What is an International school?

This is difficult to define exactly. There are two generally accepted definitions. One is that they are schools whose language of instruction is not the native language of the country in which they are situated. The second is a school that offers a curriculum different from the state curriculum. In both these definitions, there is an inherent assumption that the great majority of students will also be international; that is from different countries other than the host country. For example, in the Middle East and Asia the most common language of instruction in international schools is English. However, many schools that call themselves 'international' in these places have a school population made up almost entirely of national students (who may hold more than one passport) and therefore are perhaps more better described as Foreign Language Schools. Furthermore, international schools in Great Britain, Australia and North America often have a clientele of national students who wish to study in a different curriculum to that of the host country. In addition, many international schools do not have the word 'international' in their name, thus the Inter Community School in Zurich does not immediately identify itself as an international school, despite the fact that its language of instruction is English, its curriculum is the International baccalaureate, teaching the PYP (Primary Years Program) MYP (Middle Years program) And the IB DP (international Baccalaureate Diploma) and it has a truly mixed clientele from all over the world.

The best guide to the right school will always be to ask the right questions and never to assume that the school provides what you would expect from a school 'back home'.

What Questions should I ask when looking at a possible international school for my child?

The following suggestions are a guide only. Specific schools will have very specific and often unique programmes and facilities. Unfortunately, some schools will try to avoid the fact that they do not have some essential elements of international schools.

About the class;

• What experience and qualifications does the teacher have?
• How many students will there be in the class?
• How many EAL students in the class?
• How many special needs students in the class?

About the school;

• Is it privately owned or not for profit?
• If privately owned, do the owners run the school or is there an independent school board?
• What facilities are there?
• Is there a dominant culture/ethnic group in the school?
• What is the school's five year plan/strategic plan?
• How is the ICT/IT (Information Computer Technology and Information Technology) programme run and at what grade does it begin?
• How many computer labs are there?
• How many computers are in each lab? Each classroom?
• How secure is the school (physical layout)?
• Is there a Special Needs Department?
• How many staff are there specifically for Special needs? (Recommended 1:5 max)
• Is there an EAL Department?
• How many Staff are there specifically for EAL Students? (Recommended 1:8 max.)
• Is there a school councillor (for emotional support)?
• Is there a careers officer?
• What is the capacity of the school in terms of student numbers?
• Is there a waiting list? – In what grades?

About the programme;

• Where is the programme published?
• Where are the school policies published?
• How does it support individual students?
• How long has the school been running with the present programme?
• How often is it revised?
• Is there any subject that is emphasised?
• How often is sport offered?
• Are there specialist teachers and in what grades and what subjects?
• What does the music programme cover?
• What is offered in the outdoor education programme?

About the extra-curricular programme;

• What does the extra-curricular programme offer my child specifically?
• For how long does the extra-curricular programme run?
• Is the extra-curricular programme on the school site?
• How many teachers/instructors supervise the groups?