Parent's Review of International School of Iceland in Gardabaer, Iceland

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

International School of Iceland

In what town or city is this school located?

Gardabaer

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

International

What grade levels are represented at this school?

K-7

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

Many walk in locally, some come by car, some by a special embassy bus. The local bus service stops right by the school too.

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

The International School shares facilities with the neighbourhood school. The school building is very modern and open plan. It even has its own swimming pool! The International School students have access to art, textiles and woodwork rooms as well, which is great, as my kids love to get creative. The school offers a range of different activities over the school year, suitable for the different grades. The prices are very reasonable.

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 uses a lot of British materials, such as Letterland, and Oxford Reading Tree, which are familiar. They are also an IPC school, which is used in many British schools. At the beginning and end of the school year, the school has a focus called "transitions", which helps new kids settle in, and those who are leaving, it helps them with moving on.

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

The school seems to have a very active parent-teacher association. They help to organise events such as the Halloween party, and the end of year party. They even do book fairs and invite guest authors! The P.T.A. even had a buddy-scheme going this year for new parents.

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

The school is only very small, but this actually gives it a nice "family" feel. The staff very quickly got to know our family, and we're always made to feel welcome. Everyone uses first-names in Iceland which can feel a bit strange at first, to call teachers by their first names, but you soon get used to it.

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