NUS High School of Mathematics and Science (Diploma)

[walterp]

matadorepy:

I was in your situation 2 years ago. My son was so keen on NUSH as he enjoys math and science in very much in primary school. I told my son he might think he likes math and science and what if he realized his other passions half way through NUSH. I spent times discouraging him to only set sight on NUSH but to be more open minded. I have nothing against NUSH but wasn't too comfortable on their \"marketing\" message that the school is catering for student with passion for math and science. My thought was P6 kid could be too young to really know what their true passion in life.


NUSH teachers assured us their school will not be less focus on other subjects, but somehow my old fashion mind didn't buy the idea. And future more, NUSH issue their own diploma which is less established than A level and IB, though the school has emphasized greatly on the credibility of their cert.

He went through the NUSH DSI but did not get selected, i was relieved

After the PSLE, his result was pretty encouraging, he can indeed apply for NUSH but again I discouraged him and finally he chosen NJC after visited a few other schools.

Though we don't have experience with NUSH curriculum, but my take is that as long as your kid is one of those top IP schools, they would still enjoy vigorous math and science program. It is common to see students from RI, HCI,… compete in math and science competitions along with NUSH students. At least NJC do offer accelerated math and science subjects for students who are capable of coping with more challenging syllabus. On the other hand, NJC also offer external program for non math and science. For example, my son was offered for a fee based holiday program during the first year on story writing and poem appreciation conducted by lecturer from Stanford University, and he enjoyed it.

Now in NJC, he enjoys math, science and English thoroughly and planning to do literature in sec 3. At uni level, whatever he chose is really base on the his passion and interest. For now, my duty is to give him as much exposure and learning experience as possible for him to determine what he wants for his future. I told my wife, it was probably not a mistake for discouraging him from going to NUSH. No offense to others

Longreach,

Thank you sooooo much!!!! I've been speaking to my son on this as well, being open minded, am glad that he is now taking interest in other IP schools. I thought as parents, we should try to provide as much info as possible in order to help the kids to make their decision. But I'll need to be objective too. Tat's why I need to gather as much info as possible myself. I'll share with him on the accelerated prog which I'm not aware of. This is indeed an additional info for us.

:thankyou:[/quote]

Key concerns about NUSH is always (1) is it too early to decide on the kids' choice of career and (2) the acceptance level of NUSH diploma.

Without doubt, NUSH mission is to produce future researchers, mathematicians, scientists, engineers, doctors etc. but that does not mean that it would neglect humanities. After all, how good a scientist can you be if you do not have the human touch? The school does offer humanities subjects and from Year 1- 4, it is compulsory to study a humanity subject. Year 1 & 2 will do Integrated Humanity and by Year 3-4, kids will have to choose a humanity subject, be it History, Geography, Economics, Art, Music. I understand that in most IP and mainstream schools, all the brighter kids will compete to do 3 sciences + 1 Humanity. So there is no difference except that in NUSH, you do not need to fight to do Triple Science. By Year 5-6, one can still choose a Humanity subject if one wishes to. Again, not much difference from the common A Level combi of 1 math, 2 science + 1 contrasting subject. Key difference at for NUSH Year 5-6, it is not compulsory to do a contrasting subject. 3 batches had graduated from NUSH and I understand some (not many though) had gone on to pursue non Maths or science related courses at Uni. A few had chosen to read economics and I believe there is one who had gone to read law. Emphasis is definitely on Maths & Science, but it does not stop one from pursuing other courses. NUS is rated highly in the academic world, with the support from NUS, there is no reason for universities around the world not to recognise NUSH diploma. In fact, many past NUSH graduates secured their place in some top universities even before they finish their final exams. It says alot when some top IP schools like RI & HCI, are awarding their own diplomas, on top of the A Level.

It is not my intention to confuse you. I just to want to provide more info for you to make an informed decision. [/quote]

I can't understand why some parents keep mentioning of \"a more holistic education\" as though NUSH is kind of weird school. How \"unholistic\" can it be after all it is a gahment-funded school under MOE. Like what DVL has said NUSH has the same humanities and the Arts/Music aspects to it. In fact, the MAD (music & art dept) and the Lingusitics dept have added advantage of direct NUS resources n support.

The Maths n Science programme in the normal 'IP\" school still can not be compare to NUSH programme after all it is still limited by the \"A\" level syllabus requirements. In this year SSEF, NUSH won ( has 70 projects in the final) 10 of the 17 gold medals (not too sure how many silvers and merit awards) but was told almost 50% of awards go to NUSH. I forsee that in time to come all those bright Maths n Science students will choose NUSH route as the preferred option it has flexibility and cater to the kids needs directly. The sky is the limit and it is up to the kids. They are not to be bounded by examination syllabus. [/quote]

Well said, Matadorepy. My younger DD is in year 1. Now doing her cell biology assignment - require to construct a 3D-Cell and do research to a write-up on protein synthesis for type of animal cell. It is more than \"A\" level bio to me. Older Sec 3 DD doing triple science also just go gaga when she saw the kind of stuff the younger one is doing. But younger DD is doing fine and seems enjoy herself. The young one is also doing Integrated humanities (language ,culture, religion , type of market system (bit of economics ). For english language, they are doing creative prose writing, comparing type of literature writing (courtesy of NUS Language dept) etc. So it is not just the maths n science that is deep. The humanities too !

