Tashkent, Uzbekistan Report of what it's like to live there - 08/16/15
Personal Experiences from Tashkent, Uzbekistan
School Name:
Tashkent 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 grade or grades do/did your children attend at the school? During what year(s) did they attend the school?
from Grades 2-4 and from Grades 4-6.
3. During what years were you affiliated with this school?
2011-2014.
4. What was your reason for living in the city where the school is located (e.g., government, military, corporate, NGO, retired)?
Spouse worked for U.S. State Department.
5. Are other schools available to expatriates in this city? Why did you choose this particular school?
It was the only viable option for the ages of my children
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 - the PTA provides assistance and connections are made for new students arriving before they arrive.
Administration & School Procedures:
1. Describe the general climate of the grade level that you teach or your child attends:
The school is warm and welcoming. The teachers are kind and supportive and appropriately challenge the kids who need more. Since there is not that much to do in Tashkent, TIS offers a safe, comfortable place for families to spend time. The campus is lovely, and there are numerous activities on the weekends that are well attended by members of the community, even those without children at the school.
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 - weekly newsletter, up-to-date website.
4. Services for gifted students who need academic challenge and students with learning difficulties:
A - the school has a strong special needs program and is flexible about helping students who need more of a challenge.
5. Availability and variety of after-school activities for various ages:
A - wide variety of after school activities available offered by teachers and some by outside providers.
6. Maintenance of appropriately high standards for all students:
A
7. Homework assigned (quality, quantity):
A - adequate amounts, not too much.
8. Administration-parent communication:
A - weekly newsletter, up-to-date website.
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. Does the school offer a wide variety of elective or non-core classes such as art, music, and drama?
Yes, all three.
13. Are there academic requirements such as trips or other activities that cost money in addition to school fees?
No, everything is included in school fees.
14. Have your children participated in the activities offered? If no, please indicate why:
Yes, sports teams and various after-school activities.
15. Does the school provide appropriate assistance to new students?
Yes.
Academics & Resources:
1. Does the school have a library? How large is it? How updated are the books? Can students borrow books to read at home?
A - 2 libraries - elementary and secondary as well as electronic books and resources.
2. How are information technology resources at the school. Are they up-to-date? Is there a computer lab?
A - program is continuing to grow.
3. Describe the physical education resources at the school. Is there a gym? A swimming pool? Are there playing fields or tennis courts available?
A - the kids have plenty of opportunity for sport during PE and afterschool activities and team sports. Good field space and gym space.
4. What is the approximate teacher-to-student ratio in the grades that your child attended?
A - maximum class size in elementary is 22
5. 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 - it is fully accredited in all 3 levels of the IB.
6. Is the amount and type of homework generally appropriate for the age and grade of the students?
Yes
7. What fine arts electives are available (music, drama, visual arts)?
A - one of the only schools that I have seen that offers Art, Drama and Music in the primary school. Drama, Music and Art are available at the secondary level, too.
8. Are the teachers at the school required to speak English as a first language--or at least fluently?
Yes
9. 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, a wide range of offerings.
Social & Emotional Well-Being:
1. Do expatriate students socialize with local students at the school? Are both groups successfully integrated into the school culture?
Mostly with expat children, as local families often have their own plans.
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.
No.
Overall Impressions:
1. What is the greatest strength of this school?
The community feeling and the range of activities offered despite being in Uzbekistan.
2. Would you choose this school again? Why?
Yes.
