International schools

[shri]

My question is -- are you happy with the school though? Quite a few schools take the money and then leave the parents with no option but continue with the school - even when they're not happy.

[Satay Sue]

I'm actually not happy with the admin side of the school my child is at, or the relentless attempts to extract more cash, BUT the teachers this year have made up for it. My son was way behind his peers one year ago due to a badly-timed move from Singapore and a let-down for a school place (told we had a place before we arrived but school let it go without informing us). Despite being urged to pay up for expensive extra tuition (not by his teachers but by admin for some reason) he has caught up without needing to resort to extra lessons.

[shenwen]

No you get it back. If you leave after 1 year, you get $87.5k, 2 years $75k, etc. But a more normal debenture would get all $100k back.

and pay an annual capital levy

[carang]

Another IS question!

I am going down this route:

1: Local kindergarten
2: Government primary teaching 50/50 Mandarin/English
3: Maybe an International School

What kind of ballpark figure am I looking it for annual fees for International Schools?

gov't schools do not teach 50/50 mandarin/english usually.

the vast majority of local schools teach in cantonese with english & mandarin lessons.

a few select local schools teach in english with cantonese and mandarin lessons.

an even fewer number of local schools have english/cantonese "streams" like the international schools with language instruction in the opposite language. this is the type of local school my Primary 1 child attends. he is in the cantonese stream, with english and mandarin lessons.

[shenwen]

I'm actually not happy with the admin side of the school my child is at, or the relentless attempts to extract more cash, BUT the teachers this year have made up for it. My son was way behind his peers one year ago due to a badly-timed move from Singapore and a let-down for a school place (told we had a place before we arrived but school let it go without informing us). Despite being urged to pay up for expensive extra tuition (not by his teachers but by admin for some reason) he has caught up without needing to resort to extra lessons.

I agree. My wife and I recently enquired at my oldest son's kindergarten about admission to playgroup for our youngest in September (when he will be 1). We were told that admission could not be guaranteed, despite having a sibling in the school, and that we should take out a debenture, which would also not guarantee admission but would increase the chances. It's all about the money. we have decided to just sit on the waiting list. he is one year old. he will manage.

[Mat]

If and when we have kids we decided long ago to go the local way (although as a french I have a guaranteed spot in the FIS). It helps of course that my wife is local and knows the school system extremely well (having thaught at local, international schools and uni).

The International Schools are nice but way to expensive when you have to pay on your own (no company help) and the ESF lost its way long ago. We will target the best local school possible (we know it is a long and difficult path whihc requires, contacts....) and see what can be done.

The Australian School (decreasing debenture) should be "sued" for this. When I read this a few months ago I was shocked.

They are the Goldman Sachs of private schooling.

[movinginmay]

Any good feedback about Delia?

[cookie09]

Many parents / kids seem to be interested in going the A-Levels path, given how badly some schools are handling IB

what's the issue with IB in HK, shri? genuine question

[shri]

Some schools do it well and some don't.

The fundamental problem.is management attitudes towards running an open and embracing program which not only educates kids but also educates parents on how to supplement education.

Many schools out there think the second part -- dealing with parents is an optional part of education.

[ExpatNeighbor]

After reading through this, I would seriously consider NOT moving my family here. How bad is a local school here as compared to an IS? Is the situation the same with both local and international school? I mean the waiting list.