Sometime, I was just wondering can these kids take in all these stuff at pretty advance level compared to their peer. It is pretty much like GEP. My younger DD was from GEP last year.

[ngbrdad]

NUS High students probably compensated the extra time spend in the in depth studying of sciences and math by spending less time on CCA.

In a way this may be the right way to go.
I really feel that some schools are really spending too much time on CCA and putting too much emphasis in it.

[ngbrdad]

Talking about public transport. how far is it to walk in from commonwealth avenue west to NUSH ?

I notice there are bus stops nearby the beginning of Clementi Avenue 1 along commonwealth avenue west. Buses like 96, 183 etc all stop there too before they travel further to turn at SP.
If the walk is not too long, may be a better idea to stop there and walk in, can take many more different buses.
Only thing is need to cross a busy road coming from Clementi MRT.

[sandunes]

ngbrdad:

Talking about public transport. how far is it to walk in from commonwealth avenue west to NUSH ?

I notice there are bus stops nearby the beginning of Clementi Avenue 1 along commonwealth avenue west. Buses like 96, 183 etc all stop there too before they travel further to turn at SP.
If the walk is not too long, may be a better idea to stop there and walk in, can take many more different buses.
Only thing is need to cross a busy road coming from Clementi MRT.

No, that way is longer.
U should alight after the bus turns into SP. My est distance of 250m was based on \"go there.com\". It's actually quite near once u cross the overhead bridge since NUS High is nearer to Clementi Road than Commonwealth Ave.

[matadorepy]

ngbrdad:

NUS High students probably compensated the extra time spend in the in depth studying of sciences and math by spending less time on CCA.

In a way this may be the right way to go.
I really feel that some schools are really spending too much time on CCA and putting too much emphasis in it.

My DD RGPS classmates in RGS must have at 2 CCA compared to her only NUSH CCA - robotics twice a week. She said her GEP friends in RGS are \"fighting over\" all kind of activities in the name of CCA b'cos as an IP school there no better things better to do. Also RGS Cohort is 450 which is 3 times my DD NUSH Cohort. I guess they have simply do much time at hand since there are no specific emphasis unlike NUSH. I have often wondered why some parents chose school b'cos of CCA activities. I suppose this what they meant by \"holistic\" . I'm glad my DD has main focus on her studies which I believe should be the no 1 priority.

[happymum8]

Singapore Science and Engineering Fair (SSEF) 2011


The Singapore Science & Engineering Fair (SSEF) is affiliated to the prestigious Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (Intel ISEF), which is regarded as the Olympics of science competitions. Research projects submitted covers all areas of science and engineering. Shortlisted projects are judged by a number of judges from local universities, polytechnics as well as research institutes.

This year for SSEF 2011, NUS High School has 70 projects in the Final and clinched 10 out of the 17 gold awards given out in the competition, which has no precedence in the whole history of SSEF. In total, NUS High School students have 10 Golds, 5 Silvers, 11 Bronzes and 5 Merit awards. In addition, Cheng Herng Yi of NUS High School was selected to present his mathematics project at Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF).

[Nebbermind]

ngbrdad:

Talking about public transport. how far is it to walk in from commonwealth avenue west to NUSH ?

I notice there are bus stops nearby the beginning of Clementi Avenue 1 along commonwealth avenue west. Buses like 96, 183 etc all stop there too before they travel further to turn at SP.
If the walk is not too long, may be a better idea to stop there and walk in, can take many more different buses.
Only thing is need to cross a busy road coming from Clementi MRT.

Think if walk leisurely from C'wealth Ave West, maybe 15 mins or so...still a long walk compared to the stop at Clementi Rd.

But in the evening, I understand it's not easy to get onto the bus at clementi rd coz always packed.

[Nebbermind]

walterp:

Sometime, I was just wondering can these kids take in all these stuff at pretty advance level compared to their peer. It is pretty much like GEP. My younger DD was from GEP last year.

there are only 2 ex-rgps, right? or more?

[Sun_2010]

Nebbermind:

walterp:

Sometime, I was just wondering can these kids take in all these stuff at pretty advance level compared to their peer. It is pretty much like GEP. My younger DD was from GEP last year.

there are only 2 ex-rgps, right? or more?

If you mean in Year 1 , I think more

[jtoh]

matadorepy:

ngbrdad:

NUS High students probably compensated the extra time spend in the in depth studying of sciences and math by spending less time on CCA.

In a way this may be the right way to go.
I really feel that some schools are really spending too much time on CCA and putting too much emphasis in it.

My DD RGPS classmates in RGS must have at 2 CCA compared to her only NUSH CCA - robotics twice a week. She said her GEP friends in RGS are \"fighting over\" all kind of activities in the name of CCA b'cos as an IP school there no better things better to do. Also RGS Cohort is 450 which is 3 times my DD NUSH Cohort. I guess they have simply do much time at hand since there are no specific emphasis unlike NUSH. I have often wondered why some parents chose school b'cos of CCA activities. I suppose this what they meant by \"holistic\" . I'm glad my DD has main focus on her studies which I believe should be the no 1 priority.

That's odd. CCA is compulsory in RGS but you only need to do one. If you want to do more than one you have to seek permission. How odd that your dd's ex-RGPS friends told her otherwise.

I remember at the Open House I attended the Principal said clearly that NUSH does not focus on CCAs. I could tell from some of the parents reaction that this appealed to them.