Parent's Review of MEF International School Izmir in Gaziemir, Turkey

What is the name of your child's school? (Please report on one school per survey.)

MEF International School Izmir

In what town or city is this school located?

Gaziemir

How would you describe this school? (i.e. American, British, International, Local, etc.)

Turkish ownership and management

What grade levels are represented at this school?

K-12

How do most children get to school everyday? (bus, train, walk, etc.)

Most take the bus, although many parents have been getting upset with the chaos on the buses and are now driving their kids to school.

How would you describe the facilities at this school? What extra-curricular activities are available?

The school is in a converted factory in an idustrial zone near the airport. It has a beautiful, but not very child friendly garden as you walk in. There are no sports fields that you would normally expect to find in a school. There is a small gym and a pool that is 2 feet deep at one end and 5 feet at the other end. The classrooms are small and feel quite crowded if there are more then 10 students in the class. The whole campus feels like it is only about an acre in size.

The school has some activities after school, like Chinese Checkers and painting, but there are NO sports teams.

What has this school done to help your child transition from the curriculum in your home country into the curriculum in your new country? Are there programs to prepare your child for repatriation?

There are no programs that I know of to help children coming or going. They do have an English as a Second Language teacher, she is Turkish and seems to show videos and has a workbook for the students. Many parents have complained about her lack of expertise. There are some Turkish teachers who can not speak English, like the middle school math teacher. Students also complain they can not understand the host country studies teacher.

How would you describe the social activities available for parents through this school? Are there parent-teacher organizations?

Yes, there is a parent-teacher organization that has tried to improve the school. They have had excellent PTA Presidents who have worked very hard!

What advice would you give to someone considering enrolling their child in this school?

Ask a lot of questions and get answers in writing as they seem to forget what they tell you. Know what books your child is using. The school seems short on supplies and resources. The school is very expensive and may not provide the environment you expect for your child.

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