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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 05 June 2013 - 11:36

ringfish, I am not sure if you know, but a new IB school was announced just last month, and it's due to open in September. It's name is SEK, and you may find information here: http://www.sek.es/index.php?section=colegios/qatar#en It's quite likely that they still have openings. Also, there is still a lot of shuffling going on in schools. Some people will only now find out if they will not be in Doha next year. And people are only now (or after June 20th) being asked to pay next year's term fees; so there is bound to be some movement on waiting lists. So something may very well come up. ACS has a pretty long waiting list, so I wouldn't bet on something opening there. But ISL's waiting list should be shorter. Compass often has spaces the last minute, and if I am not mistaken, one of the campuses has an IB curriculum. Have you checked it out? Sherborne is a very good school, and though it is not IB, it has introduced the independent curriculum in most subjects, which in many ways resembles the IB approach. Parents I have spoken to are very happy with it, and it might so happen it has some last-minute spaces because, with the opening of the new campus of Doha college, many Sherborne parents who live in west bay will be switching their kids to Doha College. (If I am not mistaken, those parents who have been accepted by Doha College are being asked to register by December 6th. So things might start moving a little after that.) For a 5 year old, you could also try the new Montessori school that is about to open in West Bay. It's going to be called "The Montessori Way" and it's still being worked out, but it's due to open in September. Information I have gotten from them is as follows: "1. We got our location pre-approved. We are now in the process of making the necessary changes to get it approved. We have few contractors working at the building now and we are targeting to get all done sometime in June 2. We are also making our preschool feel more like a home e.g. lot of sun light, integrate a kitchen within the class ..etc. Not only we are making an awesome place for our kids, we are also integrating Montessori elements in the class room – the way it should be 3. We placed the order for the Montessori material from Nienhuis (www.Nienhuis.com), which is considered the leader in Montessori materials. Materials should be on site next month 4. We identified several Montessori Certified teachers and we are in the process of hiring them 5. We have not finalize the fees yet. The fees are being reviewed by the Supreme Education Council We are very proud of how everything is coming together. We strive to exceed your expectations. We are parents and we understand most parents already committed their children somewhere. However, if you are still considering putting your 3 to 5 years old children in a true Montessori preschool, we would like for you to fill out our pre-registrations form. There is no obligations. At this point, we are giving those who gave us contact info the first opportunity to pre-register their son/daughter. Please pre-register before 1 June since we are planning to make the link widely available for others. Here is the link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/TheMontessoriWay" Finally: I have not heard the best things about Newton, but many people have been happy to go there until something else comes up. Elite International I know nothing about. But if you are willing to go with a slightly less "mainstream" school, Lloydence Academy is one to look into, as I have heard plenty good things about it. In general, the school situation here is such that you have to be willing to either put your child in a school other than your first choice for a while, or home-school them - at least until something opens up. If you are willing to switch schools mid-year, you increase your chances of getting a school that's "top-choice", as long as you stay on top of things: Phone and visit admissions often to remind them that you are interested. But always be polite! "Be nice as pie" is the advice I have been given! I hope this helps a little. Don't despair, something will come up. Good luck!

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