Hyderabad, India Report of what it's like to live there - 11/18/17
Personal Experiences from Hyderabad, India
School Name:
International School of Hyderabad
Background Information:
1. Are you the parent of a child(ren) attending this school? A teacher at the school? Or both?
Parent of middle school students.
2. What grade or grades do/did your children attend at the school? During what year(s) did they attend the school?
5th-9th grades
3. What was your reason for living in the city where the school is located (e.g., government, military, corporate, NGO, retired)?
US government
4. Are other schools available to expatriates in this city? Why did you choose this particular school?
Yes. This is the only accredited international school in Hyderabad. The school is K-12th grades, has a full IB program, is North American accredited, and hands down has the best international school drama-music-fine arts program we've seen. The school campus is modern, large, and high tech. The staff is a mix of American, Canadian, UK, Australian and Indians; all are trained to US standards and are wonderful with communication. The school has a full sports program as well and is hands-down the best of the "international" schools in the city. Transportation is provided to and from school in coach style buses as part of the tuition fee.
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. All info on the website is updated regularly and the school administrators will happily schedule a skype call with your family prior to relocating to Hyderabad. The school leadership is INCREDIBLE and prompt in their communication with parents.
2. How would you rate the school's support and welcome/integration of new students and their families, and why?
We immediately felt at ease and part of the school community. Because 90% of the students are expats (and many are children of employees on 2-3 year contracts), they're used to students coming and going mid-year. Students and faculty alike make a point to include new students and their families from day one.
Administration & School Procedures:
1. How is the overall communication between teachers and parents, and the administration and parents? How is communication facilitated?
This is a strong point of the school, from initial inquiry about admissions to weekly e-newsletters and weekly Google classroom emails about assignments for your student. The school leadership makes communication with parents a priority and it shows.
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?
Tuition covers tuition and school supplies. You can either pay for a semester lunch pass or bring lunch if your child prefers. After-school activities (sports, drama, swim team, Model UN, choir, etc) are all included in tuition. From middle school on, parents need to provide a laptop for their student, though no specific brand or age of laptop is required. Much of the homework assignments are uploaded through Google classroom and the school uses 'smart classrooms', so laptop is important.
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?
The school does have a school psychologist, reading interventionist, will work on adapting curriculum/testing for learning issues. They also have a strong rate of HS grads going to top rated US and UK universities. The HS is all IB and they start discussing college from 9th grade on.
2. Is there before and/or after-school daycare available? What are the costs?
No before/after daycare. However, they've got after school clubs/sports/activities available 5 days/week and included in tuition. Transportation is provided after the practice/program ends daily.
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, full modern library comparable to any US school library.
4. How are information technology resources at the school. Are they up-to-date? Is there a computer lab?
See above. On par (and somewhat beyond) with any modern US school.
5. What are the technology requirements for students? Do they need their own laptops/ipads? How is technology integrated into the classroom and homework?
They require laptops for middle school and older. In elementary they use ipads. The school is very high tech in instruction: Google classroom homework, tech used in every classroom, a 3D model machine in the science lab, etc. Technology is beyond what we've seen in some US schools.
6. Describe the physical education resources at the school. Is there a gym? A swimming pool? Are there playing fields or tennis courts available?
Full size gymnasium, full sized soccer fields and basketball courts, Olympic sized swimming pool. PE classes daily and participation in sports highly encouraged.
7. What is the approximate teacher-to-student ratio in the grades that your child attended?
Approx 1:10 (many classes have 2 teachers team teaching). Classes are typically 20-25 students.
8. 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?
This is a full IB instruction HS, but not required to test for the IB diploma.
9. Are students generally challenged appropriately by the curriculum? Please describe any particular strengths or weaknesses in this area. Do you have any thoughts how the curriculum is applied and implemented at this school?
Challenged similar to a good US school district. This school is a plus for being posted here.
10. Is the amount and type of homework generally appropriate for the age and grade of the students?
Yes
11. What fine arts electives are available (music, drama, visual arts)?
Everything imaginable! The drama, music and arts program FAR SURPASS anything we've seen in the US. The musicals and plays are produced on a modern stage (lighting, sound system, orchestra), two fine art shows a year, and the choir teacher is INCREDIBLE!
12. Are the teachers at the school required to speak English as a first language--or at least fluently?
Yes. 85% of the staff are expats from US, Canada, EU, UK and Australia.
13. What services are available for gifted/advanced students at the school? Please describe your experience with these services, if applicable.
14. What services are available for students with learning disabilities at this school? Please describe your experience with these services, if applicable.
15. What services are available for students with physical disabilities at this school? Please describe your experience with these services, if applicable.
16. What services are provided for speakers of English as a second language at this school? Please describe your experience with these services, if applicable.
All instruction is in English.
17. 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?
Social & Emotional Well-Being:
1. Do expatriate students socialize with local students at the school? Are both groups successfully integrated into the school culture?
This school is primarily expats and the culture of the school reflects that. The "local" students are from wealthy Indian families with extensive exposure to western culture, so I wouldn't say my kids are exposed to local culture at school.
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.
No.
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. Absolutely!
2. Please tell us anything else you think prospective parents and students should know about this school. Thanks for your contribution!
This school is a big highlight of being posted to Hyderabad and is the only fully accredited international school in the city (though others sell themselves as international or American). It has been a very positive experience for our children.
