Choosing and Evaluating Primary Schools

[manorway]

Thank you Floppy and Zac’s mum. Affiliation aside, is academic standards or PSLE achievement of Marymount perceived as average?


People I spoke to often said it is an average school. But what does that mean?

Why is Pei Chun so popular when it also does not have affiliated Secondary school?

I also don’t understand why Ai Tong is so popular?

[floppy]

zac's mum\" post_id=\"1901159\" time=\"1551750318\" user_id=\"53606:[quote=\"zac's mum\" post_id=1901159 time=1551750318 user_id=53606]

MCS catchment area is not exactly the main Toa Payoh HDB estate. For those living nearer to TPY central and the other side, there is the perpetually popular Pei Chun.

I think MCS’ main competitor is CHIJ Toa Payoh nearby. The estate is attracting younger couples, as the Caldecott area has The Peak DBSS, also the new BTOs, some blocks already occupied and further blocks near to MSF (former SLF auditorium) under construction right now. Who knows, in coming years, more parents with girls may opt for MCS due to the convenience of distance proximity?[/quote]

I agree CHIJ TP is probably MCS main competitor and CHIJ TP main advantage is having an affiliated sec school.

MCS catchment comprises nearly the entire (old) Toa Payoh except Kim Keat, Potong Pasir and Bidadari (the latter being a young estate and Potong Pasir having seen intensive renewal recently). It also extends into Bishan (including Sin Ming, Shunfu and Thomson). While the catchment does have a few new projects, it's very limited to the areas you mentioned, as well as Thomson. Within this zone, schools like CHIJ TP, Pei Chun, Ai Tong and even Kheng Cheng will continue to draw them away from MCS. I doubt MCS fortunes will be changing very much.

[floppy]

manorway\" post_id=\"1901166\" time=\"1551751704\" user_id=\"9303:

Thank you Floppy and Zac’s mum. Affiliation aside, is academic standards or PSLE achievement of Marymount perceived as average?

People I spoke to often said it is an average school. But what does that mean?

Why is Pei Chun so popular when it also does not have affiliated Secondary school?

I also don’t understand why Ai Tong is so popular?

80% to 90% of the schools in Singapore are considered 'average' school
Therefore, yes, MCS is an average school
What does it mean? It means nothing. I suppose it could also mean that the school isn't attached with a label that says \"SAP\" or \"GEP\".

Which brings us to Ai Tong and Pei Chun: both are SAP schools.
Parents who are attracted to the inculcation of traditional Asian culture (i.e. Confucianist values - but the G don't like to say that :evil: ) tends to gravitate towards them (these parents are usually Chinese - but the G don't like to highlight that as well :evil: ).
Plus, SAP schools / students receive additional funding (https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/sap-school-students-each-receive-s300-more-funding-year-ong-ye-kung, but I would imagine it is the same for pri schools) to develop their proficiency and interest in Chinese language-related studies. In a system where exam (i.e. PSLE - and CL is a key part of PSLE) is critical, any form of advantage is welcome by parents
Furthermore, interest / proficiency in CL has longer term implications for the children with the awakening and coming-of-age of the second largest economy in the world (P/S: we already speak the language of the largest economy of the world relatively well).

[zac's mum]

Apart from the Chinese-ness of those 2 popular schools attracting a large number of people, I’m gonna stick my head out and say that maybe these segments of the population will avoid sending their kids to Christian and Catholic schools.


I am under the impression that MCS is still very traditionally Catholic. I believe there are still some elderly nuns teaching there. Maybe the school’s direction is therefore overwhelmingly humble and holistic (they are well-known for developing the girls in the arts). U won’t see them announcing or proclaiming academic stars, even if there are.

[floppy]

zac's mum\" post_id=\"1901173\" time=\"1551753326\" user_id=\"53606:[quote=\"zac's mum\" post_id=1901173 time=1551753326 user_id=53606]
Apart from the Chinese-ness of those 2 popular schools attracting a large number of people, I’m gonna stick my head out and say that maybe these segments of the population will avoid sending their kids to Christian and Catholic schools.

I am under the impression that MCS is still very traditionally Catholic. I believe there are still some elderly nuns teaching there. Maybe the school’s direction is therefore overwhelmingly humble and holistic (they are well-known for developing the girls in the arts). U won’t see them announcing or proclaiming academic stars, even if there are.[/quote]

While a small segment of parents may think like that, I think the majority of parents aren't bothered whether it is a Christian or Catholic schools. Otherwise, CHIJ TP (or CHS and SAJS - though they are of a different gender) should fare equally badly in terms of popularity.

The strange thing about both schools (ATS, PCPS) is: they haven't been blowing their trumpets. If you look at their websites, both schools are either not bothered or quite terrible in communicating their achievements
ATS - nearly none.
PCPS - seem to have stopped achieving since 2015 :rotflmao:
Personally, I don't buy this idea of 'holistic' being attached to some schools. All schools are holistic, even top / popular / non-religious schools.

[zac's mum]

Ok I concede that.


