My friend:s child is attending FIS. She was transferred from a local school. We have noticed that the child has become more "sociable" and talkative, all in a good way. They dont have too much homework, and the teachers are good. However, the mom tells me that the upper graders, especially children in the french stream are more " undisciplined" and sometimes "vulgar". Since the englsih stream and french stream students are sharing the classrooms and I think they have gym class together, ann also lunch, children might be influenced in the long term. But in general, schools like this are very hard to get into, so if you dont have any other choices, I would say you take up the offer! good luck.
Urgent! Got an offer from French international School.
- Thread starter prelei
- Start date
There are quite a few French Canadians in my workplace with kids in FIS and I've heard from some of them that the upper grades have rather serious issues with drugs and alcohol. Not sure if that's the case across all international schools or not, and/or if it's particularly bad at FIS. However I do know of one work colleague who pulled his teenage daughter out of FIS and moved her to CDNIS because of this, and he seems happier with her there.
I have always heard very good feedback about the international stream of the Primary School. We have friends who have kids there and are delighted with it. In contrast to some of the other posters comments I think it has a reputation for being strong on academics. It is one of our two top choices for our kids, but that is also to do with the fact that it teaches the UK national curriculum not IB and so is suitable for our return to the UK. I agree with one of the other posters about Mandarin and if that is a key priority it's probably not the right place. I have been on two school tours there and met the headmaster on both occasions. I thought he was an impressive character. In terms of secondary, that could be an issue if you want a through train school but the primary and secondary campuses are totally separate. I also like the fact that the kids come from many, many different countries so it has a really international feel to it. It is hard to get into - they only have two classes of 25 kids at reception level so well done to your kid for getting in!
I do not know anything about the primary.
However, I agree with other posters that the academic standards in the high school are low. Not just lower than other international schools, but, in my opinion, low for a mid-rate government school with a liberal curriculum. I speak fro experience of teaching students who were or had been students at FIS. It seems to me that their teaching approach is weak: fundamental building blocks of core subjects skated over; a very laisez-faire approach to assessment and grading, and an arrogance in a lack of desire to improve.
As to the drug thing - it goes in cycles. Every International school has a drug scandal at some point. And it's as much about student personality, friendship group, parental/family issues as it is the school.
However, I agree with other posters that the academic standards in the high school are low. Not just lower than other international schools, but, in my opinion, low for a mid-rate government school with a liberal curriculum. I speak fro experience of teaching students who were or had been students at FIS. It seems to me that their teaching approach is weak: fundamental building blocks of core subjects skated over; a very laisez-faire approach to assessment and grading, and an arrogance in a lack of desire to improve.
As to the drug thing - it goes in cycles. Every International school has a drug scandal at some point. And it's as much about student personality, friendship group, parental/family issues as it is the school.
missprincepessa
Registered User
FIS is considered in the top tier of HK international schools, along with GSIS, HKIS, CIS etc etc. I think an offer from any of these schools is gold.
howardcoombs
Registered User
Putting those 4 schools in the same category shows that you are misinformed. You should do a bit more research.
2010-NewDad
Registered User
My colleague has one of his children going to the FIS primary. He says they are fine with that for the moment, but they have seen lots of behaviour at the secondary level that gives him pause to consider whether his daughter will continue at the FIS when she reaches that age.
I'm just saying, Carang, but my sister and brother both go there and I'm pretty damn sure they know what's going on in there. You may have been experienced in the education field for a long time, but sometimes people don't really say what really happens. It's just in-school drama. Kids smoke lots there, outside the gates and they're known to be quite bad. I know a majority who go out drinking, and I Know many other international kids do this too but it's just leading back to FIS that they're the 'source' of it. Of course there are many successful kids, but when you ask an international school kid what goes on in FIS, how the people are like (they're quite chilled, some care about their work but those who go out etc don't), rumors and what had happened...drama, then I'm pretty sure they're gonna say the same as me. Don't take it the wrong way that this school is COMPLETELY bad. Their education may be good in some aspects but perhaps you should take it from someone whose family, friends and siblings are studying in that school/international schools. You may have a general view of that, and I'm not saying I'm any god or anything with this, but maybe it's better to take it from an international school kid's view...
Anyway, I don't want to debate because that's what I've said and maybe you should use your knowledge of FIS and express here yourself. I'd appreciate it if you'd just read it and leave it. If prelei has any more questions, maybe your questions too, you can contact my siblings and ask them yourself. Or even my parents, if you're really that concerned. Or maybe, you could ask my French tutor who teaches there and tells me all about it
.
Anyway, I don't want to debate because that's what I've said and maybe you should use your knowledge of FIS and express here yourself. I'd appreciate it if you'd just read it and leave it. If prelei has any more questions, maybe your questions too, you can contact my siblings and ask them yourself. Or even my parents, if you're really that concerned. Or maybe, you could ask my French tutor who teaches there and tells me all about it
.