The Education Question

Where are the kids going to go to school?

When we first contemplated moving overseas to do mission work, this was one of the big questions that kept me up at night. Everyone seemed to be asking it...our parents, friends, and our donors. Where were we going to send the kids to school? Public schools were too dangerous, private schools too expensive, and homeschooling is illegal where we live. I  spent a lot of time researching and trying to decide what we were going to do. The kids were young at the time, but with our daughter soon approaching Kindergarten age it was a question that needed to be answered.

Fast forward to a few weeks ago, when we sent our children off to 2nd and 5th grades at a bi-lingual international school here in the city where we live. To them, school in two languages with kids from all over the world is totally normal. Eating lunch outside every day and wearing uniforms are standard. In fact an American classroom would probably seem very strange.

It hasn't been easy, and I have had my fair share of headaches dealing with the educational system here including many struggles for one of my children who has special needs regarding education. Thank God we have made it through and as we start our fifth year of school, I can say confidently that our kids are getting a good education.

But how did we get to this point? If you are planning to move overseas anytime soon, you are probably wrestling with this question. What are the pros and cons? Can we afford it? Where will our children feel most comfortable? In this post, I am going to lay out a few options for education with some pros and cons for each. I would love to hear feedback about everyone else's experiences too!

National Public School is an option for many families and a great way to immerse your child into the local language and culture. It may be free in some countries too, which is always a plus! It can be a great way to make connections with neighbors and national families, but it could potentially be dangerous for your child or cause them to have weakened English language skills.

National Private Schools are also an option similar to the one listed above and they may have a stronger academic program and even include English if it is a bi-lingual school. If you want your child to attend a Christian school, this could be a great option for you as well, and the costs may be much more affordable than an international school. A local private school may or may not be accredited in the United States or Europe.

International Schools offer a bi-lingual education and are usually accredited in the United States and Europe. They also have more of an international community so your child may feel like they “blend in” with everyone else who doesn’t blend into your host country. These schools can be quite expensive, and also can have a very mobile student body meaning that your child will be saying hello and good-bye to new friends quite often.

Boarding School is another option that seems to be less common in recent years. These schools require spending a lot of time apart from your child starting at a young age, but if there are no other local educational options this type of education could give your child the academic tools they need to go on to a university. A boarding school also may be designed specifically with the needs of missionary kids in mind, and offer a family atmosphere for them.

Homeschooling is another option that works well for many missionary families, and gives them great flexibility for working around ministry events and home assignments. It also offers the child the bonus of spending a lot of time with parents throughout the school day. This option may be difficult for families who live in a country where homeschooling is illegal. Another potential setback could be the homeschooling parent(s) and children do not have as much exposure to learning a new language.

One thing that I have learned is to not be afraid to advocate for my child, and to approach school administration in kindness to see what I can do to help offer more resources at the school. It also doesn't hurt to ask local schools if they offer any kind of discount. We learned that an international school in our city gave a discounts to families that worked as missionaries or with non-profit organizations. This information allowed us to pursue this school for our children. In addition, I joined the Parent Committee and do as much as I can to be present at my children's school throughout the day so that I can have a hands-on understanding of what they are learning and any struggles they may be going through. 

We have all had different experiences as moms trying to balance ministry, and giving our children a solid education...whatever that looks like. Sometimes it can seem impossible, but I just want to encourage you that God cares even about where our kids go to school. This year, as I sent my children off to a new year, God spoke quietly to me reminding me that when He called us here, He knew just what our children would need to learn and grow. 

I want to hear from everyone else! What educational options do you have in your current situation? If you are considering a move what questions do you have for those of us who have school age kids on the mission field? We would love to hear some feedback about your experiences! 

Notebooks in every color covered in plastic is standard for El Salvador...any strange "back to school" requirements where you live???