I have to decide today: International School of London (ISL) or Chwaifet?

Obviously you do not understand the curriculum if this is your stance on the school. ISL-Qatar runs on the IB programme which if you knew anything you would understand is learner centred. Which contradicts your comment about the school not being focussed on the learner.

As for learning something useful, that depends on your take on what is useful. Did you want your children to memorise facts? Yes, then no ISL is not the school for you. Did you want your child to understand the deeper concepts behind, to be able to think critically and reflect on their learning? Yes, then ISL is the school for your child.

As for your statement about students leaving that may be the case but you should also be looking at staff movements. Are teachers changing every two years or are they remaining consistent? If the teachers are leaving it is cause for concern because they know something you may not. Having said that the only people I know leaving the school are leaving for Sherbourne because they wanted British Curriculum not International but were very happy with the school for the time they were there.

Before making grand sweeping statements perhaps acknowledge that the school was not for you but that the extensive waiting list says otherwise. The school has an international student body, and challenging curriculum. It may not be your ideal school but let people make their own judgements rather than being bitter in a public forum.

Honestly, One of the worst schools i have ever seen not just in Doha, but world wide. Not a learner place, but rather a place for kids to kill time. It looks organized, but kids learn nothing usefull at that school.

The international school of london is one of most expensive schools in Doha and yet the worst by far. Everyone i know attending the international school of London in Doha is about to leave the school.

Poor education and a total waste our kids time to send them to this school. Stay away of this school and try other ones. Such as Global, Doha College, DESS.

We and our friends had a terrible experience in regards to learning. Some of us managed to send the kids to other school and some are looking for places for their kids.

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Hi all,

I sincerely thank you for replying... your posts were very important in helping us make up my mind.

We decided to put him in Chouaifet for this year and keep applying for Park House and QIS for the coming years.

Thank you again..

Hi Bibo,

I dont have any first hand exp about either schools-but I have also been looking around foroptions for my 3 year old and have spoken to parents with children in both schools...so here's my take on the same -

1.Choueifat

-very rigorous study schedule,not too much emphasis on after schools activities and play.

- Not too much of a student mix,more of Arabic speaking children

-Well qualified teachers-seem to be able to keep the children in control and seem to know the subjects they teach well...

2.ISL

-High teacher turnover in the small period that they have been in operation

-Excellent facilities(except that they dont have a swimming pool)

-Lot of emphasis on learning through play

-healthymix of nationalities among students

Best thing to do is take a look at the schools and decide which one is best for your child-after all you know your child's needs and abilities best...

I have been through what you are going through right now and I know how stressful getting a place for your child in school can be in Doha-but hang on,and I'm sure it'll all work out in the end.

BTW,have you considered sending your child to nursery like CESK/Lifetime where they accept children upto 5 years of age?maybe you can enrol him in one of those nurseries and try reapplying in the schools sometime during the year...

I think you should put him in choueifat

i know them well and i would say it is a very good school

(education wise),the system is so good and if you are

lebanese your son will have good environment there

because most of the students are

it is a tough school but your son will be accepted in any

college he wants later .

And they have good sports facilities(swimming pool,gym..)

dont hesitate to email me if you needed more help

I can only comment on my expereinces. I had 3 kids at ISL in Year 3 , Year 5 and Year 8. We came from the Uk education system, so were not quite prepared for the ISL version of the IB programme. It is quite hip and trendy and works if your kids are self motivated. For our Year 8, he was in a good Grammar School in the Uk , and never had any issues. However he seems to have really struggled with the teaching style at ISL. He is the kind of kid that needs to be guided/pushed all the time. In terms of facilities the school is brilliantly equipped, but no swimming pool. I also didnt like the lack of text books but they seme to rely on the children to take more initiative (Which iM not sure an 8 year old knows how to). They teach all about the world not just the Uk which I did like. They have a mix of many nationalities and seem to be unable to control some of the local kids. The teachers are all well qualified so the level of teaching is good, teh admin staff unfortunately lack in these areas once you accept the place. In terms of location it is very difficult to get to if you live in Doha and the bus is extremely expensive if you have 3 kids. The fees are quite high but I guess they compare themselves to Doha College, but dont in my opinion yet provide the same level of education. Good luck email me if you need more info