Would love opinions on International Schools

Hello everyone!
I just found this great site yesterday and I'm so excited to be here.  I joined today and just posted an intro but here's the short version.  DH's work is relocating us to the London area.  I have two kids, 9 and 5 that we will be enrolling in an International School.  I would LOVE to hear any opinions, good or bad about some of the International Schools.  We were thinking of living in Richmond and sending the kids to the International School of London (ISL) but I haven't been able to get any opinions on the school.  Does anyone know anything about this school?  Any opinions on any of the other schools?  We've looked at ISL (DH wants this one), ASL (I've heard good things about this one), TASIS and ACS Egham (living near these schools looks like a long commute for DH).

Any opinions would be very much appreciated!!

Thanks,
Debbie

I work at ASL and have really only heard of TASIS and ACS Egham so I can't comment on ISL...but not having heard about it kinda has me worried as we have a good bond with most of the International Schools...I meet with all the counselors from TASIS & ACS, so wonder why we don't include ISL...As for TASIS & ACS Egham - good places!  And of course, ASL is the best!    (Right now we have a LONG waiting list but you might be able to get in next year).

Thank you so much for your reply.  Hmmm...you haven't even heard of ISL...that got me a little worried also.  I would love to send the children to ASL but I just don't think it's going to happen.  DH really wants to live further out.  Looks like it might be TASIS or ACS Egham. 

Thanks again.  I very much appreciate your input!

Debbie

does anyone have the websites for these schools mentioned above? thanks

we are relocating in jan 07 and are looking for schools for 1st grade.

www.islondon.com
http://www.tasis.com/
http://www.acs-england.co.uk/
http://www.asl.org/

Hello,

I am currently an 8th grader attending TASIS England. I would highly recommend TASIS to anyone seeking an international school with an extremely strong emphasis on success both academically and athletically, as well as a high level of security and a beautiful campus. In response to the fact that you are considering ASL: don't. Although it may be more logistically suited, it does not have the same emphasis on team play, teacher-student relationships, and, of course, is more than half underground. Because of lack of space in central London, ASL organizers have had to build down instead of expanding. Therefore, students will potentially spend more than 50% of the day underground in windowless, artificially-lit classrooms, with the feeling of being imprisoned in a high security jail. TASIS, whilst being in a beautiful, remote location and consisting of beautiful Georgian buildings, is just as secure as ASL, and we have advantages such as the fact that we actually have outdoor athletic facilities located on-campus.

TASIS is also a much smaller community. We have roughly half as many students, and a student-teacher ratio of 7:1. Try beating that at any of the other international/American schools in the area.

And in addition to the reputation of our academics, our art offerings are to a much higher level than ASL or the other schools you are considering. And if my testimony of my education isn't quite enough to sway you in one direction, we constantly receive students from the ACS's and ASL, seeking a better academic program and a kinder ethos.

I beg to differ about your views on ASL. 

While you do have beauty at TASIS, we are not like a prison.  We do have wonderful teacher-student relationships, team play is quite encouraged (especially with our new Director of Athletics) and we are not at all half underground.  Only a few bits are below ground, most is above.  Much of the focus is on the student...we would not have the counseling program that we have if that was not the case.  There is a nice community for the parents as well, which many appreciate.

As for the arts, we have an very good program in arts, theatre and music.  It is stronger than most private schools I've been at in the States.  The focus of the program is not on these areas, but they are comprehensive, as you would notice if you walk through the hallways. 

TASIS is probably a bit more international as they do offer IB and we only offer the American program.  It works well for those students who will be with us only for a few years so they can return to their program in the States in a similar place.

I have worked at many private schools in the States and have not enjoyed them as much as I do ASL.  While it may not be a good fit for all students, as no school can be, I do believe it is a good school for many people.  The school is very full at the moment due to it's location and popularity with American expats.  We don't lose many students per year, which I do say speaks greatly for it.

The above does not sounds like the writing of an 8th grader, though it could be, and if so, I applaud the education he or she has received.  I doubt the people who are in admissions would appreciate someone saying such about another school, even if we are 'rivals'.   Please note that I do not put down TASIS - it's a good school with a good rep, and I would encourage people to look at it, particularly if they are not living in central London.  But ASL does not deserve the slander that it was given and I wonder at the reasoning behind it.

Hi onetiger,

I'd like to apologize for my previous post, which was under the username . I was horrified at its content and you can only imagine the shade of red that my face became. I really don't know what I was thinking, and my only excuse is that it was a long time ago and I must have been in a bad mood. I came across my post by accident and I was as disgusted reading it as you must have been, being a teacher at ASL. I had no reason or justification for my actions and I hope that my post did not influence the decisions of any families seeking an international school in England. I feel quite guilty for how I must have made you feel seeing as you teach at ASL. I've attended TASIS since pre-kindergarten, so you can see how I may have been a little (or very) biased towards TASIS.

I really don't want to give myself and other TASIS students a bad reputation. I feel a strong sense of devotion to TASIS, and I believe that that's justified considering the amazing education I am being given. TASIS has catalyzed the early entry of my peers and myself into the world of adult responsibility, teamwork, logical thinking, and competitiveness that will be integral in achieving my ultimate dream: to go on through law school and eventually found my own law firm.

Thanks very much for your input, onetiger. And really, I value your perspective. Obviously, TASIS and ASL are both outstanding schools in terms of core academics, creative arts, and athletics.

PS About the remark you made about my writing: I hope it attests to the quality of TASIS' English department. And, well, it runs in the genes ;-)