Hi,
I wanted to share our experience to date as it is the kind of thing that I would have found helpful when considering school options for our 8 and 9 year old:
They both started at a local primary school in Basel two weeks ago having just arrived from the U.K speaking no German - We speak practically no German yet either. Our experience in these first two weeks has been overwhelmingly positive. The school could not have been more friendly, helpful or supportive. Having been left at the school in tears on the first morning our son returned that same day to say that his new school was "brilliant". He has already been on trips and excursions and has a part in a class play (in German) to be performed in two weeks time. Both of the children have made friends, are enjoying going to school and are being provided with German lessons, in a group of three children, for about a third of their school timetable. The only problem so far is that they don't want to miss out on what the rest of the class are doing to go to German lessons.
Based on our experience so far (which I fully accept may not be representative), I am very pleased with the decision to send them to a local Swiss School.
Now I need to concentrate on learning German myself
That's great news! I guess it makes it easier for parents if the kids are settling in really well and are happy.
My son was born here (but is still a Brit at heart ) and we've had positive experiences with the Swiss system.
We also had a great experience with our daughter transferring from the US to Swiss public schools into 4th grade. Now she's getting ready for 6th grade "graduation" and here is where the problems start in the Swiss public school system: Getting on the university or college track is a challenge because the Swiss Gymnasium is academically very exclusive. Great if you have a gifted child, but it can be heartbreaking and/or expensive (private school) if your child is average or has a language challenge.
Hi, thats great to hear such positive feedback on the system. I hope my son has the same experience as I am in the process of moving my son into the Swiss system from the International School. He is not happy about it. I am very nervous about it too.
I have decided that it is better to do it now when he is younger so that he integrates more (as so many of his friends are leaving his current school in the next 6 months).
I have had psych tests done and he is bypassing Kindergarten 2 to go straight into the Primary school.
However, as I am in Basel Stadt, if anyone has any further advice or feedback I would appreciate it.
Jac
One of the side benefits of Swiss public school vs. private is that the kids live in the neighborhood. That makes a big difference and I'm sure your son will be happy once he meets friends.
We are in Basel Stadt too. As I said, our experience has been very positive. I also think that stability and friendships are more than a side benefit. Generally, I believe the happier children are in their social environment the more likely they are to experience success - academic or otherwise. I imagine that international schools are quite transient and this is one of the reasons we decided against that option.
Give yourself and your daughter some more time. She can also get into Gymnasium after two or three years of Secondary School. This will give her more time to get her German up to speed with the others. If she needs still more time after that there is a chance for a 10. Schuljahr or the option of doing a "Berufslehre mit Berufsmaturität". With this appreticeship she goes to school for two full days (instead of only 1.5 days) and will after have direct access to the University of Applied Sciences. If she really wants to go the University she can then do a Bachelor at a University of Applied Sciences which would give her access to all Univiersities in Switzerland (some subjects directly into a Master with other into a Bachelor). Another option is to the a Maturitätsschule für Erwachsene (which is open to her afer the Berufsmatura) or a Passerellenprüfung for the Univiersity.
I know this all sounds like a lot and very complicated but I just wanted to let you know that the Swiss education system is very flexible which means that there are many ways into Swiss University. And remember, even if it does look like a detour to you, you will never ever learn anything in vain in life. There will always be a moment when you can use what you have learnt in the past. No matter how "bizzarre" this may sound.
PM me if you want further information about the education system in Switzerland.
I would describe the Swiss Gymnasium as realistic as opposed to exclusive! I do not see the point in hammering round round pegs into square holes, it only leads to unhappy times for everyone!
My son goes to the gymnasium, my daughter will not - she is a little above the average based on her school feedback, but she is just not up to that standard. She is also happy with the situation, she sees how it is for her brother and had no hesitation in telling us "that is not for me", when decision time came around. And besides, there is plenty of other opportunities around for her. she is very much into art and design and I expect she will follow the "Berufslehre mit Berufsmaturität" stream.
For my wife and I, what is important is that they are both doing their best according to their abilities and that they are happy, which they are.
That's pretty much the sentiment we hear from friends and colleagues (Swiss or otherwise) with kids at that age, or just approaching. Switzerland is pretty much geared up for every ability, not just the elite.
Here you can come out with a non-too-shabby set of qualifications and practical life skills whether you are an academic marvel or someone good with a set of spanners.
It's still an open playing field for us as we are still in the primary school stage but my son is showing promising signs academically and the general plan is just to support and nurture (with a nudge here and there when needed) and see where it leads.
Also, a really good thing is that there are good links for kids who go into an apprenticeship to then get back into more academic studies later and get to University. I know several here who have done this very succesfully, who at 15 didn't make the 'academic- grade for one reason or another.