One of the first questions people asked when I told them we were moving to India was, "What kind of school will your children be going to?" So this post is about Eric and Paige's school.
The name is, the American International School of Chennai and is located about 25 minutes north of our home. The children do not ride a school bus but are driven to and from by one of our drivers.
School hours are 8:30am - 3:40pm. Additionally, there are several after school activities (ie. paper quilling, pot painting, french tutoring, glass painting, dancing) the children sign up for that end at 4:30pm. By the time they (and me) chat with friends and buy treats from the school store, we end up getting home around 5:30pm.
The school follows an American-type curriculum and school calendar, honoring American holidays as well as Indian. It ends up being a little longer than in the states, starting the first Monday in August and ending the first week in June. That is due to so many holidays and longer breaks so people can travel. The student population is a melting pot of ethnicities with Korean being the largest followed by (not necessarily in this order) British, European, American, Australian, Indian, and other Asian countries. That is one of the highlights for the children - being able to meet peers from all around the world - literally!
There are about 15 students in each of their classes. Paige's teacher is from India. Eric's teachers are all American except for his French teacher. They both are making friends, adjusting very well, and love school. I think total students K - 12 is around 800 or so.
Although, Eric is a little bummed because they don't start band until 6th grade here and in Maroa-Forsyth, they started band in 5th grade. So Eric is one year ahead. To help with the boredom, he switched from playing the Clarinet to learning the Saxophone. Paige is bummed because she has to wait another year to start. However, we are in the process of looking for a piano teacher for both of them. On a positive note, they get to take French (Spanish was full) and are excited about learning a foreign language.
The layout of the school is pretty neat with the hallways being open to the outside as well as the pool, one of the gyms, and an eating area. Here are some visuals:
The view as you enter from the parking lot
A view of the courtyard in the center with hallways and classrooms around
One of the playgrounds
A Hallway with classrooms on the right
An eating area (there is a formal enclosed and air conditioned cafeteria)
The Swimming Pool
Each grade takes swimming as part of PE at some point during the year
Playing Field
Outdoor Gym (there is also an indoor gym)
I love that courtyard! And my kids were drooling over the pool. Awesome.
ReplyDeletewow, looks like they have a great school. What a fun opportunity!
ReplyDeletePaige and Eric, I love the pictures of your school. It looks like you are on a vacation all the time. I'm so glad you like it there. Love Nana
ReplyDeleteI would love to teach there! Hmmm...maybe I should look into it. :)
ReplyDelete