DSA 2017

[pmacpmac]

AnneY:

Buddhist:

Assuming one has CO from both HCI and RI, which would


For P6s, it is natural that many parents focus on comparing the Y1-Y4 programs. I feel it is equally important to look at Year 5-6 program leading up to the A level exams. For IP students who are not taking O levels, the A levels (or IB) results will be be used for university admission. Heard from an insider source that in terms of A level results, HCI is distant second behind RI (in past years). A level results is of course only one aspect, but it reflects the strength of the Y5-6 program & quality of teaching. The schools released press releases on their A level results on their websites so that is another point for research.

Here is 2016 A level results from school website
RI had better top student but overall A level seems not much difference.

https://s11.postimg.org/urgzlw5oz/IMG_2809.jpg\">

[Buddhist]

AnneY:

Buddhist:

Assuming one has CO from both HCI and RI, which would be the choice?


Not sure about past years, but for 2017 DSA, HCI has imposed a very high standard for Maths & Science domains. Must be gold or platinum winners at Olympiads in order to be even shortlisted for HDP. Thus, there will have many top-calibre Maths/Science students to spur their schoolmates. Additionally, HCI has traditionally been known to strongly promote Chinese culture, language and values, which (in the current China era) is a big plus point. So I guess (just a guess) HCI has an edge over RI in terms of DSA acceptance.

For P6s, it is natural that many parents focus on comparing the Y1-Y4 programs. I feel it is equally important to look at Year 5-6 program leading up to the A level exams. For IP students who are not taking O levels, the A levels (or IB) results will be be used for university admission. Heard from an insider source that in terms of A level results, HCI is distant second behind RI (in past years). A level results is of course only one aspect, but it reflects the strength of the Y5-6 program & quality of teaching. The schools released press releases on their A level results on their websites so that is another point for research.

I don't think HCI was ever a \"distant second\" in past years' A Level performance. These 2 schools have always been very close in terms of academic performance. To me, HCI has plus point in inculcating Chinese culture/values.

[Buddhist]

pmacpmac:

AnneY:

[quote=\"Buddhist\"]Assuming one has CO from both HCI and RI, which would


For P6s, it is natural that many parents focus on comparing the Y1-Y4 programs. I feel it is equally important to look at Year 5-6 program leading up to the A level exams. For IP students who are not taking O levels, the A levels (or IB) results will be be used for university admission. Heard from an insider source that in terms of A level results, HCI is distant second behind RI (in past years). A level results is of course only one aspect, but it reflects the strength of the Y5-6 program & quality of teaching. The schools released press releases on their A level results on their websites so that is another point for research.

Here is 2016 A level results from school website
RI had better top student but overall A level seems not much difference.

https://s11.postimg.org/urgzlw5oz/IMG_2809.jpg\">[/quote]Thanks for sharing.

Must say that it is pretty impressive that HCI students actually got into (and chose) the top Chinese universities such as Fudan, Tsinghua and Peking. The opportunity to network with the elite Chinese at those universities will be invaluable for the students.

[ShevW]

Ladylady:

To all mummies/daddies who dsa NJC


I was told by NJC that emails for all domains will be out by today regardless successful or not successful.

Snail mails will come later with full details for those successful candidates as email will just stated successful or not.

I hope the above is helpful to those waiting for NJC email.

Good luck and all the best!

congrats @ladylady!!! You attended any tea session by NJC ? :rahrah:

[Estéema]

iRabbit:

Parents, let's not fall into the temptation of ranking one sch over another, like it's some sort of competition. In the end (like many have shared before me), what matters most is for our children to go to a sch that best fits their interests and character.


If we care for the happiness of our kids, branding and prestige should never come before their personal interest. For diff kids, their best sch could be NUSH, SOTA, SSS, SST etc.

As for RI, bcoz my boy is from there, I would say that if yours is those who are able to learn independently, has a love of learning beyond the syllabus, is comfortable to be in the company of academically stronger school mates, enjoys a well-balanced education (including sports, leadership training etc), then do give this sch serious consideration.

Of course the above factors would be true in many other top sch, and it's not meant to be a slight at those sch.

Absolutely agree. Selection of sch or any participation shld be based on the participant's interests, capability or personality, not how popular the sch and everyone heading towards & more followers. Sure some schools kept producing top products, at the end of the journey, ppl look at some of the 'high' scores but nobody noticed those who didn't fit in the culture or fall behind.

When we attended the NUSH Briefing, all the mktg talk did not paint the picture where pursuing grades and the lack of choice for CCA (take some discerning to figure out what they don't say) and other preferred outlets to complement some individuals' need to be engaged in their favourite art or music or sports, etc before they get refreshed enough to excel academically. Every individual heads towards success thro different process. It cannot be one size fits all. So, I think at least we recognized there are more than 1 top schools & many more just as good ones. Some chooses culture & value differently than just academic, some might slow down to catch up with more depth.

