My question is ,
1. Since both english and German are both not our mother language. So is it ok for him to go to the SIS, since we could not help him on the German course.
2. Since two boys aren't in the same school, are the school holidays same in the 2 school? Are there any other conflict for the daily life from the 2 schools?
Thanks
I don't have kids at either ISB or SIS, so don't put too much weight on my comments. I have heard from other parents that they are both good, but a couple of points.
SIS and ISB are in different cantons (Basel-Stadt and Basel-Land), but in 2011 and 2012 they had the same school holidays.
The two schools are on opposite sides of Basel, so by car you'd probably be looking at 30 minutes or so driving between them. That could get complicated though, as they probably start around the same time. I guess the big kid can catch the tram or walk to school though once he's settled.
Both ISB and SIS have, I imagine, kids from all around the city in attendance, so having local neighbourhood friends could be a problem.
I'd agree the ISB would be a good choice for 13-year old and the SIS, in terms of language, a good one for a 4-year old, but then you have a hard choice. You could also look at living near the ISB and having the little one go to a state kindergarten/school. The biggest problem with that I imagine would be the early finishing times. There are plenty of positive comments on Swiss state schools elsewhere on the forum if you hunt around.
Good luck!
Good luck and welcome xx
May I know the schedule for the state school, the kindergarden, for my 4 years boy? Is it only half day?
The only reason I didn't consider the state school is maybe a couple years later we will move to other country, so I think English is most important language for him. But I really feel that if you don't know German, the child can't make friends after school hour, that's quite long time for him.
If you are pretty sure that you are going to be moving away in a couple of years, and neither parent is a native-speaker of English and you feel English is important for your child, and the elder child is going there, it probably sounds like ISB would fit best. I imagine he could make friends with the other kids there - there just be might be some travel involved!
HiTerraMundi!
Let meshare my experience so far and maybe this can help you and others making upyour minds.
Before makinga decision, you should challenge your motivations and assess your current andforeseeable situation.
In my case,we decided to move to Switzerland to provide a better education to our kids inan international environment. My understanding of education extends far beyond theschool premises, and though being a nerd myself, I believe one’s success is notdictated by how brilliant a student one is, but rather by the collection ofexperiences one possesses.
As soon asI got the job offer I was looking for, and before taking it, I surveyed theinternational schools operating in the greater Basel area and these were myinitial findings:
· ISB– Big school, English-only education (IB) targeting expats that don’t staylong;
· SIS– Big school, bilingual education (IB) targeting expats that plan on staying;
· AIS– Small school, fairly new, bilingual education (not IB) targeting expats thatplan on staying;
Beingnative Portuguese speakers, our initial preference rested with ISB because theyoffered an English-only education and that seemed simpler for our 8-year old daughter(we have a 3-year old as well). After digging into the subject, it becameevident that in our case it would not be the best choice since we plan to stayin Switzerland for a long period (or at least, in central Europe). Since mostkids do not stay long at ISB this does not help in establishing long-termrelationships. Furthermore, it seems like the school fee system is preying onthe fact that parents relocate often, so for us, it was a no go.
I thencontacted SIS and AIS asking for a face-to-face meeting because I wanted tolearn more about the school and the bilingual programme, and also gain afeeling about the environment. My journey toward opting for AIS started justthen. Whereas I got a fast and professional response from AIS, I heard nothingfrom SIS! Since I already had my flights booked to prepare my initial visit toBasel, I had to move forward and ended up just visiting AIS. I have to say thatI was very much impressed by the professional treatment that I have been given.People are very friendly and open and you do have the feeling that you are in acozy family environment. Of course, the fact that the school is small alsoplays a role in that perception. I had the chance to talk to the teachers,learn about the bilingual programme (one week High German, one week Englishwith different teachers in a different classroom), and even had the opportunityto chat with a few children. For me it was exactly what I was looking for. Cozy,personal, warm, well-thought, and the staff with the right mindset. I felt likea pampered customer!
After Ireturned to my home country, based on my findings I decided to move forth andrelocate to Basel and enrolled my kids in AIS. I then received a response fromSIS apologizing for the delay and instead of giving me an overview of thebilingual programme (my biggest point of concern), they asked for my opinion!!Anyway, they were helpful and got me in touch with another family in the exactsame situation as my own and I got very encouraging feedback from them (notfrom the school) as to their children’s ability to adapt and cope with twoforeign languages (in SIS, 2 days one language, 3 days another).
Since I’vebeen here, I had the chance to interact with other people that have their kidsat SIS and they are all happy. You do here a ‘but’ here and there, but I guessthat is the by-product of being a big school. All in all, SIS is the mainstreaminternational school for expats that plan on staying, whereas AIS is a newschool with not so cool facilities that wants to gain a rightful place in themarket.
In terms ofIB and non IB (I cannot recall the name right now!), from what I understandthere is no right or wrong, nor better or worse. IB is supposedly morewidespread nowadays and it aims at providing a common curriculum for kids thatchange schools often and this is why it is so popular amongst internationalschools. The less positive thing about it, in my view, is that it is more generalistand centered in ‘competences’ rather than in ‘knowledge’. The non IB (I stillcan’t remember the name!) is more traditional.
At AIS thebilingual programme does not exist for the final years (I guess they call it gymnasium)and students are required to select English or German. Since your kid is 14, I’dsay that you should stick to English.
I have alsobeen told that AIS is the best school language for adults in Basel (and I guessthe most expensive as well!!).
Anyway, myadvice is not to rush into any decision. Try to have a chat with the folks atSIS and AIS and then you may make up your mind. Try to reach Sarah Taylor atAIS and I’m sure she will be of valuable assistance to you.
The decision for you younger child depends a little on how long you will stay in Switzerland.
One thing to consider is that SIS follows the Swiss curriculum. A great curriculum but not something to choose if you will only stay for three years or so. We always knew we would not stay longer than a few years and with all the moves, we decided very early to put out children into the international system.
The language support in both systems in great and even if your younger son speaks no German at all at the moment, he will learn it fast, there is no doubt about that. SIS is usually more attended by Swiss or long term families, another thing to consider. Great if you are also long term, not so good and more difficult if you are a short term family.
And finally, I find that the overall support for families, so both students and parents, is much better in the international schools.