NUS High School of Mathematics and Science (Diploma)
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revils_ling\" post_id=\"2127375\" time=\"1705556170\" user_id=\"136480:
This is that YouTube video on RI V principals answering commonly asked questions. They also answered many other questions that may be of interest to you too:
Thanks again for bring this info to my attention. Honestly, before reading your earlier post, we have totally not considered RI before. I liked the idea of \"becoming a stronger fish\". I shall share this idea with my child and do some research on RI together. Appreciate your personal sharing. 👍
https://youtu.be/2uzGdr_TFVU?si=LZEzE5soMG69uTZz -
bbbay\" post_id=\"2127378\" time=\"1705556417\" user_id=\"175278:
Thanks so much for sharing the direct link. I was going to Google for it. Will watch it with my child later. 😊
This is that YouTube video on RI V principals answering commonly asked questions. They also answered many other questions that may be of interest to you too:
https://youtu.be/2uzGdr_TFVU?si=LZEzE5soMG69uTZz -
benx\" post_id=\"2127330\" time=\"1705522036\" user_id=\"122909:
Are you NUSH parent? I doubt its NUSH Culture to \"PUSH\" kids over the limits leh.. rather in NUSH culture its always to allow NUSHies to explore their passion, interests and excel in their area. Its always been this way, its actually the kids who pushes themselves. There are those who dont even take honours or 4th major or electives and teachers dont ask or push. So i dont think that was an accurate statement of NUSH culture. More like some parents who think their kids are in top school (erm.. if they think NUSH is) and push their kids over the limit la..NUSH is like a place for NUshies to be themselves and in their own planet. They are free to be themselves without judgement or moulded in any form, conformed to the norms. So drop outs or not, i think its mostly coz its about suitability, some kids just cant suit, they prefer RI style or A levels style. No right or wrong. NUSH is totally different style, cant compare apple to orange.
The 1.30pm is only 1-2 days in a week, 6pm is also 1-2 days in a week. Yeah, cannot expect to go home early especially top schools. Academic must perform, enrichment, electives and CCA also must perform because top schools teachers always want to push over the limits. -
revils_ling\" post_id=\"2127375\" time=\"1705556170\" user_id=\"136480:
the other side of \"a stronger fish\" is \"that which does not kill us makes us...\"
Thanks again for bring this info to my attention. Honestly, before reading your earlier post, we have totally not considered RI at all. But I like the idea of \"becoming a stronger fish\". I shall share this idea with my child and do some research on RI together. Appreciate your personal sharing. 👍
:imdrowning:
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revils_ling\" post_id=\"2127375\" time=\"1705556170\" user_id=\"136480:
For RI, it is ultimately a premier IP track so the coverage will be more rigorous than the standard O level curriculum. SBGEP track was scrapped after IP was set up but the kids are still streamed into bad/good classes. The epitome will be at the faster pace in the last few classes (higher PSLE scores and GEP students there as with classes /11 and /12 in RGS ) at lower secondary and then RA (Raffles Academy) at higher levels. Ultimately, they are there to clear A levels so there is only so much “acceleration” you can do so as not to dilute from the main focus of getting AAA/A to apply to university.
Thanks again for bring this info to my attention. Honestly, before reading your earlier post, we have totally not considered RI at all. But I like the idea of \"becoming a stronger fish\". I shall share this idea with my child and do some research on RI together. Appreciate your personal sharing. 👍
For NUSHigh, the acceleration is across the cohort as all are expected to be able to take the faster pace and increased depth. They sit diagnostic tests if they want to go even higher in certain subjects so in DS time, his classmates were doing Y2 or Y 3 math /chem at initial Y1 year ( NUS undergrad subject classes by Y4). It’s modular so the kids stay in their cohort year but just take the accelerated module of higher year.. the grade will count towards the core so some choose not to accelerate as you risk your core grades if you do choose to.
The teachers assert that most are are able to clear O levels by Year 3. By month May of Y5, all will sit Advanced Placement calculus AB and no one has got anything less than perfect 5 in history of the school.
By May Y6, they sit APs of various subjects and anyone taking honours in subject will get 5.0/5.0.
The true gauge is probably the Olympiads. If the schools has a slate of medallists , then it’s achievement reflecting the acceleration. Also, note in NUSH and R, you will likely see more Golds than the lesser medals whereas in other schools, there are more lower medals than Golds … implying there is a strict selection process before the kids are cleared to rep the school. In NUSH, it’s open season as anyone can take the junior Olympiads “for fun”, they still end up with a fair bit of medals that way.
