Being in the know
With striking teachers and a budget less than many of its European neighbours, school reform in Romania is slow, as Anca Pol talks to some experts and offers an overview of Internationals Schools in the capital
In April last year, then Minister of
Education Mircea Miclea told The
Diplomat that Parliament was due to
vote on a new law aimed at linking the
quality of teaching to the amount of
funding a school receives.
Twelve months later, this has not
happened.
But the Government has established
a new Agency for the Quality in
Undergraduate Education (ARACIP) to
create a set of educational quality standards
for primary, secondary and high
schools in Romania.
“We are now establishing the quality
standards,” says Constanta Mihaila,
vice-president of ARACIP, which is
talking to schools and asking for feedback
on what these standards should be.
Pilot evaluations are due to start at the
beginning of the 2006 academic year in
September and then repeated every five
years.
The results of the pilot scheme could
determine much of the financing state
schools receive from the state, with one
part of the budget focused on the number
of pupils a school has and the second
on the quality of its teaching.
For private schools, it is now compulsory
for all fee-paying educational
institutions to gain authorisation from
the Romanian Ministry of Education,
which has until now been optional.
There is a difference between authorisation
and accreditation.
Authorisation is a sign that the school
meets nationally recognised educational
standards such as competent teachers
and quality facilities, while private
schools which follow the Romanian
national curriculum and have had two
generations of graduates need to receive
an accreditation.
But if, for example, a private school in
Bucharest follows National Curriculum
of England and Wales, it needs to seek
accreditation from the UK Ministry of
Education and authorisation from the
Romanian ARACIP. For this, the school
has to pay the ARACIP to visit and
evaluate the school.
At present the ARACIP is establishing
the criteria it will need to determine
whether or not a school meets international
standards. Then this will need
Government approval. Following this
schools which already exist will have
a grace period of one or two years to
demonstrate its legitimacy as an international
school.
Mihaila has not seen a dramatic
growth in the interest of the Romanian
and foreign parents for international
schools. “The schools which already
exist cover the needs of a certain population
layer of Romania, because these
schools address parents from the top
of the social pyramid,” Mihaila says.
“But there is a growth of interest in private
schools which follow a Romanian
curriculum.”
American International School of Bucharest
196, Sos. Pipera Tunari
Voluntari, Ilfov
Phone: (021) 204 43 00
Fax: (021) 204 43 06
www.aisb.ro
Email: office@aisb.ro
admiss@aisb.ro
Head of school: Mr Arnold Bieber
Learning environment: “Prepares
students for the challenges of the
21st century by enabling them to
become problem solvers and collaborators
in a supportive and dynamic
multicultural learning environment.”
Financing: Non profit
Pupils: 600, 17 average per class
Gender: mixed
National make-up: 51 nationalities
Ages: three to 18
Annual fees: between about 6,065
Euro and 16,200 Euro, depending on
the year
Last day of enrolment: all year
Academic dates:
21 August to 16 June
Curriculum: Based on the
International Baccalaureate Primary
Years, Middle Years and Diploma
Programmes, prepares students for
universities worldwide
After school clubs:
Volleyball, basketball, swimming,
football, softball, tennis, fencing,
martial arts, arts & crafts, drama,
music, speech & debate, Model
United Nations, Math Counts,
Knowledge Bowl
Languages: English - primary
language of instruction, Romanian,
French and Spanish available
Religion classes: No
School times: Between 8.30 and
15.30, depending on the year
Other info: The only school in
Romania authorised to offer the
above International Baccalaureate
programmes
Alexandra Kids
66-268 Calea Rahovei, Sector 5
Mail address: 69 St Petre Ispirescu, sector 5
Phone: 0788 461 573, Fax: (021) 420 69 27
Director: Mr Gheorghe Bors
Learning environment: “Offers its pupils a warm
and intimate environment in which the children feel
like in a family.”
