Parent's Review of International School of Moscow (ISM) in Moscow, Russia

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

International School of Moscow (ISM)

In what town or city is this school located?

Moscow

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

British curriculum, International education

What grade levels are represented at this school?

Pre-school - Year 8

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

School bus (pick up from the roadside nearest your apartment building) or private car

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

The classrooms are well-equipped. Where facilities are not in-house, the school makes good use of local private amenities. Extra-curricular activities include several after school activities (free if within the school facility): Martial Arts, Origami, Hip hop / dancing, Drawing, Drama, Bowling, Swimming, Games, Football, Cooking

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?

The school has carried out assessments of the childrens' levels and the work they are being set is challenging and interesting. The school provided pen-pals for my children, so they had a friend to join when they started.

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

Parents who do not drive to school do not have the opportunity to meet for coffee in the hotel opposite the school gate, so may feel a bit isolated.

There is a system of parent class reps, whose role is to:

Organise social meet ups for parents.

Act as a link with the relevant class teacher and help plan events and provide feedback to continually improve school events.

Welcome new parents and introduce them to others within the class.

Help new parents with any ‘settling in to Moscow’ information they may need

Help answer questions that are not of a school nature from parents who are considering a move to Moscow and ISM

Keep parents in touch with what is happening within the class at events where all parents cannot logistically be invited: i.e. swimming gala in the summer term; special days at the school when an author/artist visits etc.

Act as liaison between parents and putting parents in touch with other parents where necessary

Help co-ordinate ‘events’ at the school such as United Nations' Day’

Class Reps are NOT responsible for acting as arbitrators between parents and the school

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

If possible visit Moscow and take up the free trial day the school offers prior to your actual start date.

Get your child's level assessed independently of the current school (unless you are 100% sure of the school's assessment levels).

Talk to your child about the differences and opportunities that moving to an international school will mean.

Be prepared for homework every day.

Make sure you have your internet connection set up before the start of term, as maths homework is set online.

Check that your address is within the radius of the excellent school bus service.

Ask the school for the contact details of the parent representative for the class your child will be joining.

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Expats interested in International Health Insurance should take a minute to get a quote from our trusted expat health insurance partner, CIGNA.
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