The only drawback I see is most tend to be weaker in mother tongue. Average Higher Chinese grade at Y5 O levels is ard D though there are outliers. 😊 -
lucid\" post_id=\"2127600\" time=\"1705850284\" user_id=\"14312:
Hi lucid, thanks for your insightful sharing. I believe my boy will be elated to read your post as he is definitely looking forward to join a school where he can finally accelerate \"freely\" in Maths, and possibly Chemistry and Physics too. 😋 For NUSH, are the diagnostic tests strictly assigned by the various subject teachers, or are students also able to approach their teachers to request for such tests as well?
For RI, it is ultimately a premier IP track so the coverage will be more rigorous than the standard O level curriculum. SBGEP track was scrapped after IP was set up but the kids are still streamed into bad/good classes. The epitome will be at the faster pace in the last few classes (higher PSLE scores and GEP students there as with classes /11 and /12 in RGS ) at lower secondary and then RA (Raffles Academy) at higher levels. Ultimately, they are there to clear A levels so there is only so much “acceleration” you can do so as not to dilute from the main focus of getting AAA/A to apply to university.
For NUSHigh, the acceleration is across the cohort as all are expected to be able to take the faster pace and increased depth. They sit diagnostic tests if they want to go even higher in certain subjects so in DS time, his classmates were doing Y2 or Y 3 math /chem at initial Y1 year ( NUS undergrad subject classes by Y4). It’s modular so the kids stay in their cohort year but just take the accelerated module of higher year.. the grade will count towards the core so some choose not to accelerate as you risk your core grades if you do choose to.
The teachers assert that most are are able to clear O levels by Year 3. By month May of Y5, all will sit Advanced Placement calculus AB and no one has got anything less than perfect 5 in history of the school.
By May Y6, they sit APs of various subjects and anyone taking honours in subject will get 5.0/5.0.
The true gauge is probably the Olympiads. If the schools has a slate of medallists , then it’s achievement reflecting the acceleration. Also, note in NUSH and R, you will likely see more Golds than the lesser medals whereas in other schools, there are more lower medals than Golds … implying there is a strict selection process before the kids are cleared to rep the school. In NUSH, it’s open season as anyone can take the junior Olympiads “for fun”, they still end up with a fair bit of medals that way.
The only drawback I see is most tend to be weaker in mother tongue. Average Higher Chinese grade at Y5 O levels is ard D though there are outliers. 😊
My boy's current shortlist definitely includes NUSH, but I did tell him to keep an open mind since enrolment into NUSH has to depend mainly on DSA. So he shld also have a look at other schools too. May I ask if it is true that subjects like English and Mother Tongue are more manageable in NUSH as compared to other SBGEP schools? Do they also have the option to clear HCL by Year 4? My boy has been hovering at AL2 for CL and Merit (~75) for HCL since P4 without any external help, so hopefully he can do so by then.
As he's currently in the GEP, will he automatically be placed into a class meant for former GEP students if he joins a school (like RI, NUSH, HCI, ACSI or DHS) that runs the SBGEP? I'm not sure if being in the GEP is still the best route for him moving forward though, since he's not an all-rounder. Based on what he has experienced so far, my takeaway is that GEP is most suitable for all-rounders, and not kids who are passionate in just Maths and/or Science. English itself has been extremely taxing on his ability because he's just not ready to take on English Literature at P4 to P6. 😅 -
The diagnostic tests are administered by the subject departments. You take them if you want to accelerate. Even if you have not taken Higher Chinese at PSLE, you can also ask to take diagnostic for it and do Higher Chinese from Yr 1 if they deem you are at sufficient level. It is very flexible as it’s a school for the truly passionate and gifted- stretch yourself - as high as possible as long as you don’t compromise your core grades.
You can choose to take Geography or Econs ( other than Math and all 3 sciences) at NUS undergrad level in later years. Computing acceleration will be taught at Digipen or NUS. The kids are not very welcomed by the undergrads as they usually obtain A pretty easily- wrecking their bell curve. Those who do not achieve A probably got hit by attendance component , and not because they couldn’t do the work. At final years, they have Olympiads or research projects so some do not attend the classes at NUS as regularly. Student feedback is that Science courses at undergrad first year are actually easier and less rigorous (no lab) than the Y5/6 honours level taught within NUSHigh (with lab) so, some of the students who really are out to learn prefer to do their Hons in-house in Y5/6 rather than bragging rights for going to Yr1 courses at NUS. All the teachers at hons level are PhDs anyhow.