Financing: Self financing, tuition fees
Pupils: 24; five per class
Gender: 14 girls, 10 boys
National make-up: Romanian, British, American,
Italian, Lebanese
Ages: seven to 12
Annual fees: Primary: 1,550 Euro; Secondary:
2,390 Euro
Last day of enrolment: Not applicable
Academic dates: Established by the Ministry of
Education and Research
Curriculum: Romanian
Facilities: Labs, canteen (three meals per day),
transportation
After school clubs: English, French, Piano,
Martial Arts
Languages taught: Romanian (teaching language),
English and French available
Times: 8.00 to 18.00 hrs (compulsory between
9.00 and 14.00 hrs)
Other info: Offers the pupils school continuity
up to the 8th grade, authorised by the Ministry of
Education and Research
British School of Bucharest
51B Str Aron Cotrus, Sector 1;
www.britishschool.ro
Phone: (021) 232 5657;
Email: office@britishschool.ro
Head of school: Ms J. Puddy Wells
Learning environment: “Committed to developing
confident, motivated, self-disciplined learners,
who can realise their full potential and make a
responsible contribution to the world.”
Financing: Foundation
Pupils: 230, average 12 per class
Gender make-up: 125 boys and 105 girls
National make-up: 30 nationalities (incl. 27 per
cent Romanian, German, Greek, French, British,
American)
Ages: Two to 14
Annual fees: Creche: 3,675 Euro, Preschool: 6,950
Euro, Year 9 and 10: 11,000 Euro
Last day of enrolment: All year
Academic dates: 31 August to 30 June
Curriculum: National Curriculum England & Wales Facilities: Science lab, library, ICT lab, climbing
wall
After school clubs: karate, football, swimming,
ice skating, go-karting, music, dance, climbing,
fencing, drama
Languages: English, Romanian, Greek and
German
Religion classes: Not applicable
School times: 8.30 to 15.00 hrs
Bucharest Christian Academy
26 Str Vasile Voiculescu, Sector 3
www.bcaromania.org
Phone: (021) 323 5887
(021) 323 5408 Fax: (021) 323 5999
Headmaster: Ms Jennifer Lipp
Learning environment: “Exists to provide a Christcentered,
quality education primarily serving the
missionary and Christian expatriate community in
Bucharest.”
Financing: Non-profit school funded through tuition
fees
Pupils: 75, average eight to ten per class
Gender: 50 per cent male, 50 per cent female
National make-up: 66 per cent American, also
Brazil, Canada, China, Italy, Japan, Nigeria, South
Korea and Romania
Ages: six to 18 years (grades one to 12)
Annual fees: 2005/2006: about 5,985 Euro,
scholarships available for missionary families
Last day of enrolment: Pre-registration for
2006/2007: 31 May. Enrolment all year.
Academic dates: 23 August to 8 June
Curriculum: American curriculum through a
Biblical worldview
Facilities: classrooms, computer lab, library,
multi-purpose room
After school clubs: Cub Scouts, high school girls
and boys Bible studies, Japanese lessons
Languages: English as a Foreign Language,
Romanian, French
Religion classes: The Bible daily
School times: 8:25 to 15:05 hrs
Other info: Will offer a kindergarten in 2006/7 for
students who are five years old by 1 September
Cambridge School of Bucharest
39 Calea Dorobantilor, Sector 1
Phone: (021)210 2131/38 Fax: (021)210 2006
www.cambridgeschool.ro
Email: office@lis.ro
CEO: Mr Nassar Nassar
Learning environment: “Highly qualified teachers
from Oxford Brooks University and Cambridge, a focus
on students’ needs and interests to pursue a future
career at the best universities in Romania and abroad,
extra school activities to enhance students’ knowledge
and culture are a few things that differentiate the
school.”
