School Of The Arts, Singapore
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I realised that there are many young parents in this discussion, many of those who shares an open mind, however, we were all young once, and obviously asking a primary six kid to decide what carrer path or interest path he/she would like to take is too early (IMHO).
I am still largely against this, as i think children at such a young age should be keeping their options open.
But obviously, an arts education is very different from a mainstream education. I have first hand experiences of this as a architecture student in NUS. Having interest in arts and pursuing arts is two different matters.
The thing is that arts students required to be nurtured from young in order to so-called develop an artistic mind. Hence, i could understand the rationale of setting up such a school to take in students at such a young age, but be aware that this comes at a price, only so little students can actually make it. so what happens to the other 90%?
Going back to the mainstream education? This could be hard as the current SOTA students have to cope with the burden of both the academic and art curriculum. Some parents also talked about taking 16 subjects to keep their options open.
But be realistic, we know that education is tough in singapore, how high are the SOTA students’ chances of competing with the mainstream students after being burdened to this extent?
So, IMHO, if you are taking this less travelled path, then you should go with it 100%. else you will end up neither here nor there.
Arts is still relatively new in singapore, its a tough path to pursue. -
art_n_i:
Lock:
May I know what are the options available once the kids graduate from SOTA? Do they go on to local Uni and what are the chances like compared to 'A' level students? Heard IB is more popular overseas, so does it means after SOTA can only go overseas for further education?
In the SOTA's chart, the path for the students is local uni or overseas uni.
Like the fully academic track, a handful of highly talented students can win themselves scholarships to study overseas.
In fact, the SOTA students actually have a wider choice than the IP student. They do the full pure science as well in their 4th-6th year granting them the ability to apply to Medicine if they do well. They also do economics and the arts subjects so as long as their academic results are good, they actually get a chance to go to the mainstream's choice of university courses.
For the majority they can further their training widely in any of the university of choice for the discipline they are keen in and
for those who want to pursue passionately in their talented areas, they can apply locally to:
For music:
NUS - The Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music
NAFA
For Visual Fine Arts(Bachelor & Masters degree):
NUS - School of Design and Environment
LaSalle Asia School of Arts
NAFA
Cavalry Italian Design School, Singapore
Raffles Design Institute
If medicine is the place which you want your children to go, then JC is the only way.
Even if you go JC, only a handful make it. From what i know, even if you score a perfect score in A level, you are NOT confirmed of such a place, you have to go pass rounds of interviews and selections.
Obviously is still possible for a SOTA student to take 16 subjects like one parent have mentioned in order to keep all options open, but i think theres a limit to human capacity.
Its possible to score full marks in 16 subjects, but i dun think getting into such a situation and completing with the elite raffles, hwa chong, ... JC students with less subjects to cope is wise, if you are opting to single mindedly do well to qualify for mainstream after six years.
If you have intentions to go main stream, then maybe you should still keep your options open.
SOTA is really for those who want something different. Not sure being different for the better or the worst... -
I don’t understand why people in general think that by choosing schools like SOTA, NUS High, STT, they are limiting their kids’ choices. The kids do not just focus on their specilised field. They also work on other subjects which are required for IB/Diploma/O levels etc.
My dd is in SOTA doing music and I do not expect her to become a musician. It’s too early to tell what she would end up doing eventually. I am just happy that she is able to do what she likes to do during school hours and her interest is supported by the school. -
My take is that SOTA strives to produce students to think differently vs mainstream. It’s important to the development of future trained professionals to move Singapore forward in this rather challenging enviroment.
How to propell forward if all the very best brains are from the traditional routes?
We need highly trained professionals and entrepreneurs from alternative routes with different kind of training to provide different solutions and challenges away from traditional thinking.
Doesn’t mean trained in arts must work in creative fields only. The strong foundation provides the grads to undertake future tasks inline with their strengths and aspirations.
The nation needs future trained personnel from both traditional and alternative sources. -
sandunes:
Probably because these schools (with the exception of NUSH) are new and no one knows which career paths the graduands will end up in, given their specialised training. Over time, when the schools produce graduates in varying fields, people will be more open to the idea that specialty schools need not mean limiting a kid's career choice.I don't understand why people in general think that by choosing schools like SOTA, NUS High, STT, they are limiting their kids' choices. The kids do not just focus on their specilised field. They also work on other subjects which are required for IB/Diploma/O levels etc.
My dd is in SOTA doing music and I do not expect her to become a musician. It's too early to tell what she would end up doing eventually. I am just happy that she is able to do what she likes to do during school hours and her interest is supported by the school. -
Hello there. Firstly, I am not a parent and currently a sec 4 Express student in a mainstream school. (My apologies) I recently read about SOTA and I’m considering whether to register for the SOTA Direct School Admission – Junior College (DSA-JC) Exercise. I’ve taken Art electives and core subjects in school. I have a few achievements in Arts ; winning in national art competition. However, I am weak in subjects like Mathematics and Science. And my academic reports is needed for the auditions. I’d like to seek advice from experienced parents. I am also wondering whether they will look into my olevel results and decide whether I can join them in year 5 the following year.
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sandunes:
I totally agree. My daughter is in SOTA doing art and nobody knows what she will become. The principal mentioned about a well rounded education and the path is not an end in itself. We may have dancers :boogie: who become engineers or theatre students who become lawyers. Who knows? It is a hard earned (auditioned) and special journey for nearly all the students.I don't understand why people in general think that by choosing schools like SOTA, NUS High, STT, they are limiting their kids' choices. The kids do not just focus on their specilised field. They also work on other subjects which are required for IB/Diploma/O levels etc.
My dd is in SOTA doing music and I do not expect her to become a musician. It's too early to tell what she would end up doing eventually. I am just happy that she is able to do what she likes to do during school hours and her interest is supported by the school.
Typically when people come to know my daughter is in SOTA, I get two types of response. Most are shocked that I have locked my child into art and that's it. Some of the more enlightened ones would say how special the opportunity is.
For those who are not familiar :? , apart from the art specialisation, the \"normal\" subjects involving science, math and language are TOUGH. I know because I can hardly help my child :?: . SOTA is not just an art school for children to draw, dance, act and sing. It has a demanding programme involving both art and academic clusters that challenges each child and like I've said before, it's an opportunity not to be missed if one can get in :stupid: . -
i agreed with the above but just to check if those who went thru the march audition on Music (Piano) and dance, I need some information and prepare for my DD.
please help.
the piece we received is quite tough for my daughter for Music Piano.,.,… -
We went to SOTA open house recently for fun (My child already in the coming last stage of sec sch life), watched the dance performance and band orientation. We are very impressed by their high standard and can see, competition is very high because it seems everyone is so good! I agree, if a child can be selected in SOTA, it is really very honoured and a pity if opt out.
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Hi,
What are the options for SOTA students to enter polytechnics? Do they have to wait till Year 6 after getting their IBDP to enter these institutions? Wouldn’t SOTA students be 2 years behind their peers at these institutions as such schools accept ‘O’ level students?
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