What Makes a Good International School? 6 Things to Look For

Building a good foundation for your children’s learning means investing in their education. After all, it is one of the best things you can pass on to them that offers more value than worldly wealth.

If you’re looking for an international school, you shouldn’t settle for any school without checking it and thinking things through. Fortunately, there are plenty of good choices out there. You just need to know what to look for to make the right decision.

This article lists six important things you must seek to find an excellent school that will help your children prepare for a better future.

1.   International Recognition

International schools serve as your children’s passports to the best colleges and universities across the globe.

From an academic perspective, having an international education will definitely give them an edge over other college applicants. This is because university representatives and employers value programs implemented in these institutions more.

When choosing a school for your child, look at how they help students achieve their full potential. Don’t forget to consider inclusivity and flexibility in their educational programs.

Finally, make sure the school and its alums have a good reputation in the international community. Having official certification tests managed by external examination boards and global recognition are good signs.

2.   Multilingual Mastery

Language bridges the gap between different cultures. Besides improving their communication skills, learning a second language also gives your children a better insight into cultures other than their own.

Proficiency in a language besides their mother tongue also helps them become more globally competitive. Plus, it makes them more objective and strengthens their decision-making skills as they need to consider other perspectives besides their own.

When looking for international schools, consider whether they teach their students a second language, preferably as early as the formative years (ages three to five).

In the United Arab Emirates, international schools like GEMS Metropole school teach English as a second language. They even provide intensive learning programs that accommodate students with limited knowledge of the language. The goal is to develop their basic English skills and functional vocabulary and boost their confidence when speaking and interacting in the language.

3.   Global Outlook and Respect for Diversity

Besides language, an excellent international school also inculcates respect for cultural diversity and a global outlook in its students.

Before choosing, check whether the school promotes values like recognition of differences and respect for diversity. Besides their inclusivity programs, these educational institutions should ideally have multicultural populations, with teachers and students hailing from different cultural and religious backgrounds.

By engaging in diverse cultural and religious activities, international school students can grow up in an environment with a global mindset. This type of cultural exploration can lead to character development that teaches them how to be a part of the wider community beyond the borders of their own country and nationality.

4.   Student-First Approach

Excellent schools always prioritise their students’ well-being. Besides ensuring safety within the campus, they should also aim to provide youngsters with a nurturing experience. Doing so not only promotes a sense of belonging but also provides opportunities to connect, collaborate, and build healthy relationships. In turn, students feel valued, and get a sense of purpose in an encouraging learning environment.

While looking at international schools for your child, be sure to check the level of transparency in each of the institution’s teacher-parent-student communities. Ask if they encourage parents to get involved or whether avenues for dialogue with the students’ school community are available.

It is also essential to see whether the children are in a positive environment where they are motivated to inquire about the things they don’t know, free to make mistakes, and find the right solutions within a classroom setup.

Excellent international learning programs are also designed to recognise and address the needs of students with different learning aptitudes and enable hands-on and personalised studies. This means that the teachers are there to supervise youngsters to absorb information at their own pace and provide one-on-one guidance and help as needed.

In short, only shortlist schools that balance the students’ academic, social, and emotional development. Because while hard skills and academic prowess are vital, they’re not the only thing that matter in real life.

5.   Complete and Up-to-Date Facilities

Besides the school’s reputation, academic focus, and curriculum, you should also check the facilities before deciding on an international school for your children.

Excellent campus grounds with spaces designed for optimal learning give students the support they need to learn and perform their best.

Besides clean and organised classrooms, look for facilities for sports and other extracurricular activities included in the school’s programs. For example, if they have music classes and clubs, there should be dedicated facilities that are fitted accordingly and designed to accommodate class or club activities.

Each school’s website should offer a quick glimpse of this, but it would be best to visit the actual premises of the establishments you’re consideringbefore making a decision.

Don’t forget to check how spacious the campus is. Having an expansive area to explore, where fresh air and trees are abundant, will definitely help students feel less stressed with the demands of school life.

6.   Healthy Community Relationships

Last but certainly not least, consider the school’s relationship with the community where it is located. Does the school have outreach programs that engage students in volunteer work? If so, this is definitely a good sign as it shows a good level of community involvement among students.

Excellent international schools strive to make a significant impact on the community they belong to, as this teaches students the value of community and doing good deeds that benefit others and not for their personal gain. Activities may include doing service work or charitable projects to help the less privileged. Even simple activities like community cleanup drives or performing for orphaned children can provide students with the skills and values they need to succeed in life.

Choose an International School Wisely

In choosing an international school (or any learning establishment‌), having the proper knowledge and guidance is crucial to making a wise decision.

When picking out an international school for your children, be sure to look for the qualities mentioned in this article to give them the best education that’ll serve as a solid foundation for their future.