Financing: Parent contribution and sponsors
Pupils: 530, average 22 per class
Gender make-up: 50/50 boys/girls
National make-up: Includes Romanian, Turkish,
Asian, European, Arabic
Ages: three to 17
Annual fees: Between about 1,676 Euro and 3,353
Euro (for 2005/2006)
Last day of enrolment: 15 August
Academic dates: 5 September to 9 June
Curriculum: International British
Facilities: Transportation
After school clubs: Art, Karate
Languages taught: English, Romanian, Turkish,
French, Arabic, German
Religion classes: No
School times: 9.00 hrs to 14.30 hrs
Lycee Francais ‘Anna de Noailles’
(French High School ‘Anna de Noailles’)
22 Str Cristian Tell, Bucharest
www.lyfrabuc.ro
Email: lfb.adn@lyfrabuc.ro
Phone: (021) 212 5893/94 (021) 312 4139 Fax:
(021) 312 0974
Director: Mr. Claude Mamou
Director of Primary School: Andre Gautier
Financing: Contributions from parents and the
Agency for French Education Abroad (AEFE)
Pupils: 610, between 20 and 30 per class
Gender make-up: 312 girls, 294 boys
National make-up: 50 per cent French, 25 per cent
Romanian, 25 per cent others (Turkish, Belgian,
Canadian, Swiss, Greek, Lebanese, Italian)
Ages: Three to 18
Annual fees: Between 2,767 Euro and 3,688 for
French and Romanians. Between 3,274 Euro and
4,288 for other nationalities
Last day of enrolment: All year
Academic dates: 1 September to 4 July
Curriculum: French
Facilities: physics, biology, technology and
computing labs, reference room/library
After school clubs: (for Primary School only)
Classical and modern dance, basketball, football,
arts, theatre
Languages taught: French, English, Spanish,
German, Latin
Religion classes: No
School times: 8.00 hrs to 18.00 hrs
German College ‘Goethe’
17 Cihoschi St., Sector 2, Bucharest
www.colegiulgerman.ase.ro
Email: colegiulgerman@go.ro
Phone/fax: (021) 211 3425
Director: Ms Ileana Burloiu
Financing: From the Romanian State
Pupils: 1,400, average 27 per class
National make-up: Romanian
Ages: six to 19
Annual fees: No fees
Last day of enrolment: 1 September
Academic dates:
1 September to 15 June
Curriculum: Romanian National Curriculum
Facilities: computer lab, gym, basketball, volleyball
and football field
After school clubs: basketball, volleyball, football
Languages taught: Classes are taught in German;
classes of English, French available
Religion classes: Orthodox, Lutheran and Roman-
Catholic
School times: 06.30 to 20.30 (in shifts)
Fundatia International British School of Bucharest
Address: 21 Str Agricultori,
Sector 2, Bucharest
Website: www.ibsb.ro
Phone: (021) 253 1698
(021) 252 3704
Fax: (021) 253 1697
Email: office@ibsb.ro
Headmaster: Mr Julian M. Hingley
Learning environment: “We are described as a very
dynamic school with an excellent
atmosphere and curriculum. The
senior school is described as having
achieved more in three years than
other comparable schools have
achieved in twelve to fifteen years.”
Financing: School contributions
Pupils: 145, average 12 per class
Genders: 52 per cent girls, 48 per
cent boys
National make-up: 34 nationalities
Ages: Four to 19
Annual fees: Reception to year
eight: 8,500 Euro year nine to year
13: 10,000 Euro
Last day of enrolment: All year
Academic dates: 4 September to
30 June
Curriculum: National Curriculum
of England and Cambridge
Examinations
Facilities: Bus service, hot lunches
After school clubs:
piano, violin, guitar, tennis,
swimming, football, art & craft,
homework, dancing, cookery
Languages: English, Spanish,
Italian, German
Religion classes: Yes
School times: 8:30 to 16:00 hrs
Other info:
Saturday morning exam revision
classes. The only school in
Bucharest which is a full member of
the Council of British Independent
Schools in the European
Communities
International Computer High School of Bucharest
428 Sos Mihai Bravu
Phone: (021) 327 5443, (021) 327 6570
Fax: (021) 320 9560;
www.ichb.ro
Email: info@ichb.ro
Headmaster: Mr Hamdi Akyol
Learning environment: “Our students really like
the atmosphere in our school: created by experienced
and good teachers in collaboration with
parents and students.”
