School Of The Arts, Singapore

[raisintan]

Would like to check with parents with kids in SOTA - how’re your kids coping? Understand that students need to be independent under IB program, just like IP.


Is teaching and notes minimal that students need to read up a lot to learn on their own? Given the long hours and many subjects, I doubt they have much time to attend tuition classes.

Appreciate any feedback and insights. Thank you

[lexis]

Can only speak for my dd who is in Year 1 this year. She has no tuition for any of her subjects, and doesn’t have a lot of worksheets as homework. They do have quite a fair bit of project work, some individual, some group. I think it is manageable as long as your time is managed properly, and the child is fairly disciplined.


So far, she’s only relied on materials provided by the school for her exams and homework, and seems to be doing fine. I have heard that it gets tougher from Year 3 onwards.

[champion31]

So far, the workload for my daughter is so so, although there’s quite a bit of homework. And yes it’s both individual and group work. On top of that, they have their art disciplines that happens 3-4 times a week and so, school hours can be long. The important thing, as mentioned above, is time management, which my daughter in Year 1, still kinda struggles with. The school tries not to unload too much in the first and second year, as most of the kids are still adjusting to a different way of learning from the regular school system.


But she loves her school, her teachers and this is apparent with her classmates as well. They all like going to school, which is something my daughter don’t feel as strongly, when she was in primary school and that’s a good sign. I think being around kids with the same artistic passion helps, as they all have something in common - their love for the arts.

[Rivervalekid]

Imp75:

Rivervalekid:

[quote=\"champion31\"]Hi! For those parents who are feeling the stress to gain entry into SOTA, all I can say is...RELAX. To be honest, although it's good to have a strong portfolio, from my experience, it is not hopeless if you don't. Having talent is one thing, but what they also look for and more importantly, is potential. If you think your kids have that, then it will come through during the TA part of the selection process. Although I can't speak for dance or the other disciplines, my daughter didn't have much training in drama or theatre, except for school holiday workshops during primary school, but she has a passion for it, and apparently it came out during her auditions. I was told, she was selected over some who have better training or professional drama classes. So what's important is passion and potential. And the teachers involved the selection process have done this for many intakes, and they can tell if a child has talent and especially, potential and passion during the TA process.


I wish all parents the best of luck in this year's TA (talent academy). And most of all, tell your kids to have fun during the process.

:thankyou:
still hard to relax hahas!

I recalled you mention paying $3500 for the dance video submission. This is quite pricey too. May I ask what does it entail?
My friend paid $600+ for a 2-session Chinese dance choreography and I already thought that was a rip-off.[/quote]Preparation for RAD Grade 5, weekly pte training and cheorography for audition piece, video recording and photo-taking. It's for a few months though. However must sign contract to commit which is the distressing part. Paid to offload the stress of not knowing anything and tat someone with knowledge is responsible for it really. The teacher has sent students b4 in previous rounds help as she has information to do so.

[Rivervalekid]

champion31:

But she loves her school, her teachers and this is apparent with her classmates as well. They all like going to school, which is something my daughter don't feel as strongly, when she was in primary school and that's a good sign. I think being around kids with the same artistic passion helps, as they all have something in common - their love for the arts.

Thanks for sharing this at least feeling assured tat students enjoy going to school. Is it very tough for the written response/ CE component of the DSA process? Is this done during the TA week of 20 Jun to 23 Jun or before? Do advise if you can kindly help as will be away for a short trip in June.

[Rivervalekid]

I have ceased accepting requests to join the chat as already got 50 numbers inside and solely only for SOTA applications. Thanks for the interest. :imsorry:

[Rivervalekid]

One more Q what is the cutt-off points for those recieving WL and CO from SOTA? 200 or 230? Seems like conflicting views around. Will appreciate some advice on this. Thanks!

[Rivervalekid]

jtoh:

The girl I heard who left SOTA scored 260+ or 270+ for PSLE, so I guess it's not the academic aspect that made her leave SOTA. Maybe she realized SOTA wasn't the school for her.

I heard is the competitive culture in the school. Can someone confirm this. Just heard from another parent whose kid is in SOTA that culture in SOTA is clique type and if outcast is :stupid: :frustrated: and my DD is not so sociable. I am kind of worried now knowing this.

[raisintan]

Thank you parents who have responded to my query on how your kids are coping in SOTA. I read recent articles that there have been a number of teachers leaving SOTA recently? One reservation we have on the school is academic support on the IB curriculum and this recent news just add on more concerns that we have.

[champion31]

Rivervalekid:

One more Q what is the cutt-off points for those recieving WL and CO from SOTA? 200 or 230? Seems like conflicting views around. Will appreciate some advice on this. Thanks!

The child must qualify for express stream for sec school