School Guide

WHAT SHOULD PARENTS CONSIDER WHEN RESEARCHING SCHOOL OPTIONS?

Published by SchoolAdvisor | Sep 13, 2019
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It’s a busy time for the admissions departments of international schools as families begin thinking about the new year and start researching schooling options.  It’s a major decision which can have a long-lasting impact on both the child and family so how can parents know in advance how to choose the ‘right’ school? What should parents be looking for when investigating the many different options on offer?

Admissions Director at The International School of Kuala Lumpur (ISKL) Ms Julia Love, advises parents to approach their research with the mindset of finding for the ‘best-fit’ school for their child and encourages families to investigate all aspects of school life:  “Best fit is a term that’s often used in university admissions and is highly applicable to schools. It describes finding a school with a culture and educational program that fits with the needs, values and expectations of families and students. It’s a given that parents will research the curriculum, check out academic results and look to see what facilities the school offers. I strongly encourage parents to also investigate the school’s culture and ask how their child will be educated.”

Ms Love continues, “Understanding the school’s philosophy around learning is so important.  It’s widely acknowledged that students thrive best when they are engaged both in and outside the classroom, and nurtured by a caring and empathetic culture. So, regardless of whether their child is starting in kindergarten or entering high school, it is vital for parents to research the culture of the school and find out how learning will occur for their child. The best way of doing this is by visiting the school, whether on a private tour or a school open day and talking with as many community members as possible. Listening to the views of students, teachers, and parents will help them take the pulse of the school and give parents an idea of whether the school really is a good fit for their child and family. If a visit isn’t possible then a phone is the next best alternatives and even then I encourage parents to connect with a variety of school community members. Each will offer a different perspective of the school and its culture and help families put together a more holistic view.”

While there are a wide variety of factors to consider when selecting a school, Ms Love concludes that finding the best fit school is “about taking the time to research, visit, meet as many teachers, students and parents as possible, and ask lots of questions. A good admissions team will be more than happy to help parents connect with the school community, understand the school’s culture, and the approach to learning their child will experience.”

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About Julia Love

Julia Love has been the Director of Admissions at The International School of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia since 2012. With over 20 years of experience in Boarding, Primary, Secondary, and international schools in the US and UK, Julia is passionate about ensuring that school placement meets the requirements of every child. Additionally, having spent a significant portion of her childhood overseas attending British, German, and international schools, Julia understands first-hand the complex transitional needs of children during relocation. Julia holds a B.A. in Sociology and Education.

If you would like to meet Julia and find out more about ISKL’s approach to learning you can register at explore.iskl.edu.my to attend the ISKL Open Day on Thursday, October 3. It’s a great chance to see ISKL in action, hear from the Head of School, Mr Rami Madani, and meet with teachers and parents for a Q&A session. Student-led tours are available in Japanese, Korean, and Mandarin (limited spaces) as well as English.

ISKL Open Day