Kampala, Uganda Report of what it's like to live there - 06/17/13
Personal Experiences from Kampala, Uganda
Kampala, Uganda
06/17/13
School Name:
School Name: International School of Kampala
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?
Currently grades 2 and 4.
3. During what years were you affiliated with this school?
2011 to present.
4. What was your reason for living in the city where the school is located (e.g., government, military, corporate, NGO, retired)?
U.S. Government employee living in Kampala.
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
2. How would you rate the school's support and welcome/integration of new students and their families, and why?
A
Administration & School Procedures:
1. Describe the general climate of the grade level that you teach or your child attends:
We have two children in grades 2 and 4. They started in grades 1 and 3. We have been very pleased with ISU. The teachers are excellent and very supportive, tailor their teaching to each student in order to ensure that they reach their maximum potential. The classes are around 12 to 15 students with a main teacher and one teaching assistant. The teachers are great!
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
3. How is the overall communication between teachers and parents, and the administration and parents? How is communication facilitated?
A
4. Services for gifted students who need academic challenge and students with learning difficulties:
It seems good, but I'm not sure. They do provide extra teaching and challenges for students who are advanced in math and reading.
5. Availability and variety of after-school activities for various ages:
A
6. Maintenance of appropriately high standards for all students:
A
7. Homework assigned (quality, quantity):
A
8. Administration-parent communication:
A
9. Teacher-student communication:
A
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?
no
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:
unsure
13. Does the school offer a wide variety of elective or non-core classes such as art, music, and drama?
Yes! Excellent programs.
14. Are there academic requirements such as trips or other activities that cost money in addition to school fees?
No. But they have lots of optional trips.
15. What activities do you feel are missing?
None.
16. Have your children participated in the activities offered? If no, please indicate why:
YES!
17. Does the school provide appropriate assistance to new students?
Yes.
18. Please describe any problem areas or challenges in social interaction at the school:
None.
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?
A
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
3. How are information technology resources at the school. Are they up-to-date? Is there a computer lab?
A
4. Describe the physical education resources at the school. Is there a gym? A swimming pool? Are there playing fields or tennis courts available?
A, lots of variety and great after school program
5. What is the approximate teacher-to-student ratio in the grades that your child attended?
18:2
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?
A - the elementary school does the PYP for IB.
7. Is the amount and type of homework generally appropriate for the age and grade of the students?
yes
8. What fine arts electives are available (music, drama, visual arts)?
A - standard part of curriculum, very good.
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.
Yes, both kids are advanced in math and reading - they receive extra attention and are challenged to ensure that they keep the skills and do not get bored.
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.
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.
Not at all.
Overall Impressions:
1. What is the greatest strength of this school?
The community; great teachers; caring environment; emphasis on learning, responsibility, and independence.
2. Would you choose this school again? Why?
Absolutely!
