American Schools | ExpatWoman.com
 

American Schools

57
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 19 October 2011 - 20:37

There doesn't seem to be a lot of talk about American schools on here and I'm in the process of trying to figure out which school to place my daughter when she enters KG1 for the 2012 school year. I narrowed it down to either American School of Dubai or Dubai American Academy. We live in MotorCity and those two schools are fairly close. Who here has their child enrolled at one of these and how do you like it? BTW, totally new to this private school thing :) Any pointers on what to find out during school tours?

177
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 25 October 2011 - 14:09
I have 2 daughters at Dubai American Academy (Grade 5 and 8)...and we are very very happy there. We arrived half way through the school year last year, and it was a very easy transition for the girls, the kids were very welcoming and inclusive...and they've just loved it. In fact, my 8th grader could not wait to return to Dubai after the summer to start school and see her friends again. We chose it because it offered the IB diploma instead of the AP option which is offered at ASD. I have a good friend who's son is at ASD and it is lovely as well. We live in Motor City Green COmmunity, and the commute is not bad at all (of course traffic can be hit or miss at times around the school). My girls now take the school bus though. I've heard fantastic things about Bradenton Prep as well. It sure would be handy to not have a long school commute. You don't have as many discussions regarding the US curriculum schools because there really aren't as many of them (and in some aspects it's more like a '6 of one, half a dozen of the other' type of comparison), as the British curriculum schools are plenty and there can be a vast difference in the quality. If you are already here, then you are at an advantage to many - you can tour each school and decide which one fits all your overall needs best. Good luck in making your decision grace83! ***Meat One is not open yet. I spoke to someone there about a week and half ago and he claimed the opening would be this week, but it doesn't look like that's going to happen.
57
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 22 October 2011 - 14:21
I drove past it too last night at it wasn't open. The sign on the door says "under maintanence".It is a really lovely school - my DS goes and my DD will next year. Now, perhaps you can help me ... you live in Motor City, is that meat store - I think it's Meat One - open yet?
970
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 22 October 2011 - 14:18
It didnt look open yesterday when I drove past. Looked like there was a sign on the door.
1238
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 22 October 2011 - 13:33
It is a really lovely school - my DS goes and my DD will next year. Now, perhaps you can help me ... you live in Motor City, is that meat store - I think it's Meat One - open yet?
57
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 22 October 2011 - 12:38
I've never heard of Bradenton Prepratory, it wasn't on a list of Dubai schools on a website I was looking at. I'm already on the website and I really like what I see. I think this one is now at the top of my list. Thanks so much for the suggestions, it's very much appreciated!
1238
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 22 October 2011 - 11:23
Appletiser is right about Bradenton, except it's in Sports City. But if you live in Motor City, you'd be silly not to at least have a good hard look at Bradenton. At your school tour, ask about class sizes, special activities like languages, arts and music, extracurricular activities. All the American schools are good, in my opinion. But the biggest thing for me with regards to schools has been the commute - it's a killer after a while.
 
 

ON EXPATWOMAN TODAY