Finding Schools

Touring a School? Look Beyond the Superficial

noreply@blogger.com (Laila from SCI) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 16:52:00 +0000

School Choice featured in

Liz Perelstein, President of School Choice International, gives families much needed advice about the school tours. Here are a couple tips...

On facilities:

"Parents are often impressed — or depressed — by facility. Remind parents they are picking a school for their child, not for themselves... Don’t look at the facility for its own sake, but as it pertains to your child’s dreams and passions. If your child is into science, for example, look at the labs."

On visiting:
"I tell them to go when they’re not expected. And to do many things to see the school in as many different contexts as possible, like drop-off and pick-up, to look for things like limos, working parents versus stay-at-home parents... Go to athletic events when possible. I’ve had parents really shocked by the way coaches talk to kids."

On impressing the school:

"Parents are always thinking about how to impress the school. Shift the focus away from that and to ‘What can I learn from the experience?’ There are many pushy parents. Schools are so happy to have parents who genuinely seem to care about their child."

Read the rest of the article here!

What's for Lunch in Nairobi?

noreply@blogger.com (Laila from SCI) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 16:00:00 +0000

West Nairobi School
in Kenya

Note the mix of Western, Oriental, Indian and Kenyan food.

Click on the menu!

Dessert on Thursday the 15th was Mandazi, a fried bread.

What's for lunch in Singapore and Hong Kong?

What's for Lunch in Texas?

noreply@blogger.com (Laila from SCI) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 17:00:00 +0000

Austin Independent School District
in Texas

The district has hired chef Steven Burke as the district's first chef. Check out his awesome meals!

Unlike many of the countries we've visited, Austin's menu boasts huge number of options.

Click on the image to see a larger version.

Many of the options are healthy version of "fast food" items - white whole-wheat flour pizza crusts, lean ground beef hamburgers and oven-roasted fries.

Also note the points! In the Austin independent School District, all lunch menus in the city’s 124 K–12 schools have adopted the Weight Watchers Points System. Taco salads (6 points) stand alongside turkey and mozzarella cheese melts (7 points) and zucchini sticks (0 points).

What's for lunch in Singapore, Hong Kong, Nairobi and London?

School Choice Announces Leadership Changes

noreply@blogger.com (School Choice International) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 15:34:00 +0000

In response to rapid growth and expansion into new education-related markets, School Choice has expanded its infrastructure and is announcing several big executive changes for the New Year:

Elizabeth Perelstein is now the Chair of The School Choice Group and its divisions. In this expanded role, Liz will oversee the overall strategy and new ventures of the parent corporation and its divisions.
Timothy Dwyer has been promoted to Chief Executive Officer of School Choice International and other divisions of The School Choice Group where he will manage headquarter operations and assist with creation and implementation of strategy and new ventures.
Lisa Young has been brought on in the newly created position of Director of Operations. Lisa will work with the divisional teams in implementing strategy and operations.

These executive changes will enable their growing and diverse client base to receive quality services targeted to their specific needs and locations worldwide. These changes follow the move of School Choice (in August of 2011) to larger space to 150 Grand Street in White Plains, NY, and its expanding partnership, Global Education 360. Global Education 360 is School Choice’s selection of best in class parent resources that includes test preparation, tutoring, college placement, special education advocacy, financial aid, childcare and summer program services.

About The School Choice Group

The School Choice Group, and its divisions, including School Choice International, is the leading global educational consulting service specializing in school placement counseling for private, public, and international schools, from nursery through college. With more than 100 experienced consultants in 50 locations globally, School Choice works with families, school, and employers, including Fortune 100 and Fortune 500 companies, to help find the right schools for children, anywhere in the world. An industry leader in bringing needed initiatives into the education arena, The School Choice Group chair, Elizabeth Perelstein, co-founded the British International School and School Choice International brought to market Global Education Explorer, the only Web-based resource for families to compare education across the globe. School Choice International also conducts on-site training for group moves and research and policy analysis for corporations, schools and governments setting or re-evaluating education policy. Elizabeth Perelstein, the Chair and Founder of the School Choice Group, one of ten to receive Fortune Magazine’s Most Powerful Women Entrepreneur awards. In 2011, School Choice International was placed on Inc.’s 500/5000 list of fastest growing companies. In 2012, Ms. Perelstein will receive an Enterprising Women of the Year Award. Visit them at: www.schoolchoiceintl.com

Educational Planning

noreply@blogger.com (Laila from SCI) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 15:00:00 +0000

Is school a means to an end, or an end in and of itself? Regardless of your answer, smart parents use education to create paths to success.

