Skopje, North Macedonia Report of what it's like to live there - 01/08/19
Personal Experiences from Skopje, North Macedonia
School Name:
School Name: NOVA International School
Background Information:
1. Are you the parent of a child(ren) attending this school? A teacher at the school? Or both?
Both.
2. What was your reason for living in the city where the school is located (e.g., government, military, corporate, NGO, retired)?
Teaching.
3. Are other schools available to expatriates in this city? Why did you choose this particular school?
QSI is also available.
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?
They are there but in our experiences, the rules are not real. It's all a matter of who can pay and who people know.
2. How would you rate the school's support and welcome/integration of new students and their families, and why?
Not poor, not weak, but bad.
Administration & School Procedures:
1. How is the overall communication between teachers and parents, and the administration and parents? How is communication facilitated?
From my experience, it's filtered and frequently seems untrue, if communication happens at all.
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?
If students want a meal plan or to ride the bus, there is a substantial extra fee for each. I think it's not worth the cost. Also extra costs for special education support.
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?
There are college counselors, but it seems like they are mostly familiar with "prestige" schools and more interested in helping students who are likely to attend those schools.
2. Is there before and/or after-school daycare available? What are the costs?
There is after-school care for young children. I don't know what it costs.
3. Does the school have a library? How large is it? How updated are the books? Can students borrow books to read at home?
The elementary library is quite good, and students can check out books. The high school library is decent, with a relatively good selection of popular books, mixed with a confusing number of books. It's hard to imagine any student reading voluntarily.
4. How are information technology resources at the school. Are they up-to-date? Is there a computer lab?
There are two computer labs, but they are only for technology classes. There are very few resources at the school. There is not even consistent wifi for students.
5. What are the technology requirements for students? Do they need their own laptops/ipads? How is technology integrated into the classroom and homework?
At the high school level, it is expected that students will have their own technology, and they generally do. However, there is no clear policy or system by which they use technology in lessons.
6. Describe the physical education resources at the school. Is there a gym? A swimming pool? Are there playing fields or tennis courts available?
There is an elementary gym, but most phys ed classes make use of the facilities at Forza sports club nearby, meaning students have to walk to a local establishment, essentially, for PE activities.
7. What is the approximate teacher-to-student ratio in the grades that your child attended?
Classes at all levels tend to be around 20 students, with a teacher assistant in the pre-k and kindergarten rooms.
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?
Both are offered, though, in my opinion, the programs are not very good and there is a poor variety of options available. Also, I am not sure if the teachers' training is up to date for these.
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?
Most teachers have a local certification and my children report not being challenged appropriately. I have some concerns about the curriculum as it seems that the school owners/management does not have a lot of experience in the education field.
10. What fine arts electives are available (music, drama, visual arts)?
I understand there to be visual arts and drama (intermittently and with a local instructor with no teaching certification). Even in IB, I think these are the only two options. At the elementary level, the school loves to tout its dance and theatre program, but it is really just preparation for performances each year, which take students out of class and are, in my opinion, little more than a publicity event for the school.
11. Are the teachers at the school required to speak English as a first language--or at least fluently?
Ostensibly, they must all be fluent. In practice, some are and some are not (including English teachers). My children report that it is not uncommon for class to be conducted in Macedonian, with students who don't speak the language left out in the cold. Also, students will frequently ask questions in Macedonian, which are then answered in the same language.
12. What services are available for gifted/advanced students at the school? Please describe your experience with these services, if applicable.
Absolutely nothing.
13. What services are available for students with learning disabilities at this school? Please describe your experience with these services, if applicable.
Some services are available at a significant cost.
14. What services are available for students with physical disabilities at this school? Please describe your experience with these services, if applicable.
None. The building is not accessible, there are no elevators, and even though there is a profoundly visually impaired student, the school frequently adds and changes furniture in public areas.
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.
There are some EAL classes which seem to have a decent rate of improvement for students. However, those services do not extend beyond the English learning class, leaving them with no support in their other subjects.
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?
Some sports teams, in which students compete with other international schools in the region. Also a math competition.
Social & Emotional Well-Being:
1. What is the climate for LGBT+ kids at this school? Are there resources they can draw upon? Does there appear to be any exclusionary behavior?
Not great. I have heard that students and teachers are known to make anti-LGBT comments, and I have spoken with students who felt unsafe as a result.
2. What is the climate for children with special needs? Is there a general attitude of inclusion for children with special needs?
I would caution against bringing children with special needs to this school.
3. Do expatriate students socialize with local students at the school? Are both groups successfully integrated into the school culture?
They are not. Expat students seem to do better if they learn some Macedonian, otherwise they seem to be pretty isolated.
4. 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.
Yes. Many problems. Many real problems that are poorly addressed in my opinion. The school psychologist makes an admirable effort to work with students, and does make a difference on an individual level, yet the school culture is still not changing.
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?
D. No, I would not choose it again especially for children in upper elementary and above.
