Looking for better 2nd & 3rd tier Secondary Schools

[Pen88n]

kaka:

teh_oh:

Hi Kaka,
How different are the curriculum to 'mainstream' schools? Any DSA via CCA options?
Thanks in advance.

The subject combinations for lower Sec are: Eng, Chin, Maths, Sci, Integrated humanities (Geo/his) and ADMT. The only different from mainstream is ADMT (there is no home econs, arts etc). There is also time for I&E (Innovation and Entrepreneurship). At the upper Sec, there were more applied Science subjects (eg Media studies, Biotechology) to choose from compare to mainstream school.

The class size is small at 20-25, the teachers have more time to support the children. The unique approach to learning is using the \"Learning Device\" ie Mac Pro.

From my understanding, there is no DSA via CCA option, everyone has to sit through the selection test.

Hope this helps.

Hi Kaka,

You mentioned that for SST upper secondary, there are more applied Science subjects than mainstream secondary schools. Does SST still have to take \"O\" Level? If yes, how do these additional Science subjects fit into the \"O\" Level curriculum? Sorry to ask so many questions, just wondering how this is managed compared with mainstream secondary schools. Thanks

[kaka]

Pen88n:

Hi Kaka,

You mentioned that for SST upper secondary, there are more applied Science subjects than mainstream secondary schools. Does SST still have to take \"O\" Level? If yes, how do these additional Science subjects fit into the \"O\" Level curriculum? Sorry to ask so many questions, just wondering how this is managed compared with mainstream secondary schools. Thanks

Yes, SST students still have to take \"O\" level. Besides compulsory subjects of Eng, Chin, E Maths, A Maths, the students can take other pure science subjects and applied science subjects combinations.
More answers can be found on: http://www.sst.edu.sg/template02.dwt.php?page=9

I would like to suggest that we discuss questions on SST in the SST thread so that parents can share about other schools.

[Pen88n]

kaka:

Pen88n:

Hi Kaka,

You mentioned that for SST upper secondary, there are more applied Science subjects than mainstream secondary schools. Does SST still have to take \"O\" Level? If yes, how do these additional Science subjects fit into the \"O\" Level curriculum? Sorry to ask so many questions, just wondering how this is managed compared with mainstream secondary schools. Thanks

Yes, SST students still have to take \"O\" level. Besides compulsory subjects of Eng, Chin, E Maths, A Maths, the students can take other pure science subjects and applied science subjects combinations.
More answers can be found on: http://www.sst.edu.sg/template02.dwt.php?page=9

I would like to suggest that we discuss questions on SST in the SST thread so that parents can share about other schools.

Thank you, Kaka. This link is indeed very useful for parents / kids wanting to understand SST admission, curriculum, etc. Really appreciate your help.

[underthesea]

How about Ang Mo Kio Sec?

[chl72]

kaka:

JRLam:

Hi Kaka,

Can you share what he did in his DSA for SST? Has he been a high-achiever in his Science in Upper Pri? What were his scores, roughly? What do they learn or focus in SST that are different from the normal ones?

And what do you think he has or he did that help him to stand out from his peers to be accepted by SST?

Thanks alot for your sharing

Hi JRLam,
My DS did not prepare for the selection test as we took it as an activity rather than a test. We also did not know how to prepare. He found the test difficult especially the English paper as he is weak in the language. We were pleasantly surprise when he was selected to go for the 2nd round of test, which was a practical problem solving scenerio. He enjoyed the problem solving approach a lot and could not stop talking about it for the next few days.

His science was around the 75-85 range. Academically, he was an average student. However, from young, he liked to read encyclopaedia and road directories rather than story books. His science knowledge is thus broad but not that useful for PSLE. Thus I am grateful for the system that allow children to pursue their area of interest.

In this half a year, he enjoyed the school a lot as teaching is not about textbook and drilling. The teachers do not use textbook (except for CL), everything is done through the Mac Pro that every students will need to buy (be prepared to fork out about $2.9K). His favorite subject is ADMT (Arts, Design, Science and Technology) which is a subject unique to SST students.

