Schooling for Expat Children

by - Huw Francis

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The education of their children is a major concern for expatriate families, as it is for most parents. Most people are familiar with the education choices in their home country, which eases the selection of a suitable school. However, few people are really familiar with the education options available in other countries.

Most countries have a state education system primarily designed for their own nationals, but there is also a network of schools around the world that cater to the needs of expat children. Some cities have a number of these schools, most capital cities usually have a couple and a few major cities have none. To make the best decision on which school your child should attend you need to answer a few questions first:

Once you have answered the above questions, you need to evaluate all the schools and curricula available.

Curricula options
Host nation curricula
The quality and scope of these vary from country to country. The language of instruction is usually the local language, but in some cases a foreign language may be used. For older students, it is important to establish if any qualifications gained will be transferable/accredited in your home country.

U.S. curriculum
Though the content varies from school to school, a U.S. curriculum will be preparing students for SATs and APs as taken by most U.S. students entering university in the U.S. For students at ages 16-18 the curriculum is broader than the UK's three subjects at 'A' level. There is no direct equivalent to the British GCSE in the U.S. model.

1. SAT (Standard Assessment Test) of the Education Testing Service in the U.S. Multiple choice, general knowledge exam required for most U.S. students entering university (unless they have the IB diploma or an equivalent).

2. AP (Advanced Placement). Subject-specific exams to supplement the SAT for U.S. students wishing to study specialist courses at university, or gain credits towards their first year of college.

International curriculum
Most schools offering an International Curriculum prepare students for the IGCSE and IB exams, though they may also offer the SAT and AP too.

1. International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) exams of the Cambridge Exam Board. Students generally study for eight or nine 'academic' subject exams taken at the end of Grade 10 (year 5, UK) and correspond to the UK's GCSE, though they are considered more rigorous.

2. The International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma offered by the International Baccalaureate Organisation (IBO) in Lausanne, Switzerland. Students must study six subjects (including one foreign language), one science, math and social sciences), write an extended essay and participate in community service; a pass in all subjects is required to graduate. Students sit the exams at the end of Grade12 (upper sixth, UK) and though the IB Diploma corresponds to the UK 'A' level and U.S. SAT, it is a much more rigorous program. The IB diploma is available in French, Spanish or English, but not necessarily at ever school. Some U.S. universities offer high scoring IB graduates advanced placement equivalent to 50% of required first year credits upon entry.

National curriculum
The British 'National Curriculum' is usually offered only by 'British Schools' that are mostly in the Arab states in the Middle East. The curriculum and exams are as laid down by the UK's Education Department and students study approximately eight subjects for the General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) and three subjects for 'A' Level.

French, German and other 'National Curriculum' schools are sometimes available, though they may require one parent and/or the student to be fluent in the language of instruction prior to admission.

School options
International schools

These schools generally follow an international curriculum that is based on either the U.S. or British model. The language of instruction is usually English, and in high school (ages 14-18), the students are prepared for varying combinations of SATs, AP, ICGSEs and the International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma. The students will mostly be expatriates from a variety of countries.

American schools

These will follow the U.S. model and generally prepare students for SATs and AP. An increasing number of American Schools are changing to International School and also offering the ICCSE and IB. An 'American' school will not necessarily have only American staff and students!

National schools

The language of instruction will usually be that of the sponsoring nation (Germany, French, etc.) and the curriculum that of the countries' state schools.

Local schools

Local schools come in two forms: state and private. The language of instruction in state schools is usually, though not necessarily, in the local language (English and Germany are available in Turkey) and the curriculum specific to the country.

Private schools may be available whose medium of instruction is not the local language (English is popular everywhere) and whose curriculum is international. The IB Diploma is taught in many 'local' schools around the world.

Boarding schools

Boarding schools exist in many countries for a variety of purposes, one of which is to provide a safe environment for children whose parents are working somewhere unsuitable for the children.  The choice of boarding schools is as wide as the day schools described previously. Plus, parents have to decide whether they want the child to be at school in their 'home' country, or in a country closer to where they are working.

Further information on school options worldwide is available on the following web sites:

        European Council of International Schools (UK)

        International School Services

        Independent Schools Information Service

       Yahoo! Director of Boarding Schools Worldwide

As an independent consultant in the fields of business, management, (inter-cultural) communications and marketing, Huw Francis works for organisations serving international clientele. Clients have included Government Agencies, Education Institutions, entrepreneurs and private companies. He has also worked on the creation of the Bilkent International School website and written a Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) study companion for international students.  Francis is co-author of Live and Work Abroad, A Guide For Modern Nomads , which was published in the UK in March 2001. The book is now also available from online retailers and bookshops in Canada, the US, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.  Francis also works as a freelance writer. His articles, covering travel, expatriate living, international business and parenting, have been published around the world (Eire, England, Canada, France, the US, India, the Middle East, Singapore), in both print format and online.