Brain Farts: On Enrolling My Child to an International School

I try to commit to writing on this new space. 

Still finding it challenging --- my brain goes haywire every time I tap on my keyboard.

I have a lot of things in mind, difficult days now and ahead. But let's just do this, shall we?

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Something that's been on my mind right now: people asking where my kids are studying and their reactions.

During a Christmas party with moms of my Eldest's former classmates, they asked where she was enrolled for senior high school.

In hubby's case, some of his colleagues asked the same thing.

We answered: she's studying in an international school for Grade 11.

The responses were common: 

"Wow, diba mahal du'n?"

"Mga English-speaking doon."

"Sosyal du'n a."

But we had our reasons.

Eldest wanted to take the Arts & Design Track for her senior high school. Since she was homeschooled since Grade 6, that meant she's not used to commuting or traveling long hours from home to school and back. We looked for school options around the area, somewhere that's easy to get to via commute. 

What's more, we considered her opinion especially about the feel of the campus. We wanted a school where she felt comfortable. I don't want her to be in a stressful environment. She's been in one pre-pandemic and it had an effect on her self-confidence. 

That's why it was important for us --- for me --- to enroll her in a school that's a good fit for her.

We had a few options nearby; most schools in our area offered STEM, HUMMS, ABM, and GAS. There were only 4 that offered A&D. 

The first one, we did a walk-in without prior communication since it was pretty accessible. Unfortunately, we weren't accommodated immediately. No one was in the reception desk. We had to wait for 30 minutes before someone came to the area. I guess part of it was that they didn't expect anyone to come over to inquire. Partly our fault, maybe. We should have emailed or called days before, I guess. But I noticed that Eldest didn't feel enthusiastic while we were there in the school premises. 

Second school, we emailed but did not receive any reply. I went to their website to answer their inquiry form, thinking that that was probably what they wanted people to do, but no reply as well. Tried contacting them on Messenger but was unable to get a response. So that was probably a sign.

Third school, Eldest was not keen on enrolling. It was a big school. But Eldest didn't want to pursue even just an inquiry there. Not sure why.

The fourth school --- the international school --- I emailed. Got a reply within the day. Lady from the Admissions Office connected with me on Viber and scheduled Eldest for an interview. Then they invited us for a symposium they were holding in their campus. "It's open to everyone," she said. And because the topic was interesting (about family business), we went. 

Now this was the clincher.

We arrived a few minutes before the event --- me, hubby, Eldest, and Bunso ('coz we come as a package, LOL). There weren't a lot of attendees yet, I think we were one of the first ones to arrive, and we were greeted by the assistant principal of their senior high school department. As we exchanged pleasantries, Eldest introduced herself to the assistant principal and told her, "I'll be studying here for senior high."

We haven't submitted any requirements, not even made a commitment. 

But there was Eldest, resolute in her statement.

After the event, we asked the Admissions Officer about the requirements and tuition.

Of course, as an international school, the tuition was expectedly higher than other schools. But they offered installment and even accepted the senior high school voucher given by the government.

To make sure Eldest was dead-set on her decision, we dropped by the school again. They gave us a tour of the campus then. As we left, I asked my daughter if she wants to check out other schools. She said no. I asked her if she liked this school and she said she did. She wanted to enroll here.

And so we did.

A big factor as well for hubby and me, other than the fact that Eldest likes it, is the school's approach. Since it was an international school, their programs are built different from other schools, with a practical and entrepreneurial approach, to make the students future-ready. They also have interesting undergraduate courses, although more aligned to business, and there's an opportunity for the undergrads to continue their studies abroad in their partner schools.

A caveat: they don't have an undergraduate course that's exactly aligned with arts (fine arts or multimedia), but they do have a Communication Arts degree course.

But yes, we enrolled her there. And I can see that she's enjoying it.

We wanted an environment where she can thrive. And I think this international school is giving her that.

It's not that we want to enroll her in a "sosyal" school. We just want her to be in a place where she feels comfortable, where people are amiable and supportive. 

The tuition is high, I would admit, but we as her parents are constantly working on it.

There were points in my life wherein I was wondering if we made the right decision for her. But when I see her attitude towards school, how she comes home tired but positive, how she does her tasks without being told, taking initiative --- I think we did.

And that's what matters right now.

That, and the need to take on better jobs for a constant stream of income.

Which is another topic for another day.