Medan Kota

Choosing a school for your child education is a big headache for many parents. For many of us in Medan, it’s sure not an easy tasks. Some six-seven years back, the private schools can hardly be found. Below are my views for the top selected schools currently in Medan.

Medan International School. This is the one and the only original International school in Medan. I have seen and visited the school some 6 years back when I was pregnant with my first child. At the time, I was very worried about the public school standards and was planning to put him in there. However, I was told that since the school is accepting only 20% Indonesian students, my boys will be on the waiting list. I was quite surprise that me being a Thai though my husband is a local is not allowed. To be considered as an International student, my boys need to hold the KITAS or KITAP permit. Honestly, though the school property is old and in need of renovation, I very much like the school surrounding and the security in place for the safety of the children, but the distance from town to school is quite a big problem.

I have since talked to some parents and was told that the major problem that my kids will face is that, these MIS students are constantly on the move, so my children will not have their so called group of friends. That to me is definitely not a healthy choice but again it’s not an avoidable situation for the parents.

Then came along the Piaget Academy and Singapore International School (SIS), though I am relatively happy with my boys being at the Singapore Piaget Academy at the moment, it’s worrying that the numbers of students are growing so fast and yet the school is not expanding fast enough. And somehow, my eldest son is picking up the Singapore slang like… wait lah.. how come like that.. why like that.. mama hor.. it’s funny and even more so as he was trying to say the word so that he can feel as part of the group coz as he said those phases, it does not sound natural…. The teachers in Piaget are a mixture – for mandarin class you get teachers from China so they are getting the proper mandarin and for English, so far we have the Philipino teachers which I am relatively happy about. As for assistance teachers, they are either the local Medanese or the Local Jakarta.

To consider putting your child at SIS, worst! The school have been promising parents with regards to the new school building for the past 3 years, none ever realized. The latest update is that, the school will move to Royal Sumatera next month!! I was there to check out, my thought is that, even with July 2009, its hard to even considered done.

Then you have the American System at Highscope Medan. Both of my boys are there for the early childhood program which in my opinion is the BEST in town. But as they need to enter the Kindergarten and the elementary level, I feel that all round facilities are inadequate. Teachers are local but are sent for training at Jakarta. The school has the home like feeling and very child friendly.

Another well known private school is Prime One at Jl. Katamso. I have yet to check that out. Nevertheless, the feedbacks for the school have been good so far. For now, I can only sit tight and hope that my husband will finally realize my dream of moving the boys out of Medan.

Popularity: 41% [?]

I guess its been about 6-7 months that my eldest son Jadon has enrolled in the school for K1 class…  I was quite reluctant to move him from Highscope but my husband insisted it for several reasons…   when he first entered Piaget, he was already 4.5 yrs of age and still could not read a single word except A-Z (most of the time he even got it wrong too!).  He could not write much except for his own name.  His coloring skill was terrible, his Mandarin is clueless, his numbers counting got to be the worst of all (number 20 was his max).. I was worried sick coz I thought he will have difficulty learning…

 
But now, guess what…  he excels in all areas without me having to coach him at all… he is reading sentences and short stories, he is doing additions and reading numbers in thousands.  He now colour pictures within the line and in logical colour and he is showing some understanding in Mandarin….. that’s a big PHEW for me….  (fyi, he attend NO extra classes outside of school except for Mandarin class which started 2`weeks ago)  He spent all his afternoon playing his car toys and watching PlayHouseDisney.

 
For all that, I have to give a big credit to his 3 wonderful teachers whom surprisingly also informed me that he is one of their best students in the class…. It was a really big surprised for me …

 
Nevertheless, I am not saying that all things are good for this school…( but then again, not everyone is perfect as we know..)  for example, the snack served is horrible and the CCA that he has enrolled seem to be cancelled all the times… well.. what can I say, just go with the flow… since we are in Medan

Popularity: 25% [?]

If you are looking for some extra activities for your kids, try Lego Education at ‘Robotics’ located at Jl. Thamrin.  I was there to see my son participating for a day and happy to know that it’s a nice educational activities for him.  It’s a two hours session where basic mathematics are taught, team work playing and games that involve creativity and lots of imaginations. 

 
The entry age is at about 4.5 years old and the owner whom believe in high standard level are both involve in the teaching themselves.  The materials used are genuinely imported from Lego Denmark.  The school has an on going R&D and travel around Asia to compete in the robotics competition and proud to know that they did win lots of prizes too!
However please note that Lego education is different from the Lego retail i.e the Lego toys from Sogo or the department store.  Lego education provides more details and the Lego pieces allowed you to build and assemble parts with more specification.   As for the cost of the classes, once a week session  is at Rp 350.000. Not bad isn’t it?

Popularity: 12% [?]

My eldest son has finally started his Kindergarten year.  After deep consideration, we decided to enrol him at the Piaget Academy.  On our first day of school, I was in a total shock, not with the school but with all the MOTHER…  I thought I have walked into a fashion academy or something… These mum seem to have it all… so totally dressed and well accessorised with all sort of designer handbag to show it off…(time is 7.30am!)  I was walking in in my sporting shoes and casual outfit and hell I was really given funny and weird look from these parents (they stare and look at me from head to toe).  Mind you I do not believe that I am that awful looking.  I never have this experience when I am at Highscope where the majority expat kids attend.

By second day, I was asking myself if I really want my son to be brought up in this kind of society.  But again, am I alone in having this funny encounter and thinking too much or is it that this is the real Medan culture.  With 7 years of experienced, I am still yet to adapt.

Popularity: 11% [?]

There are several children schools that I can recommend for expats in Medan which I feel offers a better education environment. Here is the list of schools:

1. Hi – Scope – suitable for pre-schoolers based on American style
2. Kinderland – suitable for pre-schoolers too based on Singapore teachings
3. Tumble Tots – for play and activities
4. Singapore Piaget Academy (Piaget)- for kindergarden up based on Singapore curriculum
5. Singapore Indonesian School (SIS) – based on Singapore curriculum
6. Medan International School (MIS) – not to forget this international school mainly for expats. large school and good environment.

If any of you have any comments about these schools, please share with us in the comment entries so that we can be aware of any news about the schools and give the best to our children.

Popularity: 9% [?]