Jakarta, Indonesia Report of what it's like to live there - 01/17/13
Personal Experiences from Jakarta, Indonesia
School Name:
British International School
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?
Years 5-9
3. During what years were you affiliated with this school?
2010-2012
4. What was your reason for living in the city where the school is located (e.g., government, military, corporate, NGO, retired)?
UN
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--I felt the process was transparent and fair.
2. How would you rate the school's support and welcome/integration of new students and their families, and why?
C nothing overly special.Kids are assigned a buddy.There is a parent night for parents to meet teachcers.
Administration & School Procedures:
1. Describe the general climate of the grade level that you teach or your child attends:
I was very pleased with the primary school.However, as the children progressed through Secondary School, I questioned the standards, academic rigour and whether the kids were running the school entirely!
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:
A--There were both Indonesian and ex-pat kids, international kids from private sector, government, UN and NGOs.I never felt preferential treatment for one over the other.
3. How is the overall communication between teachers and parents, and the administration and parents? How is communication facilitated?
D--my number one complaint was the parent-teacher communication--even when reaching out to the school.Class teachers in the secondary school never responded to one email or followed up on any emails.Parent-teacher meetings are held in the gym with 5 minutes with each teacher, where you are led to believe everything is fine.When the report card comes, sometimes what was said in the meeting and what is reflected on the report card differ.
4. Services for gifted students who need academic challenge and students with learning difficulties:
C--Primary School has learning support.Middle School did not. My children could have benefited from extra help in math; that was non-existent.When I wanted to get a tutor, it was discouraged.
5. Availability and variety of after-school activities for various ages:
B--there is a fair amount offered.Many activities have extra fees associated.I think as the kids entered Middle School the available options held less interest for them compared to when they were in primary school.
6. Maintenance of appropriately high standards for all students:
A--excellent infrastructure that is well maintained.You pay a capital levy fee of USD 3000, which is put to good use.
7. Homework assigned (quality, quantity):
B--lots of homework assigned.The relevance to the child's learning was not always apparent.However, the amount of homework did assist with organisation and discipline skill development.
8. Administration-parent communication:
C--weekly email from the Head of School.When I was withdrawing my children and dealing with the administration, communication was pretty poor and required continuous follow up on my part.
9. Teacher-student communication:
C--I felt there were issues the teachers should have dealt with more such as homework quality, attention during class, which they did not deal with at all.
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?
Yes--Modern Foreign Languages.The approach was very laid back.
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:
13. Does the gifted and talented program meet the needs of students? Please explain:
14. Does the school offer a wide variety of elective or non-core classes such as art, music, and drama?
Yes--all children are required to take drama, music and art.
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?
Every class takes an annual trip which is included in the school fees.
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?
Average assistance.
20. Please describe any problem areas or challenges in social interaction at the school:
The school uniform equalises all students and there were no unusual social challenges for the age group.
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?
It is available; I do not know the quality.
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.
3. How are information technology resources at the school. Are they up-to-date? Is there a computer lab?
A+--the school is well connected in terms of technology in the classrooms.Wireless available throughout the school.Social media sites are banned on the school connection.
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--wide range of activities.
5. What is the approximate teacher-to-student ratio in the grades that your child attended?
A--at an international standard.
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?
My kids were too young to assess this.It is available.
7. Is the amount and type of homework generally appropriate for the age and grade of the students?
No--there is a fair amount of homework.The relevance to the child's learning and skill development was not always apparent.
8. What fine arts electives are available (music, drama, visual arts)?
B--there is a selection of music.However, there is often a wait list.There are a handful of drama productions every year that the students can get involved in.
9. Are the teachers at the school required to speak English as a first language--or at least fluently?
Yes
10. What services are available for gifted/advanced students at the school? Please describe your experience with these services, if applicable.
No
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, however, you pay an additional fee.
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.
Seldom and when it has happened the school has dealt with it swiftly and appropriately.
Overall Impressions:
1. What is the greatest strength of this school?
BIS is a well-resourced school.The quality of the teaching is generally good.
2. Greatest challenge?
Communication with parents and making parents feel a welcome part of the school.
3. Would you choose this school again? Why?
Probably.At JIS there are too many social issues and cliques.I would probably give AGS strong consideration.
