Parent's Review of Cairo American College in Maadi, Egypt

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

Cairo American College

In what town or city is this school located?

Maadi

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

American International

What grade levels are represented at this school?

K-12

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

Walk, school bus, private car

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

The school has been under construction for several years with the building of a new elementary and middle school. Because of that the facilities are not as nice as they use to be and space for sporting activities and play is at a premium. I am sure when the construction phase is over (another several years) it will be a beautiful campus again. Extra curricular acivites run the gambit from academic to sports. Sports are ultra competive so if your not bringing a good athlete be ready for disapointment because only competitive teams are offered (no intermural).

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 transition into CAC is great, almost to the point if your child is here for long term they are the ones that feel left behind. There is no repatriation program to speak of.

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

There is a PTO, but functions more like a social club, no support from the adminstration and no teacher involvement. There is also a Booster Club but again no support from admin. The feeling from the adminstration the past several years has been the less parent involvement in the school the better. A very combative relation between the parent community and the adminstration.

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

CAC is a decent school but very schizophrenic. Be ready to live in a state of constant change if you stay more than 2 years or so. They are always rearranging/changing the curriculum, schedules, class and testing policies. Nothing remains the same for more than a year or so and at times I feel like my child has been a guinea pig when policy changes are made at the expense of consistent learning. It stresses out the kids, especially high school age, because they are always trying to figure out what the expectations are. The administration/teacher turnover has been rapid in the past 5 years which adds to the unsettled feeling at the school. Add in the revolution of the country last year and it makes for a very stressful environment that the administration fails to recognize.

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