Explore these key factors when thinking about your child’s future:

Interests

Parents of adult children will tell you that somehow a child’s interests at 5 years old turn into an adult’s interests at 25.

What does your child do in his or her spare time?
What can your child do endlessly?
How have you tried to form his or her interests?

Trends & Time

The child may be highly motivated by a hobby at some times, and less passionate at others.

What have the trends been?
What has changed over time? What hasn’t?
When is your child especially passionate?

A successful educational plan takes the child’s passions and abilities and turns them into paths to achieving exciting goals.

Need help creating paths to success?

As part of our Educational Planning service, an educational expert will help you explore the educational paths to make the most of your child’s abilities, strengths and passions. This step will ensure you choose the right school for your child. Email us at info@schoolchoiceintl.com.

You are invited...

noreply@blogger.com (Laila from SCI) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 13:46:00 +0000

The Right School Makes all the Difference;
It's not too soon to be thinking about the 2012 admission season...

What type of school would work best for my child?

It’s not an entry-level year – can I still move my child?

How do I navigate the admissions process?

What should I look for to get the most out of school tours?

Liz Perelstein, Chair and Founder of School Choice International, answers all these questions and more!

Thursday, January 19, 2012

7 pm

Sagamore Roof Lounge

189 West 89th Street

New York, NY 10024

$10 in advance
$20 at the door
call 1.866.881.5959 for tickets
space is limited

What's for Lunch at KIS in Hong Kong?

noreply@blogger.com (Laila from SCI) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 15:00:00 +0000

Korean International School

in Hong Kong

This great menu features:

International Menu or Korean Menu (Parents select one for the whole month)
Vegetarian Options
Healthy Eating Guide
Japanese Theme Day!

Click on the menu!

Writing Out of Limbo

noreply@blogger.com (Laila from SCI) — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 15:00:00 +0000

Check out our latest publication!

Four Third Culture Kids: One Portrait
by Laila Plamondon, Director of Private Client Services
in Writing Out of Limbo

Learn about a psychological study
that explores how repatriation
affects Third Culture Kids.
The findings might surprise you.

Here's a sneak peak:

"Four close friends attended an American international high school in Bangladesh: Lara, Kelly, Susan and Britney. The group of four includes two and a half Americans, a German, and a half Bangladeshi. They have lived in the U. S, the U.K., Germany, Bolivia, the Philippines, Thailand, Kenya and Bangladesh, following expatriate fathers working in the fields of foreign service, development, education and missions. Between them, they speak five languages fluently, and can “hello” in many more. They are all different, yet they are the same.

In high school, they bonded over sports: volleyball, basketball and soccer. Now they have even more in common. All four have repatriated, completed college and are pursuing advanced degrees. Despite living in their home countries, they have global lives: studying international issues, working in global organizations and dating men with foreign backgrounds. They are all different, yet they are the same.

They are Third Culture Kids."

Writing Out of Limbo: International Childhoods, Global Nomads and Third Culture Kids
Editor: Gene H. Bell-Villada and Nina Sichel with Faith Eidse and Elaine Neil Orr
Date Of Publication: Dec 2011
Isbn13: 978-1-4438-3360-8
Isbn: 1-4438-3360-6

Training for Adversity

noreply@blogger.com (School Choice International) — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 14:07:00 +0000

Liz Perelstein was recently quoted in the Chicago Tribune in "Resolutions for Parents for 2012."

While many hard-working students face a challenging economic climate through no fault of their own, some are left without the skills to handle such adversity. Unfortunately, the blame may rest with well-meaning parents. These are parents who do not let their kids fail - in fact don't even let them try, because they are trying to prescribe and ensure their path to the "best colleges" and life opportunities. This logic runs counter to what we know to be true about how to achieve success, and it holds true today more than ever. We need to train young people for adversity. It is the responsibility of parents and teachers to help foster problem-solving, risk-taking, and resilience.

"Don't Prevent Students' Mistakes, Prepare for Them," writes David Ginsburg in his Education Week blog. We must take care not to do students' work for them and shield them from the invaluable opportunity to make a mistake.

