Colombo, Sri Lanka Report of what it's like to live there - 09/02/24
Personal Experiences from Colombo, Sri Lanka
School Name:
Overseas School of Colombo
Background Information:
1. Are you the parent of a child(ren) attending this school? A teacher at the school? Or both?
I had three kids attend OSC over the last three years (2021-24)
2. What grade or grades do/did your children attend at the school? During what year(s) did they attend the school?
I have experiences with grades 3 - 9, at various times over the last three years.
3. What years did you live here?
2021-2024
4. What was your reason for living in the city where the school is located (e.g., government, military, corporate, NGO, retired)?
Government assignment
5. Are other schools available to expatriates in this city? Why did you choose this particular school?
There are several international schools in Colombo. We chose OSC for its academic standards, IB curriculum, international population, and community atmosphere.
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, the admissions process was pretty straightforward. In addition to the materials submitted, I was surprised that the principal does a zoom call with each prospective student before an application is finalized.
2. How would you rate the school's support and welcome/integration of new students and their families, and why?
The school does a reasonably good job of welcoming new families. There is a school / parent network, student ambassadors, and other welcome efforts in place. Still, it took us a year to feel like we really had "landed" and knew what to expect.
Administration & School Procedures:
1. How is the overall communication between teachers and parents, and the administration and parents? How is communication facilitated?
I found that teachers rarely reach out to me with either compliments or concerns. However, they're super responsive if I reach out with questions or concerns. Email, WhatsApp, meetings - the school tries to be really accessible.
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?
My kids needed laptops, PE uniforms, and some basic safety items like hats and sunscreen. Nothing surprising when coming from other overseas schools. Computers are expensive in Sri Lanka, but the other items were easy to purchase locally.
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 is a HS counselor, who is American. Graduates usually head to universities in the US, Europe or Australia, so his experience is quite broad.
2. Does the school have a library? How large is it? How updated are the books? Can students borrow books to read at home?
The school has a nice library, both for elementary and HS students. It is updated regularly and hosts authors and other special events. Kids are encouraged to borrow books.
3. What are the technology requirements for students? Do they need their own laptops/ipads? How is technology integrated into the classroom and homework?
Students need laptops, but I'd recommend that you contact the school for specific info about each grade level. It has not been cumbersome for us and the school has a good tech advisor to help with any issues.
4. 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 a gym, swimming pool, and field - and lots of great space to play. While OSC has some of the best facilities in the country, they are nice but not top-of-the-line when compared with some other schools my kids have attended. That said, the school regularly hosts SAISA (international) tournaments and the facilities are safe, accessible, and adequate.
5. What is the approximate teacher-to-student ratio in the grades that your child attended?
Most of my kids classes have about an 8-1 ratio. Kids get great individualized attention at ever level.
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?
IB available, and most kids pursue. However, it is not required.
7. 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?
We've had good experience with the curriculum at the primary and MS level. There has been some turnover of teachers which has led to some unevenness, but we're generally very happy with the academic program. I don't have enough experience to talk about the HS curriculum in specifics, but I know the small size of the schools means that the options can be somewhat limited if kids are looking for a very specific program.
8. Is the amount and type of homework generally appropriate for the age and grade of the students?
Except for the occasional special projects, my kids have very limited homework in primary and middle school. I've hard it gets tougher in the upper grades.
9. What fine arts electives are available (music, drama, visual arts)?
Music, drama and visual arts are all offered, along with design courses.
10. Are the teachers at the school required to speak English as a first language--or at least fluently?
They are all required to speak English fluently. It's a very international group of teachers - from USA to Mozambique to Belgium - so likely speak many languages at home.
11. What services are available for gifted/advanced students at the school? Please describe your experience with these services, if applicable.
My daughter gets extended opportunities in subjects where she excels - sometimes additional challenges from the teacher during the class time, sometimes visiting a high school teacher for additional learning. The school has been flexible and supportive in this regard.
12. What services are available for students with learning disabilities at this school? Please describe your experience with these services, if applicable.
Over the last few years, the school has developed a student services team that supports kids who have learning differences. One of my kids has received regular support from the team, who have helped them to understand and begin to address some post-pandemic learning and social challenges that we weren't aware of until coming to post. My kids teachers have also been supportive along what has been a challenging period for us. While I think the school is well intentioned and well-prepared to deal with most learning disabilities, Sri Lanka does not have strong options for OT, PT and other needs, and I've seen it be a lonely place to try to understand and address more severe learning disabilities.
13. What services are available for students with physical disabilities at this school? Please describe your experience with these services, if applicable.
IDK but the campus has several distinct buildings / levels and is not well designed to be physically accessible for students in wheelchairs or with other mobility challenges.
14. What services are provided for speakers of English as a second language at this school? Please describe your experience with these services, if applicable.
I know services are provided but I don't have direct experience.
15. 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?
My kids have done both after-school activities (from chess to cookie baking), academic activities (like math club and robotics) and sports (including travel teams like soccer.) It's a small school so it would be nice to have more options, but I think the school does a fantastic job in offering what it does. My kids have enjoyed the programs and come back for more each semester. The travel sports programs (SAISA) are especially positive for kids as they get into middle and HS, as it exposes them to real team sports and builds a wonderful sense of relationship with other schools/kids in the region.
Social & Emotional Well-Being:
1. What is the climate for children with special needs? Is there a general attitude of inclusion for children with special needs?
The school is very intentional about inclusion. I've seen a couple of issues bubble with kids being made fun of, and then peers or teachers address it quickly.
2. 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?
The school is very LGBT friendly. I have not seen kids be excluded or labeled, and I've seen many kids feel comfortable to express their individual identities.
3. Do expatriate students socialize with local students at the school? Are both groups successfully integrated into the school culture?
Yes. While some local or longer term parents can be a bit cliquey, the students seem to integrate well.
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.
My youngest was bullied in our first year at post. At first, her teacher did not see it and did not address it properly. However, once I got frustrated to reach out to the administration and student support folks, I saw the school take real action to address both the bullying and its negative affects on my child. I don't think bullying is common at the school, but I have first-hand experience that the administration takes it seriously when it is documented and clear cut. I've heard other examples of minor bullying and challenges on the buses or in after-school activities, but nothing too dramatic.
5. What is the climate for students who identify as ethnic, race/racial minorities or religious minorities at this school? Are there resources they can draw upon? Have your children had any experiences in this area?
It is my experience that the school is well integrated and supportive, and I know the school does a great job of hiring teachers from around the world who reflect the diversity of our student population. But I do not have first-hand knowledge in this area.
6. What can you say about diversity among the faculty and staff at the school and their experience in supporting minority students?
(See above - the school does a great job of hiring teachers from around the world who reflect the diversity of our student population. I don't know if they specifically support minority students, but I know that most kids will find other teachers, students, and parents who look like them among the community - which is very different than the other international schools in Sri Lanka.)
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?
B+ I think OSC is a great international school that will be even better as the school grows a bit. I would absolutely choose it again.
2. Please tell us anything else you think prospective parents and students should know about this school. Thanks for your contribution!
Three massive crises shook Sri Lanka between 2019-2022: the easter bombings, COVID, and an economic and political crisis. Throughout these uncertain periods, the school did an excellent job of navigating the ups and downs and keeping the focus on kids / learning / community. I hope that the coming years will bring Sri Lanka even more stability and allow the school to grow only stronger.
