Education, again!
Hi everyone,
I know education has been discussed a lot in these fora, but things can change, so I was hoping to start a discussion in which people could contribute updated information.
My personal interest is Qatar Academy (for my 3-year old daughter) or another British system school (my guess is DESS?) I am not really interested in a US-based system.
Priorities are as follows:
We don't care much about facilities (though I understand the facilities in QA are great.)
We rank academic challenge higher than a "comfy" environment and extracurriculars. (Obviously this is not much of a concern for a 3-year old, but we envision being in Doha for a long time.)
That means we are looking for a school with a rigorous curriculum, good teachers, and motivated students.
Everything else is a bonus, but secondary.
Though we like the idea of a creative, exploration-based montessori system, we know that it's often hard to implement such a system successfully.
Given these constraints, what would your recommendations be?
For anyone with experience with QA, what's new? Is the primary school slowly becoming more international, or does it still cater mainly to Qataris? And for the Diploma years, how do the students perform on their Diploma exams?
Any input whatsoever would be greatly appreciated!
Good to hear good feedback about Sherborne - I have two children starting there in Sept this yr and they are looking forward to it. (Yr4 and Yr1)
nice post
No you are right Sherborne is not a part of Qatar Foundation but it is an excellent school - my children are very happy there and doing well.
"What has the SEC to do with seat availability in a school?" asks s_isale. Not much except that seat availability is the Number One problem for just about every parent in Doha. If you do not believe me, then look through QL and count the number of posts about school places (or the lack of them), waiting lists etc.
Actually the question we should be asking is "What has the SEC to do with Education?" Precious little.
Yes, I would love to start my own school, but unfortunately I am not a rich Qatari, so it is a bit difficult.
The school reports does not reflect reality, particularly the parent satisfaction, and student academic performance based on international criteria. It would the wildest dream if you ask SEC about their plan to compete with regional schools on average academic performance.
You are right, hippo. Official statements and polls are all rubbish. Only people on QL know the truth.
what has SEC to do with seat availability in a school? If you are interested why dont you set up a school?
The Supreme Education Council, the SEC, has got to be one the biggest bunch of incompetents, clowns and morons in the world. Instead of trying to improve the Qatari schools, they love trying to interfere with the international schools in Doha. This is because the people who work for the SEC are mostly Qataris and so they love telling foreign infidels what to do. Of course hordes and hordes of parents all want to send their children to DESS, but I have never heard of anyone who wanted to send their little darling to a Qatari school. Even the Qataris themselves want to send their children to "international" schools because the Qatari ones are so bad, thanks to the SEC.
These so-called "School Report Cards" produced by the SEC are of little value, LincolnPirate. For start, they do not tell you the answer to the all-important question, the one thing that almost every parent wants to know, namely "Is there a place at this school for my child?"
School Report Cards from the Supreme Education Council are here:
http://www.english.education.gov.qa/SRC/0809/src0809.htm
Sherbourne is not part of Qatar Foundation, show me where did you get that info from.
Sherbourne Qatar is an excellent option.. it is part of Qatar foundation, too! My daughter goes there.. they are nice, very strong curriculum, nice temp facility, but they are in the process of building a new one.. all in all I'm satisfied!
DESS is primary only btw......
If you have the time and a British passport, DESS is the best option for a British curriculum. You will need to contact the school to determine the application date (usually the first of the year). Even of those who apply on the first day of applications and have a British passport the majority do not get places, so you need to have at least two other options. I would recommend that Doha College as one and that you also visit Compass and Park House. Schools are generally very agreeable to visits, and I would encourage you to visit as many as possible in the autumn and decide for yourself.
Thank you all for your comments -- and please, if you have more input, keep it coming!
I know about the availability issue, but this is not yet a question about availability -- it's a question of quality. And no, it is not a moot point, because:
a) I am looking for entrance in Fall 2012; b) I am looking for place in a class for 3-year olds, which should be less competitive; c) my husband works for the Qatar Foundation, so it should be easier to secure a spot in QA; and d) my daughter is english speaking, and holds multiple passports, which might make entry to a British school possible.
Initially we assumed she would automatically go to QA. But we've heard some conflicting reports, that's why we are wondering how much time we should invest in looking into other options.
Like I said, thank you all. And whatever info you have is more than appreciated!
Go for CBSE-International system,plenty of seats and riguouruous curriculam , no facilities....
I have seen your question many times, but I opted not to reply, as I always reply to school issues, because you are skipping an important element in you argument for choice: availability !
If it is not available, it is not a choice. Go out and apply to these schools (do actually fill the forms and pay fee) then you will have some reality check in your hand.
Simply, not too many schools are without a waiting list.
Qatar Academy, friendly environment, low teacher to student ratio, and excellent facility. Even the steep tution doesnt do a justice, as far the internal budget goes. They literally spend a million dollar per student for a course of 6 years. The additional funding comes from Qatar Foundation. The quality of education is superb, and it is the only school situated in a university campus, with a varsity setting. The QA students have some access to top quality research laboratories, including access to a high end supercomputing and nano-fabricating lab on campus.
Its a lovely place.
QA is primarily Qataris, but less so in the earliest years, has excellent facilities and follows and international/British curriculum.
DESS is the best for straight British curriculum schools, followed closely by Doha College and then Parkhouse. Compass is also worth a look. If you are looking for next year, DESS and Doha College are likely full for next year with huge waiting lists. I don't know about the others.