Choosing the Right School for Your Child: International School vs. Local

19 Apr 2023

One of the biggest challenges you’ll face as a parent is deciding where to send your child to school. Parents now have choices beyond local public schools, and choosing the right school plays a more central role in the future of your child than ever. Whether it’s an elementary, primary, or secondary school, choosing the right learning environment for your child should be a carefully planned process that takes a significant amount of thoughtful and deliberate decision-making.

Choosing the right school for your child is stressful and overwhelming at the best of times. But with options for international schools increasing, you may be even more concerned about what is truly the best option for your child. In fact, between 2010 and 2020, approximately 9,000 new international schools opened.

In this article, we offer insights on the differences between international and local public schools and the various factors to consider when choosing a school for your child, including admissions, costs, curriculum, cultural differences, and more, to help you make the best-informed choice for the future of your child.

The Rise of International Schools

According to Anne Keeling, communications director of ISC Research, there are 59 percent more international school options for children to attend today than in 2012,

International schools have always been around, often mainly catering to the children of expats. However, around the world, and especially in Asia, the number of international schools has risen significantly since the global COVID-19 pandemic. With 58 percent of the world’s international schools on the continent, the number of new schools is only going to climb, particularly in China, India, Indonesia, Pakistan, and the UAE-the countries with the highest concentrations of international schools in Asia. However, what exactly is driving this substantial growth?

There are a few reasons why parents are now opting for international schools for their children. Many parents believe international schools better equip their children with the right skill sets to study overseas successfully, which in turn improves their chances of working internationally or settling down abroad.

The Differences between Local Schools and International Schools

When choosing between a local school and an international school, you may wonder what the differences are. In this section, we will examine the differences in costs, school-life balance, culture, and learning styles between the two types of schooling.

COSIS
Curriculum
Language
Calendar or Academic Year

This table highlights the main differences between international and local schools:

Local Schools

January until mid-November.

7:20 am to 1:40 pm with 30 minutes of 9:00 am to 3:30 pm with a 60 minute recess.

Easier to sign up as there are more spaces available in local schools.

Compared to international schools, local schools are much cheaper.

For example, in Singapore, locals can expect to pay $13/month for Primary School, and can go up to $750/month for those with a foreign status.

There is a strong sense of community within local schools.

Local schools can be very competitive when it comes to academic achievements. Instead of a growth- driven approach, it is often a results- driven one which has its own pros & cons.

Local schools follow the national curriculum, class sizes are often much larger as well and there is a strong focus on numeracy, sciences and literacy.

Local schools promote strong bonds between students and their community, as well as the nation.

InternationalSchools

Typically August to mid-June.

break for recess, plus an additional 30 minute snack break.

Highly competitive and can involve long waitlists.

International schools are much more expensive.

For example, it can range from $13k to $50k for your child’s first year, which includes various fees like registration fees and more.

There is more of an emphasis on acquiring soft skills in international schools.

International schools practice an individualized learning approach and focus on each student’s unique personal development.

International schools blend the national curriculum with IGCSE or A- Levels and often also follow the International Baccalaureate program.

International schools however provide students a chance to meet and

connect with people of various countries.

Table of differences between international and local schools based on School Selector

The Benefits International Schools can offer

Now that we have examined the key differences between international schooling and local schooling, let’s look at a few of the benefits international schools have to offer. This will help you understand why so many parents are choosing to put their children in them instead of local schools.

1.®®® International curricula

International schools offer an education that combines a variety of elements from other countries. This allows them to offer a curriculum that is better suited for the requirements of further studies at Universities in other countries.

For example, programs like the International Baccalaureate not only encourage academic skills in a wide range of subjects, such as sciences, mathematics, and the arts, but also help students gain well-rounded skills and encourage personal development. Unlike A-Levels, the International Baccalaureate includes a component called Creativity, Action, and Service (CAS), which focuses on emotional and social development and helps students develop soft skills like empathy, teamwork, organization, and more.

These skills are key to success in further studies at university and are attractive to future potential employers. All in all, international programs give students much better opportunities for the years ahead, in whatever path they choose.

2.®®® Learning languages

International schools almost always provide better opportunities for developing language skills than local schools, which usually only offer two or three languages. At an international school, it’s common for students to be able to learn not only the host country language, but also an additional European, Chinese, Japanese or Korean languages.

Students will also be provided with language certificates that are respected around the world, which is also a huge benefit when entering into the highly competitive labor market.

3.®®® Wide range of extracurricular activities

Besides having excellent academic programs, international schools also offer a variety of extracurricular activities. These range from sports to clubs for language learning, art, music, and even dance.

Students at international schools are encouraged to try new activities and interests, as well as take a break from the traditional school environment every now and then.

4.®®® Better opportunities in the labor market

As mentioned, international schools provide students with not only stellar academics but also offer experiences to shape them into respectable, responsible citizens of the world. This is the reason graduating from an international school increases your children’s chances of success in the global labor market. For example, International Baccalaureate (IB) diplomas are recognized all over the world and will undoubtedly help your children stand out.

That said, one of the undeniable disadvantages of international schools to keep in mind is the significant cost. Let’s look at Thailand as an example.

In Thailand, international school fees vary from US$4,500 to US$25,000 annually, which is incredibly expensive. However, Thai tuition fees are still less expensive than international schools in Europe and other parts of Asia. In fact, a report by The Fry Group found that Thai international schools are among the cheapest in Asia-approximately 21.7 percent cheaper than those in Singapore.

The majority of international schools in Singapore offer fees from US$4,000 to US$15,000 for primary schooling per year, and you can expect to pay US$15,000 and above for most secondary schools in Singapore. Whilst in Hong Kong you can expect to pay upwards of US$18,000 for international school per year.

How to ensure you’re making the right choices for your children

Every parent wants to make the right choice for their children, and finding the right school is a crucial part of their future. At Asian Tigers, our team of professionals can introduce you to specialists who can advise you on the choices of schooling options in your new country and guide you through the application process, which will help to reduce stress and make the whole process more efficient and trouble-free.

To learn more about how we can help you, check out our website here.

Tell us about your move and receive a free quotation for the cost so that you are able to make an informed judgment for the right choice and save money in the process.

If you’re looking to relocate domestically, internationally or even relocate your business, Asian Tigers has end-to-end services to support every aspect of your move to make this huge step more efficient and easier for you. Whether you’re looking for experienced staff to handle your prized possessions, security and protection for your items, and more, we’ve got you covered.