School- Qatar Acad vs Int Sch of Choueifat
Hello all
Sorry, question about school again. I am comparing between Qatar Academy and Int School of Choueifat now.
Which will you pick? Of course I would like to have the best for my children, but I know it is not possible to have the best in everything.
There are good and bad things in both schools.
Choueifat seems to offer swimming, ballet, gym and piano classes as extra curricular activiites. Is this true? Or just "for show"? These are important for me as my children take these classes back home and I would like them to continue when we come to Doha.
Also Choueifat's cafeteria looks pathetic. Does anyone know if the "real" cafeteria is on the way?
I have never taught in one of these schools, but I have had colleagues who have had the misfortune to "teach" at one of these institutions. Everything they have said leads me to believe that they are not the place where I would want my children to be educated. Maybe the facilities are okay and the school looks clean, but what is the reasoning behind not allowing teachers to talk to the parents of their pupils? This is bizarre.
My dear lionwoods,
We are also planning to move to Qatar from USA I will ask my son to contact you and need your advice regarding schools and education there.
Thanks
all of you talking bad about Choueifat! what about if your only child is suffering a lot because of bad treatment in one english school, and teachers are doing nothing....and here, at Chouiefat, at least she is treat equal even she is so different, I forgot to tell everybody, we are roumanians, and it is very hard to accomodate in this country, specially for kids.
the story is very long, I don't thing somebody wants to hear all....but, after we had to pass a real exam to enter in Chouifat!, now I am happy seeing my daughter happy and making plans for the future....
Hi Angie,Lionwoods and All
how r ya,hope u doing gd during this summer..(its freakin hot ya)..lol
I'm in Doha now for 1 week now...kinda of a little bz clearing some stuffs n settling in...
well i need your guidance and i can be contacted at 5141575 call or sms me,would like to know more abt the school stuff...hope to year from you soon...
I am not expert in franchise business. BUT
If SABIS selects the academic staff for all the schools.
And if SABIS monitor schools and students through video conferencing (at least once a week)
And all exam papers are sent to the regional office for correction.
Is this considered franchise?
I agree with you about schools profits. Actually every single school is profit oriented including Independent schools. Only exceptiuon is the government schools and some that are extablished by foreign countries for expatriates in Doha like some Indian schools, Lebanese school, French school, etc.
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Angiechia,
You might wish to consider this,
The majority of English style schools in Doha are set up with only one thought in mind, profit for the owner, not the wellfare of the kid. This is not the case however, I believe with QA, Dess, Doha College and the American School Doha (ASD), where the fees are put back into the facility.
Anyway isn't Choueifat not just a 'franchise' like McDonalds
"only mad dogs and englishmen go out in the midday sun"
try Global Academy
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ya bogster no problem
Hi,
I am in Doha with twins. It seems that the main problem in Doha is not the quality of the schools, but the availability.
My wife and I seem to be waitlisted in every single school in Doha, and our concern is getting them into ANY school.
Any suggestions on how to get them into a School without missing a term due to lack of availability ?
To to ease and release the "ponder" thingie. Choueifat does not have places except some in the secondary level. Besides. They are keen about selecting students who have good background and up to the standards of the school. Eventually you can judge a school by its results and the performance of its gratuates. Not through guesses and gossips during the morning coffee with the ladies or afternoon tea time.
I like your statement "Qatar Foundation would not back QA unless it was a great school". It makes me wonder about the history and background of QA.
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Hey lionwoods
can i email you regarding some stuffs...
I'm a Singaporean who just graduated from QA early this month.
I completed 2 years of IB
i've been in doha a little more than 2 years.
if you need help, feel free to contact me at [email protected]
Having taught in Doha for many years and having friends in many of the schools here I know what I have said is the truth not gossip.
Having said that - we are all entitled to our own opinions about education and the best way to educate young minds.
There are faults in every curriculum - it all depends what one is looking for in a curriculum. Having been taught and trained in one of the best education systems in the world (U.K.) I feel I am entitled to my own opinions about schools and education.
For a parent selecting a school here in Doha - all I can say is that it is a very hard decision and often depends upon where there is space and availability rather than educational value of curriculum.
As for a system where a parent cannot talk to a class teacher about progress........
How can a head teacher really know your child on a day to day level? The class teacher is the one who delivers the curriculum, who sees your child in the school environment, their interaction with the curriculum and with their peers. Surely they are the one who knows your child best within the school not the head teacher. This system of reporting to parents really just proves that the teachers are NOT trained teachers and have not been through the training on how to report to parents, assess your child or make suggestions on possible strategies for your child to adopt in order to progress and face challenges within the curriculum. All the head teadher can base his/hers thoughts on your childs progress is test scores or notes from the class teacher. They do not know your child on a personal, emotional, behavioural or academic level.
I would pick QA over Choueifat. Qatar Foundation would not back QA unless it was a great school.
Good Luck angiechia! A Question to ponder upon - why does this school have places when the best schools in Qatar don't?
Hi all
thanks for all your comments. Placing in a good school is important. For us now, the most important is one where teachers are passionate and are able to help foreign children adapt and immerse into a difficult country, different culture and different system. That is why a friendly environment tops our list. That satisfied, we also look at the extra curricular activities being offered because we want our girls to continue activities they do back home. Of course the curriculum and academic standards are important, but nothing beats communication, ie teacher-child-parent communication. That is how we can track adaptation and progress, in my humble opinion.
Anyhow Choueifat is the only school that has accepted our application forms. The good news is they have also set us up for an entrance test in July. But the problem is we are due to return home in the last week of June as their school vacation ends then. Also my girls are due for a dance exam in the last week of June. Also Choueifat has informed us that passing the test does not guarantee a place, ie acceptance into the school is still subject to availability. So we are really torn now?!?
