It’s that time of the year again. Schools around Beijing are preparing to showcase their best side at upcoming open house days for prospective parents and students. Before you dive headfirst into Beijing’s international schools and fall head over heels in love with a beautiful campus, prepare a checklist of top questions to ask.
What is your school philosophy or vision?
It’s important to find out what a school’s philosophy or vision is. You want to make sure this is consistent with your own educational beliefs and values. Often, a school’s philosophy is reflected in its mission statement. You should also find out how the school’s philosophy is implemented in practice. What’s crucial is how it gets translated into teaching, learning, the curriculum, and student life.
What type of student are you looking for?
Most schools accept students from different academic and social backgrounds. Others, though, target certain types of students. For instance, they may prefer students with a specific academic focus, such as math, science, or the arts. Beyond academics, they may prefer kids who are socially aware, well-rounded, independent, ambitious, or actively involved in student life, among other things.
What curriculum do you use?
You’ll want to make sure that your child has the right learning and academic profile for a school. To do this, you should learn as much as you can about its curriculum. Find out what the curricular guidelines and standards are at the school. You should also ask what their curricular approach is, and whether its more student- or teacher-centered. You want this approach to support your child’s learning needs and style
What are your class sizes and student-to-teacher ratios?
Class size can really affect the quality of education. One perk of attending an international school is their smaller class sizes and lower student-to-teacher ratios. This can often lead to more personalized attention, differentiated instruction, and student engagement.
How much is tuition and what does it include?
Private schools vary widely in price. There may also be costs not included in tuition. In some schools, you may have to pay extra for school uniforms, textbooks, food, school buses, extracurricular activities, field trips, and other things.
What extracurricular activities do you offer?
Many private schools offer a wide range of extracurricular activities. This may include sports teams, art and science programs, and community service opportunities. Some schools in Beijing have internationally renowned extracurricular activities. If they fit your child’s interest, it’s worth spending a few extra minutes chatting up the teachers for more information.
What are your teachers’ qualifications and what professional development opportunities are available to them?
Needless to say, teaching is a major factor affecting the quality of education. Find out about the training and credentials of a school’s teachers. You should also ask about opportunities available to teaching staff for professional development, as this can show a school’s commitment to support the success and growth of its teachers.
What is student life like?
Student life is an important part of education. You want your child to be happy, productive, and engaged at school. You want them to develop and maintain strong friendships and peer relationships. Find out as much as you can about student life. Look into what school is like for students—socially, emotionally, and intellectually.
How involved are parents?
Parents play a huge role in their children’s education. In addition to helping find the right school, many get involved in their children’s day-to-day school life, by volunteering in class, serving on parent committees and school boards, etc. Many schools have active parent-teacher organizations and they can enhance both the learning and community spirit of the school.
For a list of the upcoming open days visit our events page.
Photos: unsplash
