Kingston, Jamaica Report of what it's like to live there - 03/20/17
Personal Experiences from Kingston, Jamaica
School Name:
Step By Step
Background Information:
1. Are you the parent of a child(ren) attending this school? A teacher at the school? Or both?
Parent of two children
2. What grade or grades do/did your children attend at the school? During what year(s) did they attend the school?
This is a pre-school. My children attended Nursery 2, age 18 mos, Nursery 3, age 2, Nursery 4, age 3, and Kindergarten, age 4.
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?
We chose this school because it accommodated both of our children. Other schools, such as AISK, Hillel, do not have programs until age 3.
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?
During the time I have been here, there has been space for everyone who wants to send kids to this school. Every term, they claim they are full, but I've never heard of anyone whose children were placed on a waitlist. The price of tuition is high, so most Jamaicans send their kids somewhere less expensive.
2. How would you rate the school's support and welcome/integration of new students and their families, and why?
Excellent. There are lots of expat kids, and the school does a great job of integrating new students into the routines.
Administration & School Procedures:
1. How is the overall communication between teachers and parents, and the administration and parents? How is communication facilitated?
Communication is often last-minute or incomplete.
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?
There are field trips, costumes for Christmas pageant, fee for Sports Day, and other last-minute expenses.
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?
2. Is there before and/or after-school daycare available? What are the costs?
There is before and after-care available. There are aunties who are willing to come to our house during end-of-term breaks from school.
3. Does the school have a library? How large is it? How updated are the books? Can students borrow books to read at home?
4. How are information technology resources at the school. Are they up-to-date? Is there a computer lab?
5. Describe the physical education resources at the school. Is there a gym? A swimming pool? Are there playing fields or tennis courts available?
The playground is one of the best in Kingston.
6. What is the approximate teacher-to-student ratio in the grades that your child attended?
For kindergarten, there are 14 students and two teachers.
7. 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?
8. 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?
Yes! The curriculum is a bit more rigorous than a preschool might be in the U.S.
9. Is the amount and type of homework generally appropriate for the age and grade of the students?
Yes, for our 4-year-old. He loves the challenge of learning to read and write.
10. What fine arts electives are available (music, drama, visual arts)?
There is dance, soccer (football), tennis, and lego, available after school.
11. Are the teachers at the school required to speak English as a first language--or at least fluently?
Yes. The teachers speak beautiful English.
12. What services are available for gifted/advanced students at the school? Please describe your experience with these services, if applicable.
13. What services are available for students with learning disabilities at this school? Please describe your experience with these services, if applicable.
14. What services are available for students with physical disabilities at this school? Please describe your experience with these services, if applicable.
Some students have been hard of hearing. I am unfamiliar with details, but the school worked with that family to integrate the student.
15. What services are provided for speakers of English as a second language at this school? Please describe your experience with these services, if applicable.
No specific services, but several kids have English as a second language, and the teachers work to make them feel at home.
16. 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?
There is dance, soccer (football), tennis, and lego, available after 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?
It seems to be fairly well integrated.
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 am aware.
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.
2. Please tell us anything else you think prospective parents and students should know about this school. Thanks for your contribution!
My children love it. It can be a little frustrating to deal with the communication issues, but once I got past that, it is an amazing place for children.