SCI Cited in Journal of International Student Recruitment

noreply@blogger.com (School Choice International) — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 15:51:00 +0000

School Choice International was recently cited in ELS International Pathways' quarterly Journal of International Student Recruitment regarding the educational landscape in India today.

See the article, "Education in India Today," page 3 of the Fall 2011 Journal of International Student Recruitment.

noreply@blogger.com (Laila from SCI) — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 21:00:00 +0000

Happy Holidays

from

School Choice International

What's for Lunch in Singapore?

noreply@blogger.com (Laila from SCI) — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 15:00:00 +0000

Nanyang Kindergarten

in Singapore

Tots enjoy Chee Chong Fan,
Chicken Rice,
and Hor Fun

Here's the Menu!

Successful School Visits...

noreply@blogger.com (Laila from SCI) — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 16:00:00 +0000

School visits are critical to the school admission process; how do you make the most out of the short time on campus?

We tell all our clients that the school visit is the most important part of the school selection process.

Make a good first impression – A strong handshake and direct eye contact convey self-confidence and maturity. Show that you are open and interested.

Bring your application to life – This is an opportunity for the school to get to know you better, and to see if you would be a good match for their community and academic program. By the time you walk into your interview, the school will have seen you on paper. Bring your application to life by asking questions and gain as much information as you need about the school and what your experience would be like if your child were to become a student.

Take your time – Don’t be afraid to take some time to process a question and think of the best way to answer a question during an interview. This demonstrates that you are thoughtful and a good listener.

Want to be better prepared?

Allow an educational expert to help you prepare for the tours and interview. After the tours, we will help you evaluate your experience in light of your educational goals for your child. Email us at info@schoolchoiceintl.com.

The Interview

noreply@blogger.com (School Choice International) — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 15:37:00 +0000

The Interview:

Depending on the age of your child, there may be two interviews, a parent interview and a child interview.

Parent Interview:

Schools have more than enough parents who come to them letting the admissions officer know how gifted or talented their child is. This is not a good way to begin a relationship with a school. Schools are looking for parents who understand their children, have done their homework on the school, and genuinely feel this particular school is the right match. Admissions officers feel they are admitting a family, not only a child. So they want to see parents who will work as partners with the school to resolve any issues that may present themselves during the student’s tenure at the school. So don’t feel you need to present a perfect child. That may hurt more than it helps.

Before the interview, think about your child’s strengths and weaknesses, likes and dislikes, where she’s thrived, where he’s struggled. What have you learned about him during his years prior to the school to which you are applying? How has that informed the choices you have made? Come prepared with examples that have informed your views. Let me give you one of mine as an example. My daughter always put a tremendous amount of pressure on herself to be the best. She had to be the fastest in a relay race, climb highest on the jungle gym. As a result I recognized that she would do better in a small and nurturing school than one which was intensely competitive.

Child Interview:

Children can be prepared in advance for an interview – you might even want to role play. The purpose of this is to help them feel comfortable when they meet the admissions officer. The first step in your preparation is to explain – in an age appropriate way – that the purpose of the interview is for them to get to know the school and for the school to get to know them – to make sure that they are happy and successful when they get there. The interview is not a test. That said, it may be worthwhile to explain to your child that this is not the time to be humble. She should be prepared to talk about significant accomplishments, the personal growth that these reflect, and what they mean to her. He should be able to talk about books he has read and enjoyed, music she enjoys listening to and movies he has liked. It always helps to be able to explain why they have been meaningful to him. What did she like most about her previous school? What did she (or which teacher did she) like least? Why? How would his friends describe him? Why is she interested in this school?

These are some questions your child may be asked, but whether or not he is, thinking about possible answers in advance will help him figure out the points he wants to make about himself, and he can use these as examples to answer any question. Your child should also come prepared to ask some questions about the school. These should be ones where he has a genuine interest in the answer. They don’t need to be complicated. What do they serve for lunch, or what does the uniform look like are perfectly legitimate.

Remember, the interview is as much an opportunity for you to get to know the school as for the school to get to know you. Use it as an opportunity and you will also make a great impression.

Pushy parents…

noreply@blogger.com (Laila from SCI) — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 15:00:00 +0000

Believe it or not, sometimes a school declines a student because of… the parents! How does a parent advocate for their child without sounding pushy or overbearing?

