Jump to content

Menu
Giving You and Your Child a Road Map to the Best Possible Education
The Well-Trained Mind Community

leecarlton

Members
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Posts

    11

  • Joined

  • Last visited

 Content Type 

Posts posted by leecarlton

    THINK Global School

    in General Education Discussion Board

    Posted

    This sounds like an amazing school, and I get excited thinking about it, even though it wouldn't work for us (our youngest two are now a junior and senior in high school). However, I have to remind myself that half of the reason we have homeschooled is so we can be together as a family more, and so that we as their parents can have the greatest input in their lives -- not strangers. So, in the end, I don't think we personally would choose this approach.

     

    However, we strongly agree with the global approach, and have tried to have that be a focus in our children's education and life experiences. I would say that we have raised them in a global environment, thinking of the world as their home (not just their town or even their state or country). We have been fortunate to have the opportunities to do so.

     

    All that said, I still think it's fantastic that this school exists, and I hope it's a sign of things to come! I do think this broad, global approach on education is cutting edge and very exciting.

     

    Thanks for the very kind words! It sounds like you have done a fantastic job parenting wise, and I hope the best for your children in their college experiences.

     

    Thanks as well Amy and Nan!

    THINK Global School

    in General Education Discussion Board

    Posted

    This seems like a 'traveling boarding school', and that's not for my family, no matter the benefits of the global experience.

     

    But if the question is whether this sort of global experience would create a very special breed of graduating student, I would have to say yes. The IB is a fantastic programme, but I believe it's the international context that makes it more than simply a superior academic programme. I found the Diploma students at dd's international IB school to be very mature and confident, and I put that down in large part to the fact that most of the children had done an extensive amount of international travel, and were exposed to, and comfortable with people from so many national backgrounds. What the THINK Global School seems to do would take that to a whole new level.

     

    (I might be incorrect about my 'boarding school' assumption - the FAQs don't seem to be iPad compatible!)

     

    Hi ND,

     

    You are correct about the boarding assumption. It's definitely not for everyone, and we understand that :) A lot of parents can't fathom sending their children around the globe. It's a matter of opportunity cost, and we feel that our rewards are truly fantastic for both parent and child.

    THINK Global School

    in General Education Discussion Board

    Posted

    Hi Lee!

     

    My daughter just got back from Mexico last week! She's very strong in languages. She wants to do this!

     

    Though she is the chronological age of a Freshman, she's a sophomore now and a straight A student. I see the site says Junior and Senior Years are closed already for 2012-13. My question is: Is there any chance of getting in as a Senior in 2013-14, or do those spots pretty much go to those who have been in as underclassmen?

     

    Hi Tranquil,

     

    I would definitely recommend that your daughter submit an application. As with all schools, there will be mild turnover between now and then. Spots will most likely open up. Our acceptance rate is going to be low due to the high number of applications and small amount of spots, but if your daughter is an ideal candidate, she will receive due attention.

    THINK Global School

    in General Education Discussion Board

    Posted

    This school sounds amazing. As far as home schooling applicants go, many of us do use a variety of tools and sources, which could provide a standard to measure a prospective student's abilities.

     

    Examples include standardized tests, writing samples, and organizational memberships. Our son takes French on the side, and is also being taught German by my husband. Such knowledge is easily testable. The school he takes French from would likely be able to provide references. Same for his hockey coaches, or his Tae Kwon Do teacher.

     

    One of the reasons we enjoy home schooling is the opportunity to take him different places. The only problem with the global school is he would probably have to give up ice hockey. :tongue_smilie:

     

    I may have missed this on your site, but is it an all-or-nothing program? That is, one must attend for all four years? Or do you have students who choose to attend for one or two years, for example?

     

    Hi,

     

    Obviously we would love for all of our students to attend all four years, but it is not required. I do think it is safe to say that our higher grades are very difficult to get into, as the large majority of our students do continue on through all four years. To clarify on that, I would say that if you were planning to attend TGS for one or two years, it would be very hard to do so at the upper levels.

    THINK Global School

    in General Education Discussion Board

    Posted

    I was reading over the admissions page and am curious about the request for references from several teachers. How would that be handled with home educated students? We aren't currently outsourcing anything so I am her sole teacher.

     

    Hi TJ,

     

    Thanks for bringing this to our attention, as it is something that is not addressed on the website. With home educated children that requirement would have to be modified. My guess would be that more emphasis might be placed on ensuring that the student could make the transition from learning at home to studying abroad, while also making sure that they can keep up with our curriculum.

     

    I'll bring this up though, and hopefully we can get it addressed on the website in due time. Thanks!

    THINK Global School

    in General Education Discussion Board

    Posted

    I went to a United World College http://www.uwc.org/, and while the TGS concept looks interesting, I am not impressed by their diversity - 15 countries for 45 students. Does that translate into 31 US students (plus 14 other countries)?

    While we travelled A LOT during our time at the UWC, the real opening to the world and other cultures came through the unique situation of being in a school with 170 students of almost 80 different countries (never more than four from one country). You could put this crowd onto a desert island and pretty much be done with "international experience":D

    Also, even with supplemental scholarship opportunities, the tuition information on the website is irritating.

    A truly global school needs to be just that - covering the globe, less through travel, more so in outlook. And that means access for a global student body, which can be assured through truly need-blind admission.

    Living in a community with an Iraqi boy sharing his room with a young American (in '90/91), crying with a Sudanese friend, who had been without news from family for years (!), discussing values, faith, religion, doctrines with kids from Mongolia, China, Swaziland, Switzerland, Columbia, Island, Bosnia, Uganda, Egypt, ... that is what made my education "global" (and so much more!!!).

    I am not trying to denigrate TGS. Again, it looks interesting (and I will look into it when time comes for ds to apply for a UWC...;)) I just wanted to share my opinion on not equalling travelling = global...

    Hth!

     

    Hi Shahm,

     

    Your feedback is definitely appreciated. Please keep in mind that UWC is a very established program, whereas THINK Global School is only in its second year of accepting students. There are many factors that we have to consider with each potential applicant, but our end goal is to enroll the most diverse assembly of bright minds possible. . Our students also spend three trimesters living and studying with the children at our host school, so the experience is not solely limited to our students interacting amongst themselves. For our sophomores, they have now had the opportunity to live and study within five different cultures, and are about to travel to Berlin for their sixth. UWC is a fantastic program, and I definitely admire their commitment to diversity.

     

    I apologize if the wording on our tuition and scholarships page sounds vague, but it is because each student receives a different scholarship based on their needs. We encourage all students to apply, regardless of their financial background. If we feel a potential candidate would be a perfect fit for the school, we will work with the family to determine a reasonable tuition.

     

    Our admissions season is currently open for parents interested in the 2012-2013 school year. More information on our scholarships can be found on our website at: http://thinkglobalschool.org/admissions/tuition-and-financial-aid/

    THINK Global School

    in General Education Discussion Board

    Posted

    Hi all,

     

    I noticed that we were receiving traffic from the Well-Trained Mind today, and wanted to say hello. My name is Lee Carlton, and I am an employee for THINK Global School. I'd be happy to answer any questions that you have in regards to the school, and appreciate the enthusiasm towards us that I've seen here :)

     

    Very nice forums here as well. Will be spending a bit of time outside of this thread.

×
×
  • Create New...