Zagreb, Croatia Report of what it's like to live there - 01/13/11
Personal Experiences from Zagreb, Croatia
School Name:
American International School of Zagreb
Background Information:
1. Are you the parent of a child(ren) attending this school? A teacher at the school? Or both?
Parent
2. What grade or grades do/did your children attend at the school? During what year(s) did they attend the school?
10
3. During what years were you affiliated with this school?
2008-2011
4. What was your reason for living in the city where the school is located (e.g., government, military, corporate, NGO, retired)?
Government
Admissions & Welcome:
1. Are the admissions and placement procedures clearly stated to prospective families, either on the school website or through other means of communication?
A
2. How would you rate the school's support and welcome/integration of new students and their families, and why?
AVery active PTA and friendly and engaging director/principal team organize plenty of opportunities for new families throughout the year.
Administration & School Procedures:
1. Describe the general climate of the grade level that you teach or your child attends:
Small (14 students), close-knit class.Well followed by teachers
2. For the following attributes, down to the next blank box, grade your experience at the school on a scale of A (excellent) to F (unacceptable/terrible) and provide comments:<br><br>Overall fair and equitable treatment of all students and families:
ACroatian student number is capped. Absolutely no distinctions made between local and expat.
3. How is the overall communication between teachers and parents, and the administration and parents? How is communication facilitated?
Excellent.Teachers are available for meetings, but also reply very promptly to email and phone calls
4. Services for gifted students who need academic challenge and students with learning difficulties:
Athe school can accommodate students with mild to moderate learning disabilities, and the teachers can provide plenty of individualized attention for gifted students
5. Availability and variety of after-school activities for various ages:
A-Of course, it's important, as in all small schools, to be flexible, but there are plenty of activities offered, and the school is receptive and supportive of ideas for new activities.
6. Maintenance of appropriately high standards for all students:
Athe school is challenging an offers the IB diploma
7. Homework assigned (quality, quantity):
B+lots of homework, but then again, I have a perfectionist child who is never happy with good enough
8. Administration-parent communication:
Just perfect.Principal issues a weekly newsletter, and is ready to communicate with parents by phone or email.
9. Teacher-student communication:
Great.Kids feel comfortable with their teachers and interact with them in a variety of situations
10. Academics, answer the following questions "yes" or "no" with an explanation if appropriate:<br><br>Are there any classes or subjects where students are not appropriately challenged?
Not that I know of
11. Does your child receive any special-needs assistance or instruction at this school? If yes, what types? Who provides services and where:
No
12. Do you believe the special-needs assistance is appropriate and fills your needs? Explain:
N/A
13. Does the gifted and talented program meet the needs of students? Please explain:
Yes.The small number of students allows for individualized attention
14. Does the school offer a wide variety of elective or non-core classes such as art, music, and drama?
More than enough to keep our high-schooler busy every day.Art, music, drama are offered, as well as cinematography
15. Please describe any classes or programs that you believe are missing:
16. Are there academic requirements such as trips or other activities that cost money in addition to school fees?
A middle school "team building trip" is all I can think of. Trips are offered, but participation is not mandatory
17. What activities do you feel are missing?
18. Have your children participated in the activities offered? If no, please indicate why:
Yes
19. Does the school provide appropriate assistance to new students?
Yes, including peer sponsor and a family sponsor program
20. Please describe any problem areas or challenges in social interaction at the school:
Academics & Resources:
1. What personal or academic counseling resources are available at this school? Is there a dedicated college counselor at the school? Is he/she familiar with universities worldwide?
One counselor.She knows the kids by name, and is very proactive
2. Does the school have a library? How large is it? How updated are the books? Can students borrow books to read at home?
A-excellent library for a small school
3. How are information technology resources at the school. Are they up-to-date? Is there a computer lab?
A
4. Describe the physical education resources at the school. Is there a gym? A swimming pool? Are there playing fields or tennis courts available?
B+Lack of gym presents problems, but the activities are adequate.Local clubs fill the gap for athletically gifted students.Dynamic teachers are very creative.
5. What is the approximate teacher-to-student ratio in the grades that your child attended?
AJust perfect.
6. Are Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) courses available in upper grades? If this is an IB school, is the full diploma required of all students?
IB Diploma or certificate
7. Is the amount and type of homework generally appropriate for the age and grade of the students?
The school is challenging, but homework is adequate and appropriate
8. What fine arts electives are available (music, drama, visual arts)?
AGood selection for a small school.Teachers are creative and offer interesting classes at a good lever. both HS and MS have plays, ES prepares different shows
9. Are the teachers at the school required to speak English as a first language--or at least fluently?
Yes, absolutely.
10. What services are available for gifted/advanced students at the school? Please describe your experience with these services, if applicable.
Individually paced math and special assignments for English
11. What extra-curricular activities (including sports) are available at this school? Have your children participated in these activities? What activities do you feel are missing at the school?
Yes
Social & Emotional Well-Being:
1. Do expatriate students socialize with local students at the school? Are both groups successfully integrated into the school culture?
yes
2. Are there are any problems with exclusionary behavior, cliques, or bullying at this school? Please describe any problems your children may have experienced in this area.
Not at all.
Overall Impressions:
1. What is the greatest strength of this school?
The students are a close-knit community, they socialize with students across cultures and grades, and with teachers.It is welcoming and friendly.
2. Greatest challenge?
Lack of a dedicated gym, that will be resolved when the school moves to the new facility
3. Would you choose this school again? Why?
Absolutely yes.Our daughter has had a chance to participate in both academic and sport tournaments, she has established great relationships with teachers.We loved this school.