Separate note though. Since I’ve been downloading many school’s past year papers for my DS to practise. I can tell the SAP schools tend to set their exam papers at a much higher difficulty compared to the non-SAP schools.

Consider the effects on a child who isn’t yet able to meet those standards. Will be failing all the way thru school life and feeling bad about it.

Conversely, entering a school of so-called “lower standard” that sets easier papers, that same child has more time to grow & develop subject mastery over the 6 years without feeling sub-par (failing). Of course, the ultimate exam is the PSLE which is nation-wide. But I am approaching that by letting DS practise with the other schools’ tough papers (while he officially sits for the easier ones set by his school). Stretching the ability without denting the morale.

[janet88]

zac's mum\" post_id=\"1901159\" time=\"1551750318\" user_id=\"53606:[quote=\"zac's mum\" post_id=1901159 time=1551750318 user_id=53606]
MCS catchment area is not exactly the main Toa Payoh HDB estate. For those living nearer to TPY central and the other side, there is the perpetually popular Pei Chun.

I think MCS’ main competitor is CHIJ Toa Payoh nearby. The estate is attracting younger couples, as the Caldecott area has The Peak DBSS, also the new BTOs, some blocks already occupied and further blocks near to MSF (former SLF auditorium) under construction right now. Who knows, in coming years, more parents with girls may opt for MCS due to the convenience of distance proximity?[/quote]

daughter in IJ TP had several new classmates transferred from Marymount convent yearly.
there is kheng cheng and pei chun which are co-ed schools...so couples would usually go for those schools if their sons are eldest.

[janet88]

floppy\" post_id=\"1901177\" time=\"1551754135\" user_id=\"97579:

While a small segment of parents may think like that, I think the majority of parents aren't bothered whether it is a Christian or Catholic schools. Otherwise, CHIJ TP (or CHS and SAJS - though they are of a different gender) should fare equally badly in terms of popularity.

CHIJ TP has taken in girls of all races.
girls who are non catholic take civics and moral education. other than malay girls, there are some masses they would have to attend.

[hzz2015]

Hi fellow parents,

My dd will be registering pri next year.
Within 1km,there are few schs we could choose, but all under 2c and she’s SC of course.
Should we still go for balloting
Horizon,
Mee toh?
I personally dont like MT, firstly I heard that MT standard dropped and would be quite stressful if the child doesn’t do well in academic. Secondly I personally had bad impression to students from MT around my neighborhood. Horizon seems a fine sch although it’s academic driven but not very sure about their cca. Tbh, I would be more focusing on her psle.
Greendale just steps away from my block, my hub prefers it the most as it’s the closest sch and his concern of child’s safety. Waterway seems a bit far for her but I still take into consideration due to its new.
I’m in a dilemma on how to choose sch for her. My friends suggested me to visit schs during recess period or lunch time. I’m not very sure whether it would be possible.
As some parent said here previously 80 to 90% of schs here are ‘average’. No fate to get into some famous schs like AT.
Like this situation, what would u choose? And how shall you make decision?
Appreciate your inputs!

[floppy]

hzz2015\" post_id=\"1905580\" time=\"1554729926\" user_id=\"126953:

Hi fellow parents,
My dd will be registering pri next year.
Within 1km,there are few schs we could choose, but all under 2c and she's SC of course.
Should we still go for balloting
Horizon,
Mee toh?
I personally dont like MT, firstly I heard that MT standard dropped and would be quite stressful if the child doesn't do well in academic. Secondly I personally had bad impression to students from MT around my neighborhood. Horizon seems a fine sch although it's academic driven but not very sure about their cca. Tbh, I would be more focusing on her psle.
Greendale just steps away from my block, my hub prefers it the most as it's the closest sch and his concern of child's safety. Waterway seems a bit far for her but I still take into consideration due to its new.
I'm in a dilemma on how to choose sch for her. My friends suggested me to visit schs during recess period or lunch time. I'm not very sure whether it would be possible.
As some parent said here previously 80 to 90% of schs here are 'average'. No fate to get into some famous schs like AT.
Like this situation, what would u choose? And how shall you make decision?
Appreciate your inputs!

You would not be able to visit any schools during recess or lunch as the compound is out-of-bounds (and you will be stopped by the guards). Your only chance to visit is during their Open House, that is, if they decide to hold one.

There are only 4 schools in Punggol that are very likely to require balloting in Phase 2C: Mee Toh, Horizon, Punggol Green and Punggol View
Edgefield and Greendale may require balloting in Phase 2CS. Otherwise, there are generally more places in Punggol schools that students these days (thanks to a number of new schools like Punggol Cove, Oasis, Waterway, etc).

If you think MT standard has dropped, have the standards of the other schools improved? Apart from MTS, all the other schools in Punggol are cookie cutter because none have really established themselves (not surprisingly given that they are all less than 20 years old). The question you should ask yourself is whether you want to ballot. If yes, and you are living within 1 km to MTS or Horizon, I would suggest that you go for them and choose Greendale or Waterway as backup in Phase 2Cs. Otherwise, if you just want peace of mind, pick Greendale.