In Malaysia, there are currently over 100 international schools, so parents have an abundance of options when choosing the best one for their children. But as a parent, you might not even know what to look for or what inquiries to make while visiting a school.
Since scheduling a school visit can occasionally be challenging owing to time limitations, make the most of your time there. Ensure that you have prepared and thought through your tough questions.
To help you out, here are some questions you can ask during your visit to any potential international schools on your list.
Facilities
You'll want to be aware of any amenities the school offers that can benefit your child. When it comes to foreign schools, amenities like air-conditioned classrooms and libraries are among the essentials.
However, what if your child has a passion for dance or theatre, both of which require a dedicated studio space? Before enrolling your child, find out if the school has the resources needed to support their interests.
Student Life And Setting
You've only ever viewed the school and its surroundings on the website's photo gallery, where everything is flawless, attractive, and sparkling. How much of it is true to what it appears to be?
Additionally, you might not have enough time to tour the entire school during your visit, making it difficult to get a clear sense of the following:
- Where everything is
- How vast the campus is
- What your child will be doing outside of the classroom
But being aware of your child's surroundings is crucial, mainly because they will spend at least six hours there.
Syllabus
Many parents wonder about the perplexing topic of what their child will learn at this type of school, mainly if they are unfamiliar with the environment of an international school. However, many different schools provide a variety of different syllabuses, and each of these curricula covers a range of courses.
Whether you think the International Baccalaureate (IB) programme or the English national curriculum is ideal for your child, knowing what the course of study entails is crucial. Knowing your child's schedule is vital since an international school frequently invites parents to participate in the curriculum in different ways.
Academic Performance
How the educational outcomes are performing is a related question to the one about the syllabus. International school pupils generally perform well in their exams because of highly qualified teachers and a low student-teacher ratio that allows each student to receive enough individualised attention in the classroom.
But it is important to emphasise that a well-rounded curriculum is one unique attribute of international schools. They place equal emphasis on academics with the goal of developing exemplary students through multiple extracurricular pursuits, including:
This supports your child's confidence-building efforts and helps them strike a healthy balance between conventional academic disciplines and the arts.
Fees
The enormous cost associated with the allegedly greater quality of instruction in international schools is the most worrying component of the "battle" between government and private schools. International schools can have quite high annual tuition costs, and that's before you factor in things like:
- Registration costs
- Application fees
- Uniform
- Book costs
- Field excursions
- Extracurricular activities
Before your child starts, inquire about what exactly needs to be covered. Many international schools also provide a variety of scholarships that might be appropriate for your child.
Additionally, there are many institutions that provide sibling scholarships if you're thinking about sending more than one of your kids to an international school. Learn about all your financing alternatives so you can make plans in advance.
Extracurricular
With regard to international schools, extracurricular activities are a huge perk that many parents frequently enthuse about. International schools place a high value on their extracurricular activities in order to strive for success in approaches outside of the classroom and academics. They support the development of their self-esteem and give them the courage to take the lead both in the classroom and, after graduation, in the real world.
To understand more about the school's initiative regarding its activities, it can be helpful to inquire about the following:
- Types of extracurricular activities offered
- Student participation rates
- Annual dates of particular plays and performances
Faculty Turnover Rates
For any company in any field, including education, a high worker turnover rate is a major problem. It is a clear indication that the institution you are considering is subpar if it has a significantly lower average.
However, there may be a number of causes for high turnover, some of which include management and how the personnel feels supported and empowered. Since teachers are so passionate about what they do, they cannot be satisfied by salary alone.
Technology
Any modern school needs technology, but frequently schools add extravagant equipment only for a spectacle to give the impression that they are technologically advanced. As an alternative, schools should embrace technology integration into the classroom and establish a learning environment and methodology that can maximise technology-based learning.
An improvement in student performance ought to be the main objective here. But a framework must also be in place to regulate technology use and protect users from unsuitable content.
Nationality Percentage
The fact that international schools are multicultural is one way in which they differ from public schools. In contrast to public schools, which are entirely made up of Malaysian students, international schools are frequently made up of both local and foreign pupils.
If there is a substantial percentage of non-Malaysian kids enrolled at the school, your child will have the chance to discover the following:
- Different cultures and worldviews
- Make new friends of different nationalities
- Develop an awareness of people from all backgrounds, races, and religions
Taking Your Time Before Making A Decision Is Vital
There is nothing preventing you from scheduling a second visit if you still have some unresolved queries or lingering scepticism after the first one. If the school personnel were helpful and welcoming the first time, they would continue to be so.
A reputable international school would want to support you as much as they can and will have experience dealing with parents and circumstances similar to yours. Therefore, invest as much time as necessary because making a wise decision is better than proceeding in a hurry.
There is a wide range of top-quality international school options at Kiddy123
It is vital to pick respectable international schools in Malaysia that can meet both your demands and those of your child. Kiddy123.com in Malaysia is the No. 1 early childhood directory where most parents trust to locate international schools, primary schools, secondary schools, and more! Contact us today or call us at +603-7972 1633.
