How to select schools during S1 posting?

[SG_KP1]

RandomMum\" post_id=\"2081006\" time=\"1662280265\" user_id=\"199204:

How do we select the secondary schools during S1 posting? For example if my DD gets AL6 should we put RGS as first choice or be safer and put NYHS as we might not get into RGS?

Could someone give suggestions on what schools we should put for the choices assuming she gets AL6? And also what to choose if she gets AL8? Thanks.

Based on last year's actual COPs, if a student scores AL6 she can put RGS as first choice and NYGH as second choice. If she doesn't get in at RGS (ballot out), NYGH would be safe as AL6 second choice still comes ahead of all the AL7s (even if they are first choice).

The risk to the above strategy is that NYGH COP moves to AL6(X). In this case the student's HCL score will matter and if stuck in tie-breaker will have to accept that she has NYGH as second choice.

For AL8, I believe last year a lot of students were ballot out of AL8 first choice. The system may not have allocated them to a school until they hit a choice with an AL9 (or higher) COP.

[00skyblue00]

SG_KP1\" post_id=\"2081008\" time=\"1662281796\" user_id=\"188234:

For AL8, I believe last year a lot of students were ballot out of AL8 first choice. The system may not have allocated them to a school until they hit a choice with an AL9 (or higher) COP.

A lot AL8 got ballot out of first choice of cop AL8 schools?
Mainly moe schools eg Cedar, Catholic High? Non independent schools.
Citizenship?

[00skyblue00]

RandomMum\" post_id=\"2081006\" time=\"1662280265\" user_id=\"199204:

How do we select the secondary schools during S1 posting? For example if my DD gets AL6 should we put RGS as first choice or be safer and put NYHS as we might not get into RGS?

Could someone give suggestions on what schools we should put for the choices assuming she gets AL6? And also what to choose if she gets AL8? Thanks.

Depends if kid is a citizen, PR or foreigner too.

[SG_KP1]

00skyblue00\" post_id=\"2081010\" time=\"1662283022\" user_id=\"143605:

A lot AL8 got ballot out of first choice of cop AL8 schools?
Mainly moe schools eg Cedar? Non independent school.

I think there were also some SCGS AL8 first choice didn't make it (i.e. AL8 COP). Unfortunately, the other AL8 second/third choices were of no help either and student wasn't placed until his/her lower choices.

While MOE has fixed HMT and Third Lang at AL8 (under t-score these cutoffs floated at Top 10%), in any year it is possible that AL8 comprises more than 10% of the cohort.

Per your other reply, Citizenship is also important, as it is the first tie-breaker among those with the same total score.

[zac's mum]

00skyblue00\" post_id=\"2081010\" time=\"1662283022\" user_id=\"143605:

A lot AL8 got ballot out of first choice of cop AL8 schools?
Mainly moe schools eg Cedar, Catholic High? Non independent schools.
Citizenship?

Just throwing in some data…It was mentioned at SJI Open House that a double-digit number of kids were balloted out at AL8 for IB track. [Also double-digit number were balloted out at non-affiliated COP for OP track.]

Citizenship not mentioned.

[00skyblue00]

SG_KP1\" post_id=\"2081013\" time=\"1662283769\" user_id=\"188234:

I think there were also some SCGS AL8 first choice didn't make it (i.e. AL8 COP). Unfortunately, the other AL8 second/third choices were of no help either and student wasn't placed until his/her lower choices.

While MOE has fixed HMT and Third Lang at AL8 (under t-score these cutoffs floated at Top 10%), in any year it is possible that AL8 comprises more than 10% of the cohort.

Per your other reply, Citizenship is also important, as it is the first tie-breaker among those with the same total score.

Another girls school, cop at AL8, there are foreigners and PR. If so, citizenship kicks in.
Many locals, with better ALs, AL8, 9, chose neighbourhood express schools though. So the balloting could be for mainly non locals, just guessing. Don't flame me.

[00skyblue00]

Cop is also dependent on left over vacancies from DSA. If sch took in more DSA, affiliated kids, their cop will get smaller.

So it is hard to just cop to justify that AL8 is more than 10%

[SG_KP1]

00skyblue00\" post_id=\"2081015\" time=\"1662286722\" user_id=\"143605:

Another girls school, cop at AL8, there are foreigners and PR. If so, citizenship kicks in.
Many locals, with better ALs, AL8, 9, chose neighbourhood express schools though. So the balloting could be for mainly non locals, just guessing. Don't flame me.

I believe they were SCs but not 100% sure. I do know AL8(D) PR at DHS did not make it last year. Whether balloting was AL8(D) SC or PR remains unclear.

There have always been AL8 / 250 or better that select various non-IP schools (Co-ed multi-stream, SAP, or O level stream of dual track schools) for whatever reasons. No one outside of MOE has the definitive data but based on the raw marks capable of generating AL8 I believe it is likely that AL8 encompasses more people than where the Top 10% was in the last few years of t-score (250-252 depending on the year). Practically speaking, I don't think it is a bad thing if more kids are eligible for HMT or Third Lang. I think the surprise came when AL8s did not qualify for IP, which is what it is...

Not meant to flame; just an opinion and we can disagree.

[00skyblue00]

SG_KP1\" post_id=\"2081020\" time=\"1662288185\" user_id=\"188234:

I believe they were SCs but not 100% sure. I do know AL8(D) PR at DHS did not make it last year. Whether balloting was AL8(D) SC or PR remains unclear.

There have always been AL8 / 250 or better that select various non-IP schools (Co-ed multi-stream, SAP, or O level stream of dual track schools) for whatever reasons. No one outside of MOE has the definitive data but based on the raw marks capable of generating AL8 I believe it is likely that AL8 encompasses more people than where the Top 10% was in the last few years of t-score (250-252 depending on the year). Practically speaking, I don't think it is a bad thing if more kids are eligible for HMT or Third Lang. I think the surprise came when AL8s did not qualify for IP, which is what it is...

Not meant to flame; just an opinion and we can disagree.

I meant to say, for SC, if they really want their first choice cop at AL8, they shld try. Coz there was a PR with AL8 got in. But this depends how badly kid wants that sch. Eg. Proximity, culture fit etc. Still a risk.

I also believe, there are AL9 who are real top 10% by raw scores. So the guess on AL8 is not conclusive.
Just saying RV cop is AL9, still IP. By right, IP was meant for top 10%