NUS High School of Mathematics and Science (Diploma)
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Hey all parents!
I'm a NUS High school student, currently in year 4. I came across this thread by chance while doing research for English, and I thought I could contribute by sharing some of my NUS high experience. Since the DSA phase is over (I believe) I shall just share about how the school actually works, and what your Child expect if your child make it into this school.
School work
Even though our school still retains the \"modular system\" where subjects are broken down into individual modules, however the way the modules are organised starts to resemble mainstream schools more. Previously, a semester could have more than 1 module for the subject, for example 2 math modules for 1 semester, but now they tend to lump all of the content into one module. This has both its pros and its cons. The CAP is calculated by sum of the numerical equivalent of the grades of various subjects, multiplied by the hours of lesson each week, then divided by total lesson time. The average cap for the first 2 years should be around 4 out of 5.
Homework is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT in NUSH, as the grades are 60% CA and 40% SA, normally. The distribution of the CA varies from module to module, but an example would be:
30% Assignments
30% Tests/Quiz
10% Project
10% practicals
5% File checks
5% Class participation
for the first two years teachers are normally quite lenient on late submission, but they will get stricter as you go up the levels. Of course if you know you'll be really busy during a certain timeslot and may hand up work late it's best to ask the teacher for an extension. Teachers are normally very kind and flexible towards such requests. However, if there are no alternatives, then REFERENCING of homework from friends is encouraged
just don't make it too obvious.
It should be noted that term tests are important, and so are quizes. Effort should be put it to ensure good performance. As for Class Participation and File Checks they are like free marks and it's important as it may mean the difference between grades.
Many parents, could be concerned about the supposed emphasis towards math and the Sciences. This is not really true. A school week of the typical year 1 and 2 would comprise of 6 hours of languages, around 6 hours of science, 4 hours of Math, 2-3 hours of the Da Vinci program and 2 hours of Integrated Humanities, with one and a half hours of PE.
The humanities system has changed quite a lot since my batch (2007). In my time we were made to choose what humanities to take out of History, Geography, Art, Music and Literature. In the 2 years we had to fulfill at least 4 hours of humanities per week per term. Now, the first three semesters are spent on IH, which is a mix of both Geog and History, with the option to do art and music in year 2. I believe this is quite slack as compared to my batch, which had to do at least 4 hours of humanities in our time. However, the Humans system may change next year. I'm not too sure about that.
I'm aware that most are drawn towards NUSH for its policy of acceleration. Most students are NOT able to accelerate in any subject. Most accelerate math, but even so those who accelerate number less than 5 in any cohort. Besides, it would be better for one to concentrate on keeping a high CAP, as that is what universities will look at when it comes to university applications.
DAILY LIFE IN NUS HIGH
This will probably concern your child more than you. How is life in NUS high like?
A normal day in NUS high will begin at 745 in the morning. The starting time may be pushed back for special days such as Teachers day, Speech day, etc... However, many students live in the east side of singapore, so they may have to leave house as early as 6 just to reach school in time. However there's the school bus service which is very convinient. This has never been an issue for me though, as i live just 5 minutes away from the school. In year 5, it is compulsory for the students to live in the hostel, which is based in the school compound. Hostel life is apparently fun. I cannot comment much since I've never stayed in hostel (next year's my year!)
After flag raising, lessons would proceed. Most lessons last for either one or two hours, followed by a half hour break for recess or one hour break. Students may occasionally get longer breaks if they do not have a lesson during that time slot. I've had 5 hour breaks before. However most of such long breaks have been eliminated already, which often results in really short days. For year 1&2s lesson may end as early as 10. However, you're only allowed to leave after 1300 due to prevalent school policy.
One common complaint of the students this year is that the canteen food is horrible, however that is being worked upon.
However, parents should take into account the gender imbalance. In this year's year 1 cohort, there are a total of 33 girls in an intake of 150+. This may lead to several girls, especially those from single-sex schools to feel uncomfortable with the highly masculine environment. There are also many foreigners in the school, but this is actually quite a blessing as it gives a very cosmopolitan feel to the school.
CCA is compulsory in NUSH. CCA times are on Monday and Fridays only.
I'm not sure as to what more I could say about NUSH. If you do have any questions you could always contact me at [email protected] and i'll do my best to help you out!
hope this helped
~Botak
If you do have any question -
Botak,
Thank you for taking the time and having the patience to explain so thoroughly. I am sure many parents with kids who have got DSA offers are not too sure what to expect.
