Chennai, India Report of what it's like to live there - 01/28/17
Personal Experiences from Chennai, India
School Name:
American International School Chennai
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?
Lower elementary, 2016 to present.
3. What was your reason for living in the city where the school is located (e.g., government, military, corporate, NGO, retired)?
Government.
4. Are other schools available to expatriates in this city? Why did you choose this particular school?
There may be, but this is the only school I've heard of expat kids attending.
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?
Yes. Key information if available online, plus there's a full-time admissions director who is very responsive as well.
2. How would you rate the school's support and welcome/integration of new students and their families, and why?
They do a good job. There are a lot of welcome/integration activities, although note that they are usually during the school day which can be hard for families without a stay-at-home parent; we've found this to be true at all schools, however.
Administration & School Procedures:
1. How is the overall communication between teachers and parents, and the administration and parents? How is communication facilitated?
If anything there's too much communication--weekly newsletters from principals and head of school, a weekly newsletter from the parent association, regular updates from teachers on various apps, etc.
2. Aside from school fees, are there required expenses such as uniforms, laptops/tablets, musical instruments, or field trips that parents are expected to cover? What are the approximate costs?
For lower elementary, there have been no required extra fees yet. After-school activities are offered at very reasonable rates.
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?
I am not personally familiar with these services but have heard no complaints from colleagues with older children. This is a legitimate international school with all the resources one would expect.
2. Is there before and/or after-school daycare available? What are the costs?
No, but due to long commutes and after school activity options beginning at kindergarten, most children wouldn't need this. Most families also have a nanny at home.
3. Does the school have a library? How large is it? How updated are the books? Can students borrow books to read at home?
Yes, Very impressive libraries for all age levels. At lower elementary, students check out a book a week. You can also visit on weekends with your child and check out additional books if wanted.
4. How are information technology resources at the school. Are they up-to-date? Is there a computer lab?
Top of the line technology.
5. Describe the physical education resources at the school. Is there a gym? A swimming pool? Are there playing fields or tennis courts available?
There's a large and modern gym, a large swimming pool, sports fields, a large playground, etc. Facilities are very impressive all around.
6. Is the amount and type of homework generally appropriate for the age and grade of the students?
Lower elementary school students have minimal homework--most of it optional.
7. What fine arts electives are available (music, drama, visual arts)?
All available.
8. Are the teachers at the school required to speak English as a first language--or at least fluently?
Yes. Most teachers are American, though some are Indian or expats; all, however, speak fluent English.
9. What services are available for students with physical disabilities at this school? Please describe your experience with these services, if applicable.
The school is mostly one level with paved paths. There are elevators. I would think a student with physical disabilities would do just fine. (Life elsewhere in Chennai, though, would probably be more of a challenge.)
10. 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?
Anything you can think of -- sports, art, music, Indian culture, drama, and a lot more. Check out the after school activity documents on the school website.
Social & Emotional Well-Being:
1. Do expatriate students socialize with local students at the school? Are both groups successfully integrated into the school culture?
Pretty much all the kids are expatriates. In my child's class of 15, there's not a single Indian student, unfortunately. The majority of students seem to be Korean and Japanese. The next biggest groups are Americans and Europeans.
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 that I have experienced or heard about from others.
Overall Impressions:
1. What letter grade (ranging from A, excellent, to F, fail) would you assign to this school based on your overall experience? Would you choose it again?
A. This school is really exceptional and probably the highlight of our Chennai experience. Most other parents I know--with children of varying ages--feel the same.
2. Please tell us anything else you think prospective parents and students should know about this school. Thanks for your contribution!
The school's facilities would be top-notch anywhere but are especially impressive in Chennai, and they allow AISC families to use them on weekends.
