Choosing and Evaluating Primary Schools

[ChiefKiasu]

dasher\" time=\"1654564858\" user_id=\"178752:

We are only within 1km of River Valley Primary and 1km-2km of ACS Junior.
...

https://i.imgur.com/sqxRqU3.png\">

https://i.imgur.com/XHrPKN6.png\">

For Phase 2C, I think the only realistic school you have will be RVPS. ACS Junior has been balloting <1km for the last 4 years. Even though the number of places has increased to 40, the number of applicants are usually 20% more. I don't think you will have a chance at 1-2km for ACS Junior.

RVPS is about the same, but at least you are <1km. Its cohort size has decreased to 210 places over the years, from 270 in its heyday back in 2006.

I cannot remember when you will be doing P1 registration, but you can try for PV if your child is under 5yo. The PV registration for 2023 registration has actually just closed by 1 June 2022. PV status will allow you to bid for a place in RVPS in Phase 2B, which has NO balloting all these years except in 2012.

[JYCN]

We are living within 1km to NYPS and qualify for 2A. The other primary school within 2 km is New Town. In case we fail to get in NYPS during 2A, shall we go for New Town or NYPS during 2C?

[phtthp]

JYCN\" post_id=\"2069785\" time=\"1654575568\" user_id=\"194913:

We are living within 1km to NYPS and qualify for 2A. The other primary school within 2 km is New Town. In case we fail to get in NYPS during 2A, shall we go for New Town or NYPS during 2C?

Don't ask us, but
ask yourself, this basic fundamental question first :-

If failed to enter NYPS during 2A balloting,

can u \"accept\"
New Town ?

If can,
then go directly to 2C (New Town).

If cannot,
prepare to go 2C (SC) balloting another attempt, less than 1 km, NYPS.

[zac's mum]

JYCN\" post_id=\"2069785\" time=\"1654575568\" user_id=\"194913:

We are living within 1km to NYPS and qualify for 2A. The other primary school within 2 km is New Town. In case we fail to get in NYPS during 2A, shall we go for New Town or NYPS during 2C?

New Town will still be available in phase 2C(supp), dont worry. U are in the privileged group that has 3 tries:

Phase 2A: NYPS <1km
Phase 2C: NYPS <1km
Phase 2C(S): NTPS <2km

[Zeal mummy]

zac's mum\" post_id=\"2069788\" time=\"1654576360\" user_id=\"53606:[quote=\"zac's mum\" post_id=2069788 time=1654576360 user_id=53606]
New Town will still be available in phase 2C(supp), dont worry. U are in the privileged group that has 3 tries:

Phase 2A: NYPS <1km
Phase 2C: NYPS <1km
Phase 2C(S): NTPS <2km[/quote]

Agree with this.

[AGn]

Below is a list of shortlisted primary schools for my girl, will appreciate it if anyone can please share your feedback on these schools. I am still trying to figure out where to go as the only alumni we have is Maria Stella, which doesn’t really work for us. And we really want to look for a school with great school culture. Our preferred choice is (1) St Nicholas girl’s school - understand that if we aren’t alumni, the chances are very slim, but how about within 1km?


Below are our other options which we are considering:
2. Singapore Chinese girl’s school
3. Paya Lebar Methodist girl
4. River Valley Primary school
5. AiTong primary school
6. Nanyang Primary school - know this is a top school but i am afraid that it’s too stressful

Or any other girls’ school which anyone can recommend for us to consider? Your feedback will be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

[ChiefKiasu]

AGn\" post_id=\"2069942\" time=\"1654738082\" user_id=\"198364:

Below is a list of shortlisted primary schools for my girl, will appreciate it if anyone can please share your feedback on these schools. I am still trying to figure out where to go as the only alumni we have is Maria Stella, which doesn’t really work for us. And we really want to look for a school with great school culture. Our preferred choice is (1) St Nicholas girl’s school - understand that if we aren’t alumni, the chances are very slim, but how about within 1km?

Below are our other options which we are considering:
2. Singapore Chinese girl’s school
3. Paya Lebar Methodist girl
4. River Valley Primary school
5. AiTong primary school
6. Nanyang Primary school - know this is a top school but i am afraid that it’s too stressful

Or any other girls’ school which anyone can recommend for us to consider? Your feedback will be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

CHIJ SNGS is one of the top schools, if not the top, in Singapore. If you are not alumni, you can try for Phase 2B, but even that requires balloting at <1km with 40 people chasing 20 seats last year. If you only have Phase 2C, well, you are looking at competition of 3 times the number of available seats. Even with Phase 2C increased to 40 seats, those that didn't make it for Phase 2A or 2B will definitely be vying for a seat then. And they are all within 1km!

If you are ok with the odds, then join in at Phase 2C. You should at least get a chance to ballot for 1 of the 40 seats. But you must have a 2nd choice for a backup school in Phase 2C(S). NONE of the schools you mentioned have any history of participating in Phase 2C(S), because they are out of places by Phase 2C! You need to choose some other school with some places left.

