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Visit the schools, but don’t let the fancy
swimming pool distract you from the academic program and teacher
qualifications.
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Learn the average SAT scores in the last three
years.
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Is some SAT test practice included along with a
proper curriculum?
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Determine class size. Try to ask someone you
trust to confirm accuracy here.
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Does the math curriculum permit students to take
Alg I in 8th grade and Calculus in 12th?
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If they have science labs, do they use them? How
often? Do they also have lab resources and safety equipment?
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Is a native speaker teaching English?
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Does the school have a high percentage of
certified, native speakers of English. Are most subjects taught in
English, not just English class.?
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Does the school not only have textbooks, but also
resource materials. Look for these, especially hands-on resources
for elementary students.
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Does the school have a quality computer center
with computers throughout the school? Do they have dependable
Internet access?
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Does the school have an activity/club program?
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The school sometime in its history may have been
accredited by CITA, but if it hasn’t continuously had several
foreign hire teachers, that accreditation well may not reflect
school quality.
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The highest quality school will usually be the
most expensive. Hiring foreign teachers is the central cost.
The American School of Alexandria has
a foreign teacher/student ratio of 5/1. (over 75% foreign hire)
Class size varies from 3 to 18. All elementary classes are 8 or
smaller. Recent SAT test averages are 850. There are
changes three times per year in activities/club programs. ASA has a
dedicated Internet connection and is a computer linked school. The
school has existed seven years and has developed a stock of resource
materials and a library of over 3,000 volumes plus hundreds of
video-tapes and internet access.