Hi kaka,
My boy will be taking the selection test on 25 June. Like your boy, he prefers road directories, highway codes, science books etc rather than story books. :lol: Just curious, other than English, what is the other paper tested on? Math and science? Can share some of the types of questions that are in the test? Just kaisu a bit lah... :oops:

Thanks for sharing!

[kaka]

chl72:

Hi kaka,
My boy will be taking the selection test on 25 June. Like your boy, he prefers road directories, highway codes, science books etc rather than story books. :lol: Just curious, other than English, what is the other paper tested on? Math and science? Can share some of the types of questions that are in the test? Just kaisu a bit lah... :oops:

Thanks for sharing!

One parent in SST thread shared that the test is Higher Ability Selection Test (HAST) and provided the link. Below for your reference, good luck!
http://www.acer.edu.au/tests/hast-secondary
http://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/forum/viewtopic.php?f=39&t=2500&start=200

[h530251]

pixiedust:

A group of us P5 parents are looking for feedback on better 2nd & 3rd tier Secondary Schools.

COP in the range <241, probably 220-230, 230-240.

Would greatly appreciate any feedback you may have, whether positive or negative as it is difficult to find out the culture and general focus of the Secondary Schools.

So far we've the following from old discussions, lowest COP are based on old data so just a rough guage. Area grouping are loosely grouped, more important to us is the feedback about the actual school. THANKS in advance :

WEST
School of Science and Technology (240)
Commonwealth Secondary (236)
Swiss Cottage Secondary (234)
Clementi Town Secondary (230)

EAST
Ngee Ann Secondary (232)
Tanjong Katong Secondary (234)

CENTRAL
Maris Stella High School (232)

Any ideas which are the ones in the NORTH ? Thanks.

[Pen88n]

h530251:

pixiedust:

A group of us P5 parents are looking for feedback on better 2nd & 3rd tier Secondary Schools.

COP in the range <241, probably 220-230, 230-240.

Would greatly appreciate any feedback you may have, whether positive or negative as it is difficult to find out the culture and general focus of the Secondary Schools.

So far we've the following from old discussions, lowest COP are based on old data so just a rough guage. Area grouping are loosely grouped, more important to us is the feedback about the actual school. THANKS in advance :

WEST
School of Science and Technology (240)
Commonwealth Secondary (236)
Swiss Cottage Secondary (234)
Clementi Town Secondary (230)

EAST
Ngee Ann Secondary (232)
Tanjong Katong Secondary (234)

CENTRAL
Maris Stella High School (232)

Any ideas which are the ones in the NORTH ? Thanks.

These are the secondary schools in the North I know:
1. Anderson Secondary (248)
2. Xin Min Secondary (~240?)
3 Catholic High (248)
4. Nan Chiau (~235?)
5. St Nicholas (248)
6. Zhong Hua (237?)

These are the other schools I know, but not sure of standard:
1. Bowen (??)
2. Holy Innocents (??)
3. Presbyterian High (??)
4. Kuo Chuan Presbyterian (??)

[h530251]

[Any ideas which are the ones in the NORTH ? Thanks.[/quote]


These are the secondary schools in the North I know:
1. Anderson Secondary (248)
2. Xin Min Secondary (~240?)
3 Catholic High (248)
4. Nan Chiau (~235?)
5. St Nicholas (248)
6. Zhong Hua (237?)

These are the other schools I know, but not sure of standard:
1. Bowen (??)
2. Holy Innocents (??)
3. Presbyterian High (??)
4. Kuo Chuan Presbyterian (??)[/quote]


Wa.. what so good with this anderson sec ah.. why needs so high marks to get in ??? ...

[Mum1113]

You may refer to this thread, rather comprehensive list compiled in the courtesy of a veteran forummer

http://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/content/3-year-official-psle-cop-2009-2011-secondary-1-intake