DSA 2012

[yukilei]

BeContented:

I could be one of the most headache one. All 3 different types of cert :- 'A' / IB / NUSH diploma. Culture also all different :- Eng/Chin/Maths & Sci. Xiong. Think also headache. :sick:

BeContented, this would be the headache that many parents won't mind to have.

[Champion]

BeContented:

Would have accepted any ONE of them who would offer DS cos only expect ONE at most. But some extra surprises pop out

Next year will think carefully for DD

http://i48.tinypic.com/mic5fs.gif\">
:celebrate: :congrats: Mummy BeContented :rahrah: :rahrah:

[BeContented]

yukilei:

BeContented:

I could be one of the most headache one. All 3 different types of cert :- 'A' / IB / NUSH diploma. Culture also all different :- Eng/Chin/Maths & Sci. Xiong. Think also headache. :sick:

BeContented, this would be the headache that many parents won't mind to have.

Agree. That's why no complaints. . And from the look, there are many like me too.
Those who were unsuccessful, dun despair. When your child's PSLE results are out, you will also be pondering over which Sch to select, just like us
Cheers.

[BeContented]

Champion:

BeContented:

Would have accepted any ONE of them who would offer DS cos only expect ONE at most. But some extra surprises pop out

Next year will think carefully for DD

http://i48.tinypic.com/mic5fs.gif\">
:celebrate: :congrats: Mummy BeContented :rahrah: :rahrah:

What a nice surprise. Thank you champion :). :thankyou:

[Edureach]

BeContended


Firstly, my congratulations to you!

All the three schools are really good and on surface, it looks a tough choice indeed. However, if you will to analyse deeply, the decision making becomes less complicated.

Next, understand your ds’ strengths and weaknesses, his aspirations follow by a detailed understanding of individual school’s academic prog, culture, ccas, guess distance is not an issue for you from the way you selected the schools. Following is my imput:

NUSH- Graduation Cert NUS diploma: Highly recommended if your ds is a natural science student hoping to be at the frontier of science research and discovery when he grows up. Paremeters include: maths score above 97 without tuition and science score above 92 without tuition.

ACSI- Graduation Cert: IB Diploma: The diploma is highly recognised overseas apart from local unis. This programme is best suited for students who are good in general academics with particular interest and strengths in the study of humanities. I must stress that it doesn’t mean their sciences are ordinary. For example in the study of HL Maths which is equivalent to H2 Maths, it covers a tropic which is only studied at H3 level. Unlike the A-levels which diffentiate btw H2 and H1 marks, here in IB, there’s no diffence btw HL and SL. Invariably, a student is expected to be an all rounder.

RVH- Frankly, this school amazes me by virtue of their ability to produce very good sets of A-levels results in a relatively short period of time. This school is highly recommended if your ds is unable to decide whether the other two programmes suit him or he is still unsure whether he is stronger in science or humanities.

In any of these three, encourage him to excel in his cca and strive for leadership positions.

I think you are now in an exceedingly contnded situation!

[jtoh]

Hi alwaysworried,


Check your private message.

[alwaysworried]

jtoh:

Hi alwaysworried,


Check your private message.

Thanks jtoh , I've replied please check. Thanks.

[jtoh]

Alwaysworried, replied.

[BeContented]

Edureach:

BeContended


Firstly, my congratulations to you!
Thank you Edureach

All the three schools are really good and on surface, it looks a tough choice indeed. However, if you will to analyse deeply, the decision making becomes less complicated.

Next, understand your ds' strengths and weaknesses, his aspirations follow by a detailed understanding of individual school's academic prog, culture, ccas, guess distance is not an issue for you from the way you selected the schools. Following is my imput:
Actually tried to analyse, but kinda got stuck if you have any other views, do share. Will really welcome them.

NUSH- Graduation Cert NUS diploma: Highly recommended if your ds is a natural science student hoping to be at the frontier of science research and discovery when he grows up. Paremeters include: maths score above 97 without tuition and science score above 92 without tuition.
DS strength is in Maths. His sci is Ok, not poor not fantastic.....but he has interest in Physics and has recently started noticing Chemistry.
Originally wanted him to follow the dad footstep into EEE (Engineer) due to his interest, but unfortunately, realised he had inherited the 'bad genes' - color blind deficiency from me. Apparently some courses/career might be out for him. Hence, not sure if we should still pursue further.

