Schooling in Cyprus

[theresoon]

Hi! I started looking at elementary schools in Nicosia and wanted the experts- Kimonas - or anyone else who might know opinion. I want a school that is not very strick, helps kids learn rather than force things down their throat, has a lot of activities like music and sports.

I went to see a private Greek school today with a friend who thought it would be perfect for her kids and was not only disappointed but depressed too. I have never seen such a ghetto school before and I moved here from Brooklyn. It was more like a prison rather than a school. No computer on sight, no yard, no trees and worst of all the kids bathrooms (1 & 2 grade) stunk really horrible eventhough the school was closed for some religous holiday.

Thanks
Dina

[kimonas]

I'm not too familiar with the elementary system in Nicosia. I would ask why you are seeking a private Greek elementary, as the state schools are considered to be good and well equipped? If you are opting for private English medium the choice is narrow, one school has recently been closed temporarily whilst it seeks better premises, and the other has a very long waiting list but has an excellent reputation. If you are happy with a Greek based curriculum, the state system should be able to offer a place (with the added benefit of it being free).

[theresoon]

Hi Kimona,

I wasn't looking for a Greek private but my friend was and I figured I had nothing to lose in seeing it. I am looking for an English elementary. Which is the one with the excellent reputation? My oldest has just turned three so I can be on a waiting list. I don't want them at the state system as my personal experiences were not the best. Was it Highgate that closed; Another friend had gone there for a tour and was told that the school will be closing down. When I went they told me they will be moving but didn't know where to.

[saouadi]

Originally Posted by theresoon

Hi! I started looking at elementary schools in Nicosia and wanted the experts- Kimonas - or anyone else who might know opinion. I want a school that is not very strick, helps kids learn rather than force things down their throat, has a lot of activities like music and sports.

I went to see a private Greek school today with a friend who thought it would be perfect for her kids and was not only disappointed but depressed too. I have never seen such a ghetto school before and I moved here from Brooklyn. It was more like a prison rather than a school. No computer on sight, no yard, no trees and worst of all the kids bathrooms (1 & 2 grade) stunk really horrible eventhough the school was closed for some religous holiday.

Thanks
Dina

Hello:

We are moving to Nicosia in a month. I am looking for a school for my kids.
My oldest kids are 8 (3rd grade) and 5 (Kindergarten). I also have twins that are going to turn 3 in September. We will be in Cyprus for 7 months and we would like to hear from you regarding schools that would be recommended and schools to stay away from. The ones we are currently interested in are (from looking at the web, knowing that we might not be lucky enough to have choices this late in the game)....

The American Academy Nicosia (waiting list according to an email I received from them)
The American International School
The Falcon school
The Junior School (waiting list according to their web site)
The English school

We are not sure whether the twins will be in school or not....

Any suggestions from anyone in this forum would be greatly appreciated.....

[kimonas]

Yes it is Highgate that is currently being relocated and is temporarily closed. I'd heard that they intended to move into the premises previously occupied by the Rainbow school (which are very cramped). The Junior School has the best reputation but fees and waiting lists to match. There is a hefty non-returnable application fee - friends of ours told me that you have to apply when you're thinking of maybe starting a family (ie before the child is born) but I'm sure they were exaggerating for effect.

The choice of private english medium pre-primary schools is better in the Larnaca district where there are larger populations of expats. The Med-Preprimary has moved into new premises last year - it houses a Kintergarten, pre-primary and the first 2 grades of the Junior School. It has soft-playroom, junior computer suite, interactive whiteboard, outside play ground and the curriculum includes music, drama - they don't have spacious outside grounds, but are very close to the sea for supervised sand castle mornings etc. and there are many additional activities organised by the staff (there is an outside play ground full of activity toys climbing frames etc and a rubberised surface). If you're not tied to Nicosia, they may well be worth a look.

Good Luck!

[theresoon]

Hi Kimonas, I would love to move to Larnaca - that's where my husband found a job, but all my leads so far are for Nicosia or Limassol and also the build-in-babysitter is only available in Nicosia for us.

As for Highgate; have they already closed? before the year is over? Where do the students go till the school is out? As for moving to the Rainbow prison oops! I meant school that doesn't make much sense. Where is Rainbow going to go? How are they going to cramp all those students that go to Highgate into Rainbow. The Rainbow lady that showed us around didn't mention anything about moving while the Highgate lady did.

About Junior school's waiting list I am not sure how real it is as I met two sets of parents who applied last minute and were both admitted as another kid had relocated as his parents were in the UN.

Saouadi, the English school is a secondary school. If you are going back to the US, I heard that the American International is the only one that follows the US system. I was told it's also the most expensive.

[theresoon]

Yes it is Highgate that is currently being relocated and is temporarily closed. I'd heard that they intended to move into the premises previously occupied by the Rainbow school (which are very cramped). The Junior School has the best reputation but fees and waiting lists to match. There is a hefty non-returnable application fee - friends of ours told me that you have to apply when you're thinking of maybe starting a family (ie before the child is born) but I'm sure they were exaggerating for effect.

Kimonas, you are so right! Highgate's website says they are moving into Rainbow and for high school into Philips college. Junior school told me they don't have anything open for 2010 and they are already accepting applications for 2013.

Saouadi, will keep you posted of my findings.

[saouadi]

Originally Posted by theresoon

Yes it is Highgate that is currently being relocated and is temporarily closed. I'd heard that they intended to move into the premises previously occupied by the Rainbow school (which are very cramped). The Junior School has the best reputation but fees and waiting lists to match. There is a hefty non-returnable application fee - friends of ours told me that you have to apply when you're thinking of maybe starting a family (ie before the child is born) but I'm sure they were exaggerating for effect.

Kimonas, you are so right! Highgate's website says they are moving into Rainbow and for high school into Philips college. Junior school told me they don't have anything open for 2010 and they are already accepting applications for 2013.

Saouadi, will keep you posted of my findings.

Thank you so much Theresoon..We will be arriving in Cyprus the end of the month and I am getting a little nervous about finding a school for the kids...My three choices would be:

American International
American Academy
Junior School

I understand that the American International School is the only one that follows a typical US curriculum..However, given the age of my kids, I do not think it matters that much...I want them to have a good experience..that's all...Any info about the American Academy Nicosia???

Cheers...

[carolegan]

Originally Posted by carantay

Hi i have answered your post requesting this HI

Hi is the school you are talking about the EPEC in Emba ? if so my children are starting there in Sept they are 6 12 and 13 and i would love to hear how other children are getting on there my kids are really looking forward to it and the teachers seem really really nice

[carantay]

Originally Posted by carolegan

Hi is the school you are talking about the EPEC in Emba ? if so my children are starting there in Sept they are 6 12 and 13 and i would love to hear how other children are getting on there my kids are really looking forward to it and the teachers seem really really nice

Hi Yes thats the one my daughter has only been there a few months and
has come on leaps and bounds unfortunately she didn't get on with the
local school which is all she has known. the teachers as you said are
really nice and are dedicated to their pupils as it's a small school they get
one to one attention when needed all the children seem very happy there
so thats a good sign in itself. Hope to meet you and your children in
september.