Guides

International-school newsShort summaries by country

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41 guides

Glossary

Short explanations of terms you will meet, each with its official source and the date we checked it.

CIS International Accreditation: school evaluation focused on global citizenship
- Focus on global citizenship
- Recognised by ministries and universities
- CIS is accredited by ICAISA
Source: Council of International Schools — Global Recognition of CIS International Accreditation · checked 2026-10-29
ACS WASC: a US regional accreditor serving many Asian schools
- 5,500+ schools
- Self-study validated by a visiting committee
- Annual progress reports
Source: ACS WASC — WASC Overview · checked 2026-10-29
NEASC international accreditation: ACE Learning on a five-year cycle

Questions about your own child's situation? Ask Sam.

41 guides

Glossary

US L-1/L-2 assignments: what about the children's school?

Matching grades: UK Year, US Grade and Korean school year

The IB Diploma at a glance: subjects, TOK, EE, CAS and 45 points

How to give employees' families a school shortlist

Supporting expatriate children's schooling: a before-and-after timeline

International, local and Korean schools: how they differ

Choosing a city: safety, the Korean community and school options, in order

IB, British and American curricula: the basics side by side

Posted abroad by your company: getting the children's schooling ready

Understanding American schools: GPA, AP, SAT and the diploma

UK Skilled Worker and Global Business Mobility Visas: Children and School

Schools in Canada at a glance: provincial systems and enrolling

Dubai schools: how to read KHDA ratings

Schools in Australia at a glance: structure, public-school fees and the ATAR

Boarding schools: welfare standards and guardians

Schools in England at a glance: state, academies, independent and in-year entry

Choosing a school: a checklist before the tour

International Schools in China: Schools for Foreign Children

International Schools in the Philippines at a Glance: Grade Levels, Legal Status, Accreditation and What to Check

International Schools in Thailand at a Glance: Curricula, Accreditation and Dependant Visa Basics

International Schools in Vietnam at a Glance: Rules, Accreditation and the Dependant Visa Page

International Schools in Japan at a Glance: Approval, Accreditation, University Entry and the Public-School Option

International schools in Indonesia: what SPK means

International Schools in Malaysia at a Glance: School Approval and the Student Pass

Assignment Family Visa Basics: Official Guidance for Thailand, Indonesia, Japan, China and the UAE

Australia 482 and New Zealand Work Visas: Families and School Fees

F-1 Students and US Public Schools: The Limits, Grade by Grade

How IB PYP and MYP Classrooms Work

Singapore and Malaysia: Employment Pass, Dependant's Pass and Your Child's School

Canada work permits and families: how children attend school

Canada, Australia and New Zealand: Public Schools and International Student Programmes, and How to Read the Fee and Guardian Rules

French and German Schools and the Bac and Abitur: What to Know Before You Choose

Singapore: International Schools and Local Schools, What to Compare

Unlicensed 'International Schools' in Korea: What to Check

Understanding Montessori, IPC and Other Early-Years and Primary Options

IB or British (IGCSE/A Level): which suits your child?

What exactly is an international school? The types explained

US public schools: districts, attendance zones and state ratings

Korea's foreign schools and unlicensed 'international schools': check recognition first

What school accreditation (CIS, WASC, NEASC, Cognia, BSO) tells you

The British pathway: from EYFS to IGCSE and A Level