into a new life but it does happen and children are often quicker to acclimatize than the adults.

When your child is struggling through the phase of being unknown in school, do not despair. Don't relive your own childhood experiences and share your feelings with your child, exacerbating his or her own. These can be times that children can learn important life skills about how to make transitions, how to assess and pick the right friends, and to assess themselves.

What do I do if my child is excluded for being foreign?

Go and see the school immediately and express your concern. Exclusion is a form of bullying and the school should have clear ways of dealing with it. Encourage the school to explore different cultures in their lessons and to use your child to discuss their culture if s/he is willing. Whether or not the school assists you, it is wise to provide your child with intensive instruction in the language of his or her peers.

Academics

What do I do if my child doesn't do as well academically as s/he would have if we'd stayed at home?

A child may not do as well academically in the short run but may improve in the long run. At the outset, children may not understand directions that are obvious to children who have grown up in a culture. Expectations may be unfamiliar and unclear. It is important to keep communication frequent both with your child and the teacher to ensure that problems don't escalate.

If a child's academic performance continues to decline, it can be because of differences in teaching styles, which may not match the student's learning style, or because of emotional difficulties with the adjustment, or simply because they are at a different age and developmental phase, and their performance may well have changed at home as well. It is important for parents to try to work with the child and school to identify the source of the problem and address it from the source.

There are times when performance is on par but the grading system may differ as a result of cultural differences. For a child moving from a country with "grade inflation" to one where teachers grade more realistically, the child may perform similarly but receive lower grades for the same work. If this is the case, parents need to recognize the superficial nature of the performance decline and explain it to the child.

When a family makes a decision to move internationally parents need to begin to redefine education as something broader than schooling. There is no substitute for firsthand experience with people of different cultures, learning languages through total immersion, or the life skills brought about by the actual transition.  Once parents reflect on the true value they are giving their children through an overseas move, the different school experience is an acceptable tradeoff.

What do we do if my child is out of step academically when we repatriate?

An alternative is the international baccalaureate program, which can be found at the primary, middle and degree levels in every country worldwide. This degree is accepted and respected by universities globally and, if you know you are on an international career track, your child can continue on with the same curriculum in every country.

If national schools are not available or are full in the area to which you are moving, you may have no choice but to enroll your child in a local school. It generally is possible to speak with the school your child is leaving and the school you anticipate s/he would attend on repatriation to obtain curriculum materials. These can be used to prepare him or her for repatriation either after school, or during summers, particularly during the last half year before returning home.

If you are parents who want your child to embrace the overseas experience without marring it by studying two curricula, it is alright to allow him or her to fully experience the time abroad without worrying about repatriation. When you return home it is possible to look for a school experienced with children who have moved from other countries whose staff will help your child adapt academically and socially.

What do I do if we have to move back earlier than anticipated?

Uncertainty is the unpalatable part of relocating and there are circumstances that may force you to return earlier than anticipated.  Contact your children's former school to see if they still have places.  Even if there are, however, chances are the children will have been changed by their experiences and the former school may no longer be the best fit. You may want to take this as an opportunity to look at different schools for them to attend upon your return, taking into account the changes that have inevitably affected their needs in a learning environment.

Our Service

Is it possible to upgrade from a Four Hour Consultation?

School Choice International offers maximum flexibility in upgrading from one service to another, as we recognize that often a family does not know what they need until they begin a school search. A Four Hour Consultation may be most economical for a corporation, but in the event that it does not meet the complete needs of a family as they unfold, it may be rolled into the complete search, with no penalty.

Along the same lines, an unaccompanied search may be converted to a school search with accompaniment in the event that a family feels uncomfortable visiting schools on their own at the last minute, provided that a consultant is available to join them on short notice.

Who do I talk to if I have a concern about your service?

In the event that you encounter a service issue, we encourage you to contact the Director of Client Services, Beth Avitabile or at 1-914-328-3000 as soon as possible.

When a service issue arises, Liz Perelstein, the President of School Choice, personally intercedes to ensure that it is addressed quickly and thoroughly. We have found that most problems can be resolved easily if communicated early in the process.