Every foreign parent in Taiwan should be aware that an alternative to expensive international schools does exist - it is called Calvert.
Calvert is a fully accredited Pre-K through 8th grade program which can be taught in bushibans or by private tutor. (It’s a half-day program) Honeybee Publishing of Kaohsiung distributes the Calvert program here (07-341-3451 ask for Eric or Paul). The reason we started importing this program is because Paul has two kids of his own and he needed to find a way to educate them affordably. [/b]
Would be great if you could direct us to a website so we can check out the curriculum. Is this available in Taipei yet?
The Calvert website is at www.calvertschool.org. Calvert has been packaging their program for export for over 100 years. They also have a very prestigious (and expensive) private day-school located in Baltimore, Maryland. That’s where all the teaching materials and manuals are developed. (Sandra Day O’Connor is an alumnus.) Right now there is a school in Taipei (in BanCiao) using the program called Key West. This school is run by a great guy named Ted Runcie. We are now seeking more good bushibans in Taipei in which to get the program going. We’ve had great success with it at our own schools here in Kaohsiung.
Actually there is a typo in the post above. You should go to http://www.calvertschool.org to get the website.
Actually, I had some info from Calvert sent to me about a year ago. It’s really nothing you couldn’t get from a good public library in the States, but as Taiwan isn’t the states, it’s good to get it all shipped to you! Also, you need the accreditation for your child’s education to be accepted in the States. I looked into it because I wanted to home school if I stayed in Taiwan. Also, it’s pretty basic and if you want anything more, that’s where it gets really pricey.
You don’t need accreditation from the States if your child is going to school here in Taiwan. Home schooling is a different matter though.
All my kids need to go to school in the States after attending Taiwan’s public schools is a TB test administered within the school district, any school records, and proof of us living in the school district.
Don’t need to worry about academics in the States. I have just spent a day observing classes at a public school here in the States and I can assure you that the public schools in the States do not overwhelm children with stuff to learn. :s
I did mean for home schooling. Sorry if I caused confusion. Also, kids are almost always immunized for TB in Taiwan, and if you let them test for TB in the States, you’ll need proof of immunization because the test will register positive for TB.
Just a reminder to everyone that the Calvert Program is available in Taiwan from Honeybee Publishing of Kaohsiung (07-341-3451, www.honeybee.net). Calvert is a fully accredited Pre-K through Grade 8 curriculum, and is the world’s first home-schoool program. We use this program in our American English School bushibans here in Kaohsiung. It works great in a small class setting. Calvert students can still attend Chinese school up to 3rd grade, as it is a half-day program. Calvert is an affordable alternative to expensive international schools, and children do not need a foreign passport to attend. Thank you.