High school options as an expat--will it screw up my DC's college chances?

[Anonymous]

Our DS is currently in a great private, finishing up middle school and a path to high school. But we also have an opportunity to go work in Europe, London or Germany, are most likely.

We wouldn't consider a transfer to another American city because he's doing so well in school and really thriving. But it's always been a dream to live overseas, he loves the idea of living overseas, my cousins grew switching between privates in the US and international schools overseas (but did their HS in the US) and were very happy (30 years ago)... I would have preferred to do this when he was in elementary school, but I'm curious if anyone has experience with educating their kids abroad...

I know they have great school systems there and I know kids who, for lower grades, did attend some very good British schools, but I also know they have a different system and if we're not aiming to send him to university over there (which I dunno, maybe we could), is he going to get a good education at an international school and/or have an easy transition back to college in the US?

Basically, any one have experiences with this?

[Anonymous]

There are fine international schools in London, Germany, and the rest of Europe. This concern should not stop you from living abroad. Go for it.

College admissions wise, I would think it might help because he can stand out from the crowd a bit.

[Anonymous]

I would go to London and do the American School. It's a nice mix of good academics without being overly strenuous.

[Anonymous]

Almost every country with a significant number of Americans living abroad (or even local students that plan on coming here to study) will have private schools that are geared toward those who want to prepare for college in the US and those schools will have counselors that work with US universities and know our application processes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Almost every country with a significant number of Americans living abroad (or even local students that plan on coming here to study) will have private schools that are geared toward those who want to prepare for college in the US and those schools will have counselors that work with US universities and know our application processes.

I'm aware of the concept. Thanks.

I'm asking for people's experiences.

[Anonymous]

My DH works for a large German company and they regularly have people move to Germany to work for the headquarters for a few years and they have always had good experiences with international schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Almost every country with a significant number of Americans living abroad (or even local students that plan on coming here to study) will have private schools that are geared toward those who want to prepare for college in the US and those schools will have counselors that work with US universities and know our application processes.

I'm aware of the concept. Thanks.

I'm asking for people's experiences.

Please don't be rude to posters who are trying to be helpful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Almost every country with a significant number of Americans living abroad (or even local students that plan on coming here to study) will have private schools that are geared toward those who want to prepare for college in the US and those schools will have counselors that work with US universities and know our application processes.

I'm aware of the concept. Thanks.

I'm asking for people's experiences.

Please don't be rude to posters who are trying to be helpful.

They weren't. Also they said 'thanks'.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DH works for a large German company and they regularly have people move to Germany to work for the headquarters for a few years and they have always had good experiences with international schools.

Even at high school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Almost every country with a significant number of Americans living abroad (or even local students that plan on coming here to study) will have private schools that are geared toward those who want to prepare for college in the US and those schools will have counselors that work with US universities and know our application processes.

I'm aware of the concept. Thanks.

I'm asking for people's experiences.

Your initial post and the questions in it suggested that you are not fully aware, otherwise you would not have asked the questions you asked.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Almost every country with a significant number of Americans living abroad (or even local students that plan on coming here to study) will have private schools that are geared toward those who want to prepare for college in the US and those schools will have counselors that work with US universities and know our application processes.

I'm aware of the concept. Thanks.

I'm asking for people's experiences.

Your initial post and the questions in it suggested that you are not fully aware, otherwise you would not have asked the questions you asked.

The OP literally describes familiarity with people who attended international schools and specifically asks people for their experience with international schools. So... feels like they were aware, but, as they said, they want to hear experiences. Jog on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
I'm curious if anyone has experience with educating their kids abroad...

Basically, any one have experiences with this?

Yes. People have done this for decades. It can work well.

If targeting DC at a US university, try to find an American School - and verify that they are setup to support sitting SAT/ACT exams and/or sitting AP exams. Those need not be at the school campus, but the school should be able to inform parents when/how to register for those exam sitting options in that country.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
I'm curious if anyone has experience with educating their kids abroad...

Basically, any one have experiences with this?

Yes. People have done this for decades. It can work well.

If targeting DC at a US university, try to find an American School - and verify that they are setup to support sitting SAT/ACT exams and/or sitting AP exams. Those need not be at the school campus, but the school should be able to inform parents when/how to register for those exam sitting options in that country.

would attending a private school make it more difficult to get into a US college? is it very binary, or, as long as we can get them into SAT/ACT exams, is it likely to not make a difference?

[Anonymous]

It probably won’t help his chances but if you play your cards right and go to an American school with an AP/IB program it won’t hurt and he’ll stay on track. I don’t agree with the poster that it helps students stand out, colleges want students who stand out in their community by leading clubs, volunteering for long term impactful projects, etc. Your son can still do this as a expat kid, it just takes more work.

I’m not discouraging you from going to be clear. There are so many benefits to your family, both financial and social. I think you should do it.

- former expat kid

[Anonymous]

It’s not a good question. Any response will be purely anecdotal.