All About International Schools

[chickenpox]

I have intend to put my DD in the international school gifted programme but was rejected by MOE even the int’l school has already accepted my DD’s enrolment. MOE wanted my DD to wait till P3 to sit for the GEP exams and go for GEP Programme in P4 even we had submitted them her IQ report and the fact that she is a Mensa member. Anybody any idea what other alternatives I can take as I am afraid normal stream school is unable to nurture her full potential and keep her challenged. Thanks in advance.

[sleepy]

chickenpox:

I have intend to put my DD in the international school gifted programme but was rejected by MOE even the int'l school has already accepted my DD's enrolment. MOE wanted my DD to wait till P3 to sit for the GEP exams and go for GEP Programme in P4 even we had submitted them her IQ report and the fact that she is a Mensa member. Anybody any idea what other alternatives I can take as I am afraid normal stream school is unable to nurture her full potential and keep her challenged. Thanks in advance.

You might want to read up various threads on GEP. My dd is a Mensa member too and yes indeed need to wait for GEP screening at p3, no other alternatives that I'm aware of

unless GEB classified child as exceptionally gifted, they might allow level skipping. This is very rare though

[chickenpox]

Thanks sleepy for your reply. I do not think they will allow my DD to skip level but i’m thinking if its possible for my dd to have priority admission to a GEP school. How old is your dd?

[chickenpox]

Hi florastreet, I had spoken to the school and surprising there are locals in the int’l school. Just that the school will not reveal on what basis those kids are able to get the approval from MOE.

[sleepy]

chickenpox:

Thanks sleepy for your reply. I do not think they will allow my DD to skip level but i'm thinking if its possible for my dd to have priority admission to a GEP school. How old is your dd?

Do you mean P1 registration? Absolutely no priority.
Registration follows the phrase child is eligible in.

Or do you mean P3 gep screening? Absolutely no priority either.
Child attempts gep screening together with entire p3 cohort.

You might want to continue this discussion in the following thread to avoid :offtopic:
I have shared my personal experience over there
http://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/forum/viewtopic.php?f=72&t=28619&p=717804&hilit=gifted#p717804
http://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/forum/viewtopic.php?f=72&t=25946&p=624169&hilit=gifted#p624169

[hweepang]

chickenpox:

I have intend to put my DD in the international school gifted programme but was rejected by MOE even the int'l school has already accepted my DD's enrolment. MOE wanted my DD to wait till P3 to sit for the GEP exams and go for GEP Programme in P4 even we had submitted them her IQ report and the fact that she is a Mensa member. Anybody any idea what other alternatives I can take as I am afraid normal stream school is unable to nurture her full potential and keep her challenged. Thanks in advance.

Hi Chickenpox, may I know how old was your child when you send her for IQ test? I'm also thinking of sending my DD for a test.

I'm also quite curious on which international school has gifted programmes? My DD is in an international school in Seoul right now. And if she qualifies for the int'l school's gifted programme, then I may consider relocating her back to the school in SG.

[hweepang]

sleepy:

chickenpox:

I have intend to put my DD in the international school gifted programme but was rejected by MOE even the int'l school has already accepted my DD's enrolment. MOE wanted my DD to wait till P3 to sit for the GEP exams and go for GEP Programme in P4 even we had submitted them her IQ report and the fact that she is a Mensa member. Anybody any idea what other alternatives I can take as I am afraid normal stream school is unable to nurture her full potential and keep her challenged. Thanks in advance.

You might want to read up various threads on GEP. My dd is a Mensa member too and yes indeed need to wait for GEP screening at p3, no other alternatives that I'm aware of

unless GEB classified child as exceptionally gifted, they might allow level skipping. This is very rare though

Different IQ tests has different scoring results. Some bias to certain aspects than the other. Example, Raven Progressive matrix test which I took, are all made up of diagrams. i.e. It is less bias to non-native english speakers, but it does not assess language competencies.

Hence, IQ test results may not be as comprehensive for MOE's consideration. Likewise, to qualify for Mensa, you just need to be in the 98th percentile. GEPs criteria may be stricter than that. (I read that it was 99.5th percentile when it first started).

Anyway, a point to contemplate: Public school system's gifted program has emphasis on Chinese as 1st language and gifted programs in int'l schools may lack the focus on Chinese. Hence, do I wanna forgo my child's chance in GEPs in public school for early admission into intl school gifted program.
(Int'l schools may have focus in other areas, e.g. music, arts, other languages. But these are available commercially which I can send my GEP child to. But the rigour of Chinese as first language type program may not be available commercially.)

[sleepy]

hweepang:

Different IQ tests has different scoring results. Some bias to certain aspects than the other. Example, Raven Progressive matrix test which I took, are all made up of diagrams. i.e. It is less bias to non-native english speakers, but it does not assess language competencies.

Hence, IQ test results may not be as comprehensive for MOE's consideration. Likewise, to qualify for Mensa, you just need to be in the 98th percentile. GEPs criteria may be stricter than that. (I read that it was 99.5th percentile when it first started).

FYI the link for your reading interests - in Singapore's context
http://www.moe.gov.sg/education/programmes/gifted-education-programme/faq/exceptionally-gifted/

And these are the 2 preferred IQ tests
Stanford-Binet (SB-5) or Wechsler Intelligence Test (WISC IV)

[ZuoBohKing]

Canvas:

If a parent is not a local citizen, in most cases you may enrol your children into international schools provided there are vacancies. It is best that you email MOE to find out more (I personally prefer emailing to calling because a black n white reply may be useful). Good luck!

not true. MOE is very strict now. EDB also restricts local quotas in many international schools, and it's decreasing every year. Some intentional schools has 0% locals.

The best is to get your kid to study overseas and transfer him/her back. MOE is not going to tell you how to break the rule.....

Here is the government thinking, now you want to siam local curriculum, then what's next? run away from NS?

[Choupette]

We cannot say anything wrong about this school. Our children in year 2 and 4 are more than happy and even if the transport from Singapore may be a bit tiring, they got quickly used to it and now they love the atmosphere in the bus. You don’t have to move to Malaysia if you choose to put your kids in MCM. We are very happy in Singapore and the kids are very happy in MCM and it all works smoothly even though they come back at 5.45pm. I would recommend for parents who are working and prefer to have the kids in a exceptionally high standard school, focused to give the kids self confidence, values and very good education. The program offered is wide and helps the kids to be open-minded and responsible.