Choosing and Evaluating Primary Schools

[jollysmith]

There are many things to be taken care of while choosing or evaluating primary school for kids. School quality depends on many characteristics, not all easily measurable, and not all equally important for each individual child or family. Parents can read the school’s statement of philosophy or mission statement and ask about beliefs that guide the school’s program and teaching approaches. parents can look for school facilities/personnel resources.

[Lee26]

Hi


I have qualified to register for a Phase 2B school but requires balloting as stays more than 2km and a preferred Phase 2C school with less than 1 km, also requires balloting. Would like to understand the process. If I apply for the Phase 2B school, if I can’t get in, I can apply for Phase 2C school. If I get selected, can I still try for Phase 2C as that’s the preferred school ?

[qms]

Lee26:

If I apply for the Phase 2B school, if I can't get in, I can apply for Phase 2C school.

Yes.

Lee26:

If I get selected, can I still try for Phase 2C as that's the preferred school ?

If your child manages to get a place in a school in P2B, you will need to withdraw your child's name from this P2B school before you are able to apply in P2C. However, if your child fails to get a place in the P2C school, you cannot go back to the P2B school to claim back the seat.

[Lee26]

thanks !

[Joanctt]

Hi I’m new to this forum, just want to check if anyone knows if st Margaret’s primary school standard is better or chij our lady of good counsel. Will be registering my girl this year and still deciding between this 2. The thing worrying me is actually the standard of the affiliated secondary school- st Margaret sec and st Joseph convent.


Will appreciate much if anyone can advice.

Thanks

[cherrygal]

Hi Joanctt

They are both of similar standard IMHO. It really depends on where you live so it’d be easier for your girl to commute. Are you Catholic? Catholics can get in via Phase 2B at CHIJ. St Marg is not a Catholic school.

There are girls from both schools who do well enough to join better secondary schools than those you mentioned. So perhaps you don’t need to worry about the secondary school yet if these are the only primary schools you are confident of getting in.

[rascal.05121work]

My son is born in 2008. Im very vexed as to whether to put my son in ACSJ (old boys) or a mission co-ed schl near my home as ive a sibling studying in the mission co-ed schl. Distance is another issue as i stay in the west. Schl bus provided but understand my son will be the 1st to board and last to reach home… I need some advise, pls. Thanks

[jheng]

Ang Joanne:

My son is born in 2008. Im very vexed as to whether to put my son in ACSJ (old boys) or a mission co-ed schl near my home as ive a sibling studying in the mission co-ed schl. Distance is another issue as i stay in the west. Schl bus provided but understand my son will be the 1st to board and last to reach home.... I need some advise, pls. Thanks

Do you need to ballot for the co-ed school near your place? Since ACSJ is confirm place, I will register in ACSJ first and monitor the situation at the co-ed school.

Personally if I'm you, I will register my DS in ACSJ as it has an affliated secondary school and it is a holistic school. Just my 2 cents

[Just relax]

It is a tough choice. Having both siblings in the same school has a lot of benefits especially if in the same session for purposes of co-ordination.


Eventually the child will go for enrichment classes and have CCAs that will require them to stay back. In P5 onwards there may be supplementary classes especially if the child takes HCL.

For the above reasons if the child is closer to home, the more time will be available for useful activities, instead of just sitting in the bus and getting tired from a long journey.

My DSs are in ACS(P) which being near my office has allowed me to coordinate their after-school prog easily as they are together. But I must say my DSs have and are still thoroughly enjoying their ACS(P) experience and I have been so happy to have given them that opportunity.

So ultimately u as the parent must weigh matters not only for the immediate but how you and spouse will cope down the road with children in different schools.

[rascal.05121work]

Hi Thanks for your advice. Apparently when my son is in P1 my girl will be in Sec 1 so both siblings will not be in the same schl. I do not need to ballot for ACSJ and the co-ed schl near my home.