Anglo-Chinese School (Independent)

[ngbrdad]

Does ACSI have a school bus service ?

[autolycus]

I'm quite sure they have a school bus service; not so sure how to make arrangements, but that's what the school office is supposed to help you with...

[ngbrdad]

autolycus:

I'm quite sure they have a school bus service; not so sure how to make arrangements, but that's what the school office is supposed to help you with...

Thanks.

[rubydoll]

Hello all! i’m 16 this year, and while awaiting my o level results, i’m doing research on the possible jcs/institutions that i could consider going next year. i’m really curious about ACS IB (even after their talk in my sch) and would appreciate it if anyone could answer my questions regarding it.


1. normally, do O-levels students manage to endure the rigor of the IB and be as good as the ACS boys? (who have probably been taught the ‘ACS way’ for 4 years) i’ve had seniors who entered IB breaking down and dropping out due to the overwhelming differences between o levels and IB, and some seniors who quite enjoy their time there. SO, what quality is it that could possibly determine your ‘survival’ in the rigorous IB?

2. ACS IB produces really really top notch IB results in the world. is that because ACS has a really good way of nurturing their students, or is it because the weaker students end up dropping out, leaving the best students taking the IB exams? or is it because the students will naturally learn to be efficient after getting used to IB life?

3. do IB kids have less of a ‘life’ than A Levels kids? (since the program is so rigorous)

would appreciate other advice or information on ACS IB too! thanks!!

[autolycus]

rubydoll: yes, those are interesting and useful questions indeed... let me try to answer them for you.


1. The O-level candidates ACS(I) receives tend to have entered by DSA or by doing very well at the O-levels. This means that they are good at managing their time, obsessive about something (or some things), are very intelligent, or have a high capacity for self-inflicted drudgery. However, the most important general characteristics (from watching several batches of ACS(I) students perform) are:

a) self-discipline — by which I mean the capacity to construct and follow a schedule which is not self-indulgent;

b) breadth of interests — by which I mean a balance of interests in different disciplines, which brings with it the ability to approach problems from multiple angles;

c) good time management — by which I mean the ability to not only stick to a schedule, but to decide what a good schedule is and modify it as necessary;

d) high social capacity — by which I mean the ability to get along with all kinds of people, handle networking and casual socializing, and appreciate humour;

e) integrity — by which I mean a coherent philosophy of life that is fairly uniformly enacted, thus providing some reliability in behaviour and responsibility with regard to tasks and assignments, based mainly on truth-seeking and the balance between justice and fairness.

You can probably get by with a very strong showing in at least three of these, but if you are weak in as many as two of these you should probably go elsewhere. That said, character isn't fully formed till at least 18, so there's some leeway.

2. Ah, the infamous 'where do ACS(I) results come from' question. You'll notice that qualities a, b and c above can actually be imposed on a student by fiat. ACS(I) can and will run your life if you won't run it yourself. I have actually sat at meetings where they discuss students' relationships and what colours of underwear should be allowed in school... but that said, here are the main points:

a) The fact is that the ACS(I) programme does of course take in students from the top 10% of the local population, plus foreign scholars at least equivalent to that. If they didn't do as well as they have, it would be rather odd.

b) However, it should be noted that the ACS(I) programme is stronger in disciplines where the answers are easier to quantify — convergent disciplines like the math and science subjects, and the narrower humanities like econs and business. The largest sector in ACS(I) IB combinations is often that occupied by students doing Physics, Chem and Math at Higher Level.

c) One big bonus is that the ACS(I) pre-IB programme is designed to teach IB-style thinking and useful skills, and it starts at Year 1. It is not optimised for an O- or A-level programme, but it does provide a comfort zone for the IBDP.

d) The ACS(I) school lifestyle is pretty hectic, with compulsory UYOs and suchlike. Those who survive will do well later in the course. Those who don't end up going elsewhere — so even in the school, there is considerable inequality, with the best ending up in the IBDP.

3. So, do ACS(I) IB students have a life? Well, many of them seem to think so, and a fair number will tell you that they don't have a life in order to scare you. However, a number of students every year seem to have lots of time for creative projects such as unofficial guides to surviving the ACS(I) IBDP. If you Google such things, you will find them.

Personally, I think ACS(I) IB students have a lot of fun. They're an elite group only because no other school in the world dares to field 450 students in one sitting for the IB course; most IB schools average 20-30 candidates per sitting! This has opened ACS(I) to charges of mass-producing results, but I think that the fact of having a large cohort necessarily requires a conscientious school to attempt to produce good results en masse.

This of course is not the definitive take on the programme. But it's the opinion of one guy who's been studying the programme ever since it was first suggested for implementation at the school.

[rubydoll]

Thank you Autolycus.

[Snow Crystal]

ngbrdad:

Just submitted DS1's S1 form and put 7001 as 1st choice.

You finally chose ACSI. I think it will be a totally different experience from the white white mountain you initially aimed for. ACSI boys speak very well and are very exposed. I am sure you made a wise choice. Again let me say that you are really a great dad who is so involved in your son's education journey! All the best to your DS!

[Snow Crystal]

Autolycus, would like to consult you for a boy who DSA via sports and manage to get into IB program ie meet PSLE COP for IB, will he be put into some sports class within IB together with all those who DSA via sports? I heard RI has sports class. Does ACSI IB have sports class? Thanks so much.

[autolycus]

Snow Crystal:

Autolycus, would like to consult you for a boy who DSA via sports and manage to get into IB program ie meet PSLE COP for IB, will he be put into some sports class within IB together with all those who DSA via sports? I heard RI has sports class. Does ACSI IB have sports class? Thanks so much.

It depends on what sport, and what level he is in. There are no official sports classes. Sometimes, however, there seem to be a lot of some kinds of sportsmen in certain classes. Ahem.

[Snow Crystal]

autolycus:

It depends on what sport, and what level he is in. There are no official sports classes. Sometimes, however, there seem to be a lot of some kinds of sportsmen in certain classes. Ahem.

Hmm... Must be an insider to understand that last part :evil: Thanks so much for your information. It's great that the sportsmen are spread around among the different classes.