Views on American International School in Kowloon?

[pmadan]

Hi,
We are relocating to HK in Mid August and looking at apartment options around TST, Olympic areas.
Can soneone please provide feedback on American International School in Kowloon Tong area? How is the school? Do they have bus services to surrounding areas in Kowloon? What are other similar / comparable options for kindergarten?
My daughter will be entering K1 (3+ year old).
Thanks
Prateek

 

[Minababy]

AIS runs American curriculum and graduates will be awarded the IP diploma. However AIS is nothing like HKIS not the same tier International schools. Majority of students are Cantonese speaking are there to learn English who live in Kowloon Tong. It depends where you are from and whether they can blends in the "LOCAL" culture. The Mandarin program is good in AIS but never heard of their academic results. Good luck!

 

[Alby]

a different perspective

Majority of students are Cantonese speaking are there to learn English who live in Kowloon Tong.

My nephew goes there and his class is full of speakers of all kinds of languages - when I asked him what language they speak at recess he said - English. He did say that there were some kids in his class who are from either Japan or Korea (he couldn't remember) and their English is not so good. He is in 3rd grade there - born in HK but not Chinese - speaks English, Cantonese and Hindi/Urdu at home. So possibly it depends on which class your child is in.

My nephew also lives in TST and takes the bus to and from school.

They do use the American circulumn and most classes have a teacher with a teachers aid. I know the class sizes are about 25 to 30 students. AIS is no comparision to HKIS in terms of resources and recognition but, I do personally think that your children will gain a better understand how the masses of Hong Kong live. Whereas HKIS is perceived more for the elite class of Hong Kong with some children/familes being an exception to the rule.

 

[Minababy]

No doubt the AIS is probably the only one/or if not the best; runs the American curriculmn International School located in Kowloon especially if you want your kids to gain entry in US university later on and they follow the IB program.

 

[HKMommy123]

Actually, AIS does not follow the IB curriculum, nor are there teacher's aides currently in any of the classrooms.

If you are looking for schools that follow the IB curriculum in Hong Kong, check out: http://www.ibo.org/country/HK/index.cfm

Yes, there are bus services available to the surrounding areas.

To find other kindergartens/international schools,take a look through http://www.shambles.net/pages/Countries/hk_schools/

 

[Minababy]

mmm, then make AIS even more unattractive than the other international school. You are paying a huge fees but not getting an international recognition. Not worth it

 

[Alby]

... nor are there teacher's aides currently in any of the classrooms.

Strange as, during regular verbal and written reports between my the teacher and my nephew's parents there is reference made to another person being in the classroom to assist with lessons part of the day - teacher's aide or some sort of assistant and/or volunteer not sure of the exact title.

Have just inquired again with my in laws they are now prompted to double check - will keep you posted.

 

[HKMommy123]

My understanding from a friend who taught at AIS for the past several years is that there is a homeroom teacher who teaches the students for the majority of the day and then the students have a separate PE teacher and Mandarin teacher, so that could possibly be what is referred to on the report card when discussing other lessons.

 

[auroralady]

Since your daughter is 3 years old, she will be joining Early Childhood 1 (EC 1). It's a half day program from 8.30am to 11.45am. Fee is 5500 per month. School bus facilities is available for TST area. However, school bus return trip might not be available (depends on demand), since EC1 is the only session in school that ends at noon.

For EC1, 2 to 3 half hour mandarin classes (simplied chinese) is conducted per week. EC1 and EC2 attend the same class in the morning.

 

[auroralady]

Oh yes. For EC1 and EC2, there is a Homeroom teacher (and in my opinion, she is wonderful), a teacher assistant and a teacher helper. So, there are 3 adults in total.