The Road that Leads to AIS (Asian Integrated School)

I still can't believe the little girl is now 3 and ready to go to school. Well, if I would really be honest, I don't feel that she is. But she turned 3 last June 12 so technically, by Philippine schools' standards, she is of school age. She'll be attending Nursery at the Asian Integrated School in Messilah Area, Doha. It is the new Philippine School for pre-school to elementary which had just opened this year. I was really so glad and excited for my girls to join this school. Well, not really high expectations but I am hopeful that this would be the right one for my girls. It had been a very long decision process for us before I finally registered to this school. Yes, both the Expat Daddy and even my mom are involved in the deliberation, but in the end, when it comes to the girls' education, it is really my decision. The Expat Daddy wouldn't even dare decide on this matter! Hahaha!

Ok, just to give you a brief background on how our deliberation goes, and maybe for those Pinay moms in Qatar out there, it may help you also in your decision-making. The biggest factor of course for us is that all three girls should go to the same school for convenience (ironically, when the 2 girls were still in the Philippines, I do not intend to put them in the same school --- i mean, there is just so many good schools in the Philippines, I want to try them all!). And then since our Big Ate (Eldest Daughter) is already in elementary (Grade 3) and the other 2 are just in preschool, then the second factor would be where our Big Ate will benefit the most, as it would set a precedent for the younger two. Grade 3, I believe is very critical since it is the last stage of primary level and an introduction to the intermediate level. 
In the beginning, I have initially chosen the Middle East International School. It is an international school with American Curriculum. But then the drawback with MIS is that being an international school, the school year is from September to June. Which means that we'd still have to wait until September before they would start schooling, and what if (knock on wood) there had been a change in our work situation, so then it would be a conflict to transfer them back to the Philippines where the school year is from June - March. Also as we all know American and other International Curricula is a 12 year standard, so finishing high school would be at age 18 instead of 16 in the Philippine schools. Well, yes, the Philippine government is thinking of converting to the 12-year standard, but I'll deal with that when the time comes... 
So it's a toss between Philippine International School and Philippine School Doha. At the time of our planning we know only of these 2 schools. I think the quality of these two schools are just about the same. I mean when it comes to quality of education I don't really think there is much difference between the two. Maybe there are areas where the PIS excels but in other areas it would be PSD which would be better. Give or take a few + and - points, i think the two schools are just about the same. So now I think it would be down to convenience. I tried going to both schools and, from our house, PSD would be closer with the new D Ring Road Highway. Also the one thing I did not like about PIS is that it is located near the Industrial Area which is  a very busy place with trucks, buses and other heavy equipment traveling the same route to the school specially in the morning. And going to PIS, you would have to make a u-turn on that big round about at the entry point of Industrial area. Not safe at all! It would be ok maybe if I would be the one transporting my children, but I could not entrust the safety of my kids to a school bus or private transportation in that area! Also, I'm sure if the girls will take a school bus, it would take about maybe 30-45 minutes travel time, with all the other children being picked up from around town. I may be exaggerating, but no way would I be complacent with my children's safety! 
So in the end, we (or I for that matter) decided to go with PSD, for the simple reason that I would be able to drive for them going to and coming from school. But if luck would have it, when my mom and I went to PSD to enroll the girls, they do not have a slot available for our Big Ate! They said they could accommodate only the preschoolers and I would have to wait until one backs out in the Grade 3 class. What a heartbreak! I can't enroll the other two and leave out our Big Ate. As I've said earlier, main consideration is that they would be attending the same school. So ok, PIS it is! But I really can't bear to enroll them to PIS whenever I thought of that round about! I waited a few weeks, waited until I finally convinced myself that it's ok and that it's safe... when suddenly I remembered reading in the newspaper a couple of months back about the 3rd Filipino School opening this school year. At that time, I did not give it much thought because it was said that it is a Muslim School. We are a very Catholic Family so putting my children to a Muslim School is out of the question. But then after that setback with PSD, I gave it much thought and decided to get more information about the school. Fortunately, I learned that the school was set up by Filipino Muslim organizations in Qatar but it is not an exclusive Muslim school, but it does offer Koran classes to Muslim Children. And the main points which made me decide finally are the Arabic Language class, Qatar History and Culture, and Singaporean Math and Science curricula. Wow! that is something! If they could actually deliver what they promised, then I think it would really be better than the other 2 schools which do not offer those classes. And I don't know, I just seem to have a good vibe about the school. The moment I got their contact number, I immediately asked for the location and came personally to check out the school grounds and talk to the principal. It is ok, not really impressive but definitely a good start. Hopefully in the coming years they will continue to improve. The school is located very near PSD, on the main road just before that corner where you turn right to PSD. 
So there, all of my requirements have been met by this 3rd Filipino school. I really hope they deliver! I really just hate it when people promise something and don't deliver! 

Asian Integrated School 
P.O. Box 19900
Doha, Qatar
Tel. +974 44129235

Philippine School Doha
Saad Bin Surara
Old Muror, Al Messilah Area
P.O. Box 19664
Doha, Qatar
Tel. +974 44181587/ 44181596

Philippine International School
Ain Khalid
P.O. Box 9875
Doha, Qatar