Anwar (and Validitorian):
We just moved from Portland, Oregon to Baires with a 7 year old and a 9 year old who speak English and Chinese, but not Spanish!!
Anyway, here is what we have experienced so far regarding schools:
1) It is almost impossible to figure out from overseas. You can't get people to answer email and you can't learn much about fees, etc. You just have to do it face-to-face.
2) Your choices are mostly private schools, the question is do you do one of these three: a) a private school with a lot of expats; b) a bilingual private school (English and Spanish) with few to no expats (mostly Porteno children); or c) private school only in Spanish.
3) We chose option b) above. We didn't want them to go to the American school, for instance. I mean, why leave the US? They are attending a private bilingual school in Belgrano that is Spanish and English. The staff were excited about having the girls as expats, the students have all been welcoming, and they were fine with us starting so close to the end of the school year.
4) This brings me to my next point--when you are moving down here? If you expect to go to one of the very expat-heavy schools, they will be fully enrolled. It is very difficult to drop in during the middle of the school year and go to school. The school year here starts in Feb. and runs until Dec. You need to coordinate your move so it makes sense with your kids grades and ages. (Some of the expat-heavy schools keep a Northern-hemisphere schedule though, so beware.)
5) We moved here in October, and our girls were just starting 2nd and 4th grade in the States. When we got here, we decided to have them end the Spanish school year in 1st and 3rd to get used to the Spanish. They will have a few months in school and then a few months of summer sports to get their Spanish up to speed. Once they start in Feb., they should be ready to go.
6) Language requirements for school. Depending upon the age of your kids, you will want to think about where they attend. 4th grade is about the point where they really start studying history, literature, etc. and will need a real base in the language to study in a Spanish school. If you have older kids, you may have to find an all English program, which will limit your options. Anything under 4th grade shouldn't be a problem.
7) Prepare your kids for uniforms.
8) If you have girls, remember that field hockey is the big sport here and they'll be wearing girly uniforms to school (my oldest was NOT happy).
9) Belgrano has more schools than any in-city neighborhood I know. When you get here, walk around, see where the kids go, see the schools, ask to talk to people. That's the best way to do it.
Anyway, that's what I've learned so far!! If you want to learn more about what we've experienced doing this as a family move, you can check out our blog at
micheleandtom.com
Good luck and feel free to contact if you need more info.
If you decide on a school, it would be great if you posted it here!