Looking for a school with a strong bilingual program and awesome facilities? You’ll love Canadian International School Lakeside – just ask parents Antonio Martinez and Tania Léger...
Finding a school that ticks all the boxes on our checklist can be tough, Canadian International School (CIS) makes it easy peasy. It’s no secret that we love their Outdoor Discovery Centre (oh to be a kid again!) and think that their Chinese-English bilingual program is the bee’s knees. But don’t just take our word for it; you should listen to the people who know it best – the parents of students.
CIS parents Antonio Martinez and Tania Léger and their three daughters Imma, Laia and Daina have been part of the CIS Lakeside community for nearly three years. They share why their girls love going to school, and why they’re huge fans of the CIS’s Chinese-English bilingual program.
How long have your kids been attending the school?
We joined CIS at the beginning of the school year in 2015/2016. Our three daughters, Imma (Grade 6), Laia (Grade 5) and Daina (Grade 2) are currently enrolled in the Chinese-English bilingual program.
What were the most important factors for you in selecting a school?
We thought that a good language program was important. More specifically, a good Chinese-English bilingual program.
How has the school lived up to your expectations?
We are very happy with their dedication to teaching the Chinese language. They are truly committed to being one of the best Chinese-English bilingual programs in Singapore.
What do your children like most about attending this school?
They like the fact that the school has many resources and great facilities including a good library, iPads and an Outdoor Discovery Centre that allows them to explore, learn and play in the great outdoors.
The girls also love their teachers… and even the curriculum! Laia had the opportunity to sing in a musical and dissect a brain this year – something she would have never done in her previous school.
What sort of curriculum does this school offer?
It offers the IB curriculum.
What advice would you give other parents trying to choose a school?
We would tell parents to visit the school, talk to the teachers and other families in the community. Parents should also involve their kids in decision making because they will be the ones attending the school.
What do you value most about the school?
In addition to providing a strong academic curriculum, there are also plenty of opportunities (Open Minds, STEAM, CCAs, playing musical instruments, performing in a school musical, swimming, and sports) for personal development.
What has your experience of the school bus service been like?
It’s been a good experience for them and it’s also very convenient for us.
Are you satisfied with the level of communication you’ve received from the school?
Yes, there are various platforms of communication and plenty of ways to access information about school events and homework. There are also regular student-led conferences and parent-teacher meetings, which are great ways to get more detailed information.
How much homework is expected of your children?
Because our daughters are in a bilingual program, they have Chinese homework in addition to other homework for subjects like English and maths. They are also required to do research for their inquiry-based projects. Overall, we think the amount of homework is appropriate for their grade levels.
This article is sponsored by Canadian International School Lakeside
