When parents talk about the modern campus, and especially those found at international schools here in Beijing, they often say something to the effect of: “It’s huge. They’ve got everything! I wish I had that when I was growing up.” And while providing a child with access to the latest smart classroom and an advanced robotics lab might be considered every parent’s dream, does it really mean that one school is better than another simply because they’ve got more stuff?
No parent, nor any education researcher, is going to dispute the fact that smaller classrooms mean more individual attention and that teachers are better able to adapt to the learning styles of each student, but what about the school’s student body as a whole?
In Beijing, a school like Western Academy of Beijing (WAB) has more than 1,300 students while its teacher-to-student ratio is 1:8. Likewise, Dulwich College Beijing (DCB) has more than 1,560 students with a teacher-to-student ratio of just 1:6. Needless to say, students at these two large international schools are not getting lost amongst the masses.
DCB’s facilities include two air-filtered sports domes, a multi-purpose sports hall, six tennis courts, weight room, FIFA two-star-rated football pitch, rugby pitch, cricket pitch, and a swimming pool. The school’s campus houses two large theaters with 755 seats combined, two black box theaters, three spacious music rooms, seven practice rooms, two ICT suites including one dedicated to music, a professional green screen film studio, five art rooms, Early Years kitchen and art room, three libraries, 10 well-equipped science laboratories, well-lit classrooms with SmartBoards, and SE21, the state-of-the-art STEAM & entrepreneurship hub. Simply put, it’s everything a parent wishes they had while growing up. The environment fosters creativity, innovation, and has the resources to help children explore their interests. But what if its curriculum is at odds with your student’s learning style? Then will all those amenities ultimately serve their purpose? They’ve got small class sizes which means individualized attention all while being offered the resources of a large state-of-the-art international school. It’s essentially the best of both worlds.
Meanwhile, DCB also boasts their Worldwise Academy (WWA), a collaborative initiative that brings together students, staff, and parents. It’s a program that offers students opportunities to explore their passions in relation to their future studies and professional endeavors. With a large dynamic group of DCB parents willing to share their professional experience, WWA exposes students to a variety of career fields which helps them explore new ideas, gain insights into potential paths, and ultimately, find their own inspiration.
Conversely, however, sending your child to a small school that doesn’t have all the bells and whistles doesn’t mean they’re getting any less of an education. At barely 100 students, AISB-Hope International is one of the smallest K-12 international schools in Beijing.
According to AISB-Hope International, “In a small school setting, each student gets more attention from the teachers. With classroom sizes that are generally much smaller than large international schools, teachers and students can form close relationships that help students to learn, grow, and thrive. Students at smaller international schools also form lasting relationships with each other. There are more opportunities such as student councils, clubs, sports, and competitions, for each student to participate. A student in a small school gets more attention from teachers and at the same time, is able to participate in more activities the school offer. As a result, the student can use the resources the school has to offer more fully. Finally, a small international school like AISB-Hope International offers the same amenities as a larger school with a nurturing and family atmosphere. It is definitely worth the time to do your research and find ‘the right fit’ for your child(ren).”
In the past, students from larger international schools have said that obtaining leadership roles on campus is more competitive, but that at the same time, their 1,000+ student international schools were able to provide them with opportunities and resources that they otherwise would not have access to. They’re able to participate in a wider variety of athletic and international academic competitions.
The application interview process is like matchmaking. You’re there to see if the school is a right fit for you and your family, but at the same time, they’re there to meet you and see if your family would be the right fit for their school community. Do you share a common vision as the school? Do you understand the school’s philosophy and curriculum?
Beijing’s oldest international school, International School of Beijing (ISB) follows their own set of curriculum that draws from the best aspect of various others. At ISB, students don’t get homework in Early Years (Early Years 3, 4, and Kindergarten). For some parents, it makes perfect sense for their young child to focus on play based learning. But for others, the idea of non-traditional learning and not having homework isn’t something they want for their child. Either is fine, but that’s when the school visit and interview plays a large part in the decision.
There is no one-size-fits-all set of criteria when determining which school is best suited for your child, let alone concrete advantages based on school size. There are pros and cons to both. At the end of the day, it all comes down to what your child and your family prioritize.
Images: Courtesy of Schools
This article appeared in the jingkids 2022 School Choice Guide issue
