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How to select your child’s next school

 

Logistics, such as the school’s location and transportation options, obviously play a major role in selecting your child’s next school, but they aren’t the only consideration. Decisions about children’s academic futures should align with their personal and academic goals so that they have the best foundation available to excel in school and when they start their professional careers. Because figuring out how to set those goals and select a new school can be a daunting task, let’s focus on the factors you should consider when picking your child’s next school. 

Curriculum

It is critically important to consider what will be the foundation for your child’s education. Different curricula focus on different approaches. For example, the American curriculum, used at the American School of Creative Science - Al Barsha, concentrates on key core subjects, such as math, science, and reading skills, but with a more well-rounded approach than the standard British curriculum. For example, students may examine a particular project from several different angles, touching on each core subject and exploring the overlap between them. 

Extra-curricular activities 

Today, education is more than just classroom time. Students also learn and grow by participating in extra-curricular and co-curricular activities. Regular involvement in activities, such as sports or the arts, is also important for university and internship applications. Look for a school that offers a variety of options to harness your child’s competitive advantage, such as sports, science fairs, and youth parliaments.  

Student welfare 

When we send our children to school, we are trusting others to look out for their health and welfare. Your child’s safety, both physical and mental, must be a priority as well. That means more than simply having a nurse on-site for illnesses and injuries. The ideal school should also provide proper support to address academic and non-academic challenges. These can include counseling services, parent-teacher associations, career counseling, and anti-bullying programs. 

Striving to excel

It’s not enough to be just “ok.” Schools should strive to meet the highest international standards of excellence and stay up-to-date with contemporary global education trends and requirements with an emphasis on core curriculum subjects and prioritizing local culture and languages to help shape well-rounded individuals. And in the UAE, those standards should be implemented while maintaining a strong connection with local culture so that students can excel whilst also staying rooted in their heritage. 

As one of the best American Curriculum schools in Dubai, the American School of Creative Science - Al Barsha provides our students with a solid academic foundation that prepares them for the next stage of their education. Our specially designed curriculum combines international standards with local culture and heritage, and our extra-curricular activities allow students to develop creatively, critically, and personally. We support each student on their educational journey so that they can succeed to their fullest potential.