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Parents always want to choose the best education for their children, especially when living far away from their homeland. One of many options for an expat kid is to attend an international school. What is the difference between a private and an international school and which is better: an international school vs a private school?
Are private schools better?
Private schools tend to be perceived as better than public schools for many reasons. First of all, they are more financially independent than public schools which means they can choose the curriculum and teaching methods that fit their vision of education. Children learn in smaller classes and get more attention from the teachers which helps them develop their talents and overcome any obstacle. Students are also encouraged to ask questions and start conversations.
Secondly, private schools often offer a robust choice of extracurricular activities, such as dance and music classes, sports or different clubs. This way children can explore different hobbies, share their passion and learn social skills which are truly useful in today’s globalized world.
Finally, private schools are often better equipped with facilities like laboratories, libraries and smart classrooms.
Are international schools private?
Although not every private school is an international school, every international school is a private school. The difference between them is that the international schools follow an international curriculum from other countries, like the United Kingdom or United States – it often depends on the language of instruction as there are also international schools following educational programmes of such countries as Germany, France or Japan. The goal of an international school is to prepare students for studying abroad, often at the best universities in the world. Meanwhile private schools align their courses with the educational system of a given country. Private school is then the best choice for students wanting to pursue their education locally.
International private schools are also more focused on multiculturality. Their students come from different countries which makes the whole environment very diverse which enhances tolerance and open attitude towards others. Attending an international school is a great way to learn languages in the most natural and efficient way – by talking with your perks, which are all native speakers of some foreign language. The diverse environment helps children to better understand today’s world and its challenges. It prepares better for studying or working in a global company or other organisation.
Which school option should you consider for your expat kid?
Choosing the right education for an expat kid is one of the most important decisions for any family living abroad. There are three schooling options: public, private or international schools. How to compare international vs private school? Each choice has its advantages and disadvantages.
Public schools: the most incentive aspect of a public school is that it is usually cost-free. It also lets children immerse into a completely new culture and environment. This helps them gain language and social skills that are necessary for better functioning in a society. Public schools’ curriculum is aligned with the requirements of the local higher-educational system. However, the education standards in public schools usually differ from those of their home country. A sudden immersion in a completely new environment is not always a plus, especially for older children for whom a language barrier is difficult to overcome. Not every public school offers high quality education standards therefore parents should do their research very carefully.
Private schools: as already mentioned, private schools offer better education opportunities specially for an expat kid. The curriculum can be aligned with the one that was followed in the home country. Private schools in major cities also have international schooling options. It is the best option for families that often relocate.
International schools: international schools are the best options in this case as they were designed especially for expat kids. According to statistics, students from international schools achieve significantly better results than students from other countries. The curricula are international and allow students to pass exams like International Baccalaureate or A-levels. International schools also offer language support and bilingual classes which allow children to learn a new language while maintaining proficiency in their native language.