Urgent help needed--GSIS corporate debenture

Hi Mom222,

I just read your posting about your child starting at GSIS. My son got accepted into both GSIS and HKIS. Please help!! What is the difference between the two schools? Why did you choose GSIS?
We are still in the US and I am not familiar with any of this process and the European curriculum.
Many thanks!

Sent PM! Thanks
 
HKIS is about 50% American judging from a recent International Day event, but there are students from 20-30 countries there. My own son's class is probably only about 35% Americans. The teachers are primarily NOT Americans, with a wide spread of UK, Aussie, Canadians, NZ, Japanese, American, etc. You do have a religious component to the school, but this year my son learned about Islam and Hindu religions. Really not a big deal for us.

In my son's class (R2) I'd say about 50% of the kids are "South Siders" meaning for those who live over the mountain it's a bit tricky to get down to the birthdays and after school activities. Still on our road in Midlevels there are about probably a half dozen kids in his age group.

The first few years are built around "learning through play". I don't think there is any homework assigned until second grade. That sometimes freaks out those parents who are like 'study-study-study now-now-now!'. The secondary school has a slightly more academic reputation than the primary school.

For us it was a matter of liking HKIS more than GSIS (we found their administrators a bit overly cocky, the lack of Mandarin annoying, and didn't really like their kindergarden/lower primary facility out by Cyberport). HKIS also put our son in the "native stream" for Mandarin education (as compared to the 'as a foreign language' stream) whereas GSIS wouldn't offer Mandarin until grade 6 or so.

It's worth noting that both schools have redevelopment plans in the works. HKIS is going to move their lower primary kids probably in the next year or so to a temporary facility, and I think GSIS has a upper primary or middle school move to a temporary facility planned (or underway). Depends on your kids' ages of course, but check with the school.

Basically though, you won't make a wrong decision going to either place.
 
Thank you all for your quick responses between the 2 schools. Greatly appreciate it!!
Where do I find after school activities? I tried the internet and it was very limited?
Where do I go for ballet/dance classes, music, piano, gymnastics, basketball, tennis, swimming, soccer, etc? We are wait listed for the American Club and the Aberdeen club, where else can I go???
Please help!!
 

About this archive

This is an archive of over 20 years of GeoBaby and GeoSchools knowledge and discussions, kept online as a read-only reference.

Back
Top