Schooling Abroad: 3 Things to Consider When Choosing a School

Education is the foundation on which everything else is built. That is why the choice of education is one of the most important decisions that parents must make in relation to their child. Choosing the right school requires careful research and careful study. The choice becomes especially difficult also because it requires taking into account plans for the future. In addition, you should also consider whether you want the child to stay in the country for a long time or that he would build a future in his own or another country.

What should be done first of all when choosing a school?

Here are a few factors to consider when choosing a school: school curriculum, student to teacher ratio, location, languages ​​taught, extracurricular activities, school year and holidays. It is best to prioritize the most important factors specifically for you and for your child's development. For example, the proposed curriculum is more important than the location of the school and should be given more attention.

A curriculum that ensures continuity

Each school follows an established curriculum and each program is different. International programs such as IGCSE, A-Level, IB are recognized by most of the prestigious universities in the world. But there are also schools that issue the High Diploma, which can be recognized in a particular country, but not widely recognized in the world. Such schools are good for targeted admission to a planned university. Thus, the recognition of the school curriculum by other educational institutions significantly affects the choice of universities for further education. Choose the right program!

Stages of Education - Overseas Schooling System

 

Lower secondary education

The Lower Secondary Program is suitable for students aged 12 to 14. The entry requirement is the completion of primary school (usually 6 years). Thus, high school starts from the 7th grade, and not from the 5th as we are used to. The program provides a solid foundation in key subjects such as English, science, mathematics, and humanities, and appropriately prepares students for the Higher Secondary Program or IGCSE.

 

Secondary education or IGCSE

The Higher Secondary Program or IGCSE programs are designed for students aged 14 to 16 and prepare students for the next stage of education. This can be either High School or foundation programs at colleges or universities. The results of the final examinations are the entrance criteria for further studies. In other words, such tests are similar to the USE - the higher your scores, the more choice you have.

 

Pre-university studies or A-Level

After graduating from high school, that is, 10-11 years of study, schoolchildren choose their own path. Here the paths diverge into 3 branches: high school (High School), college, university (preparatory program of pre-university training). Each program is unique and suitable for a particular student, but you need to choose it carefully. For example, a high school program will be the most difficult, but it will give you the most extensive choice in further education. However, it should not be assumed that this gold standard is necessary for everyone. If your child has never ‘grabbed the stars from heaven’, then this program is unlikely to open his way to Harvard or Oxford. After all, the reception is not carried out according to the ‘crust’, but according to the estimates in the report card. If upper secondary education was difficult and the child received average grades, then we recommend considering college or pre-university training. It is much easier and will prepare your child for the chosen program (faculty). But such a program will limit the choice of further education, since it is more narrowly focused on training for a) a certain faculty; b) for a specific university or group of universities.

 

An environment conducive to your child's education

Emigrant children face unique challenges of living in a foreign country and the need to adjust to a new country and school. If your child adapts quickly, then they will have a better chance of developing, making strong friendships, and excelling academically.

Pay attention to country and school rules and regulations. The main thing here is for the child to adapt in line. One of the most common misconceptions is the level of language proficiency of a student. We often meet parents who do not sufficiently understand the importance of language knowledge. Requirements for English (or any other language) always indicate the minimum score and this is really the absolute minimum. That is, if the entrance requirements are IELTS 5.0, and your child scored 5.0, this means that he will be able to understand the minimum in the curriculum, and if he scored 6.0, this is not a child prodigy at all. An English score is an indicator of how easy or difficult your child will be to learn. After all, all subjects will be in this language, and if the child cannot understand what is said in the lesson, he will not be able to assimilate new knowledge and