Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
and Rain, provides schooling for and help for children with autism. Unfortunately, being
located out east beyond the Fifth Ring Road, it's a bit of a hike from the typical expat's
home.
THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN CHOOSING AN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL
SCHOOL FEES
Tuition fees at international schools can be hefty, and if your company doesn't in-
clude your child's education in your salary package, then some of these schools
may be out of your reach. Total annual fees can range from around RMB85,000
(US$13,500) up to RMB233,000 (US$37,000), plus initial application fees of pos-
sibly RMB2,000 (US$317). For many schools, this includes extracurricular activities
such as weekend sports and domestic excursions. For some schools, such activities
may be an additional expense.
EXTRA EXPENSES
Make sure you're very clear about what is included in school fees and what isn't.
At times some schools' fees may seem cheaper than others', but then you may find
that expenses throughout the year will cause money to drip from your wallet. Things
to ask about include textbooks, laptops, excursions or field trips, overseas holidays,
after-school and weekend sports or activities, uniforms, lunches, and weekday and
weekend school bus services. Ask other parents about their experiences.
CURRICULUM
Find out where and how the school's curriculum was developed. Most reputable
international school will use a curriculum that will prepare students for university
and college wherever they may end up in the world. For example, many use IB
World School (
www.ibo.org
)
programs and others use national programs from a giv-
en country, which have been adapted for international students. You may need to
ask which tests they can administer. ISB, for instance, has more of an American in-
fluence, and can administer the SAT and the American College Test (ACT), among
others. Check that the school has the appropriate accreditations. For more inform-
ation relating to this, contact bodies such as the Council of International Schools