Financing: Non-profit organization (part of Lumina
Educational Institutions)
Pupils: 147, 15 per class average
Gender: 54 girls, 94 boys
National make-up: 145 Romanian, three Turkish
Ages: 14 to 18
Annual fees: 2,000 Euro
Last day of enrolment: 6 July
Academic dates: 11 September to 15 June
Curriculum: Romanian
Facilities: Labs for IT, physics, biology, chemistry,
English, Turkish, Romanian, gym, dining hall (three
meals per day on offer), dormitory (with sleeping
rooms, study room, computer office, TV room,
table tennis and library)
After school clubs: abroad studies, maths,
science, basketball, football, Turkish, Scrabble,
chess, IT maniacs club, judo, drama
Languages taught: English, Turkish, Spanish,
Latin
Religion classes: Yes
School times: 8.00 to 14.30 hrs
Other: Parents can see their children’s grades
catalogue on the website of the school and also
receive their grades by SMS
International School of Bucharest
428 Sos. Mihai Bravu, Sector 3, Bucharest;
www.isb.ro
Email: info@isb.ro
Phone: (021) 327 54 32/33
Fax: 021 327 5058
Principal (ISB Primary): Mr Ismail Asan
Principal (ISB Secondary): Mr Selami Ahmet
Salgur
Financing: School fees
Pupils: 367, average 12 per class
Gender make-up: Mostly male
National make-up: Most are Turkish or
Romanian. Others include: American, Australian,
Bulgarian, Chinese, Croatian, Czech, German,
Greek, Hungarian, Indian, Iranian, Iraqi, Jordan,
Kazakh, Korean, Lebanese, Malaysian, Nigerian,
Pakistani, Polish, Serbian, Belgian, Slovakian,
South African, Spanish, Vietnamese.
Ages: Three to 19
Annual fees: 5,100 to 6,950 Euro
Last day of enrolment: All year
Academic dates: 1-7 September to 7-14 June
Curriculum: National Curriculum of England and
Wales
Facilities: Transport, lunch and medical care
After school clubs include: dance, music, art,
football, cricket, board games, tennis, volleyball, IT
Languages taught: English, Romanian, Turkish,
Spanish, French
Religion classes: Islam, Orthodox and General
religion class
School times: 8.30 to 15.00 hrs
Other info: Fully equipped laboratories, CCTV
Italian School ‘Aldo Moro’
52 Str Vasile Lascar, Bucharest
Phone:
(021) 210 4684
www.scuolaitaliana.go.ro
Email: scuolaaldomoro@yahoo.com
Head of school: Mr Francesco Marini
Financing: Grades one to eight: part by the Italian
State, part through fees. Kindergarten and high
school: through fees
Learning environment: “Little, yet welcoming and
friendly”
National make-up: Most pupils from Italian-
Romanian families, also Italian and Romanian
pupils.
Age range: four to 16
Pupils: 60
Pupils per class: maximum of 10
Annual fees (for 2005-2006): kindergarten (ages
three to five): 2,000 Euro, primary (ave. ages six to
ten): 2,700 Euro, secondary (ages 11 to 13): 3,100
Euro, high (ages 14 to 18): 5,000 Euro
Last day of enrolment: all year
Academic dates: 15 September to 15 June
Curriculum: Italian
Facilities: Gym, computer lab
After school clubs: Classical and modern dance
Languages: Italian, English, Romanian
School times: 8.30 to 14.30 hrs
Mark Twain International School
Preschool & Primary School (Campus 1):
25B Str. Erou Iancu Nicolae, Voluntari,Ilfov;
Middle School & High School
(Campus 2): 89-93 Str. Erou Iancu
Nicolae, Voluntari, Ilfov;
Phone: (021) 267 8912,
(021) 267 8915; Fax: (021) 267 8985;
www.marktwainschool.ro
Email: contact@marktwainschool.ro
General Directors & Founders: Anca Macovei-
Vlasceanu and Dan Macovei-Vlasceanu
Learning environment: “Committed to offering
its students a challenging, yet supportive bilingual
learning environment, tailored to their individual
needs, styles and goals, encouraging them to
become informed life-long learners. Caring and
open-minded promoters of multiculturalism, all
members of the MTIS community embrace their national
values and culture within a vibrant framework
of internationalism”
Financing: Self-financing
Pupils: 350, average 16 per class
Gender: 50/50 girls/boys
National make-up: 75 per cent Romanian, 25 per
cent other (incl. American, South African, Israeli,