Here are a few tips from our educational experts:

1. Be Respectful – Admissions officers deal with a large number of applications during the year, juggling everyone’s needs and requests. Understand the schools policies, hand in requested material on time and be patient. We always hear – a little courtesy goes a long way! (What about a handwritten thank you note for an interview?)

2. Know the School – Every school wants their students to thrive! Know the school’s unique ethos and then explain how your child will flourish and also contribute to the community.

3. Ask Thoughtful Questions – Schools like parents who are invested in their child’s future – so show that you are! Ask how you can work with the school to make sure your child succeeds.

Tricky, isn't it? Need help advocating for your child?

Perhaps the most important way School Choice International can help a family, have an educational expert contact your preferred schools to schedule tours, interviews and assessments and delicately emphasize the ways in which your children and family can be a positive addition to their school community. Email us at info@schoolchoiceintl.com.

Success at School Choice International

noreply@blogger.com (Laila from SCI) — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 15:43:00 +0000

CEO Liz Perelstein was named to a list of

Westchester County's Most Accomplished Women Entrepreneurs by

914 Inc. Magazine.

Here are a few images from our celebration!

Liz and her husband, Micheal open a bottle of bubbly...

Liz with her award!

Congratulations to the team.

Time for School Visits!

noreply@blogger.com (Laila from SCI) — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 15:00:00 +0000

School visits are critical to the school admission process; how do you make the most out of the short time on campus?

We tell all our clients that the school visit is the most important part of the school selection process.

Make a good first impression – A strong handshake and direct eye contact convey self-confidence and maturity. Show that you are open and interested.

Bring your application to life – This is an opportunity for the school to get to know you better, and to see if you would be a good match for their community and academic program. By the time you walk into your interview, the school will have seen you on paper. Bring your application to life by asking questions and gain as much information as you need about the school and what your experience would be like if your child were to become a student.

Take your time – Don’t be afraid to take some time to process a question and think of the best way to answer a question during an interview. This demonstrates that you are thoughtful and a good listener.

Want to be better prepared?

The Application Process

noreply@blogger.com (School Choice International) — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 14:56:00 +0000

Now that you have your school list, start to get organized. Check all school websites to determine application due dates and list them in order of earliest deadlines to latest ones. You may want to follow up with a phone call because private schools already have received so many applications that some may be closing the application process early. Put due dates on your calendar as well as a set of interim dates for you to complete components prior to due dates to ensure you will submit applications in time.

Register for testing early so that you are certain to have sufficient time for tests to be scored and submitted to schools. If your child is taking the ISEE or the SSAT, it is common for students to do some sort of preparation for testing and there are many tutoring companies available to help your child. For younger children admissions testing does not cover anything that children won’t be exposed to in daily life. The idea isn’t to “game the system” but to facilitate your child’s entry into the school that will be the right match for him.

Identify and speak with your recommenders and ask how much time they need to complete referral forms – and give them plenty of time. Don’t feel you need letters from prominent people or board members for your child to be accepted at a school. But if you do have someone special to write a recommendation, be sure she genuinely knows your child and can speak to his qualifications with examples, not just words. Impersonal letters filled with meaningless platitudes doesn’t impress admissions officers.

Submit transcript requests early. And follow up with all schools to see that recommendation letters, transcripts and test scores have been received. Don’t make any assumptions – schools and agencies are dealing with huge volume and sometimes things go awry.

See application content blog (coming soon) if you and your child haven’t yet written essays. Think carefully about what you want to learn – and to convey - at tours and interviews (see interview prep blog forthcoming).

Once your applications are submitted admissions offices will work with you to schedule tours, playgroups and parent and child interviews. After the interview, follow up with a note that tells the school what you liked about it and why you think it would be a good fit for your child.

Once you find out where your child has been admitted, think beyond superficial characteristics when you make this all-important choice. Keep in mind that names and status don’t govern your child’s day-to-day experiences.

Remember, searching for your child’s school can be a learning experience for both you and your child. It is also the first time you and she will be exposed to a process that will be repeated throughout her life. Everything you learn will serve your child well in future school applications, college entry, and the future job search.

Later blogs will be forthcoming about navigating wait lists or what to do if your child doesn’t get in.