Choosing the right school for your child’s education is probably one of the most important decisions a parent will need to make, and you will have many questions as you make your selection. What’s the quality of teaching? What are the facilities of the school? Does the school offer boarding options and if so, what support will your child get when they are away from home? Here at Swiss International Scientific School in Dubai (SISD), we have put together some of the key points parents should consider when it comes to how and where their child is educated.
1. School reputation
A school’s academic results may speak for themselves, but what do parents and teachers think of the school’s education programme? We openly publish testimonials from our parents and teachers and welcome future students and their parents to come and visit the school, to see our facilities and meet the team. At SISD we believe in being the BEST, in fact, it’s at the heart of our four core values – Bilingualism, Excellence, Sustainability and Togetherness.
2. Quality of the teaching
When choosing a school, the quality of teaching is one of the key considerations. Are the teachers dedicated and committed to bringing out the best in your child? Does the school you are considering only focus on primary or secondary education? SISD is a through-school educating children from as young as 3 years through to 18 years via the international baccalaureate curriculum. This develops the child from an early age, creating skills that will support them throughout their school life and beyond. We have an integrated approach based on STEAM – Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics. Our full educational programme can be viewed here.
3. Facilities
The facilities of the school must meet your child’s needs. Does it have sports facilities, science labs or a dance studio? At SISD these are just some of the facilities we have as well as an Olympic-size swimming pool, music practice rooms and a sensory room. We even have a café for parents. For a closer look at all of our facilities, we have created a virtual tour. We also offer an extensive programme of age-appropriate, after-school activities including drama classes, creative writing and public speaking.
4. Boarding
Dependent on where you live, you may wish to consider boarding your child. Again, it’s important to consider what type of boarding is required, the accommodation facilities available, what emotional and practical support your child will get and what out of school activities are available to them. As well as day schooling, we can offer weekly boarding (Monday to Friday), full boarding (by semester) and flexi-boarding, particularly popular during exam time when students can have the support of their teachers in a structured environment.
5. Student Welfare
Last, but by no means least, you need to consider what pastoral support there is for your child. In each of our boarding houses, we have a dedicated team to monitor the well-being of your child, and to provide emotional and medical support when needed. SISD has two clinics, with a dedicated doctor and three nurses. Our counsellors have a supportive role for both students and parents, assisting them with any anxieties they may have. We also have safeguards for your child’s digital and online safety. Regular communication with parents is essential and as well as a parental online portal, we have a Parent Forum Committee.
We hope that this answers some of your questions when it comes to your child’s education but if you require any further information on SISD please contact us. Admissions for 2022/23 are now open and you can book a tour of the school here.