French, Chinese, Lebanese, Turkish)
Ages: three to 16 (18 by 2008)
Annual fees: Half day preschool: 4,000 Euro, Full
day kindergarten: 5,380 Euro, Grades one to ten:
5,670 Euro
Last day of enrolment: April 2006
Academic dates: 15 September to 6 July
Curriculum: International (Romanian & IBO
Primary Years Programme)
Facilities: Campus 1: Language rooms, library/
media centre, science lab, computer labs, drama,
art and music rooms, gyms, dining rooms, two dormitories,
counselling office, medical office, parent
conference room, play and garden areas, pool
Campus 2: Library/media centre, chemistry/biology
and physics lab, IT centre, music/drama room, gym,
lockers, medical office, dining room, counselling office,
parent conference room, school yard, garden
After school clubs include: Aikido, ballet, ballroom
dancing, acting/performance, choir, musical
theatre, percussion, chess, computer programming,
painting and mother tongue classes, photography,
architecture and design, world literature, maths,
third language study
Languages taught: English & Romanian (bilingual
program), optional language (French, Spanish, German) and mother-tongue classes
Religion classes: No
School times: Between 8.30 to 15:30
Other info: MTIS is authorised by the Ministry of
Education and Research for its preschool, primary,
middle & high school programmes.
Lauder-Reut Educational Complex
Address: Lauder-Reut Elementary
and Middle School of Arts and
Multimedia and Lauder-Reut College
of Business, Media and Diplomacy;
20-22 Mircea Voda Blvd, Sector3 Bucharest
www.lauder-reut.ro
Phone: (021) 320 1538 / 99
Fax: (021) 320 1575
Email: lauder1@digi.ro
Principal of the entire complex:
Mrs Roza Arsene-Brumfeld
Learning environment: “High
academic standards, strong community
bonds, numerous national
and international partnerships,
close relation of the school with the
students and parents, multinational
and multicultural environment,
educational programs focused on
student entrance to schools in the
UK, US and Israel.”
Financing: Under the umbrella of
the non-profit Ronald S. Lauder
Foundation Romania
Pupils: 260
Genders: 45 per cent girls and 55
per cent boys
National make-up: 70 per cent
Romanian, 30 per cent other
nationalities
Ages: Three to 15
Annual fees: 260 Euro per month:
200 Euro-annual registration
Last day of enrolment: All year
long
Academic dates: 12 September
to 16 June; summer school starting
26 June
Curriculum: Romanian plus curriculum
at the school decision
Facilities: Modern gym hall and
sports equipment, medical and
counseling cabinets, library, dining
room (two meals/day plus two
snacks offered), non-stop guard
and security, school buses for
students transport to and from the
school, kindergarten
After school clubs: maths,
computing, journalism, Romanian,
Hebrew, foreign languages:
French, Spanish, German, arts &
crafts, orchestra, drama & ballet,
karate, chess
Languages: English as a teaching
language; Romanian, Hebrew,
French, Spanish, German
Religion classes: No
School times: 8.00 to 17.00 hrs
Japanese School Bucharest
61 Str Alexandru Constantinescu,
Sector 1
www.jpschool.ro
Phone: (021) 222 1985
Email: jpschool@zappmobile.ro
Headmaster: Mr. Nishida Minoru
Financing: Tuitions and financing from the
Ministry of Education, Japan
Pupils: 20, average three per class
Gender make-up: 12 boys and eight girls
National make-up: 17 Japanese and three
Romanian
Annual fees: 4,080 Euro
Last day of enrolment: 31 March
Academic dates: 28 August to 15 July
Curriculum: Japanese
Facilities: Air dome for sports and events
After school clubs: Track and field, swimming,
ice skating
Languages taught: Subjects taught in
Japanese, English and Romanian
Religion classes: No
School times: From 8.45 to 15.45 hrs
| PARENT POWER |
Jamal Nase from Pakistan
has three children, two
sons aged 19 and 12 and a
daughter of 16, who study
at the Cambridge School of
Bucharest, an international
school of 530 pupils which
follows an international British
curriculum. |