The information you have given has helped us understand the school a bit better , especially since it comes from a stuentโs perspective.
We have worries which can be classified:
Is the school good enough ?
Will my child get good opportunities, will she have a good exposure, is the teaching good and environment stretching her to her best, etc etc
Is my child good enough for the school?
What if the teachings are too difficult, can she cope, will she be stressed out, will she regret joining a maths-science school, what if she discovers her apptitude/interest in maths and science is waning and she wants out?
Ya the list goes onโฆ
DD gets to make the decision, so why am i even worrying?
Well, a mumโs got to do what she got to do , right?
So could you let us know what you went thru while making the decision or was NUSH your ultimate dream school and they was no doubt that u will accept it? Any fears you had? And issues you had to adjust?
i guess a 17 yr old has far better things to do , so Thank U for taking some time out. -
Sun_2010:
hi sun_2010Botak,
Thank you for taking the time and having the patience to explain so thoroughly. I am sure many parents with kids who have got DSA offers are not too sure what to expect.
The information you have given has helped us understand the school a bit better , especially since it comes from a stuent's perspective.
We have worries which can be classified:
Is the school good enough ?
Will my child get good opportunities, will she have a good exposure, is the teaching good and environment stretching her to her best, etc etc
Is my child good enough for the school?
What if the teachings are too difficult, can she cope, will she be stressed out, will she regret joining a maths-science school, what if she discovers her apptitude/interest in maths and science is waning and she wants out?
Ya the list goes on...
DD gets to make the decision, so why am i even worrying?
Well, a mum's got to do what she got to do , right?
So could you let us know what you went thru while making the decision or was NUSH your ultimate dream school and they was no doubt that u will accept it? Any fears you had? And issues you had to adjust?
i guess a 17 yr old has far better things to do , so Thank U for taking some time out.
It's ok. In fact it was quite fun writing this review!
Is the school good enough ?
The school Diploma is recognized by most of the top universities worldwide, in both the UK and the US. I believe the school website has a list of schools that recognize our diploma, as I can't really remember! Furthermore, being an IP school, it is relatively easy to get a good scholarship, with most of the cutoff points for scholarships being a CAP of 3.6, which is really easy to achieve.
Will my child get good opportunities, will she have a good exposure, is the teaching good and environment stretching her to her best, etc etc
We do get many chances for research, as well as many opportunities to gain experience and exposure to many things. bearing in mind the small cohort size each year, it is easier to get opportunities. However, the school is becoming rather elitist in this few years, due to a change in management, but I would say that it is still rather easy to get a chance for the many special programs being offered.
The teachers in our school are not bad, and are often really kind and lenient in terms of work. They are also very approachable in case your child does have any doubts. I'm not too sure about the environment though, since each batch has its own distinct characteristics. As the Chinese idiom goes ่ฟๆฑ่ ่ตค๏ผ่ฟๅขจ่ ้ป.
Is my child good enough for the school?
If she's good enough to get through DSA she's definitely good enough, as long as she puts in effort
What if the teachings are too difficult, can she cope, will she be stressed out, will she regret joining a maths-science school, what if she discovers her apptitude/interest in maths and science is waning and she wants out?
That remains to be seen. I would advice your child to carefully consider before committing herself to this school.
So could you let us know what you went thru while making the decision or was NUSH your ultimate dream school and they was no doubt that u will accept it? Any fears you had? And issues you had to adjust?
NUSH was probably my first choice since it was announced in 2004, firstly because i just live 5 minutes away from school, so it was really convinient.
I didnt really recall fearing anything, but i took REALLY LONG to adjust to its grading system, since i'm such a slacker!
hope this helped
botak -
Thank you for your enlightenment.
My child has DSA offers for RI HCI and NUSH. Which school would you recommend? Do you regret coming to NUSH?
Thank you. -
Guthix:
I wouldn't really know your son, it's his preference. Perhaps you could tell me more about your son, for example his likes and dislikes, as well as how hardworking he is, and how willing is he to tahan hardships.Thank you for your enlightenment.
My child has DSA offers for RI HCI and NUSH. Which school would you recommend? Do you regret coming to NUSH?
Thank you.
I think nus high, while having a mugging culture, is much slacker than other schools, not in terms of academic rigor, but in terms of free time available. Students tend to have much more time for their own pursuits, be it academic, physical, or romantic.
