KG1 / FS1 school admission assessments. | ExpatWoman.com
 

KG1 / FS1 school admission assessments.

1
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 24 April 2013 - 10:36

Hi All, I just wanted to share my recent experiences trying to get my little man aged 3.5 into school here in Khalifa city A. I was obviously very naive.. I thought this would be easy, we have a nice company allowance for school, my little boy (who had always been at home with me) seemed ready for school, I had taught him the whole alphabet to count and read to twenty, he knew all the colours a lot of shapes (pentagon, hexagon some tough ones for his age!) so I picked out some schools.. Al Yasmina, GEM's American academy and Al Raha international. Al Yasmina - we applied for last november and are number 71 on the waiting list.. its not going to happen, I have hear of people being +150 on the waiting list.. by the way the waiting list is scrapped each year too. 500DHS paid to sit on their list. GEM's - We were invited for an assessment after paying again 500DHS my son did not like the assessor who came to collect him from the reception (she was a bit cold so not surprising) I walked with him to the classroom, he did not want to go in, she tried to pull him in, he went bananas and that was the end of the assessment..over no second attempt, no refund. Al Raha international - we again paid 500DHS attended an assessment I was allowed to sit close by while she asked a series of questions. Identify items from a picture and describe what they are used for, umbrella, jug, tweezers (yes tweezers!), why must you pick a fork up from the floor? was asked.. they were quite hard I thought for a three year old.. anyway we did not get in, the email said that he would find the IB system taught at the school too challenging..
I guess what I'd like other parents to know is that schooling here is SERIOUS business. Find the school you want, apply really early, as soon as admissions open. If you are lucky enough (paid your 500DHS more like) to have been invited for an assessment make sure your child can separate from you and go with a complete stranger without making a fuss, prepare them with alphabet, numbers, colours etc..
I know the tweezer question you couldn't possibly prepare for..
We are still anxiously looking for a school and have started my son in a nursery so separation for him is now not a problem, we remain hopeful :)

117
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 01 May 2013 - 10:56
Welshwife - You may want to speak to the head at GAA about perhaps doing the assessment again. We witnessed the same sort of thing when our little one went through it. It was quite unsettling for us, especially since this was not the experience our kids went through in Dubai. However, I know that the school is in the process of adjusting their assessment procedure and I'm guessing that's why Encore had such a better experience. Good luck!
160
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 30 April 2013 - 14:02
In Dubai, the new "norm" for fees is 500dhs for registration and 500dhs separately for the assessment. We recently sat the KG 1 assessment for GEMS American Academy, they are assessed in a group (I think there were 7) 3-4 year-olds, in a classroom setting, using play as means to get the information they need. My child said he had "fun" and enjoyed his "play date". I found the assessment process brilliant and very age appropriate. We have also had the grinding one-on-one line of intimidating questions done at another assessment and it was much less warm and fuzzy. I recall one child having a meltdown at the door and the Father left with him. I just assumed he would need to reschedule as 3-4 year olds have these moments. Sorry to hear about your experience. Perhaps, having another go may be an option?
204
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 25 April 2013 - 10:49
Welshwife I'm shocked by what you and your son had to go through. Do your really want him to attend the latter two schools? He resists being pulled into a room by a stranger, I would have thought that was a good thing. Do they know anything about 3 year olds? IB curricuum at Raha will be too challenging for him? Who are they kidding? Anyway, I hope he gets a spot at Yasmina by some miracle. I think charging 500Dhs for admission registration and assessment is reasonable if properly and fairly administered.
4747
Posts
EW MASTER
Latest post on 24 April 2013 - 17:59
Hi All, I just wanted to share my recent experiences trying to get my little man aged 3.5 into school here in Khalifa city A. I was obviously very naive.. I thought this would be easy, we have a nice company allowance for school, my little boy (who had always been at home with me) seemed ready for school, I had taught him the whole alphabet to count and read to twenty, he knew all the colours a lot of shapes (pentagon, hexagon some tough ones for his age!) so I picked out some schools.. Al Yasmina, GEM's American academy and Al Raha international. Al Yasmina - we applied for last november and are number 71 on the waiting list.. its not going to happen, I have hear of people being +150 on the waiting list.. by the way the waiting list is scrapped each year too. 500DHS paid to sit on their list. GEM's - We were invited for an assessment after paying again 500DHS my son did not like the assessor who came to collect him from the reception (she was a bit cold so not surprising) I walked with him to the classroom, he did not want to go in, she tried to pull him in, he went bananas and that was the end of the assessment..over no second attempt, no refund. Al Raha international - we again paid 500DHS attended an assessment I was allowed to sit close by while she asked a series of questions. Identify items from a picture and describe what they are used for, umbrella, jug, tweezers (yes tweezers!), why must you pick a fork up from the floor? was asked.. they were quite hard I thought for a three year old.. anyway we did not get in, the email said that he would find the IB system taught at the school too challenging.. I guess what I'd like other parents to know is that schooling here is SERIOUS business. Find the school you want, apply really early, as soon as admissions open. If you are lucky enough (paid your 500DHS more like) to have been invited for an assessment make sure your child can separate from you and go with a complete stranger without making a fuss, prepare them with alphabet, numbers, colours etc.. I know the tweezer question you couldn't possibly prepare for.. We are still anxiously looking for a school and have started my son in a nursery so separation for him is now not a problem, we remain hopeful :) its not the school that implies the 500dhs fee its an adec thing, some in dubai try to charge more etc.
141
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 24 April 2013 - 10:59
Wow, it is interesting to read this even though we won't be here when my LO starts school but seriously - how many 3 year olds know what tweezers are for...?! And why would they even need to?!! Hope you manage to find him a good place somewhere.