subject: What Makes A School International? [print this page] When you are choosing a school for your child out of your home country, you will surely come across international schools. There has been a tremendous increase in the number of international schools all over world in the past decade. One might wonder why these schools are termed international and what makes them stand apart from other schools in the area?
In the beginning, most international schools were meant for children of expatriate parents, but now the schools have opened doors to the local residents of the host country. These schools provide an opportunity for the children of expats to study curriculum which resembles their previous schooling. All international schools have curriculum which is different from the one which is offered in the host country. Most schools offer international curriculum and global exposure to its students
With competition in all fields increasing every day, it has become imperative that you have the capabilities to establish yourself globally to be on top of your chosen field. International schools all around have made it their goal to mould students to survive in the cross cultural global environment.
Generally one of well known curriculum such as International General Certificate of Education (IGCSE) program offered by the University of Cambridge is adopted by these schools. Some schools also offer International Baccalaureate's Diploma Program which makes the students competent for some of the top universities world over. It becomes important for parents to see if the management, teachers, and staff of the school are capable of coping with the curriculum offered. Teachers who are specifically trained for the unique set of requirements need to be hired to establish international education standards in the schools. Parents should always check to see if these schools deliver all they promise by conducting a thorough research before admitting their child.
Some international schools such as Canadian International School, Treamis International School, Oakridge International School in Bangalore, India, have developed their own structure and methodologies which make it possible for students acquire most essential life skills. Overall development which includes intellectual, emotional, physical, moral, and social development of a child is focused upon in each international school as this provides the fundamental foundation on which children can build their future. By using modern technology and innovative teaching techniques these schools help children in gaining a balanced thought process, reasoning capabilities, and decision making capabilities.
What makes a school truly international is the environment, cultural openness, unique learning models, the progressive extra-curricular activities, and learning models adopted. These schools also encourage various language skills and cross-cultural interactions which help students survive in a global environment.