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I wouldn't really know your son, it's his preference. Perhaps you could tell me more about your son, for example his likes and dislikes, as well as how hardworking he is, and how willing is he to tahan hardships.
I think nus high, while having a mugging culture, is much slacker than other schools, not in terms of academic rigor, but in terms of free time available. Students tend to have much more time for their own pursuits, be it academic, physical, or romantic. :P[/quote]
May i know how many of the last year senior admit to top US/UK university . And how many nos of the senior admit to local medical school.
Usually what time your going back home? Do you mean that there is more hardships compare to other IP school (RI)? -
uhoobus:
Do us parents a favour...
I wouldn't really know your son, it's his preference. Perhaps you could tell me more about your son, for example his likes and dislikes, as well as how hardworking he is, and how willing is he to tahan hardships.
I think nus high, while having a mugging culture, is much slacker than other schools, not in terms of academic rigor, but in terms of free time available. Students tend to have much more time for their own pursuits, be it academic, physical, or romantic.
What in ur opinion is the kind of personality that would thrive in NUSH?
What kind of people would feel stiffled there? May be you see some examples around you...
And if you can what sort of kids would thrive better in RI than at NUSH?
In terms of scholarships etc for overseas U, are those in RI/HCI better placed bcos of their school or their calibre or a combination of the two? are students from RI/HCI get more scholarships bcos of their larger number or bcos of their track record? I realise that individual strength is the key factor but do the above play a significant role....
I have heard that there are a handful atleast from NUSH who are persuing a non -maths/sci path ; would you say they are misfist there? or while they are pretty good in Sci/maths; their interests have changed ad are moving towards ecom/humanities, etc....
Sorry for troubling you , but the above would really help us parents...
I have more to ask , but am not pushing my luck here
Thanks! -
One more thing, are any of the third language being taken with in the school campus?
Interested in French and CSP (Chinese Special Program, i think)
TIA -
Sun_2010:
I honestly feel you ask some rather awkward (and somewhat unfair) questions for a NUSH kid here. He's not obliged to answer any of those qns. There is no need to compare as you already show some bias towards your prefer institution. There are no such thing as misfits even as there are folks in RI IP programme who chose the polytechnic programme in their 5 years of study. Mind you !
Do us parents a favour...uhoobus:
I wouldn't really know your son, it's his preference. Perhaps you could tell me more about your son, for example his likes and dislikes, as well as how hardworking he is, and how willing is he to tahan hardships.
I think nus high, while having a mugging culture, is much slacker than other schools, not in terms of academic rigor, but in terms of free time available. Students tend to have much more time for their own pursuits, be it academic, physical, or romantic.
What in ur opinion is the kind of personality that would thrive in NUSH?
What kind of people would feel stiffled there? May be you see some examples around you...
And if you can what sort of kids would thrive better in RI than at NUSH?
In terms of scholarships etc for overseas U, are those in RI/HCI better placed bcos of their school or their calibre or a combination of the two? are students from RI/HCI get more scholarships bcos of their larger number or bcos of their track record? I realise that individual strength is the key factor but do the above play a significant role....
I have heard that there are a handful atleast from NUSH who are persuing a non -maths/sci path ; would you say they are misfist there? or while they are pretty good in Sci/maths; their interests have changed ad are moving towards ecom/humanities, etc....
Sorry for troubling you , but the above would really help us parents...
I have more to ask , but am not pushing my luck here
Thanks!
My P6 RGPS GEP girl is on the waiting list for NUSH. Even she has 2 other CO, somehow she still prefer NUSH. -
Hi,
For prospective parents/students who are interested to know more about NUS High, a lot of information is available in Collegetalk, a website maintained by NUSH graduates and seniors.
For propective students, a student's view on why you should/should not go NUSH
http://nushscollegetalk.blogspot.com/search/label/NUS%20High%20Applications
Statistics on Uni acceptance, scholarships awarded etc. (note that class of '09 and '08 only has 88 students each)
http://nushscollegetalk.blogspot.com/search/label/nushs%20stats
I somewhat agree with walterp - students who are determined to do well will thrive whether they are in top schools or neighbourhood schools, so there is no worry of misfit.
My son rejected RI to join NUSH during the DSA phase. Somehow he prefers NUSH, and he is doing rather well now, absolutely no regrets.
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