The International Schools Review Forum

Hi~

I am wondering what to conclude about schools that do not have a review on ISR. Does a lack of review indicate that in general folks are so happy that no one comes here to publish complaints or issues warnings? Or does no review mean it's so awful that no one dares put up a review?

I am particularly interested in learning more about:

The American School of Puerta Vallarta
The American School of Guadalajara

but there are others I have seen listed other places (like the list at JoyJobs) that do not have a review here, even though they are an established school.

Any thoughts from the community here? Is it weird to contact staff directly through the websites of schools to ask questions?

thanks!

I share the theory that happy people do not usually post reviews, although places like Jakarta and Hanoi certainly have their fair share of happy people. I tried to apply to PV at my last fair, and all but one job had already been filled; there seems to be a fair bit of competition for jobs there.

No review can be a good thing. However if the school has mainly local staff or staff new to international teaching they may not know about ISR!
If you are going to Mexico (an many other countries) I would strongly suggest that you ask what percentage of teachers are host country national hires.
There is a big difference between a school with an international staff and one that is staffed by locals teaching in English. The best schools will have few if any local staff teaching in academic areas. Specialists maybe. Of course there are host country nationals with excellent English, great training etc., BUT the schools loaded with host country staff and host country kids will be very much like working in a local school taught in English. The local culture and language will prevail. You have to know that going in and accept the challenges that go with it.
I would make a phone call to an expat working at the school to ask questions and anecdotes before signing a contract.

[quote="puka2"]No review can be a good thing. However if the school has mainly local staff or staff new to international teaching they may not know about ISR!
If you are going to Mexico (an many other countries) I would strongly suggest that you ask what percentage of teachers are host country national hires.
There is a big difference between a school with an international staff and one that is staffed by locals teaching in English. The best schools will have few if any local staff teaching in academic areas. Specialists maybe. Of course there are host country nationals with excellent English, great training etc., BUT the schools loaded with host country staff and host country kids will be very much like working in a local school taught in English. The local culture and language will prevail. You have to know that going in and accept the challenges that go with it.
I would make a phone call to an expat working at the school to ask questions and anecdotes before signing a contract.[/quote]

And more often than not, the local staff are paid less and your 'role' written or unwritten is to act as a role model for good teaching practice and/or English language (regardless of your subject area)

Both of those create some quite interesting dynamics and challenges.

If a school is fairly big and famous, and yet it hasn't been reviewed, it may be because it has succeeded in introducing something like 'nondisclosure contract'.