Schooling in Cyprus

[carolegan]

Originally Posted by carantay

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.

Thank You for your reply, I am so relieved to hear you say that about the school it really helps as you cant help but worry that you make the right decisions for your children, I did take the youngest to Peyia elementary with the intention of sending her there but didnt feel very welcomed it would have been nice for her to learn Greek but i think this school will be great for all three of them. looking forward to meeting you and your daughter Carol x

[theresoon]

Originally Posted by saouadi

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...

Will visit Junior, American International and Junior Grammar school this week. American Academy has not called me back yet. Will keep you posted, but if they don't call back this week I'll be in NYC next week and they close after that.

[saouadi]

Originally Posted by theresoon

Will visit Junior, American International and Junior Grammar school this week. American Academy has not called me back yet. Will keep you posted, but if they don't call back this week I'll be in NYC next week and they close after that.

Thank you so much Theresoon..I do appreciate you keeping me posted. We will be leaving for Cyprus in less than 3 weeks..My wife and I are excited but the older boys aren't...They will miss their friends..I am thinking of having them in a summer program in one of the schools to make new friends....

Again thank you for the info....

[Lazer]

Hi,

Can anyone tell me what the class sizes are like in the local primary schools (dimotiko)? We are considering the villages on the edge of Paphos and are hoping there won't be 30 kids to a class like here...

Lazer

[chello]

Originally Posted by 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).

Dear kimonas,

Pls. help us by recommending a Greek state school in Nicosia. We have 3 children ages : 10,14,16 and cannot afford to have them at private schools. We currently live in Larnaca, but shall move to Nicosia during the summer, as both my husband and me have jobs there. If you could recommend a school, we'll go and see it and rent our apartment nearby. I'm sure there are differences between schools. We would like our children to be in a caring environment. Greek language will be difficult anyways !

Thanks for any help

[kimonas]

The age of your children will mean two schools unless your 10 year old can be advanced a year into secondary - unwise however as it would be better if anything to put them back a year in order to give them a chance to get to grips with the language. The better schools are in Acropolis and Engomi areas. There are not many British ex-pats in Nicosian schools, but the schools are getting more multi-cultural as there are a large number of children now from Eastern Europe and further afield as there are many foreign workers in the Capital (as elsewhere).

They will find the language barrier challenging as Greek is widely considered to be among the most difficult languages for native English speakers to acquire. Primary aged children often cope quite well, but older teenagers often find the school experience in Cyprus alienating.
What jobs have you got lined up? Bear in mind that the school hours might not fit in with work, and some juggling might be needed - some private schools offer afternoon 'institute' classes which are relatively cheap, and in fact many Cypriot children attend them at extra cost as well as morning school. Schools run from 7:30 - 1:00 or 1:30. The Institutes run from 2:30-5:30.

If you have a school in mind, let me know and I'll ask my wife to check out the school - the teachers at most schools change year on year, making the character of the schools (and their reputations) in a constant state of flux - so what might be a good school one year, might rapidly lose its shine the next if the particular assortment of teachers don't work well together.

[chello]

Thanks very much for your answer. We are from Eastern Europe. Cyprus is great, but we cannot afford the Private English/American Schools unfortunately.
I would like my children to have a good time and make friends. The school report doesn't matter, as each year we will go home and they will take exams at their old school. This is how we arranged it.
Is there a school with more English lessons ? They have learned English at home, but do not speak Greek at all.
Acropolis and Engomi - we will look. Anything more we should know ? So the little one has to go to a different school. When I searched for International Schools I saw that they are usually at one location from age 3 to 18. Is there a Cypriot local school like that ? I wish they could all be at one location.
We work all day, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 pm, that's why I would like to live near the school, so the children can walk home when school finishes.
Thanks for any information, best regards

[worldtraveler]

Anyone know when the school year runs in Cyprus? When we were in the states, it was Mid-August to late May. WHile in the UK, its been a more year-round system of Sept through July, with occasional breaks.

Any input would be appreciated. Thanks!

[chello]

Generally from September to mid June with the following holidays:

Back to School Monday 1 September 2008
Cyprus Independence Day Wednesday 1 October 2008
The Ochi Day Tuesday 28 October 2008
Christmas Holidays Tuesday 23 December 2008 to
Tuesday 6 January 2009
The Three Holy Hierarchs Friday 30 January 2009
Green Monday Monday 2 March 2009
Greek Independence Day Wednesday 25 March 2009
Greek Cypriot National Day Wednesday 1 April 2009
Greek Orthodox Good Friday Friday 17 April 2009
Greek Orthodox Easter Monday Monday 20 April 2009
Labour Day/May Day Friday 1 May 2009
Holy Spirit Monday Monday 8 June 2009
Pentacost/Kataklysmos Thursday 11 June 2009
Summer Break Friday 19 June 2009

[Sunshine2]

Originally Posted by carantay

I have just put my daughter in this school after
her being in cypriot school for 2 years which she
didn't cope well. This school has been running
for about 2 months and it's capacity is 16 pupils
so as she only new cypriot schooling she gets
the attention which is required for her to catch
up. Unlike some i was not impressed with the
International School but thats just my opinion
over rated and over priced.

Hi...
New to this .... please excuse any mistakes!
We are hoping to relocate in Jan 2010 and am in the process of contacting the private schools to arrange a visit in Oct 09, I have spoken to ISOP, American Academy in Paphos, Pegusus and today St Georges, I would be really interested in finding out more information regarding the one in Emba that your daughter goes to.... what is the name of it and do they have a web site or phone number?
Any help and advise is really appreciated, this is one of the crucial parts when relocating with kids as you will know and want to get it right the first time.
Thanks ...