National Junior College (Junior High)

[siuying]

Hi,


My DS would like to consider NJC after seeing his teacher’s list of recommended schools. We will be coming down to the Open House this Sat. In the meantime, I would like to gather some info first.

Is it true that there is no exam for Year 1 and Year 2, but there are bite size test?

Is it true that there are no textbook but only e-learning materials given by the school?

[TEA8008]

Hi Siuying,

My DD is in NJC year1 now. Thare are both bit size test and exam, final marks are calculated from combination of exam, bit size test, class participation and project, depending on subject. DD uses both text book and iPad, she told me that textbook is not required if iPad is used for e-learning.

[TEA8008]

She needs to buy text book for Maths and Mother Tongue only. School provide notes for other subjects.

[siuying]

Thank you TEA8008 for the info. Then how does the student promote each year? Do they need to accumulate the GPA for promotion?

[ntnl]

Grade Point Average (GPA)

The Grade Point Average refers to the Overall Score for the year for the student, and it is calculated as a simple average of the subject scores. All subjects are given equal weightage
If a subject has only one module, the overall score for the module will also be the overall score for the subject.
If a subject has more than one module, the score for the subject will be a simple average of the overall scores of all the modules for the year.

Promotion Criteria
Students must meet the following requirements for promotion to the next academic year. All criteria must be met.
Overall score of 50.0% with
Either Pass in Language Arts AND 6 other subjects
Or Pass in 8 subjects
Students who do not meet the promotion criteria will have their results reviewed and promotion status determined on a case-by-case basis.
Source: NJC JH Module Info Booklet, Y2016 (cos dc is in Year 3)

[siuying]

Thank you so much, ntnl. :lovesite:

[peasants]

Just visited NJC just now. Impression of their JC approach on IP program is good. The way students presented themselves really reflect holistic learning. Their kids are frank, intellectual and street smart, especially if you compare their school introduction with typical pressure cooker schools like RV and of course NJC infamous next door neighbour.


School is a bit old, but depends how you see it. It feels cosy than spanking new high tech but cold buildings. Definitely a choice school should COP allows.

[deardear07]

Is there a track record of retaining students if they don’t do well?

[mommyNg]

The school retains very very few students, if any, and likely only in upper secondary if student strictly does not meet promotion criteria. I only know 1 from my dd's account. The school considers many other factors when making the final decision to retain/promote. One of my dd's friend did not meet the promotion criteria (e.g., pass only 6 subjects and not 7 including LA) but was still promoted to JH4. Just to share my own dd's experience. She was doing pretty ok in JH1-2, but somehow in JH3, she flunked Bio (38/100) and Physics (49/100), and had her promotion status reviewed. She almost had to retain based on the promotion criteria set out by the school. Luckily the school decided that (in consultation with her teachers) to advance her to JH4 based on her general positive learning attitude, but she had to drop Bio (out of the 3 sciences). In JH4, she worked harder with her teachers' guidance and support, and for \"some reasons\" she continued to take Bio (she said she liked the topics) and was \"somehow\" scheduled to take Bio practical and mid-year exams even though “officially” she is supposed to have dropped bio. By mid JH4, she scored 65/100 for Bio and 69/100 for Physics . To me, that is a tremendous improvement (20-27 points difference). Now, she is happily preparing to enter SH section next year with confidence and really enjoyed her learning journey with the school. I am grateful to the school for their unrelenting support and guidance. The teachers are always so supportive and giving encouraging words to my dd. By the way, my dd never goes to any tuition (except Math).


It’s been quite a journey for us. Don’t give up in your kids if they aren’t doing that well. Neither is the school and teachers. The school is overall very supportive in the learning journey of their students. They gave space for the students to grow and learn. They give students learning chances and do not \"penalize\" them for failing. For this, if you think your child would benefit from a nurturing and supportive environment rather than a pressure-cooker environment, this is a great school to go to.

[Imp75]

is NJC very studious? I find that an IP sch in the East is very very studious and personally I don’t really like it cos I believe growing up teens should have time to explore passion outside of school. Just like the girls sch next door to NJC, I find that the lower sec are paced very nicely for the girls…