Schools for 2009-2010

Well, it's March and time for enrollment here in Shanghai for the 2009-2010 school year. We have been unsure which school might be best suited for both Brandon and Ryan. So, this week, we looked at a few of them, closer to home.

After my recent trip back to the States, it has become apparent that Brandon's current education isn't what we thought (or were told) it would be by now. While we LOVE their current school for many reasons, we just can't justify keeping Brandon there for his official Kindergarten year. Our expectations for Ryan have far been exceeded at their current school and we couldn't be happier with the school's efforts for Ryan's age group. Unfortunately, I'm in the car 4 hours a day to/from their current school. So, if Brandon isn't getting his educational needs met there anymore and needs to move on, Ryan will subsequently be following.

For Brandon, we are looking at one of three International Schools...British International School (BISS), Shanghai Community International School (SCIS) and Shanghai American School (SAS). The last two are American curriculums. Almost any of these top notch big International Schools are rated as some of the top schools in the world. Definitely a benefit in moving over here, for the boys.

We will be choosing from the above schools for Ryan as well. However, we are also considering a local private Chinese school near our home too. Ryan is at an age where he benefits the most (linguistically speaking) from being immersed into an all Chinese school, but also can "recover" any lapses in English with one more year of preschool back home...before starting Kindergarten. However, if we feel it's not the best fit for him emotionally, we will consider one of the above options. We haven't decided yet. He has reached a place at his current school where he wants to go everyday instead of part time. He's really into school now. Going to school this past year has been SUCH a good thing for him. He has learned so much and is talking up a storm, both in English and Chinese!

Brandon, however, has been very resistant to learning Chinese. Being a native English speaker, he probably figures he worked hard enough to learn the one language fluently...why should he have to learn another one? Also, the "motivation" is completely different for Ryan versus Brandon. Ryan, having not talked very much prior to coming here, is MOTIVATED to learn all the language he can to understand the world around him. Brandon, knows that many people here speak English...so he lacks the motivation to learn a new language. Being a native born English speaker, he can already speak better than most of the International kids learning English. So, why bother?

We are trying to instill how to appreciate other cultures and people...not just the fun things, like their Holidays, etc...but also their language. We point out how much more fun these Holidays, etc. would be if he could communicate with the other kids in singing songs, playing games, etc. He seems to be "soaking" that all in right now...so maybe we'll see some differences in his approach. Who knows! The good thing about these big International Schools for Brandon, is that they provide an English environment (which he is comfortable with), but they also dedicate part of their curriculum to learning the local language and culture as well. So, he'll still be getting Mandarin lessons five days a week.

The disadvantage to having each of the boys at different schools is that they will be on completely separate vacation schedules, Holidays, etc. That may not SEEM like a big deal, but there has definitely been a "camaraderie" the boys have enjoyed this past year, being at the same school. They celebrate all the same events, Holidays, schedules, themes, concerts, activities, etc. They catch each other on the playground or walking through the school once in awhile and give each other big hugs (according to the teachers who seem them regularly). Brandon gets to show off "his baby" to his friends and Ryan definitely feels more secure knowing Brandon is somewhere nearby.

Soooo...what to do, what to do...

Allen and I visited the schools this morning. While Allen felt they all seemed to provide pretty much the same thing...I completely got a different feel at each school. We started at SAS, Shanghai American School. This is literally one of the very top rated schools in the world. After the tour, I felt like I had never left the States. The classrooms, the thoughts and theories in regards to their teaching style, their curriculum, their approach...was extremely similar to a classroom in the States. This is not a bad thing. In fact, MANY parents around the world are hoping for EXACTLY that from an American based International School...and they pay a LOT of money for it. But to me, that was the point. If the entire program, approach, etc feels exactly like a PUBLIC classroom in the States...why do we want to pay $25,000 for Brandon's education when it's free at home? I don't know...if that was what I was looking for in an International School...to feel like I never left home...then this would be the perfect school...minus the drive. But, I'm not so sure that is what is best for Brandon this next year. He has spent an entire school year, basically, playing. Now, I think it's time to "buckle down" and start building a good foundation for good study habits. Some of these International Schools are better for that than others. So...we were off to the next school.

SCIS, Shanghai Community International School. This is about a 5-10 minute drive from our house and the school provides an American curriculum. What I liked better about this school, is that the teachers seemed a bit more passionate about their work, they had computers in each classroom and a curriculum for teaching the kids about computers, etc., they have uniforms, and the work done by the kids at Brandon's [future] age group was...impressive. What I didn't like was, that the classrooms were crowded and appeared disorganized and the administration has consistently been curt with us and hurried with their tour(s) of the school. SO...we were off to our final school.

BISS, British International School, Shanghai. As I've mentioned before, we live within a stone's throw from this school. Any of the schools closer to us will help to provide ME with opportunity to get more involved throughout the school year. Consistently, BISS always provides a detailed tour and LOTS of time to answer questions, etc. BISS is, of course, based on the British National curriculum, which doesn't vary TOO widely from the American program. They have stricter looking uniforms (imagine a scene from the Harry Potter movies). What I liked about BISS, is that they have (just like the Harry Potter movies) an athletic program that involves LIGHT competition. The kids are divided up into "schools" and they have a chance to progress their physical abilities by learning how to perform in a team atmosphere. ALL the kids are placed into different groups or athletic schools, with their own "colors". They play against each other and earn points for their school, depending on if they win...or not. I like this. It promotes a competitive atmosphere without it being all about one kid's abilities. Also, their computer pods not only have computers, they have robotics, cameras, etc. for the kids to learn how to use. AND their computer technology for Brandon's age group has them learning to do simple graphs and drawings on the computer as well. How cool is that? Another thing I like is that they have a very strong literacy and numeracy program. Also, they have science for Brandon's age group. The other schools didn't have it until something like 3rd grade. I think kids NOT having science at THIS age is almost a crime. THIS is when you can catch their interest and, again, they have motivation to learn about the world around them. And, lastly, I like that Year 1 (Kindergarten) has homework assignments. I believe that Brandon will benefit from establishing good, strong study habits from the very beginning. He has always been personally driven towards academics, so I think this next year of "training" will be good in establishing a strong study ethic for much of his school career...or it can drive him insane and he'll never want to see another book again. ;-) We'll see. I do believe after a full year of playing and adjusting to life in China, Brandon will appreciate a little more structure in his life. He has always been one to appreciate that. And after ALL that being said...the librarian (who was English) was SOOOO incredibly nice at BISS! She had a very long discussion with us about the parent connection, school and community involvement, etc.

And for Mommy? After that whole Reggio Emilia method thing at Brandon's very first pre-school (what a nightmare) AND this last year of almost pure playtime at school...I'm SO ready for Brandon to reinstate a little academic structure into his life again. I'm also ready to have the ability to be more involved in school functions without driving an hour each way. I'm ready to make more friends in MY community, instead of everywhere else in Shanghai. So, the winner is...?





British International School...definitely. And maybe a private Chinese school for Ryan...we'll see.

THIS is definitely a "PLUS" to moving here...the advantages kids get from these bigger International schools is really great. Academics, music, art, language, culture, athletics, etc...all rolled into one. Many of the kids that graduate from high school from these schools go into Ivy League schools around the world or some prestigious Art or Music school, etc. Hmmm...something to consider...