ACSI- Graduation Cert: IB Diploma: The diploma is highly recognised overseas apart from local unis. This programme is best suited for students who are good in general academics with particular interest and strengths in the study of humanities. I must stress that it doesn't mean their sciences are ordinary. For example in the study of HL Maths which is equivalent to H2 Maths, it covers a tropic which is only studied at H3 level. Unlike the A-levels which diffentiate btw H2 and H1 marks, here in IB, there's no diffence btw HL and SL. Invariably, a student is expected to be an all rounder.
We are keen in ACSI cos we feel he would get to build up his social & communication skills. Have heard that ACSI is pretty holistic & IMO it is important to develop good values and character, so that's a real plus to me.
Understand there's a lot of report writing/research & more humanities focused, so again stuck. We are not sure how interested or strong is he in this aspect. DH thinks DS can manage. All along, we kinda preferred a more Chinese environment but DS is concerned with HCL in SAP schools, that's why we kept our options open. In our view, DS is quite an adaptable boy, but still the fear is there - would he be happy?

RVH- Frankly, this school amazes me by virtue of their ability to produce very good sets of A-levels results in a relatively short period of time. This school is highly recommended if your ds is unable to decide whether the other two programmes suit him or he is still unsure whether he is stronger in science or humanities.
Agree on your view with RV. Academically they have been doing well, but unlike last time, there seems little feedback on the values. Even my relatives with kids (yr 5??) in RV are claiming it's no longer as good. So I'm a little concerned, also the HCL part.

Guess everyone will have different experience, different expectations. Like u have mentioned, I will need to find out more on individual school's academic prog, culture, ccas. RV do appeal to me in terms of proximity. .

In any of these three, encourage him to excel in his cca and strive for leadership positions.
Thanks. DS will definitely be looking at Maths for CCA. Currently he is holding a leadership role in the student council, tho not sure how he stack against others since he's from a true-blue neighborhood Sch. Guess time will tell.

Really thanks and appreciate your inputs. If there's more, or you have links/info to point me to, will welcome it too

I think you are now in an exceedingly contnded situation!

[Edureach]

BeContended


There’s no doubt that as far as pure sciences are concerned, NUSH is ahead whereas ACSI is ahead in humanities. RVH is sanwiched btw these two in both areas. I know is difficult at this juncture to determine whether your ds is more comfortable in scientific discovery and research or expires to be a leader in an organisation in the future. That’s why every single factor must be considered and a judgmental call made.

Let me introduce more factors at this juncture. When a pupil is able to secure a place in an IP or a top 0-level school, just doing well in academics does not reflect a pupil has received a holistic education. Its the total experience incl of academics, ccas achievements, character development and leadership opportunities that a student brings along to his next journey. So you hve to be confident which school amongst these threes can bring out the best from your ds. Especially in the areas of character building and leadership, a leader is chosen. As the saying goes: Leaders by calling and servants by choice. These two factors differentiate btw high scorers ie a pupil with a T-score of 250 with good leadership qualities is superior at work place vs another pupil with top T-score of 280. A good leader can hire someone more intelligent than him to work under him.

Next, we need to discuss the marking system of IB vs A-levels. In A-levels, a min of 70 marks is considered a distinction, of course subject to moderation. In IB , to get 7 points, one needs to score from 67-90 for HL and 66-86 for SL. In addition, there’s this internal assessment in IB which may accounts for up to 30 marks depending on subjects. IB calls for consistency!

The last point, we need to discuss about is the cost of education. Obviously, amongst these 3, ACSI is the most costly whereas, RVH is the most economical. The school’s fees in ACSI in yr 5/6 is $450/mth. The examination fees are doubled that of RVH. This will not be an issue if your ds did very well.

In summary, any of the above school is a good choice. More is expected of you in this decision making and i hope my imput will help you to reach a wise decision.