Nairobi, Kenya Report of what it's like to live there - 08/19/14
Personal Experiences from Nairobi, Kenya
School Name:
International School of Kenya (ISK)
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?
7, 8, and 9.
3. During what years were you affiliated with this school?
2013 - 2014.
4. What was your reason for living in the city where the school is located (e.g., government, military, corporate, NGO, retired)?
Government.
5. Are other schools available to expatriates in this city? Why did you choose this particular school?
IB program.
Admissions & Welcome:
1. How would you rate the school's support and welcome/integration of new students and their families, and why?
A - good new student orientation program. This is a bigger school than my kids were used to but they adapted very quickly.
Administration & School Procedures:
1. Describe the general climate of the grade level that you teach or your child attends:
Very good - both kids are very happy.
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:
B
3. How is the overall communication between teachers and parents, and the administration and parents? How is communication facilitated?
B - frequent e-mail contact.
4. Maintenance of appropriately high standards for all students:
B - kids have been expelled for drugs on campus.
5. Homework assigned (quality, quantity):
B - my 8th grader seemed to have more homework than the 7th grader - but maybe just because the 7th grader is better at homework and could knock most of it out while still at school.
6. Administration-parent communication:
B - frequent e-mail contact.
7. Teacher-student communication:
B -
8. Does the school offer a wide variety of elective or non-core classes such as art, music, and drama?
Yes. Good drama and art programs.
9. Have your children participated in the activities offered? If no, please indicate why:
Yes - I think some sort of community service type activities are mandatory.
10. Does the school provide appropriate assistance to new students?
Yes - good orientation program for new students.
Academics & Resources:
1. Describe the physical education resources at the school. Is there a gym? A swimming pool? Are there playing fields or tennis courts available?
A - good facilities and teachers for physical education. Good after-school activity sports programs and intramural competitions.
2. 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?
A - seems like a good IB program.
3. Is the amount and type of homework generally appropriate for the age and grade of the students?
Yes. I understand there gets to be quite a lot of it as kids advance into 11th and 12th grade.
4. What fine arts electives are available (music, drama, visual arts)?
A - good drama and arts programs.
5. Are the teachers at the school required to speak English as a first language--or at least fluently?
Yes. Kenya is largely an English speaking country and all staff members speak it fluently.
6. 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. Community service opportunities and sports.
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. The student body is very international, including (mostly wealthy) locals.
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.
I don't think it is better or worse than any middle/high-school drama.
Overall Impressions:
1. What is the greatest strength of this school?
Big school with lots of teachers, so very well rounded curricula.
2. Would you choose this school again? Why?
Yes. Living in Nairobi has its issues but the school is not one of them.
