Expat Women Confession

Finding The Right School

Dear EW Girlfriend,

We are on the verge of moving to Lithuania and I was wondering if you could please give me some tips to help me choose the 'best fit' school for our 7 year old son. All of the school websites I have visited make each school look so picture-perfect, but I am sure there are many factors to watch out for – I just do not know where to start.

RW

Expat Women Girlfriend

Dear RW,

Sometimes, choosing a school for your child can seem almost as stressful as moving overseas itself. For example, whether you are schooling overseas or at home, the abilities, interests, needs, learning styles, motivation and maturity of your child need to be taken into consideration. In addition, there are many practical and logistical factors with regards to the school itself that you need to think about. But rest assured, with the right amount of preparation, information, research and planning, schooling in an expatriate setting can be an extremely enriching experience for both you and your child.

First and foremost, when choosing a school, it is wise to consider the practical aspects. Grab yourself a pen and paper and set aside some time to think about the following practical factors.

Cost. International school fees can be expensive; there is no doubt about it. How much money are you (or your employing company) prepared or able to pay? Most large cities have international schools, which are typically the choice for expatriate children, but these usually come with a hefty price tag.

Is it an option for your child to attend one of the local schools? For smaller children attending kindergarten or pre-kindergarten levels (where a new language can be picked up relatively easily and/or the children are not old enough yet for strict grade-level curriculum exams to be a deciding factor), or for all-aged children moving to a country where they speak the local language, attending a local school is not an uncommon choice, if the law allows it. (In some countries, foreign children can only attend the schools established for expatriates.)

Curriculum. Another point to consider is which curriculum you want your child to follow. For example, an American, UK, French or German curriculum. Another option is the International Baccalaureate (IB), which is offered by an increasing number of reputable schools and is easily transferable to other locations.

Is there a particular subject or extracurricular activity that your son is interested in or excelling at that you would like to encourage? Is there one school that has a strong focus on this subject? If for example, he is interested in music, then perhaps you might prefer a school that offers a quality music department (or has a quality music school nearby for after-school lessons).

Curriculum factors like these can help you to narrow down a 'best fit' school.

Logistics. It is important to be street-smart about your school's location as well. Where is the school located, in comparison to your/your partner's work office and other key amenities? Is personally taking your son to school (by foot, bike or car) an option or will you prefer to rely on school (bus) transport? Where are the after-school activities located? Would you like to live in the area around the school? Where do the other families attending each school live?

Demographics. Would you like your son to attend a very multi-cultural school or would you prefer a majority of one particular nationality or religion? Would you like the school to be elementary only or include middle and/or high school as well? Do you have an ideal size for the school you would like your son to attend? Do you expect the teaching staff to be foreign-trained or expatriates themselves, or would you prefer local teachers, or a combination of both types of teachers?

Get informed. Once you have some idea of the type and style of school you are looking for, it is time to get back online and research more about the schools in your destination city. You may like to join in various expatriate forums and chat rooms. From these you will probably be able to get an idea of which schools have a good reputation, and which do not – although bear in mind that most parents promote the school that their own children attend, so online forums can be biased and should not be your sole influencer in important decisions like these.

Do not be afraid to make contact with the school directly (even before you arrive in your host country) and speak with the admissions staff. You should be able to get a feel for the school and also an idea of the availability of places, which is another major concern for parents. Some parents even fund their own 'look-see' trip to compare schools, if their companies will not. If you are able to do this, think seriously about doing so, as nothing beats going there yourself and assessing schools and their surrounding areas with your own set of eyes.

Wait lists and the application process. Many times, the 'good' schools have extended waiting lists (that can be a few years long) and this hurdle is exacerbated by the schools' obligation to numerous corporate debentures and then sibling priority.

Many schools offer scheduled tours but many will also be happy to show you around the school privately if you make an appointment. Make it your priority to visit as many schools as you can, and certainly the ones that appeal to you. You will most likely have a gut instinct about which school 'feels right' for your son and fits your family values and morals. However, it is recommended to put your son's name down at more than one school, just in case. (Be aware that some schools may charge a small, non-refundable fee to put your child's name down on the wait list.)

Outsource. If you really do feel 'lost' in the whole school selection process, or if your child has additional needs that you would like to talk to a professional about, you may want to speak with a specialized education consultant who can help you to find a school that meets you and your son's requirements. This is at an additional cost but it is an investment that may help alleviate some of the stress and pressure you are feeling to 'do right by your child'. They will usually interview your family to make sure they have a full understanding of your child, personal values and circumstances and then present some possible 'best match' schools for you to consider, explaining their choices and the pros and cons of each school. They can also often help you with the often-overwhelming admissions and selection process that can seem particularly intimidating.

Education is a family affair. Choosing a school is also about you as a family. How involved would you like to be in your son's school? Is a strong Parent Teacher Association important to you? Is it important that parents are encouraged to attend school or after school activities? A school is also an invaluable lifeline for friendships in most expatriate settings – do you feel this is a place where you would like to make friends? If the school has a strong bus culture, will you be able to easily make friends if the other parents are not regularly visiting the school?

A mother's instinct. More often than not, your motherly instinct will prevail and once you have done your research and potentially visited the schools yourself, you will know which school is the 'best fit' for your son. Good luck with your decision and have a great time in Lithuania!