IS Community Blog

Welcome to our vibrant community, your daily dose of school life inspiration, teacher information, and entertainment. Join us as we navigate the everyday journey of life.

ISC Blog Categories

International schools that were founded in 1978 (Mauritania, Egypt, Kuwait, etc.)

Random year for international schools around the world: 1978

Utilizing the database of the 840 international schools currently listed on International School Community, we found  schools that were founded in 1978 (excepts about their founding are taken from the schools’ websites):

The American International School of Nouakchott (Nouakchott, Mauritania)

“The founding of the school in 1978 was very much an effort of the American and international community, and its strengths corresponded with the talents and the generous volunteer spirit of the community. The school was initially in one wing of the Grayzel house. There were two classrooms and an atrium with a garden. Initially instruction was from the Calvert Correspondence course.”

Lycee International School of Los Angeles (Los Angeles, United States of America)

“The school opened in a small house in Van Nuys with only seven students. Some 30 years later, the school has grown to five campuses with more than 900 students and has earned an enviable reputation with its placement of graduates in French universities, grandes écoles and within the American university system.

Of the original 1978 founders, two are still on the Board of Trustees. Others have joined the Board which now renews itself regularly. By combining those who have been Trustees for years with new Trustees bringing a fresh perspective, the Board is prepared to meet the 21st century with both maturity and vigor.”

New Cairo British International School (Cairo, Egypt)

British School of Kuwait (Safat, Kuwait)

“The British School of Kuwait (BSK) traces its origins to 1978 when Vera and Sadiq Al-Mutawa established a small kindergarten which became known as The Sunshine School. Steady growth took place through the 1980s and, having recovered from the ravages of the invasion of 1990, by 1992 the School accommodated 550 kindergarten and primary students. The decision having been made to serve the community at both Primary and Secondary levels, a move to the present site in Salwa took place and in September 1992, newly-named, The British School of Kuwait opened to 900 students.”

Vienna International School (Vienna, Austria)

“The Vienna International School was founded in September 1978 to serve the children of the United Nations and diplomatic community in Vienna. It is also open to children of the international business community and of Austrian families. Over 100 nationalities are represented among its 1,400 children.”

Acs International School – Hillingdon Campus (Hillingdon, England)

“The main house: The handsome and substantially built mansion was originally constructed in white brick and stone in the classical style, between 1854 and 1858, by P.C. Hardwick for Sir Charles Mills, an international banker from one of the most affluent City families of the 19th century.”

International School São Lourenço (Almacil, Portugal)

Sotogrande International School (Cadiz, Spain)

“The school was opened in Cortijo Paniagua with just 11 pupils and very soon developed into a successful and popular primary school. The school was governed by a Board of Governors who retained close links to Sotogrande SA, the company that owns the prestigious Sotogrande estate and provided premises for the original school. By 1990 the school had a roll of 250 pupils and included a high quality secondary school offering UK O-level and A-level courses. For twenty years the school grew steadily and established itself as a leading British-style school in Spain.”

Fairview International School (Kuala, Lumpur)

American School of Douala (Douala, Cameroon)

” Founded in 1978, the American School of Douala (ASD) is an independent coeducational, non-sectarian school, which provides an English language educational program from pre-school through tenth grade.”

Blogs of international school teachers: “Ichi, Ni, San…Go.”

Are you inspired to start up a blog about your adventures living abroad?

Check out the experiences of another teacher from the moment they signed the contract to what they are writing about after a few years working abroad.

Our 4th blog that we would like to highlight is called “Ichi, Ni, San…Go.”   It has some great insight into how important the first few weeks are for new teachers during their orientation days to their new city and new school.  There is also much information to be learned what life is really like working at Fukuoka International School.

Entries we would like to highlight:

First Dinner with New Teachers:
“We went out to our first group dinner with the new teachers last night. As we walked into the restaurant Kumi (our Japanese hero) informed us that the specialty of Fukuoka was “cow’s guts.”

Yes.  The multitude of dinner parties and restaurant outings during your first few weeks are exciting.  You get to sample the food that you will most likely be eating (or not eating I suppose) for the next few years in your new country.  Going out to dinner/lunch is a good time to get to know your fellow coworkers.  It is also a good chance to get to know your new neighborhood/city.   Sometimes, there are dinners with director, maybe even at his/her house.

School Prep:
“While Robert was getting his class schedule, student list, parent/teacher handbook, and learning all the do’s/don’ts of working at FIS, I had to bike back to our little townhouse, so that they could install the upstairs AC unit (which took nearly 2 hours)….but it was entirely worth the wait.  I’m not sure I will ever get use to the heat and humidity here.”

I love how this international school teacher highlighted how there are many things that need to get done during your first few weeks in the new country.  Getting things set up in your house/apartment can definitely take up a lot of your time (and sometimes waste your time as you wait and wait for the workers/people to come to your place).  Installing the AC unit is just one of the many things you need to get ready in your new house.  Other things might include: telephone, internet, etc…  And dealing with the local service companies can be a bit of shock both with regards to cultural differences and language miscommunications.

First Day of School:
“Yesterday afternoon Linda (the Head of School) officially offered me the library position.  I was anticipating having to go to the Immigration Office to get my spousal work visa today, but I couldn’t because I have to wait for the school director to sign the contract (and he doesn’t get in until Friday night), so looks like I will be doing that on Monday instead.”

This is a good example of how many last minute things there are to deal with, and getting your work visa finalize and set is not fun.  It can be quite stressful knowing that you are without a work visa.  For sure things calm down a bit for new teachers once they get the work visa all squared away.  Good schools will definitely help to facilitate that process for you and try to make it as stress-free as possible.

School profile highlights #6: Luanda Int’l School, Amer. School of Tokyo and Int’l School of Iceland

Members of International School Community have written some new and informative comments on the following schools:


Luanda International School (6 new comments):

New Comment: ” Housing is included in the benefits as well as the utilities (not including phone though).”

__________________________________________________________________________

American School of Tokyo (8 new comments):

New Comment: “Candidates should note that most foreign-hire teachers live near the main campus in Chofu, a suburban environment one hour west of downtown Tokyo by train.”

__________________________________________________________________________

International School of Iceland (3 new comments):

New Comment: “In 2008 the Dual Language Immersion Program was launched. Students in grades 1-2 were given the option of being either in the bilingual (Icelandic-English) stream or the English stream.”

Great resource: Want to work at an international school in Japan?

Directory Listings of International Schools for Japan

Wow!  There are many international schools in Japan.  Actually, a high number of visits to International School Community each month are from Japan.  So, it is no surprise that there are many expats in Japan wanting information about the international schools there.

Also, on their website they have an overview of the Japan educational system which is quite intriguing to look at.

Highlights from this page:

Japan has 23,633 elementary schools, 11,134 junior high schools, 5,450 senior high schools, 995 schools for the handicapped, 702 universities, 525 junior colleges, and 14,174 kindergartens (May 2003 figures). School attendance rate for the nine years of compulsory education is 99.98%.

The average class size in suburban schools is between 35-40 students, though the national average had dropped to 28.4 pupils per class in 1995. 70% of teachers teach all subjects as specialist teachers are rare in elementary schools.

A large percentage of parents (65.1%) tend to select the school based on hearsay.

Special education institutions exist: 70 schools for the deaf (rougakko); 107 for the blind (mougakko); 790 for those with disabilities (yougogakko). This number is considered to be inadequate.

So, who wants to work in Japan??

Check out the international schools listed in Japan on International School Community.

School info - directly to your inbox