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

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

CAC - 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.)

International, with an American curriculum

What grade levels are represented at this school?

pre-K - 12

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

Many children walk, or are driven by parents or private driver. There is a bus service available for both the regular morning and afternoon pick-up and drop-off, as well as later bus schedules to handle after-school activities.

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

The grounds are huge... it is wonderful to have such lovely, green, open areas for the students to run, play, hang out, etc. The playground equipment for the younger children is modern and maintained. The tennis courts, rubberized track, gyms, pool, theatre, library, etc. - all the buildings and classrooms are likewise well-maintained, and present a friendly and comfortable learning in environment.

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?

My children are young, so I hadn't thought about transition much. I cannot understand how necessary it really is here as most all of the students are transitioning at some point! My children came from a nursery/primary school based on the British curriculum and slipped into this school year without a problem. The staff are very attentive to the individual students (teachers, principal, counselors, etc.) - parents are also STRONGLY encouraged to be a part of the school. Children are also encouraged to be independent and responsible. The school is also very good at communicating with parents - regular emails from teachers (who check their in-boxes and encourage phone calls), email notices from the school, and a very good, up-to-date website that includes news, information, calendars, even the elementary lunch menu. Peers and parents are highly valued in the classroom. The teachers use class parents (very possessive!) to help students as needed, and both of my children have 'reading buddies', older children who read to the younger. My 2nd grader is a reading buddy to a kindergarten student. I had not considered repatriation either - as a parent, I assumed that helping my child prepare to return to the US, or to move on to another country, was my job.

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

It is a community. Yes, there is PTO and parents are encouraged to participate in other school board activities. I have not due to lack of time. Teachers get parents involved in classroom activities, projects, field trips, etc. I know many of the parents of my 2nd grader's classmates, and almost all of the parents (and siblings!) of my pre-K student's classmates. There is also a multitude of school-wide activities throughout the year that get parents involved. Recently the HS dance team held a fund-raiser and invited ES school students to a dance clinic. The school tends to be full of people and activity at all times, even on weekends.

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

Be prepared to be engaged. I can only speak for my kids, but they love school. They hate to be sick because that means they have to stay home. I love the activities and community spirit. I'd say that my 7yo understands poverty, pollution, and the need for charity and compassion better than most of his peers in the US, not to mention Egyptian culture - which is, of course, in addition to his regular lessons. He also is in his 2nd year of Taekwondo at the school. My 4yo daughter is starting to read and write, draws and creates well, and can't wait for library days! They love it.. and what better attitude to have towards school?

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