Today, I aim to continue the previously interrupted information and share my experiences regarding selecting a school for your child. As the year draws to a close and the new year approaches, it has become a common practice for parents to begin the search for primary schools for their children.

Last year, I was occupied with this task. Specifically, in January 2014, I accompanied my child for observation tests at two private schools in BSD Serpong. This article continues my previous piece about selecting a school for children. My husband and I ultimately enrolled our child at SDI Al Azhar and SD Insan Cendekia Madani.

Sekolah Insan Cendekia Madani (Boarding School Development) is conveniently located closest to my home, approximately 1 KM away. Initially, I was only aware of the boarding concept offered for middle and high school students at this school. However, in 2014, ICM introduced its first class for primary schools, presenting itself as the second alternative on our list of prospective schools. Here are the details of the fees for the 2014/2015 academic year:

• Enrollment fee: Rp 20,000,000. Early repayment before March 2014 requires only 15,000,000. This pricing is highly competitive compared to other private schools in the Serpong area.
• Monthly tuition fees: Rp 1,500,000, inclusive of snack time and lunch. There is no re-registration fee every year.

Class capacity: 4 classes (each with 20 students and 2 teachers). Only 42 students enrolled in the inaugural batch, so the students were divided into 2 classes, each accompanied by 2 teachers and 1 religion teacher.

Learning system: Incorporates a combination of the national curriculum with Cambridge, utilising a dual language approach.

The observation tests conducted at ICM were interactive, with children entering a mirrored classroom, allowing parents to observe. The observation model resembled a classroom simulation, with each child given a dictation-like assignment involving drawing, colouring, creating lines and circles, and writing numbers. Notably, there were no conventional tests involving reading or arithmetic questions, which are typically of concern to parents. The observation period lasted approximately 1.5 hours. Reading and counting is not a prerequisite for children entering elementary school. Instead, I prioritise psychological readiness and independence. Therefore, if the observation test system aligns with my beliefs, I am determined to find a school that shares my educational philosophy, validating parents' educational philosophy.

At ICM, in addition to assessing children, there are interview sessions between the school and parents. These sessions include questions about the reasons for enrolling at an ICM school, parents' objectives and expectations regarding the school, financial capabilities, and the parents' perspective on the educational process. This is crucial for aligning the vision and mission of the school with that of the parents, minimising the disparity between parental expectations and the educational objectives planned by the school. Based on these considerations, we ultimately selected ICM as our "partner" to guide our child through the formative six years, marking the beginning of his faith and character development.

This article was published in Kompasiana

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