Choosing and Evaluating Primary Schools

[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.

[slowcoach]

Hi all

I just called CHIJOLGC to enquire on whether it was possible to visit the school and meet some of the teachers before I make any decisions on registering my daughter for P1.

I was advised that it was only possible to do something like this after registration has occurred, as teachers have not been allocated. Even though I explained that I was more interested in finding out about the school and seeing the facilities rather than knowing which teacher my daughter may get, the administrator did not seem very helpful in assisting with my request to make any arrangement to meet any representative of the school.

I am new to this whole process of P1 registration but thought it would be normal for parents to want to find out more about the school before they even register their child and not wait until the orientation.

I actually heard that some schools have open days for this purpose, but when I asked about it, OLGC gave no details…

Does anyone know what the normal practice is with regards to visiting schools prior to registration?

Thanks all

[rains]

Hi slowcoach,


No school practises school visits for the purpose of letting parents find out more about the school. The only time you can find out more about the school is through their open house.

The administrator appears unwilling probably bcos nobody has made such a request before. By entertaining such requests, it will open the floodgate to potential parents’ enquiries and teachers would have to set aside time just to make time for such talks.

Actually, open house is only good for touring the school. I would say word of mouth or hearsay is possibly more reliable than what the school showcases on that all-important day.

[mummydarling]

Any feedback between PLMG and St Nick?

[sunnyisland]

Dear All,


I am a SAHM overseas and will be returning for my daughter's P1 in 2015. (registration in 2014)
Right now, we are looking around for schools we can shortlist for her registration next year. Really daunted by the registration process.
Here are my thoughts:

(1) register in my old school (radin mas pri)
(2) register in new school (frontier pri)
(3) register in rulang pri

I stay in Jurong west and hope to have some advice.
Out will the parent volunteer programme as we are still overseas; no affiliation, won't be available for any visit to schools.

Are we doomed to the last phase of registration? and minimal chances of a choice school?

thanks,

[qms]

sunnyisland:

(1) register in my old school (radin mas pri)

(2) register in new school (frontier pri)
(3) register in rulang pri

For School #1, you will be in Phase 2A. For the other two schools, you will be in Phase 2C.

What is the distance between your house and Schools #2 and #3?

[sunnyisland]

qms:

sunnyisland:

(1) register in my old school (radin mas pri)

(2) register in new school (frontier pri)
(3) register in rulang pri

For School #1, you will be in Phase 2A. For the other two schools, you will be in Phase 2C.

What is the distance between your house and Schools #2 and #3?

We will be within 1km of both schools as
(1) hubby's address is at JW str 51 opposite Rulang pri.
(2) our own residence is just beside frontier primary.

The thought of it is just daunting.
How do the three schools compare up?