There are no segregated classes for ex-GEP. Everyone is the mixed up across (good margin are ex-GEP already so it’s life as usual) and nobody speaks about who was or was not from GEP. It may be the first class at year one which consolidates all the ones with school scholarships - Gold or Plat Olympiad in primary and offered NUSH scholarship.
But it is not “be it and end all” as I find that some of these kids burn out faster due to the hot housing and rote learn in Olympiad techniques.
The entire school is SBGEP and you see some ex-GEP not do as well as they are not as Math Science passionate. Meanwhile, the non-Geppers can do very well as they are good in STEM but likely did not clear the GEP language bar at primary 3.
Languages and humanities at NUSH are of equally high standard but only those who have been through the school know that language/humanes hold less weighting in final contribution to aggregate CAP. This is why they say languages are “manageable” - study the math formula on how CAP is computed and you will realise that a student who has comparative strength in Math and 3 Sciences or Computing will do better , even though competitively, the languages and humanities are as rigorous as what the Rs or HC’s are teaching , if not more.
Some did not do as well in primary school Olympiad but bloomed after training in NUSH - end up with International MO whereas the hot housed Golds drop Olympiad by Y3-4. Also, Math Olympiad is most accessible at primary level so the hidden gems who are strong in Science - Physics , Chem, Bio, Astronomy, Informatics have not revealed themselves yet. Some of the kids switch Olympiad domains to great success too. Others then find they prefer professional research so join Science fairs /conferences and publish in international journals. -
lucid\" post_id=\"2127604\" time=\"1705864911\" user_id=\"14312:
Thanks again lucid for sharing so much information! 🙏 I do agree with you on the burn out due to hot housing part as we have witnessed a few of his classmates like that. One minute they were getting Golds and Platinum for the Math and Science Olympiads, the next they were falling their tests/exams. It's quite sad and scary to see them like that, although maybe to their parents it's fine since they've achieved the accolades that they were training for, especially after pouring in so much time and money. We are from the opposite end of this spectrum, no special training, no hot housing (he won't listen anyway), so my boy finds it hard to understand how these classmates can be so extreme. 😅
The diagnostic tests are administered by the subject departments. You take them if you want to accelerate. Even if you have not taken Higher Chinese at PSLE, you can also ask to take diagnostic for it and do Higher Chinese from Yr 1 if they deem you are at sufficient level. It is very flexible as it’s a school for the truly passionate and gifted- stretch yourself - as high as possible as long as you don’t compromise your core grades.
You can choose to take Geography or Econs ( other than Math and all 3 sciences) at NUS undergrad level in later years. Computing acceleration will be taught at Digipen or NUS. The kids are not very welcomed by the undergrads as they usually obtain A pretty easily- wrecking their bell curve. Those who do not achieve A probably got hit by attendance component , and not because they couldn’t do the work. At final years, they have Olympiads or research projects so some do not attend the classes at NUS as regularly. Student feedback is that Science courses at undergrad first year are actually easier and less rigorous (no lab) than the Y5/6 honours level taught within NUSHigh (with lab) so, some of the students who really are out to learn prefer to do their Hons in-house in Y5/6 rather than bragging rights for going to Yr1 courses at NUS. All the teachers at hons level are PhDs anyhow.
There are no segregated classes for ex-GEP. Everyone is the mixed up across (good margin are ex-GEP already so it’s life as usual) and nobody speaks about who was or was not from GEP. It may be the first class at year one which consolidates all the ones with school scholarships - Gold or Plat Olympiad in primary and offered NUSH scholarship.
But it is not “be it and end all” as I find that some of these kids burn out faster due to the hot housing and rote learn in Olympiad techniques.
The entire school is SBGEP and you see some ex-GEP not do as well as they are not as Math Science passionate. Meanwhile, the non-Geppers can do very well as they are good in STEM but likely did not clear the GEP language bar at primary 3.
Languages and humanities at NUSH are of equally high standard but only those who have been through the school know that language/humanes hold less weighting in final contribution to aggregate CAP. This is why they say languages are “manageable” - study the math formula on how CAP is computed and you will realise that a student who has comparative strength in Math and 3 Sciences or Computing will do better , even though competitively, the languages and humanities are as rigorous as what the Rs or HC’s are teaching , if not more.
