Parent's Review of Access Academy Ningbo in Beilun, Ningbo, China

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

Access Academy Ningbo

In what town or city is this school located?

Beilun, Ningbo

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

American

What grade levels are represented at this school?

K-12

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

Bus or private car. Or walk if live in housing estate.

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

Basic. Small cafeteria with overpriced local food. Small sports field. Basic assembly hall Average classrooms. Some small and dark. Extracurricular depend on whims of lazy teachers - not enough offered or frequently.

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?

Nothing and there are no programs for repatriation. Teachers are very parochial and not too professional unlike bigger schools. The head of school is a clueless Canadian in his 50s and a very young Filipino wife - not a great role model and lack curriculum experience.

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

There are 2-3 teachers whose job it is to 'cultivate' and cheerlead parents - not too impressive when parents main concerns are the curriculum and teaching quality not gossip with teachers and non-stop demands for 'help' in activities teachers should arrange.

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

If you care about music - don't go here. The music program is lousy and the teacher lazy and unmotivated. The high school is very weak in terms of its teaching (mathematics and science especially) and ELL and English are basic. If you want the best for high school and middle school go to another school such as Ningbo International. Ask what qualification in admin. heads of department and coordinators have? Ask about the counselor's qualifications? Most kids use agents to source colleges. Ask about the quality and qualifications of the science and math teachers in MS and HS? Ask about dedicated computer science as part of the program as it is really hit and miss. Ask about school ownership and what the policy is on teachers wanting endless time off and medical appointments mid-week when they should be teaching. Ask how teachers are evaluated and by whom? Ask why there is no efficient ELL program and how ELL students are assisted? Take anything the current head of school - a guy called Waterman tells you with a dose of cynicism and make up your own mind.

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