Choosing and Evaluating Primary Schools

[earl_grey]

Hi all, I am having a dilemma and would appreciate your inputs.


I am now split between two schools: one is a resaonably good neighbourhood school, according to the ranking board on this forum, it is within the top 15, we are able to enrol our child at P2A1 and secure a place. The other is the "elite" N*PS, we will need to try our luck at P2B as PV.

My dilemma is: should we try sending our child to the elite school at all? The reason we wanted to become its PV is because we hope our child could enter its affiliated secondary school with less pressure on the PSLE score; but I’ve always had doubts about subjecting my child to the vicious competition within the school at such a tender age, I worry about what this would do to her character development, and sharing by old timers like Kristen Han on their respective blogs aggravated my worries.

But at the same time, perhaps my child could handle the pressure and benefit from the school’s programme, so if we do not go try our luck at P2B, we could be depriving her (and her decendents) from being educated in one of the top primary schools in Singapore? The consequence of our decision seems so great that I’m really at a loss of what to do, thus I’d really love to hear your views, many thanks.

[SAHM_TAN]

earl_grey:

Hi all, I am having a dilemma and would appreciate your inputs.


I am now split between two schools: one is a resaonably good neighbourhood school, according to the ranking board on this forum, it is within the top 15, we are able to enrol our child at P2A1 and secure a place. The other is the \"elite\" N*PS, we will need to try our luck at P2B as PV.

My dilemma is: should we try sending our child to the elite school at all? The reason we wanted to become its PV is because we hope our child could enter its affiliated secondary school with less pressure on the PSLE score; but I've always had doubts about subjecting my child to the vicious competition within the school at such a tender age, I worry about what this would do to her character development, and sharing by old timers like Kristen Han on their respective blogs aggravated my worries.

But at the same time, perhaps my child could handle the pressure and benefit from the school's programme, so if we do not go try our luck at P2B, we could be depriving her (and her decendents) from being educated in one of the top primary schools in Singapore? The consequence of our decision seems so great that I'm really at a loss of what to do, thus I'd really love to hear your views, many thanks.

Just sharing my experience, I have no answer for you becos I do not know your child or you.

I faced the same decision as you in 2011. A nice neighbourhood school ( not even top 20) and one of the top schools ( not the same as yours). I went with the nice neighbourhood school becos I know I will not be able to take the peer pressure LOL. I will be very stressed and want my dd1 to perform at a certain level if she was in the top school. That in turn will make her stressed, I think.

I think it's important that parents can accept the primary school too. I have cool mummy frens who can handle the peer pressure of top schools. So mindset is more of letting the child benefit as much as the child is able to fr the school environment. In a top school environment some/most of the kids will be well-prepared by the parents/centres so must be aware that opportunities within school might be highly competitive pursued among kids. Example leadership roles, school team, etc.

Do you feel deprived in not attending the elite school that you want your child to attend?

I did not attend any top schools and I did not feel deprived when I was in uni. But then since I did not attend any top schools I also do not know if I'm missing out on anything LOL.

I still feel worked up when it's near SA/CA period but most of the time I don't worry as much. I'm only focusing on my kids' progress. I know I will not be so calm if dd1 was in the other school. I do not know if dd1 will have the opportunities that she's enjoying now if she is in the other school. I like don't see my dd1 very up hor ? LOL. In making my choice, sometimes I do wonder what if, but knowing me and my circumstances I'm glad and I accepted the decision that I make and whatever consequences as a result of my decision

[jtoh]

earl_grey, if it’s any consideration, the COP for affiliated NYPS girls to NYGH is 250. It’s not a significantly lower COP compared to outsiders. Also you never know if there’ll be any adjustment by the time your dd sits for her PSLE.

[SAHM_TAN]

Or go for the PV at NYPS and if you like the environment after your experience there, go for it.

[Busymom]

earl_grey:

Hi all, I am having a dilemma and would appreciate your inputs.


I am now split between two schools: one is a resaonably good neighbourhood school, according to the ranking board on this forum, it is within the top 15, we are able to enrol our child at P2A1 and secure a place. The other is the \"elite\" N*PS, we will need to try our luck at P2B as PV.

My dilemma is: should we try sending our child to the elite school at all? The reason we wanted to become its PV is because we hope our child could enter its affiliated secondary school with less pressure on the PSLE score; but I've always had doubts about subjecting my child to the vicious competition within the school at such a tender age, I worry about what this would do to her character development, and sharing by old timers like Kristen Han on their respective blogs aggravated my worries.

But at the same time, perhaps my child could handle the pressure and benefit from the school's programme, so if we do not go try our luck at P2B, we could be depriving her (and her decendents) from being educated in one of the top primary schools in Singapore? The consequence of our decision seems so great that I'm really at a loss of what to do, thus I'd really love to hear your views, many thanks.

Hi

Besides academics, you should also consider a few other factors: distance from home, school culture (eg SAP school), co-ed vs non co-ed (if relevant), and yes, affiliation.

Not sure which n*ps school you are referring to, but in at least one, unless you live within 1km, even in P2B, you don't have a chance to ballot. If you have a chance to ballot, that means you need to give up the confirmed place in P2A1. Is it worth taking the risk? Do you have a backup plan in case you are not successful in the balloting?

