Choosing and Evaluating Primary Schools

[janet88]

mummyo:

2girlsmummy:

Hi parents, I need enlightenment. We intend to register my gal for 2013 P1 with NanHua and we stay at Bt Panjang. I am not sure if I should just let my gal go to a school which is nearby our place(like Bt Panjang Primary/Beacon Primary) or still go Nanhua as we are phase 2A2 eligible. How do you decide which school to enrol yr kids? Is travelling time a big factor to consider?

I think most parents will say you are mad to give up 2A2 status at a school like Nan Hua but at the end of the day, you need to look at your child. Will she be able to cope with the travelling and most probably competitive environment at a school like Nan Hua?

I gave up my 2A2 status at Ai Tong this year and many people told me I'm mad but I seriously thought the travelling will be too much. I've 3 kids so when I thought about the travelling from Clementi to Bishan times 3 times 6 years each. It just didn't make sense to send them to Ai Tong even though it is one of the most sought after schools in Singapore.

I also thought my kids won't be happy in a SAP school as their chinese level isn't good and also I don't like the Chinese-only environment of the school.

There are many aspects to consider while choosing a school (not just academic, also the environment and culture of the school) so consider carefully. Good luck.

My hubby was working from home for the last 2 years. When we had to register our younger child (a girl) for P1, we decided to go for Phase 2A2 in CHIJ Toa Payoh. Using the PIE, it would take 15 minutes to send her to school every morn. We gave up Phase 1 (son is in Pei Hwa which is 10 min walk from home).

The reason why we gave up Phase 1 is because my daughter's strong (and stubborn) character will not fit into Pei Hwa.

When choosing a school for kids, parents must consider not just the distance travelling, but also whether the child can fit into an academic-driven school, the culture and also environment. I know many parents are doing anything and everything possible to get their children into Pei Hwa and many think I'm mad to give up Phase 1 (guaranteed place).

[sunny]

janet_lee88:

The reason why we gave up Phase 1 is because my daughter's strong (and stubborn) character will not fit into Pei Hwa.


When choosing a school for kids, parents must consider not just the distance travelling, but also whether the child can fit into an academic-driven school, the culture and also environment. I know many parents are doing anything and everything possible to get their children into Pei Hwa and many think I'm mad to give up Phase 1 (guaranteed place).

Hi Janet
could you share how we could know the culture and environment of the school? I know that NHPS is academic-driven. But, in terms of culture and environment, I am not too sure about it. I have called up the school and asked if they have any open house this/next year, the answer is no. I am scratching my head on how to find out if the school is suitable for my gal.

[jtoh]

sunny:

janet_lee88:

The reason why we gave up Phase 1 is because my daughter's strong (and stubborn) character will not fit into Pei Hwa.


When choosing a school for kids, parents must consider not just the distance travelling, but also whether the child can fit into an academic-driven school, the culture and also environment. I know many parents are doing anything and everything possible to get their children into Pei Hwa and many think I'm mad to give up Phase 1 (guaranteed place).

Hi Janet
could you share how we could know the culture and environment of the school? I know that NHPS is academic-driven. But, in terms of culture and environment, I am not too sure about it. I have called up the school and asked if they have any open house this/next year, the answer is no. I am scratching my head on how to find out if the school is suitable for my gal.

How about reading through the NHPS for parents thread: http://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4422 You can pose your questions to current parents of NHPS students.

[Ririan]

sorry if I am asking silly questions.

Do the govt schools using different teaching methods from the govt-aided schools?

I notice most govt aided schools have long history, thus, compared to those new neighborhood schools, do they have more ‘traditional’ way of teaching as compared to the more ‘innovative’ ways of teaching as seen in the newer schools?

[puliyadi]

can anybody advise me which one is better?st.margaret primary or chij katong?

[anxious]

puliyadi:

can anybody advise me which one is better?st.margaret primary or chij katong?

For reference, you may want to check this URL

http://channeleducation.com.sg/2010-Primary-Schools-Ranking-in-Singapore.php

Everyone's choice has a reason behind..

[verykiasu2010]

puliyadi:

can anybody advise me which one is better?st.margaret primary or chij katong?

smps is feeder school to smss, and is feeder to SAJC, while chij katong is also feeder to the sec school (feeder to CJC??).....see which is more preferred by you

one is anglican, the other is catholic

[zero_mist]

Hi Hi Newbie here :salute:


Headache over P1 Registration :slapshead: . Was hoping to get into Kellock CHIJ, but didnt get much luck from the balloting exercise

Now we are left with 2 choices, either Gan Eng Seng Primary or Blangah Rise Primary.

Preference is GES as they offered quite a holistic curriculum compared to BRPS. But the distance and the accessibility to the school is somehow worrying though its within 2km. Need to take two buses to school and the drop off is near the mainroad wheras BRPS is just within 5mins walking distance without even the need to cross any roads.

Tried finding more info here on BRPS but nothing much. In fact zero information.

Any parents from these two schools can share their experiences?

Thanks

[meiah]

Can any kind parents share abt the environment at both sajs and acps? I wonder which would help in nurturing boys into a more confident pupil. Which would you choose if distance and religion are not big issues?


I am asking abt these 2 schs because sajs is near my home and acps is near my workplace. Both quite convenient for me to drop him off. Also both have affiliate sec schs which do not require pupils to have sky-high PSLE scores but the pupils I believe still do ok.

Anyone can give feedback?

Tia.

[qms]

zero_mist:

Headache over P1 Registration :slapshead: . Was hoping to get into Kellock CHIJ, but didnt get much luck from the balloting exercise


Now we are left with 2 choices, either Gan Eng Seng Primary or Blangah Rise Primary.

Sorry to hear that. :hugs:

Have you considered Cantonment Primary? :scratchhead: