Taking the stress out of the school admission process: educators reveal dos and don’ts, why parents shouldn’t coach or over-prepare their child before interviews, and the role of English proficiency
- Parents commonly assume that all interviews are managed similarly, but sometimes teachers are involved, at other times, coordinators or principals
- It’s not all about academics and there’s no need to boost the child’s extracurricular profile – genuine interest and enthusiasm in key areas are what schools want
The journey to seeing your child enrolled in the international primary school of your choice can be overwhelming, especially after the long and tortuous decision-making process that is often required to narrow down the many options available.
To help you on your way, we have spoken with educators from international schools throughout Hong Kong to gain valuable advice for parents navigating the application and interview process, and hopefully ease the load for your whole family
Proficiency in English
This may seem like an obvious point but proficiency in English is an important, and oftentimes the main, requirement – schools need to be sure that students make the most of their time and experience in the classroom. This is also an important point for parents who may have chosen the international school route as a way for their child to improve their current English skills.
“Fluency in English is the primary requirement for admission into the English International Stream,” says Eva Wagoner, admissions manager lead for German Swiss International School (GSIS).
“Specifically for kindergarten applicants, we also consider their social and emotional development. When evaluating primary and secondary applicants, their past school reports and school references are also taken into consideration.”
However, families who wish to speak more than one language at home need not see it as an obstacle. Debbie Sheward, vice principal at ESF Kennedy School, suggests using fun activities and play dates to get children comfortable with English early on, if parents are planning to apply to an international school in the future.
