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Yes, thats what I heard too. Same in Zurich. Bad Reputation. Try the ISB at Reinach ( www.isbbasel.ch ). Has been good for years.
I have 3 kids at the Swiss International School and we have been very pleased. It's probably better for younger children and I hear there have been some major (positive) changes in the administration over the last year or so.
We're possibly moving to Basel for 2009 start.
Can anyone comment on where I can find how the 2 international schools in BAsel perform in terms of grades? It seems the Swiss system, or rather the Swiss public school system, doesn't seem to publish league tables. Whilst I recognise these tables aren't all they're cracked up to be in the UK, it does give some idea of which schools perform well.
I have a 13 year and 11 year old. I'm keen for them to do baccalaureate as opposed to IGCSEs, but I want the best school for them to do that, be it international school or state school.
I realise of course that "best" is what's best for them, and only I know that. Given language barriers the highest performing school in Basel may not be the school for them. Coming from the highly pressurised grammar school system in Buckinghamshire, I'm not sure I want them to have that pressure in Switzerland.
Furthermore, re homework, it is no different in prep or grammar schools in the UK. My children do at least 2 hours a night homework.
Thank you.
Shirley
We have children at the ISB. They are both very happy, well adjusted (most of the time) and are being well educated. No school or school system is perfect, but we are very happy with what the school has to offer. I believe the IB results are good and compare favourably with other IB schools - most students seem to get the grades required for the universities of their choice in the UK, US, and many other countries.
Their German isn't great, but that is at least in part our own fault - we should never have bought a satellite dish, and they should be involved in music/sport etc in the local community. The older one (11) is actually quite proficient in German but clearly not as fluent or confident as if in local school.
I can't comment on the SIS but others with experience of it have already done so.
I'm not sure if you will find any charts or tables to give the information you are looking for. The best I can suggest is that you look around the school, ask questions and form your own opinion. You know your children and what will suit them. Good luck with your move.
You should email or call the schools. I am sure they can fill you in. I am not that familiar with the different tests they use. I suspect the bilingual concept can 'drag down' the scores, as you have people taking a test not in their native, or sometimes, for newer students, even a familiar language. But either way I am sure both the SIS administration and the ISB administration would be happy to share their scores. You might also want to check on openings. As I understand it, both schools may be at capacity for certain grades. Best of luck
One of my friend ́s children, aged 5, started at Swiss International School this term. She was not surprised to find out that her child needed extra German tuition, but was surprised to find out that this is carried out in separate lessons and are held at 7-30am. Apparently this is standard, there isnt an option of having classes later in the day.
She is finding this tough going to just get her child there on time with another 2 year old in tow. He is also exhausted by the end of the day and still has homework (spellings and maths) to do.
Something to ask about when looking at the school
Regards
Annie
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I am new to the forum and I joined because a will be moving to Basel in June and I am considering ISB for my children. I currently live in Brazil and my kids study at the International School here. I was surprised to read that kids at the ISB do not learn much German. My kids have learned both English and Portuguese very well at school here. Of course the English is stronger in the writting but their spoken Portuguese (and reading) is so good that even their accent is that of a Brazilian. It is good to know that it is not the same there with the German so that I make an extra effort for them to have other activities that facilitate learning German better. It would be a shame to live there and not learn the language.
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the children also take French as a third language in primary and can swap it for spanish if they wish from grade 6
Hi, I'm new to this forum so I hope this is the right place to post! We are considering a move to Basel for my husband's employment. One of my greatest concerns is where to have my daughters, ages 5 and 8, attend school. We will most likely only be in Basel for 2-3 years and then return to the U.S. Does anyone have advice on whether to place them in the international school (unsure whether his company will cover the cost) or public school? I would appreciate any help on the subject. Thanks!
Hi sbstreett,
I would consider the Swiss International School first, as it will cover your bases well. It's 50/50 in German/English, which no other school does.
This might suit you if you're most likely to return to the US, as at least the kids continue with a lot of schooling in English. But they will also be good at German when they leave - and if you do happen to stay longer, that will also be useful.
The International School Basel is all (in essence) in English, which at your kids' young age is not essential. Maybe if they were 14 or over that'd be the best bet.
Public schools in Switzerland are good and support non-German speakers well, but if you're likely to be only here for 2-3 years I'd look at the 50/50 option at the SIS first. If you can afford it...
Disclaimer: I have no children at any of these schools. (Yet! That is why I keep an eye on them...)
Thanks Tantrum. I agree with the benefits of a 50-50 school, but I've been reading lots of negative stuff about SIS. It seems like maybe things are changing there though. Anyone have any up-to-date information about SIS?
International school. If you do local and they know you're only staying a little while, the teachers will not feel it is worth investing any time in them. ( As we found in the other direction when they found out we were staying long term ).
I know kids and parents who find SIS, ISB, Minerva perfectly fine. And who whinge about it. What suits your kids might not suit others.
I was babysitting for a family that had their kids at the ISB and all I can say is horrible things. A lot of the parents left the school as my hostfamily and took them to the FreieGymnasium. I remember something about the acreditation not being entirely acredited internationally so I really can say that I wouldn't recomend it. Good luck!
ISB is fully acredited with all the papers and the curricula that go with it. The discussions must have been something else.
Totally. Absolutely. And I'm not an ISB fan!
Hi, I think most of that dates from more than a couple of years ago. The principal was replaced in 2006 or 2007 and apparently since then it's been much better. Or so I've heard...
A couple of people I work with have kids there and are happy with it. It's possible it might suit my kids in the future, so I like to ask these guys when I see them how the school's going, just in case!
The SIS website has its newsletters to parents publicly available, which can be informative.
As an American on a (relatively) short term assignment, I would recommend ISB as the way to go.
It's big - there'e LOTS of folks for you, and your kids, to meet.
The facilities are fantastic.
It is owned by the major companies in Basle and, if your husband is working for one of them, they will guarantee you a place and pay for it.
Hi...can't comment on SIS. However, my sons are 20 and 9 and I have lived here for 4.5 years. My eldest son graduated from ISB, worked for a year here and is now in Uni in Lucerne. He has done much better here than I believe he would have done in the UK...his exposure to a greater variety of people, culture etc. has been/is invaluable. My younger son is in Grade 4 at ISB. Whilst I believe the School are sometimes over reliant on parent participation (I am a working Mum and sometimes feel that an assumption is made that most Mums are not!) I am happy with the progress my son has made and he is very happy to be there. Both my sons can manage well in German and my younger son plays football for our local team so that he can learn some Swiss German.