Hey, I don't mean any offense when I say this but I doubt the factual info that you have provided. The Chemistry SAT is out of 800, how can your son receive a score of 850 or above?
Please take a look at this link:
http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/sat/lc_two/chem/format.html?chem
To reiterate what KellyHeroes said,I would also like to add that, gossip should not be a basis for your decision, Angiechia!
With due respect. You cannot built your judgement on something you "heard" when you say "Some teachers I hear have got their training online and are not recognised or affiliated to a country". Is it the norm to judge a school or a teacher based on a gossip? Or is the judgment based on racist background?
Personally. I have doubts that you have a personal issue with Choueifat. I cannot imagine how a network of schools with roots extending to more than 120 years and existing in 15 countries from Pakistan through Middle East and Europe to USA.
Anyhow. I am not pesonally impressed by the reputation. I can talk about my experience and the outcome of the school where 2 of my kids finished their highschool. My son managed to pass SAT II (Chemistry) with his grade 11 study at Chuoeifat. He got more than 850. Although he did not do well at school to qualify for studying chemistry in grade 12. And for yor info. My kids are not nurds.
Regarding students monitoring, every school has its own system. Personally, I had an issue about this, based on that I received a call from UAE by the regional academic advisor/director and the call lasted for more than 45 minutes. Eventually, I find it better to discuss the student progress with the head teacher rather than with the class teacher.
Added to the above. They conduct weekly video conferences including the students and the regional office for advisory issues and oen discussions.
To conclude. If the clock goes backwards. I would fight to find a seat for my kids at Chuoeifat. I want them to learn. Schools are not resorts.
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I would only sent kids to DESS (Primary), Doha College Primary (Both Primary and Secondary), Qatar Academy (Both) or if you are American the American School of Doha (Both). Personally they really are the only ones worth considering.
Hi Alicat
This sounds bad, and scary!
If one is not allowed to speak to the child's teacher, then how is progress monitored? I assume academic progress can easily be tracked since they administer many tests, but what about socially, emotionally etc? esp if we are from a foreign land and my main concern is firstly on their adaptation to the new environment.
You mentioned that you have taught in Qatar for many yearrs May I ask where you can teaching? In your opinion, which are the better schools, both for primary and secondary?
Thanks for your comments!
Think there really is not much of a decision here QA for sure not Choueifat.
Teachers at Choueifat only need a degree and this does not have to be in teaching or education would you believe. Some teachers I hear have got their training online and are not recognised or affiliated to a country therefore can only work in International schools, their training is done while in a class!A common practice in many schools here. So the school are hardly going to fail them! Teachers there are from a range of countries to be honest.
Learning based on memory nothing else. If your child is very bright above average they have a better chance to do ok. Tests are completed every couple of weeks. Parents are NOT allowed to speak to their childs class teacher regarding their childs progress. If a parent wishes to discuss this it has to be done through the head teacher.
Exploration and creativity are not words used within the Choueifat System of learning. Search for Choueifat system on the internet, read their aims etc - then make your decision.
I have taught here in Qatar for many years and to be honest have heard nothing good said about this school.
If I had to choose between these two schools, my educational experience and personal preference would tell me Qatar Academy for sure!
Thanks Dottymum
By weekend, do you mean Friday and Saturday?
Can you tell me more about the SLO clubs? BTW how long is their lunch break? And do the students also get a tea break in between (ie between the start of day and lunch?)
The lady I spoke with told me that activities take place during school hours, between 7am and 3pm. She was not very helpful beyond that, so I couldn't ask more. the website was rather vague also, not providing very much info on the choueifat Doha per se.
Also I read that Choueifat is a really no-nonsence, strict school, with little room for exploration and creativity. How true is that?
Perhaps anyone who have been or whose children are in that school can comment on this?
International School of Choueifat has a lot of activities for students to attend on the weekend. They also have the SLO club (student life organisation)during their lunch break. Clubs such as chess, art, rollerskating, basketball, football, choir, dance, drama. Each school has their own choice of clubs to choose from. The SLO clubs are for free the weekend classes are payable.
Regarding the canteen, most Choueifat schools offer breakfast and hot lunch, payable termly for students up to a certain age. Other students can bring their own packed lunch or buy food from the canteen.
Phone the school and ask or check out their website.
Good luck!
Yes Angie I am n will be in Doha for employment in July.
hey by the way Bogster74
are you from singapore? saw the singapore flag flying beside your name?
hello Bogster74
I am here in Doha now, for vocation and to take a look at the place since my kids are on school holidays back home.
We visited Choueifat few days back. The school seems quite nice except that facilities look a bit old. The notice board in the main lobby shows extra curricular activities like ballet, piano, gym, and some others ... but I am just wondering how such activities work here? Do children get to choose more than one activity? Or is it fixed by grade/class?
Also we had a chance to speak to a teacher while there. She is friendly and helpful and all, but one big problem is I had great difficulty trying to understand her accent. If I have difficulty in that, I naturally worry if my children would have difficulty as well. If so, how are they going to be able to understand what's being taught in school?
does anyone know if most of the teachers are British? Or where from? I am totally ok with whatever nationality, just that I am concerned if my kids can understand the accent and vice versa.
Another thing which I mentioned in the earlier post -- the canteen looks just like a kiosk with benches outdoors when children can sit and eat their packed lunch. Is this the standard in most schools here? Or do they have a proper air-con cafeteria where children can purchase hot food?
Thanks!
Hi Angie....
when will u be living for Doha?
Bogster