Some did not do as well in primary school Olympiad but bloomed after training in NUSH - end up with International MO whereas the hot housed Golds drop Olympiad by Y3-4. Also, Math Olympiad is most accessible at primary level so the hidden gems who are strong in Science - Physics , Chem, Bio, Astronomy, Informatics have not revealed themselves yet. Some of the kids switch Olympiad domains to great success too. Others then find they prefer professional research so join Science fairs /conferences and publish in international journals.
Your description of the learning environment at NUSH makes it sound even more suitable for kids like my boy to join. He is not an all rounder for sure, very weak in English, but he has always had his diehard passion in Maths and certain aspects of Science which can be quite unstoppable. 😓 He was disappointed that the primary school GEP Science curriculum doesn't include astronomy, quantum physics and chemistry. Thankfully, the additional enrichment provided for GEP Maths was sufficient and fun enough for him not to complain about being bored in school. I told him he'll just have to wait till after PSLE to join a school that hopefully allows him to venture into his areas of interest on a regular basis. Nonetheless, to be able to DSA successfully into NUSH will still be a very challenging task due to the large number of applicants. We shall be waiting eagerly for May-August period to come along and see how it all works out for him. If it's meant to be, he'll get into a school that suits him best (I hope). 😊 -
The rote learners are easily identified… by Y3/4, the Junior Olympiads at lower years will show up. The seniors are the ones who takes the classes to coach the juniors.
The hot housed well practised ones are the ones who share “oh this looks familiar to question xxx in year xxxx in Section abc.” The truly genius are the ones who work hard , practise but can solve the questions originally if it is not seen before.
Please join Astronomy CCA if he gets in. They coach themselves in applied and quantum physics (seniors teach juniors and they do pick up the Astronomy Olympiad medals along the way) it’s probably the only school which has Astronomy at lower secondary so inter school events, our Y1-4 are interacting and competing with JC and undergrads 😁. It’s free tuition too so the Astronomy kids don’t have a problem picking up Advanced Physics, Calculus and also, quantum computing.
The school is powerhouse for Chemistry, 50-75% of national training team is NUSHigh who go on to rep the country. You get token representation from R and rarely HC. Most of these students are not bound for local unis as they have already done courses there so they are mostly in Ivy, Oxbridge etc. -
lucid\" post_id=\"2127622\" time=\"1705905248\" user_id=\"14312:
It's interesting that you \"recommended\" him joining their Astronomy CCA if he gets in. After their open house last May, his eyes and mind were already set on the Astronomy CCA 😋, and his only concern was the CCA timing (which runs from 730pm-10pm). As we stay in the East side, he was wondering what time he'll be able to get home if he joins this CCA. 😅 But once he gets to read this post, he will have no more hesitation. 😂 I shall keep this info from him until he gets a CO or WL from NUSH.
The rote learners are easily identified… by Y3/4, the Junior Olympiads at lower years will show up. The seniors are the ones who takes the classes to coach the juniors.
The hot housed well practised ones are the ones who share “oh this looks familiar to question xxx in year xxxx in Section abc.” The truly genius are the ones who work hard , practise but can solve the questions originally if it is not seen before.
Please join Astronomy CCA if he gets in. They coach themselves in applied and quantum physics (seniors teach juniors and they do pick up the Astronomy Olympiad medals along the way) it’s probably the only school which has Astronomy at lower secondary so inter school events, our Y1-4 are interacting and competing with JC and undergrads 😁. It’s free tuition too so the Astronomy kids don’t have a problem picking up Advanced Physics, Calculus and also, quantum computing.
The school is powerhouse for Chemistry, 50-75% of national training team is NUSHigh who go on to rep the country. You get token representation from R and rarely HC. Most of these students are not bound for local unis as they have already done courses there so they are mostly in Ivy, Oxbridge etc.
He's in the midst of exploring Calculus on his own since the year end school holiday, and has asked for a few books to supplement his \"research\". I think NUSH will just take its place as his ultimate dream school if he reads your post today. 😅 So it's hush for me (from him) for now. He's not yet familiar with the Ivy League and Oxbridge, but he hopes to be able to study in ETH Zurich in the future, partly because it's Einstein's alma mater, and so that he can be nearer to CERN. 😊
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