Nassau, The Bahamas Report of what it's like to live there - 05/21/23
Personal Experiences from Nassau, The Bahamas
School Name:
Windor Albany
Background Information:
1. Are you the parent of a child(ren) attending this school? A teacher at the school? Or both?
A parent.
2. What grade or grades do/did your children attend at the school? During what year(s) did they attend the school?
9-10 so far
2022-2023
3. What years did you live here?
2022-2023
4. What was your reason for living in the city where the school is located (e.g., government, military, corporate, NGO, retired)?
Windsor offers a US-based curriculum with AP courses. It is located in Albany and beautiful. More importantly the kids are nice and teachers great. The school offers so many opportunities both academically and socially. Many clubs and sports are available.
Great mix of students. Local. Expats etc. Very inclusive.
5. Are other schools available to expatriates in this city? Why did you choose this particular school?
Yes.
The other popular choice in Nassau is Lyford Cay which is an IB school. We pulled our kids out of this school because they experienced bullying. We were not impressed with academics there either. We did not find that school to be a good environment.
Admissions & Welcome:
1. Are the admissions and placement procedures clearly stated to prospective families, either on the school website or through other means of communication?
Yes. Fantastic.
2. How would you rate the school's support and welcome/integration of new students and their families, and why?
Fantastic. Everyone has gone above and beyond.
Administration & School Procedures:
1. How is the overall communication between teachers and parents, and the administration and parents? How is communication facilitated?
Communication is good.
2. Aside from school fees, are there required expenses such as uniforms, laptops/tablets, musical instruments, or field trips that parents are expected to cover? What are the approximate costs?
Uniforms must be purchased and there are other trips that students can go that do cost money.
Academics & Resources:
1. What personal or academic counseling resources are available at this school? Is there a dedicated college counselor at the school? Is he/she familiar with universities worldwide?
Yes; college counselor is fantastic.
2. Is there before and/or after-school daycare available? What are the costs?
None that I’m aware of
3. Does the school have a library? How large is it? How updated are the books? Can students borrow books to read at home?
Yes
4. What are the technology requirements for students? Do they need their own laptops/ipads? How is technology integrated into the classroom and homework?
Need their own laptops
5. How are information technology resources at the school. Are they up-to-date? Is there a computer lab?
Yes
6. Describe the physical education resources at the school. Is there a gym? A swimming pool? Are there playing fields or tennis courts available?
Yes. State of the art gym, pool track and field. Tennis. Fields. Golf.
7. What is the approximate teacher-to-student ratio in the grades that your child attended?
8
8. Are Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) courses available in upper grades? If this is an IB school, is the full diploma required of all students?
AP
9. Are students generally challenged appropriately by the curriculum? Please describe any particular strengths or weaknesses in this area. Do you have any thoughts how the curriculum is applied and implemented at this school?
There is accelerated classes and advanced classes.
10. Is the amount and type of homework generally appropriate for the age and grade of the students?
So far yes; it’s good.
11. What fine arts electives are available (music, drama, visual arts)?
Yes fantastic too. Art. Music. Drama.
12. Are the teachers at the school required to speak English as a first language--or at least fluently?
Yes
13. What services are available for gifted/advanced students at the school? Please describe your experience with these services, if applicable.
Yes
14. What services are available for students with learning disabilities at this school? Please describe your experience with these services, if applicable.
Mild to moderate.
15. What services are provided for speakers of English as a second language at this school? Please describe your experience with these services, if applicable.
ESL
16. What extra-curricular activities (including sports) are available at this school? Have your children participated in these activities? What activities do you feel are missing at the school?
Soccer. Volleyball. Swimming. Waterpolo. Rowing. Tennis. Golf. Equestrian. Track and field. Basketball. Student council. Music. Business. Drama. Marine biology.
Social & Emotional Well-Being:
1. What is the climate for children with special needs? Is there a general attitude of inclusion for children with special needs?
Yes, very inclusive of all.
2. What is the climate for LGBT+ kids at this school? Are there resources they can draw upon? Does there appear to be any exclusionary behavior?
We found this school to be much more inclusive than any of the other schools on the island.
3. Do expatriate students socialize with local students at the school? Are both groups successfully integrated into the school culture?
YES!!!!
4. Are there are any problems with exclusionary behavior, cliques, or bullying at this school? Please describe any problems your children may have experienced in this area.
No
5. What is the climate for students who identify as ethnic, race/racial minorities or religious minorities at this school? Are there resources they can draw upon? Have your children had any experiences in this area?
No problems
6. What can you say about diversity among the faculty and staff at the school and their experience in supporting minority students?
It’s great.
Overall Impressions:
1. What letter grade (ranging from A, excellent, to F, fail) would you assign to this school based on your overall experience? Would you choose it again?
A
2. Please describe some of your child's/children's highlights and challenges during their time at this school.
Has been fantastic.
3. Please tell us anything else you think prospective parents and students should know about this school. Thanks for your contribution!
This is by far a better choice than other schools on the islands.
