Qingdao Amerasia International School is an IB World School, currently authorized with PYP and DP (MYP authorization visit Spring 2015); they are a candidate for accreditation by Middle States Association; their Children's House is the first program in Asia to be accredited by the American Montessori Society; they are pursuing membership and accreditation with CIS. They participate in ACAMIS events as a provisional member. It's a young school, but a lot has been accomplished in a short time.
The salary is good given the cost of living, and there is an additional housing allowance according to number of dependents. The school itself is convenient (5 minutes or less) to shopping, restaurants, beach, and mountains.
The big question for China is of course air quality. The school recently installed IQAir and Phillips air purifiers in every classroom so that staff and students are less exposed while at school; most staff have purchased Phillips or Blue Air systems for home as well.
Please do send me any other questions! Happy to help.
Search found 2 matches
- Wed Dec 10, 2014 1:22 am
- Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
- Topic: Qingdao Amerasia International School
- Replies: 6
- Views: 15756
- Tue Dec 09, 2014 8:31 pm
- Forum: Forum 2. Ask Recruiting Questions, Share Information. What's on Your Mind?
- Topic: thinking about China? READ THIS...
- Replies: 21
- Views: 53945
Re: thinking about China? READ THIS...
These points do represent a bad case scenario when teaching in China, but while the OP's situation (Canadian curriculum school starting as an international department of a Chinese school) is common in China, it's not an international school per se. Western calendar, scheduled holidays, etc are the norm in schools that have been accredited, independent international schools.
One rule of thumb in identifying whether your offer is coming from an 'international school' or an 'international department' is to ask where the students are from. Most international schools are prohibited by the government from enrolling students who don't have a foreign passport. If the answer is '98% Chinese', you are going to be working for a Chinese company, subject to Chinese calendar, HR norms, etc. International schools, especially those that have been accredited, are accountable to the expectations of their international families and international staff.
Oh also always look at your contract before you sign it, as holidays should be stipulated?!
One rule of thumb in identifying whether your offer is coming from an 'international school' or an 'international department' is to ask where the students are from. Most international schools are prohibited by the government from enrolling students who don't have a foreign passport. If the answer is '98% Chinese', you are going to be working for a Chinese company, subject to Chinese calendar, HR norms, etc. International schools, especially those that have been accredited, are accountable to the expectations of their international families and international staff.
Oh also always look at your contract before you sign it, as holidays should be stipulated?!