Rakess? | ExpatWoman.com
 

Rakess?

414
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 11 April 2011 - 20:58

Hi all!

I was hoping on some input from parents who have childern in RAKESS.

Does the education prepares them adequately for US and UK final/pre college exams? How does the school rates amongst international schools in the UAE?How many seniors leave for Dubai?

Are there group sports for girls?

What is the ratio of boys and girls(is it true that lot of girls have left school for the diffrent curriculm school and girls only)?

If you had a choice would you choose to put kids in diffrent school or travel to Dubai for purpose of the education?

Do they have have acclerated courses for kids who might be gifted in/an one academic area?Can kids progress as much they can handle or they follow the standard curriculum?

We have briefly visited the school, and i have mixed feelings about it.In fact it didin't leave much of a impression.

Thank you for the answers!

99
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 12 April 2011 - 16:52
I know that last year alot of parents removed their kids (Year 1, 2 and 3) from the International school to the British school, because the standard of education was not too good!!
414
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 12 April 2011 - 14:30
well, thats two of us:) <em>edited by Goose on 12/04/2011</em>
5499
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 12 April 2011 - 14:26
I have no idea! :)
414
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 12 April 2011 - 14:18
Hi Goose I don't if know if you know this but their is a RAKESS (BC) School opposite the RAKESS International School. The Primary school is good my two children went their. All the teachers are from the UK. You are right majority of the children are locals but I also know that some of the classes are segregated i.e for expat and local kids due to level of learning. The head Wesley Hughes at the BC Primary is great and approachable. We left RAK only for secondary schooling, otherwise its a good place to be. Let me know if I can help? Hi Worldgirl, thanks for posting, certnaly BC school is an option too.
414
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 12 April 2011 - 14:16
Ahhh... Primary, I think, is ok. DS is doing well there but he has a great teacher. One problem the school has is that many kids cannot speak English, or only speak a little. The teachers are having to balance the needs of these kids whilst making sure that those who do speak good English aren't held back. I know this is an issue in most schools but a class here can have a higher than average ratio of children who don't speak English. Looking at after-school sports activities for years 3 & 4, currently on offer is Fun Fitness for Girls. Are you living in RAK? We might be relocating there, and to be honest school seems to be the only issue right now.I'm very apprehensive, as I can not tell if we will be going forward or backwards with education. What is fun fitness for girls? thanks for the response.
99
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 12 April 2011 - 13:26
Hi Goose I don't if know if you know this but their is a RAKESS (BC) School opposite the RAKESS International School. The Primary school is good my two children went their. All the teachers are from the UK. You are right majority of the children are locals but I also know that some of the classes are segregated i.e for expat and local kids due to level of learning. The head Wesley Hughes at the BC Primary is great and approachable. We left RAK only for secondary schooling, otherwise its a good place to be. Let me know if I can help?
5499
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 12 April 2011 - 13:20
Ahhh... Primary, I think, is ok. DS is doing well there but he has a great teacher. One problem the school has is that many kids cannot speak English, or only speak a little. The teachers are having to balance the needs of these kids whilst making sure that those who do speak good English aren't held back. I know this is an issue in most schools but a class here can have a higher than average ratio of children who don't speak English. Looking at after-school sports activities for years 3 & 4, currently on offer is Fun Fitness for Girls. Are you living in RAK?
414
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 12 April 2011 - 13:12
Are you talking about Secondary School? They have a new Principal who has just started (this week I think). Hopefully he will get the school back on the right track as it seems to have lost its way. As for the ratio, I don't know but boys definitely outnumber girls. The school is over 50% local, maybe this has a bearing. Is the girls school you mentioned the American Academy? I know one child there who is hoping to move to RAKESS after the summer. Despite being an 'American' school it seems to actually be very much more local. It's not my school of choice but it's *ok*. I'm hoping to be out of the UAE before it gets to a critical stage.I'm not sure if you're aware that there's no Middle Years Program at RAKESS? Pupils follow a modified British (English?) curriculum before going on to either IGCSE or IB Diploma. I'm not aware of accelerated courses. What do you mean by group sports for girls? As part of the curriculum or as extra-curricular activities? During school time, secondary school pupils are segregated for PE. Thanks for your long answer, we are having real difficult time deciding, should we leave school in Dubai for school in RAK.It seems there isn't enough info out there. I'm asking about primary school.My DD is year 3 right now. Well, there isn't any other choice right now there, so everyone is really stuck with Rakees IB. I meant as in organized EC sports for girls, ie. basketball, netball and the like. I can not find for the life of me how does the school fares academically....
414
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 12 April 2011 - 13:05
Thank you for the answers !:) <em>edited by Goose on 12/04/2011</em>
5499
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 12 April 2011 - 13:05
Are you talking about Secondary School? They have a new Principal who has just started (this week I think). Hopefully he will get the school back on the right track as it seems to have lost its way. As for the ratio, I don't know but boys definitely outnumber girls. The school is over 50% local, maybe this has a bearing. Is the girls school you mentioned the American Academy? I know one child there who is hoping to move to RAKESS after the summer. Despite being an 'American' school it seems to actually be very much more local. It's not my school of choice but it's *ok*. I'm hoping to be out of the UAE before it gets to a critical stage.I'm not sure if you're aware that there's no Middle Years Program at RAKESS? Pupils follow a modified British (English?) curriculum before going on to either IGCSE or IB Diploma. I'm not aware of accelerated courses. What do you mean by group sports for girls? As part of the curriculum or as extra-curricular activities? During school time, secondary school pupils are segregated for PE.
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EW GURU
Latest post on 12 April 2011 - 13:04
I don't have first hand knowledge, but my friend was a teacher there last year with her DD (aged 16), doing IB. Both happy there - DD was involved in so many activities and sports from the beginning and made lots of both local and expat friends. She said that the teaching level was good - not the highest, but still good.
414
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 12 April 2011 - 12:31
bump
 
 

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