I'm aware in all these top schools, there were top students who left them midst way. Many asked to leave and not given space and chance to reach the goal. Yet some schools with very dedicated educators (I accord them the honorable recognition as educators) monitor so closely performance of their students & analyze root cause with objective of helping students to get extra remedial to set them back on track or recalibrate stepping down e.g. fr IP to Express with aim for student to get back on track to IP. At least there is no counsel to \"apply poly or ano school\" out of current sch. A lot of these are not publicly announced esp fr top sch. So it appears the top left with high number of performers & space for higher performers to join in Y3, etc. You know how one leads to ano....

I interviewed a batch of peers (fellow pri sch frds) some gone to RI, ACSI, & NUSH. They gave me the impression I derive my perception. The words of one student - \"RI very academically driven, NUSH not much life but lots of projects with scientists & co-projects with professors, ACSI a lot of life & space to be independent owise the teachers chat & coach more, if cannot hack it, VPs step in to work us back on track then some got the botak to hv one round of chat with his chaps!\" It's an eye-opener fr the teen's perspective. He's a happy bloke.

So hear your child out. They shld be involved in decision making & freedom to choose & take responsibility for it. Once they buy-in to the school they eventually joins, they will take more ownership to the outcome of success or failure in their studies. No point push a child to stressful environment, unless they can take the rigors of the competition & push them off the clift.

JMHO & pls feel free to differ.

[blmg]

Buddhist:

Assuming one has CO from both HCI and RI, which would be the choice?


Not sure about past years, but for 2017 DSA, HCI has imposed a very high standard for Maths & Science domains. Must be gold or platinum winners at Olympiads in order to be even shortlisted for HDP. Thus, there will have many top-calibre Maths/Science students to spur their schoolmates. Additionally, HCI has traditionally been known to strongly promote Chinese culture, language and values, which (in the current China era) is a big plus point. So I guess (just a guess) HCI has an edge over RI in terms of DSA acceptance.

This is what we call a \"happy problem\". I would weight the factors such as school culture/fit, distance from home, programs etc. to see which is more suited.

[blmg]

Buddhist:

Assuming one has CO from both HCI and RI, which would be the choice?


Not sure about past years, but for 2017 DSA, HCI has imposed a very high standard for Maths & Science domains. Must be gold or platinum winners at Olympiads in order to be even shortlisted for HDP. Thus, there will have many top-calibre Maths/Science students to spur their schoolmates. Additionally, HCI has traditionally been known to strongly promote Chinese culture, language and values, which (in the current China era) is a big plus point. So I guess (just a guess) HCI has an edge over RI in terms of DSA acceptance.

This is what we call a \"happy problem\". I would weight the factors such as school culture/fit, distance from home, programs etc. to see which is more suited.

[blmg]

Buddhist:

Assuming one has CO from both HCI and RI, which would be the choice?


Not sure about past years, but for 2017 DSA, HCI has imposed a very high standard for Maths & Science domains. Must be gold or platinum winners at Olympiads in order to be even shortlisted for HDP. Thus, there will have many top-calibre Maths/Science students to spur their schoolmates. Additionally, HCI has traditionally been known to strongly promote Chinese culture, language and values, which (in the current China era) is a big plus point. So I guess (just a guess) HCI has an edge over RI in terms of DSA acceptance.

This is what we call a \"happy problem\". I would weight the factors such as school culture/fit, distance from home, programs etc. to see which is more suited.

[blmg]

Buddhist:

Assuming one has CO from both HCI and RI, which would be the choice?


Not sure about past years, but for 2017 DSA, HCI has imposed a very high standard for Maths & Science domains. Must be gold or platinum winners at Olympiads in order to be even shortlisted for HDP. Thus, there will have many top-calibre Maths/Science students to spur their schoolmates. Additionally, HCI has traditionally been known to strongly promote Chinese culture, language and values, which (in the current China era) is a big plus point. So I guess (just a guess) HCI has an edge over RI in terms of DSA acceptance.

This is what we call a \"happy problem\". I would weight the factors such as school culture/fit, distance from home, programs etc. to see which is more suited.

[Harrychew]

I think the differences in school cultures are much closer than what is imagined. Afterall the students are from all over Singapore exposed to more or less the same cultural influences and MOE primary school system. The teachers are equally good, compassionate and strict as any other schools since all teachers are MOE trained and they came from the same MOE education system as most of us came from too.


HCI and NYGH are definitely more Chinese language focus, but there will still be a few potatoes eaters in the midst because their parents thought it is a good idea to force their kids to learn more Chinese (which typically backfired). It is further reinforced as both have hardly any non-Chinese students. So the students will discuss more of Chinese celebrities, TV programs and the likes.

ACS and SJI traditionally attracts more students who dislike Chinese language, though this probably have slowly shifted over the years as China economic power rises.

RI and RGS are in between ACS and HCI in terms of "Chinese-ness".

HCI, NYGH, RI and RGS have for decades been neck to neck in terms of academics and production of top scholars. It is more important to consider if their child can cope with the academic pressure based on the average standard of the shortlisted school. Anyway the prestige of university is much more important, if one wants to argue for sake of it. And who cares if one is from ITE, polytechnic or JC if child went on to lead a happy adult life?