PROGRAMS

Q: Why does Reedley International School offer a schedule with less number of class hours compared to other schools?

A: From a recent study done by McCann-Ericsson, big schools all over the world impose highly stressful classroom learning and school activities with a 6 to 7 hour class schedule. With this in mind, RIS has been very successful in reducing child stress by offering less school hours from Mondays to Fridays. Thus, it was noted that RIS students are able to increase academic achievement and at the same time, engage in more sports, music, arts and other non-academic pursuits outside of school.

Q: Do you have a program for SPECIAL CHILDREN?

A: Currently, RIS is not yet fully ready to accommodate special children. Although, we have had a couple of students who were diagnosed with Dyslexia but still managed to survive the Regular Classroom Program. RIS, in its best efforts, coordinates with the students’ respective therapists to monitor their progress. For severe cases of ADD/ADHD, we are not fully equipped in terms of SPED facilities and teachers who are SPED MAJORS. We have some SPED teachers who teach in the Regular Classroom Program to ensure that those undiagnosed for Dyslexia are identified immediately for necessary intervention.

Q: Do you have a program for GIFTED CHILDREN?

A: GIFTED CHILDREN are not isolated from those children with high, average, or low IQ levels in here in RIS. The school offers very intensive programs in Math, Science, English and Social Studies, which provide more than enough challenges and difficult topics that are handled in their daily classes. There is a MATH HONORS program for highly advanced students in the area of Mathematics.

Q: Does RIS offer a SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM?

A: RIS is considered a very good alternative to the local and big schools here in the Philippines. Thus, it would be difficult to open a scholarship program due to its small population of 500 students or less. It will continue to operate as a regular international school catering to above-average income families not needing financial assistance.

Q: What makes RIS an authentic and REAL international school?

A: The stockholders of RIS aim to offer high quality education for ages 6-19 both for male and female students. RIS offers a non-traditional but highly engaging foreign curriculum implementing Singapore's Math and Science and American English and Social Science programs. The modes of learning conducted in the class meet international standards and are evaluated regularly by the CIS (Council of International Schools) of which RIS has become a regular member. Also, RIS accepts different nationalities from English and non-English speaking countries to provide cultural diversity and students' openness to other countries' practices and traditions. International schools all over the world are recognized and known to be promoters of quality education.

Q: Is it true that RIS has grown in population dramatically over the past 7 years?

A: With all modesty and humility, RIS has grown to 500 students to date. Contributing to its phenomenal growth are its quest for new learning methodologies, development of its students on both academic and non-academic areas, the strict implementation of its 4 Core Values, its never ending school improvement program, and commitment to children who want to excel and succeed in life. Most of all, RIS strives to build a learning community that says NO to BULLYING, RUDENESS, and DRUGS and YES to KINDNESS, RESPECT, and STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT.

TEACHERS AND STUDENTS

Q: How competent are your teachers?

A: RIS only hires competent, licensed and well-trained teachers through an intensive screening process. The school abides with the government's requirement (Department of Education) that no teacher may be made permanent unless he/she has proven that his/her three (3) years of stay merit good performance and character.

Q: How come RIS does not have foreign teachers unlike other international schools?

A: The very reasonable school fees of RIS cannot afford the high costs of hiring FOREIGN TEACHERS as of this time. However, RIS has developed excellent opportunities for its faculty by way of attending conferences and workshops in South East Asia to enable them to be at par with the qualifications of foreign teachers. The school religiously sends its teachers every year to equip them with the latest teaching methods and skills for effective classroom instruction. Students in RIS avail of and are exposed to the same methods and standards of learning that is prevalent in other international schools.

Q: How long do foreign students stay in RIS?

A: Most foreign students finish their schooling here in RIS prior going to college or university. A variety of reasons for leaving include migration due to family, financial and other personal reasons. Those students who transfer to other international schools such as in Singapore, Australia, USA, Canada and UK, have been well accepted without any problems encountered. A Transcript of Records from RIS is available for request should any student decide to leave or transfer to another school or country.

LEVELS

Q: Compared to other international schools, why isn’t RIS offering Grade 8 and 12 but only Grades 1-7 and Years 1-4 (Upper School) levels?

