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

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

Access International Academy Ningbo

In what town or city is this school located?

Beilun

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

American-Chinese

What grade levels are represented at this school?

1-12

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

Loong bus ride from Ningbo or dangerous walk if live nearby.

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

Facilities are basic. Cafeteria is overpriced and serves cheap poor quality food such as fish heads. The Internet and computers labs always have broken computers and service is slow or non-existent. Extra-curricular activities are mainly targeted at the elementary kids. There are a lot of time wasting things like Earth days, talent shows, pointless assemblies etc. the school is short on academics and has no counselor or proper curriculum coordinator. Sport and music very weak. Used to be good.

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?

There are no such programs. There is also a large teacher and student turnover. Teachers run around doing what they like which is mostly sitting around the local pub or bar whining. Last year 14 beloved teachers got fired and there have been 4 directors in 3 years. The school is owned by a board of horrible Taiwanese property developers. Transitioning is not in this school's vocab.

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

There is a small parent group dominated by a little group of entitled and favored parents - mainly Spanish and Korean who turn on teachers at parents at the drop of a hat. Teachers gossip to parents about each other and word spreads in the community.

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

Don't do it and look at Ningbo International School or the International School of Ningbo instead. Why would you want your kid in a class of 2-3 with clueless teachers and a weak director and weak academic program. This review is a warning to avoid this "school" which is the most expensive in the area. Enrolment has gone down from 160 to about 80 - which tells you all you need to know!

William Russell
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William Russell's private medical insurance will cover you and your family wherever you may be. Whether you need primary care or complex surgery, you'll have access to the best hospitals & doctors available. Unlike some insurers, we also include medical evacuation and mental health cover in our plans (except SilverLite). Get a quote from our partner, William Russell.

William Russell

William Russell's private medical insurance will cover you and your family wherever you may be. Whether you need primary care or complex surgery, you'll have access to the best hospitals & doctors available. Unlike some insurers, we also include medical evacuation and mental health cover in our plans (except SilverLite). Get a quote from our partner, William Russell.
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