What is the first thing you do when you receive a new book, play a new musical piece, or watch a new movie? Do you flip the book over to read the synopsis, search on the Internet to read the piece’s appreciation, or scroll through the critiques of the film? While it may seem like a meaningless act for those who have read the book, played the piece, or watched the movie, these clues from the synopsis, appreciation, and critiques are handy resources for clueless people to determine:

Can I relate myself to this book?

Am I suitable for this piece?

Will I enjoy this movie?

Every day, people encounter new experiences in their lives. Whether it is trying a book by an unfamiliar author, attempting to play a musical piece by a composer who is unheard of, or having a friend dragging you to go watch a new movie – it is always difficult to start.

This is where “school handbooks” comes in. Not only that handbooks have the capability of displaying the mission statement of each school and reinforcing the rules in the learning environment, they also have the capability to convey their culture, values, and ethnology to the readers; for a new student, a new parent, or a new teacher, school handbooks provide a sense of security and warmth.

Almost every school handbook circles their content around school operations, school courses, academic honesty, disciplinary codes, safety issues, and health support. However, an insightful reading of the handbook can proceed from plain school rules to the core of a handbook. From the tone of written accounts regarding to school operations, mission statements, and disciplinary codes, one can tell apart what each school values. As each handbook is personalized to fit the style of their education, the format and tone of the handbook are able to reveal what type of general feeling the school can give you.

Taking Kaohsiung American School’s handbook as an example, the pertinent statements for each section conveys a sense of freedom within the school campus. This can lead to students tending to have more diverse thoughts; this sense of diversity and creativity is what makes Kaohsiung American School special. Morrison Academy Kaohsiung bases their education on God. With religious values, students can develop stronger cohesion with peers while being united as a whole under their faith in God. On the other hand, 90 % of the handbook from International Bilingual School at Hsinchu Science Park are disciplinary codes and penal systems. This establishes a more principled character within the students of IBSH in order to prepare them for more in-depth studies in the future.

Education is a powerful tool of influence. Each type of education builds a different character within the student, parent, and teacher, which is why it is essential to judge which type of education is most suitable for one’s development depending on their needs, talents, and beliefs.

But how?

A handbook is powerful because it is like a synopsis of a new book, a piece of appreciation for a new piece, and a critique for a new movie. It is an introduction to a new school life. It is what makes you say – confidently –

Yes, I can relate myself to this environment. 

Yes, I am suitable for this type of education. 

Yes, I will enjoy this school.