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jojosunshine
Lurker
Joined: Nov 11, 2006
Posts: 33
Status: Offline
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Aug 14, 2008 - 01:04 PM |
 
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| Post subject: Local Primary School with International division?? |
I know this is a common thread, but in all of my searching I'm still not finding the answers I need!
I am looking for a school with a Mandarin immersion program, or simply a local school with a teacher that can speak enough English to answer a question if something is not completely understood in Mandarin... in the French Concession or thereabouts
My son is going to be in grade 2. He has enough Mandarin at this point to play with his classmates, and talk to Ayi, but not enough to get 100% of what he's being taught at school. I'm worried that he's been saying that he hates going to school, and think it's because he is just missing some of the "normal" creative/interactive learning he had before he went to the local school.
He has been in a local school for the past year, and an international school for the year prior. Both were not quite right- I need something in the middle! I don't want to pay the ridiculously overcharged Expat prices that are higher than my graduate school, putting my kid in the "Expat bubble," but I want him to be able to at least have art, music and sports as part of his curriculum.
I'm so frustrated with the options that are being presented to me right now! Most of the school lists that are circulating around out community are shallow- not many options beyond the overpriced schools that pay money to get the coverage. We need to start a more realistic list from our experiences and networking skills that we have in our Expat community here! Can anyone help out with suggestions? |
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carole
Squeeker
Joined: Feb 13, 2007
Posts: 11
Status: Offline
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Aug 25, 2008 - 02:14 PM |
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If you live in the Pudong area, I would definitely recommend the Shanghai East Experimental School. They have a great system and the teachers there are great!!! |
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HappyMG
Lurker
Joined: Apr 06, 2008
Posts: 20
Location: Shanghai
Status: Offline
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Aug 27, 2008 - 01:10 AM |
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JolieJuniors
Newbie
Joined: July 04, 2008
Posts: 5
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Sep 01, 2008 - 01:45 PM |
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I am also searching a right primary school for my son and I checked lots of the popular chinese parents forums. I found out the most "dream school" of all parents is the " Shanghai World Foreign Language Primary School". However it is in Xuhui District. They have local, expat, and PYP divisions. Annual fee for expat kids is around 50,000 - 60,000 per year. Of course it is more expensive than local kids, but more affordable than other international schools. I called the principal myself and the school seems to focus both on Chinese and English. The entrance rate for local is usually crazy, 10:1; for expat kids, it is a little easier. But they have difficult entrance exams with different sujbects. |
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mommy&kids
Seeker
Joined: June 07, 2007
Posts: 70
Status: Offline
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Sep 01, 2008 - 07:59 PM |
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JolieJuniors,
Like many concerned parents here, I'm also searching for the right primary school for my son. Please elaborate on what you mean by "dream school" w/ regards to Shanghai World Foreign Language Primary School". Different parents have different criteria and expectations, and if you don't mind sharing from your research, what are the pros and cons of this school? Thanks. |
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Grace |
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JolieJuniors
Newbie
Joined: July 04, 2008
Posts: 5
Status: Offline
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Sep 03, 2008 - 02:49 PM |
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Hi Grace,
Like you said, different parents have different criteria for the right school. Local parents want their kids to be really ahead of others, and English is top priority. I must say Chinese local schools (no matter what other cons may have, the basic education level is advanced including math, art, music, etc.) For all expats here, if your first language is Engish at home, parents will consider other factors, ie, if the school courses could match up with those in your home country, ECE standard, teacher qualities, kids could have the right friends, etc. Therefore, When I look for a right school in China, I consider the following factors:
1) if their English teaching level is very advanced to match up western school
2) if their tuition is reasonable here
3) if it is a place to mix chinese and western culture well and teach them well
4) if parents (esp local parents) give high comments in all forums.
That is why Shanghai World Foreign Language Primary School seems to fit my basic criteria so far. Well, I have not done enough research yet, there are other schools that also meet my demand. But SWFL is close to my home. Here is their English website: http://210.51.52.182/wflps/. I hope it shall help.
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jojosunshine
Lurker
Joined: Nov 11, 2006
Posts: 33
Status: Offline
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Sep 04, 2008 - 09:08 PM |
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Hi all. Thanks for the links and suggestions. I'm still working out the kinks, but will post about the school I chose and why once I have more to say about it.
Cheers! |
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zhililac
Squeeker
Joined: Sep 04, 2008
Posts: 17
Location: shanghai
Status: Offline
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Sep 04, 2008 - 10:45 PM |
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As a local girl, I want say that it's better to expat kid to the international primary school. As JolieJuniors said,local school pay more attention on the study, local parents always hope their kids ahead of others, I mean, there is a totally chinese culture in local school. I still remember how hard to study when I am a kid. and the language is also a big problem, most of the teachers in local can not speak english at all although they are quite good at teaching. so I don't suggest the local school. ^_^ |
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what can we do at weekends? |
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Elizabeth Lee
Lurker
Joined: Sep 01, 2008
Posts: 23
Status: Offline
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Sep 07, 2008 - 10:20 PM |
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This is a topic close to many parents' heart, thanks for bringing it up.
An interesting observation I want to share. I noticed my kids who are bilingual, have started to respond to me in English to me even though I speak Mandarin to them. They are both in International Kindergarten. Before we moved here, when we were in HK and Singapore, they responded back in Mandarin.
Is it possible that within the short time since we moved to China, the fact that they are now in an International Kindergarten that is 70% English and 30% Chinese, it is leading them to speak more English... in China? What irony.
I too want to have my children to have a Chinese focused education that will allow them to placed, as seamlessly as realistically possible, when we return back to the US.
Two questions please:
1) Are any of the Chinese schools you mentioned in the link IB certified schools (International Baccalaureate), this will ensure that the English taught is up to the international standard.
2) Is there a list out there that shows which are the top 10-20 primary schools in Shanghai? Doesn't matter if it is for local only, or local with an international division.
Thank you in advance. |
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RachaelLau
Barker
Joined: June 23, 2006
Posts: 145
Status: Offline
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Sep 15, 2008 - 04:42 PM |
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Jojosunshine,
I just started teaching in Shanghai Singapore International School a month ago. Not sure if you are interested but SSIS is an international school with Chinese immersion program. There are 3 different Chinese stream you can choose. The Shanghai Chinese Curriculum, Singapore Chinese Curriculum or Basic Chinese curriculum. In terms of fees, I am not sure of the exact amount, but its one of the cheapest International School in town (sad to say).
Elizabeth,
SSIS is an IB school. As for the top 10-20 school in Shanghai, I am not aware, but if you manage to get the list, do you mind sharing it with us? Thanks. |
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rucksack
Barker
Joined: Jan 10, 2005
Posts: 190
Location: the wrong side of the tracks
Status: Offline
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Sep 15, 2008 - 07:07 PM |
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YOu can try Aiju, it's in the French Concession, I have two friends with kids in the international stream. I'm looking for a website. They just moved from Anting Lu. I'll get back to you on that. |
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winpetung
Seeker
Joined: Mar 31, 2003
Posts: 45
Status: Offline
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Oct 04, 2008 - 08:05 PM |
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You can check out the Shanghai Fudan-Vanke Experimental Private School but it's located in Minhang district which might be a little far for you. Their website is www.vks.cn |
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