There are so many considerations when choosing an international school for your child! One of them being the size of the school. So which is better, big or small?
Starting your child in a school that suits them makes all the difference in the course of their school career. And it all depends on what’s important to you in a school ! Do you favor personal relationships with teachers and fewer students, or a greater variety of programs and better academic recognition? Read on to learn the benefits of big and small schools, and we’re introducing a school that’s “just right”!
Advantages of small schools
Strong personal relationships
With smaller cohorts, most students would even know each other through the years! This cultivates a stronger sense of community at school, decreasing the chances of bullying and other tensions between students. Teachers are also more likely to know each student, so they can discuss the best ways to connect and work with students among themselves.
A more intimate setting
The environment in a small school is less intimidating overall, which can be helpful for students finding their footing after transferring from another country or transitioning to a “big” school.
Better engagement of teachers and parents
Teachers can work more closely with parents to support their children’s learning journey in a small school. Thanks to this, you will probably be closely linked to teachers and school management teams – this also means more personalized feedback and advice for children.
Advantages of the Grandes Ecoles
Best variety of academic programs, extracurricular activities and facilities
Schools with large numbers of students are able to offer more varied programs and activities, as there is more likely to be enough interest in specific subjects and activities to make the offer feasible. Larger schools are also able to invest in larger facilities and purpose-built learning environments, exposing children to state-of-the-art equipment to help them with their school experience.
Diverse experiences among students
More students = more diverse backgrounds! A larger student population means children have the opportunity to not only make more friends, but also meet peers from different backgrounds, so they can foster better social-emotional development.
Brand recognition and prestige
Larger schools tend to be more recognized among graduate schools, universities, and businesses. Going to a school with strong brand awareness and prestige can benefit your child when applying for further studies or jobs in the future!
Is there a “just” school?
If you can’t decide between a big or a small school (and we don’t blame you – there are so many advantages to each!), you can look for a school that offers the best of both worlds! XCL World Academy is one such school, offering endless opportunities and top-notch facilities, while being small enough that faculty know each student by name. This community-oriented international school for students aged 2 to 18 offers a holistic and rigorous International Baccalaureate (IB) education where students can benefit from strong academic knowledge and personalized learning.
Students will benefit from both small classes with inspiring and highly qualified teachers and a modern campus with many state-of-the-art facilities. Despite its sprawling campus, the school’s capacity is capped at around 1,600 students to maintain the feel of a small school. There is also an internal nationality cap in place to ensure the school remains diverse. No nationality represents more than 15% of the school’s population! There are currently over 60 countries represented in the student body.
As a comprehensive IB school, XCL World Academy strongly adheres to the principles of the IB curriculum to equip children with the essential academic and life skills to prepare them for the demands of the next stage of their education and eventually , employment. The school prioritizes the comfort of each child and ensures that they feel safe and confident at school. See them for yourself and book a personalized visit to the XCL World Academy for the chance to talk to the school’s educators before making your decision!
XCL Global Academy2 Yishun Street 42, Singapore 768039, [email protected]Such. : (+65) 6871 8835, www.xwa.edu.sg