Which is best for my 3.5 year old son ? High/Scope or BPK Int'l School (IB School) ?

Question

I'm In Indonesia, Bandung.

What're the difference between those schools ?

The positive & negative points abt those schools ?

Answer 1

what

Answer 2

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Answer 3

I prefer High/Scope.  I am not as familiar with IB School.  High/Scope is an active learning approach to early childhood.  It is based on the children's interest and is developmentally appropriate.  High/Scope requires a good routine and good environment rich in activities that help children engage, problem solve and explore.  If the school is a good at implementing High/Scope, I can think of no negatives.  If i were you I would go to both schools and observe without my child to get a good feel of the one I want my child involved in.

Answer 4

My daughter was in an IB school which did the IB PYP (primary years programme) and we LOVED it.  We had to move due to employment.  There is not IB school near us and we miss it terribly.  

Pros... the education you get in an IB program equips children to for success in the 21st century.  As globalization increases, world citizens will need a deeper appreciation for other cultures, ability to speak several languages, and a vision of themselves as part of a larger community beyond their own hometown.

The structure of the calendar...I believe they do 6 or 8 week blocks... was wonderful for us.  We got short breaks at regular intervals which gave our child frequent opportunities for rest and relaxation.  It also allows children who move into the school late an opportunity to jump in and not feel behind.... in 6-8 weeks they will be right on track with everyone else in class.

Your child will receive instruction in a foreign language in the primary years.  If you are able to continue the IB program through secondary school, your child will add a 3rd language and actually study academic subjects (history, math, science) in one of his foreign languages.  This may not be a big deal in Indonesia, but it's virtually unheard of in the US!  

Cons... the only complaint I ever heard about our school was due to the frequent vacations.  Working parents had a hard time finding childcare for the 1 week break every 6-8 weeks.  The other schools in the area were on a more traditional schedule with maybe one day off every couple of months and two long breaks before the winter & spring terms.  The community had special programs for children of working parents during spring & winter break but the other breaks were harder to arrange since we were the only school out of session.  I don't know if your school operates on a simliar schedule or if this would be an issue for you (I didn't work so it was marvelous for us!)

I think with any school you need to speak w/the principal and teachers.  Get a feel for how the school is run.  Do their values match yours?  Are you comfortable with the way discipline is handled?  Does the classroom environment seem like a good fit for your child?  Every child has different needs and interests so what works for one may not work for another.  And always remember that if you decide on one school and later feel it's not a good fit for your child, you have the option of moving to a new school.  You are not locked into this decision forever if it doesn't work for your family!

I have no experience w/ High-Scope but I know it's a popular program.  All I can say is that I am an enormous fan of IB PYP and I truly believe it develops the whole child.

Good luck!