If you are moving with children, selecting an international school early is critical. You will need to research schools in your new city well in advance of your move. In most countries, you will have three main schooling options: state, international and homeschooling. Your choice will depend on the age of your children and, of course, your preferences. Younger children usually can adapt quickly to the local language and customs and may do fine in a local state-supported school. If you have children nearing college, an international school using either the American or British systems will probably be a safer choice. However, if you are moving to a smaller city, you may not have the international school option. Finally, many parents opt for homeschooling their children since a wide range of online resources are now available.
Planning
The first step in selecting an international school is to request grade reports, test results and teacher evaluations from your current school before you move. You will need them for grade placement at your new school. It is also an excellent idea to request letters of recommendation from teachers. They may be needed for admission, particularly for international schools.
You will need to get started early in your planning, especially if you want to place your children in an international school. Many have waiting lists and lengthy admission procedures.
Local Schools
If your children are still in elementary school or if you have budget constraints, local schools may be a good option. Younger children usually adapt quickly to a new language. But, language adaptability is just one part of the decision-making process, according to School Choice International (SCI), an online international school consultancy. SCI cautions that, “integrating families into a local educational system where culture, goals, philosophies and teaching methods are new suggests complexity beyond language and requires a different type of preparation on the part of the family.”
For example, SCI believes that parents need to be aware of seemingly mundane issues like the school year calendar, length of the school day, homework customs, curriculum differences and other similar considerations that require complete understanding prior to making a decision to place your children in local schools.
One of the most important issues to consider if you have older children who plan to attend college is accreditation and preparation. Research local schools carefully to determine if there is a clear path to not only post-secondary schools in your new country, but colleges and universities in the U.S.