How to Choose an International School for Your Child

Every family's expectations and every child's situation are different. There is no school that is "best" for everyone — only schools that fit your child. Below is a neutral checklist to work through when visiting schools.

Seven dimensions to look into

1. Curriculum and philosophy — What educational approach is the curriculum based on? Uniform pace or individualised learning? What does a typical day look like?
2. Teacher quality and retention — What are teachers' qualifications and experience? Average tenure is the most direct indicator of stability.
3. Class size and ratios — These directly affect how much attention each child receives; confirm on site rather than relying on brochures.
4. Language environment — How are English and Chinese arranged? What support do newly arrived children receive?
5. Home-school communication — How, and how often, does the school report on each child's growth?
6. Campus and services — Do facilities, food, buses and safety arrangements meet your family's needs?
7. Progress feedback — How does the school assess and record progress? Is feedback individualised?

Three practical tips

• Bring your child — a child's natural response to an environment is often more telling than an adult's judgement;
• Observe real lessons — try to visit on a normal school day, not only open days;
• Record and compare — visit several schools with the same checklist; side-by-side comparison reveals differences.

About MSB

Founded in 1990, the International Montessori School of Beijing provides bilingual education blending the Montessori approach with an international curriculum for children aged 0-18. You are welcome to book a visit and ask us any question on this list.

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