Since you have done your PV, you should have a good feel of the school culture and environment. On the other hand, you or your husband is an alumni of the other school. Which school in your mind would provide your child with a more holistic environment? Not just academic but character development too.

Not all elite schools are pressure cookers. I have the same concerns before enrolling my child in one 3 years ago. As far as we know, not every student in the school is well prep by parents before P1. The pace of studies is not demanding in P1 /P2; other schools have more frequent spelling/tingxie with longer and more difficult lists, some schools start teaching models in P1 (based on what I have read in this forum), some schools get the P1s to write compo, etc.

Finally, affiliation can be a very big plus point for some. Do consider from all angles when making your decision.

[Busymom]

SAHM_TAN:

Or go for the PV at NYPS and if you like the environment after your experience there, go for it.

Oh! I thought she has done her PV. :oops:

[SAHM_TAN]

Busymom:

SAHM_TAN:

Or go for the PV at NYPS and if you like the environment after your experience there, go for it.

Oh! I thought she has done her PV. :oops:

I read it twice but I'm not quite sure heehee :oops:

[Rhykard Ho]

I am also having second thoughts.


I admit I am one of the few who did PV in 2 schools - a so-called elite school and a so-called neighbourhood school.
I did the PV in the elite school first because it’s closing date was earlier, but my experience there did not give me much comfort. The principal was not friendly - started off by saying she had professors, doctors and what-nots applying to be PV etc. the teacher i was assigned to was not friendly either. just passed me some books to read to the children in school.
disappointed, I then signed up for PV in the so-called neighbourhood school.
the difference was stark.

the principal of the neighbourhood school was warm - like a businessman - assuring me that they do not take more PV than they estimate the vacancy to be. for 2012, they had only less than 10 PVs and all of them got in without having to ballot. for this year, i am one of the 10.

however, because the school is a neighbourhood school, its students (primary 1) range from those who can’t spell "cat" to those who can read storybooks by themselves. I was impressed by the school’s reading materials for these needed help students but was also sad to know that there are so many of them.

so therein lies my dilemma - to try for the cold hard elite school or the warmth complex neighbourhood school ?

of course, this is not considering that i would most probably have to ballot for phase 2B in the elite school in the first place !

[Sweetbaby456]

Rhykard Ho:

I am also having second thoughts.


I admit I am one of the few who did PV in 2 schools - a so-called elite school and a so-called neighbourhood school.
I did the PV in the elite school first because it's closing date was earlier, but my experience there did not give me much comfort. The principal was not friendly - started off by saying she had professors, doctors and what-nots applying to be PV etc. the teacher i was assigned to was not friendly either. just passed me some books to read to the children in school.
disappointed, I then signed up for PV in the so-called neighbourhood school.
the difference was stark.

the principal of the neighbourhood school was warm - like a businessman - assuring me that they do not take more PV than they estimate the vacancy to be. for 2012, they had only less than 10 PVs and all of them got in without having to ballot. for this year, i am one of the 10.

however, because the school is a neighbourhood school, its students (primary 1) range from those who can't spell \"cat\" to those who can read storybooks by themselves. I was impressed by the school's reading materials for these needed help students but was also sad to know that there are so many of them.

so therein lies my dilemma - to try for the cold hard elite school or the warmth complex neighbourhood school ?

of course, this is not considering that i would most probably have to ballot for phase 2B in the elite school in the first place !

Best to go neighborhood school and forget about the elite school!
\\Just think - tension is not just now...its the next 6 years of your child's life...is it worth it? For me I think not

[Pen88n]

Rhykard Ho:

I am also having second thoughts.


I admit I am one of the few who did PV in 2 schools - a so-called elite school and a so-called neighbourhood school.
I did the PV in the elite school first because it's closing date was earlier, but my experience there did not give me much comfort. The principal was not friendly - started off by saying she had professors, doctors and what-nots applying to be PV etc. the teacher i was assigned to was not friendly either. just passed me some books to read to the children in school.
disappointed, I then signed up for PV in the so-called neighbourhood school.
the difference was stark.

the principal of the neighbourhood school was warm - like a businessman - assuring me that they do not take more PV than they estimate the vacancy to be. for 2012, they had only less than 10 PVs and all of them got in without having to ballot. for this year, i am one of the 10.

however, because the school is a neighbourhood school, its students (primary 1) range from those who can't spell \"cat\" to those who can read storybooks by themselves. I was impressed by the school's reading materials for these needed help students but was also sad to know that there are so many of them.

so therein lies my dilemma - to try for the cold hard elite school or the warmth complex neighbourhood school ?

of course, this is not considering that i would most probably have to ballot for phase 2B in the elite school in the first place !

I admit each has its pros and cons, but if you have to ballot for phase 2B of the elite school, then there is a possibility (however slim) that you may be ballotted out. In such case, are you still able to get a place in the neighbourhood school in phase 2C or do you end up having to ballot again? If you end up having to ballot again, would rather get in phase 2B of the neighbourhood school - at least it is a confirmed offer compared with none - a bird in hand is worth two in the bush, don't waste your PV effort and end up with nothing.