[SG_KP1]

AGn\" post_id=\"2069942\" time=\"1654738082\" user_id=\"198364:

Below is a list of shortlisted primary schools for my girl, will appreciate it if anyone can please share your feedback on these schools. I am still trying to figure out where to go as the only alumni we have is Maria Stella, which doesn’t really work for us. And we really want to look for a school with great school culture. Our preferred choice is (1) St Nicholas girl’s school - understand that if we aren’t alumni, the chances are very slim, but how about within 1km?

Below are our other options which we are considering:
2. Singapore Chinese girl’s school
3. Paya Lebar Methodist girl
4. River Valley Primary school
5. AiTong primary school
6. Nanyang Primary school - know this is a top school but i am afraid that it’s too stressful

Or any other girls’ school which anyone can recommend for us to consider? Your feedback will be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

I think it would be helpful if you can decide on what is most important to you; girls' school, religious school, affiliation benefits, SAP, or just any so called \"good school\" with the best odds to get in?

For some of these schools, even if you move within 1 km and can get 2B rights you will have to ballot in both 2B and (potentially) 2C. I.e. all the effort and hassle and it is still not guaranteed. Is it worth it? No right or wrong answer, as every individual has different assessment of value and risk.

If you are not under any time constraints (i.e. move and start volunteering), I would wait to see how this year's ballot shakes out with the new rules as it may give a bit more clarity on what odds you are facing (and this could impact what way you want to go).

Others you can consider:
Raffles Girls Primary - just move within 1 km (if you can afford the rent) and you can probably get a spot in 2C.
Methodist Girls School - likely ballot < 1 km for both 2B and 2C.

[phtthp]

ChiefKiasu\" post_id=\"2069950\" time=\"1654739382\" user_id=\"3:

CHIJ SNGS is one of the top schools, if not the top, in Singapore. If you are not alumni, you can try for Phase 2B, but even that requires balloting at <1km with 40 people chasing 20 seats last year. If you only have Phase 2C, well, you are looking at competition of 3 times the number of available seats. Even with Phase 2C increased to 40 seats, those that didn't make it for Phase 2A or 2B will definitely be vying for a seat then. And they are all within 1km!

If you are ok with the odds, then join in at Phase 2C. You should at least get a chance to ballot for 1 of the 40 seats. But you must have a 2nd choice for a backup school in Phase 2C(S). NONE of the schools you mentioned have any history of participating in Phase 2C(S), because they are out of places by Phase 2C! You need to choose some other school with some places left.

Amongst the 6 schools u just listed, your best bet is ...

Paya Lebar Methodist Girls primary : provided u shift to within 1 km of PLMGS, assuming that your daughter is SC. PLMGS is a very good primary school. PLMGS have got a team of caring (Principal & staff).

The other two All-Girls-school, (St Nick & SCGS) : competition is intense ! Under (Phases 2B & 2C), St Nick (within 1 km) competition is far much more intensified than SCGS ( within 1 km ). Seats (vacancies) are hotly contested.

The other 3 schools are co-ed (Nanyang, River Valley, Ai Tong) primary. For co-ed schools, you know lah, with the presence of K2 boys coming in to compete, fight head-on with K2 girls for seats, competition even worse (terrible) ! I would avoid \"co-ed\" schools under 2C

Unless

I have gotten a first cherry bite attempt at an earlier Phase 2B (if possible). Otherwise, if is just one single attempt at Phase 2C alone (only), I won't even attempt popular, co-ed SAP primary schools.

SC : Singapore Citizenship

[AGn]

phtthp\" post_id=\"2069966\" time=\"1654741681\" user_id=\"35251:

Amongst the 6 schools u just listed, your best bet is ...

Paya Lebar Methodist Girls primary : provided u shift to within 1 km of PLMGS, assuming that your daughter is SC. PLMGS is a very good primary school. PLMGS have got a team of caring (Principal & staff).

The other two All-Girls-school, (St Nick & SCGS) : competition is intense ! Under (Phases 2B & 2C), St Nick (within 1 km) competition is far much more intensified than SCGS ( within 1 km ). Seats (vacancies) are hotly contested.

The other 3 schools are co-ed (Nanyang, River Valley, Ai Tong) primary. For co-ed schools, you know lah, with the presence of K2 boys coming in to compete, fight head-on with K2 girls for seats, competition even worse (terrible) ! I would avoid \"co-ed\" schools under 2C

Unless

I have gotten a first cherry bite attempt at an earlier Phase 2B (if possible). Otherwise, if is just one single attempt at Phase 2C alone (only), I won't even attempt popular, co-ed SAP primary schools.

SC : Singapore Citizenship

Thank you so much for your responses! Really appreciate the feedback. Is PLMGS culture more of a caring type? Allow the girls to develop their personalities and character? I’m actually most focused on this as my daughter has a strong personality.

I’m considering river valley primary school because my parents live within 1km of it. And heard it is a good school in the past, but uncertain if it remains so now. That’s why I’m asking for any feedback on this school.