A: Since 75% of the RIS student population comprises Filipinos, it follows the similar grade level system in the local private schools that is i.e. grade school levels 1-7 and 1st to 4th year high school. Filipino families do not expect their children to stay more than 11 years of schooling for their primary and secondary education. RIS offers a total of 11 years of schooling, which is equivalent to the first 11 years offered by other international schools. Therefore, any student who wishes to transfer to other schools abroad will be able to do so without any loss or discrediting of any school year spent in RIS. Should there be a need for an extra year as a prerequisite of other schools, arrangements can be made on a case-to-case basis.

Q: Who determines the grade level and sections of the students?

A: The Admissions Committee together with the Headmaster deliberate lengthily on every student's grade level and section. This is not done randomly. Factors include in such decisions are scholastic records, emotional maturity, intellectual capacity, social orientation and other non-academic skills.

Q: Does RIS offer ACCELERATION to the next Grade Level?

A: Students who wish to be accelerated must request permission to take the diagnostic test for the desired grade level. The results of the diagnostic test and other records and documents play an important factor in the decision for acceleration. However, the scholastic marks indicated and the Transcript of Records from the previous school including documents of eligibility does not guarantee that a student may be accelerated in RIS. Reedley ensures that every student must benefit from learning that is most appropriate for his or her age, maturity level, and academic achievement.

ENGLISH as a SECOND LANGUAGE

Q: When are ESL classes required by RIS?

A: ESL stands for English as a Second Language. Most, if not all, international schools offer the ESL program for non-native English speakers. This is a supplementary academic program for learning American English both in written and oral form. It is conducted before or after regular classroom hours by expert ESL teachers and is paid separately from the tuition fees. This program has proven to be of great help to many students who find it difficult to understand what is being taught inside their regular classrooms with English as the medium of instruction and communication. The decision of requiring the ESL program for students is based on the results of a diagnostic test of English skills prior to admission.

Q: How long are ESL classes?

A: Since English is the medium of instruction in Reedley, ESL classes ensure that students who are non-native English speakers become more proficient in reading, listening, writing and speaking. The number of hours of ESL classes is two per day. Parents and guardians of ESL students will receive regular progress reports from the School.

GROUNDS and SECURITY

Q: Why are there no playgrounds and sports grounds in RIS?

A: RIS has patterned its physical set up similarly to those new and young schools based in Singapore. RIS is located in the heart of the city surrounded by private residential subdivisions, business districts and other commercial places where parents and guardians prefer that their children's school be within the vicinity of their residence or work. RIS has memberships in nearby country clubs and sports venues where students can avail of excellent facilities and grounds.

Q: How safe and secure are the students in Reedley?

A: The School Board, The Headmaster, the Management and Administration provide more than ample security to the students during school hours and during out of school activities. Security guards are posted in different locations to monitor and look out for any threat to the school's safety and security. School Nurses accompany the subject teachers and advisers during P.E. classes and field trips. Regular documentation of all school incidents are received and evaluated by the school’s security agency and the School Board.

Q: What services does RIS offer for students who enroll after the first two weeks of school?

A: A Late Student's Program (LSP) is well in place for late students who enroll two weeks after the first day of school. Subject teachers are assigned specifically and individually for the students to partake of any missed hours and topics for every quarter. Late students will take their LSP classes before or after their regular classes. A progress report is forwarded to the parent or guardian for proper dissemination of the student's progress. Students who enroll after the first day of school but within the first two weeks may not avail of the LSP service.

Q: How would parents/guardians make appeals and requests to RIS?

A: Appeals and requests must be in written form and must be addressed to the proper offices. However, the school may not grant all requests. All students and their families must strictly abide by the rules and regulations of RIS.

FEES

Q: Why are Foreign Students required to pay in FULL?

A: This is industry practice being observed by most, if not all international schools locally and abroad.

Q: Are family discounts extended by the School?

A: Yes. For families with two or more children enrolled in RIS, discounts are extended to the 2nd and 3rd child depending on the payment plan. Special consideration for sectioning may be extended if there are slots available.