patpattan:

[quote=\"david1947]Actually I have a fair idea of the differences between the two systems and the relative merits and demerits. Certainly the local system produces word class students - but these generally come from the elite schools though there are isolated exceptions. But then the elite schools only take in the best and the brightest from the PSLE crop. Excellence in, excellence out - not too difficult an equation. Which leaves the 2nd and 3rd liner schools which I believe enjoy less assistance in every way - whether it be finance, facilities or teaching staff. And with a larger cohort, the teacher/student ratio does not permit individual attention...nor does the system allow late bloomers. However, this is not to say that the latter band of schools cannot produce brilliance - they do ...I'm just talking about the \"norm\".


I think MOE is aware of the relative merits of the international schooling system and I understand that the designated \"future\" schools are adopting many of the teaching methods practised. under the international system. I think recognition of the merits may have influenced the MOE to accord licenses for commencement of the \"Local\" inernational schools only to 3 of leading insitutions in Singapore - HCI, ACS and SJI

My original question was to ask if anyone had any personal knowledge of these three \"local\" international schools in terms of the quality of overall quality of education provided in each ( and also in terms of discipline)

ycpang:

patpattan:

Last year, two of their IB graduates (with average PSLE scores) were awarded PSC scholarships.

The two IB graduates awarded PSC Scholarships were from mainstream schools (SJI and CHIJ St Theresa's Convent) from sec 1 to 4, before they joined SJI (International) in year 5 and 6.

patpattan:

Last year, two of their IB graduates (with average PSLE scores) were awarded PSC scholarships.

pupilview:

ycpang:

[quote=\"david1947\"]There are non-Chinese primary school students whose parents opt for Chinese as MT. While this will serve them well in future, it can lead to lower T-scores. For instance my child obtained A's in all subjects except MT where she got a B...so her T-score is lower than expected and she cant get into a good school of her choice.


While not wanting to start a debate on the merits of the scoring system, I am now faced with a difficult choice - whether to send her to a B-grade school under the same system or switch her to the IB program at one of the 3 local international schools - SJI, ACS or Hwa Chong.

Does anyone have recommendations on the merits of these three?

This topic has been discussed extensively on various expat's forums. From most expats' point of view, Singapore eductaion system is of rote learning while International schools provide all rounded education. Personally I don't agree. My view is basically you got rip-off of by paying $25K to $30K school fee per year in most International schools. Discipline is somehow lacking and you also need to be aware that their academic level is much lower than the mainstream schools. If I were you, I will put her in the mainstream school. Just my 2 cents.

ycpang:

I think most of them who go to international schools are happy, and one of the reasons is there is no pressure from school. This can be a good as well as bad thing, depending on what you want.


I remember when my DS was 6 yo, I sent him for computer enrichment. Every weekend he looked forward to go there and I was so pleased. Until one day I fouud out that for the past 6 months, the teacher had been letting them to play computer games on their own throughout the lesson instead of real teaching. I got so pissed and pulled my DS out of the center immediately.

Was my DS happy there? Yes of course he was. So you see my point?

I also remember what our MM LKY said, if there is no pressure, you will never improve.

kiasuest2:

david1947:

There are non-Chinese primary school students whose parents opt for Chinese as MT. While this will serve them well in future, it can lead to lower T-scores. For instance my child obtained A's in all subjects except MT where she got a B...so her T-score is lower than expected and she cant get into a good school of her choice.


While not wanting to start a debate on the merits of the scoring system, I am now faced with a difficult choice - whether to send her to a B-grade school under the same system or switch her to the IB program at one of the 3 local international schools - SJI, ACS or Hwa Chong.

Does anyone have recommendations on the merits of these three?

my understanding is that by having non-Chinese pupils taking Chinese as MT should actually raise your child's T-score for Chinese as your child will be seen to do better as there will be a lowering of the average mark used in the T-score formula no?

d1s2:

DadOfGirl:

A-Level (JC) tution fee would be @ 4000/5000 Singapore Dollars per year. It will work out to be cost of 10000 SGd for two years.

Would you let go such opportunity to form foundation at reasonable cost? GEC-Alevel in sinagpore is defintely rated very well & if you score straight , you can save one semester in most Uni in US.

From what i've heard from students who've gone to American Universities, they can get 1 yr exemptions with A levels in most cases. A friend's daughter who went to Berkeley after her A levels is attempting to complete her undergraduate degree in 2.5yrs with course exemptions from her A levels.

d1s2:

From what i've heard from students who've gone to American Universities, they can get 1 yr exemptions with A levels in most cases. A friend's daughter who went to Berkeley after her A levels is attempting to complete her undergraduate degree in 2.5yrs with course exemptions from her A levels.

DadOfGirl:

rosemummy:

[quote=\"autolycus\"]
Erm, not cheaper. If a student does O-levels + SATs, he will end up graduating two years earlier than his friends. It's not two additional years. The Singapore system of education is based on the English system, which can take a very long time before university. The American system, however, takes a longer time for professional degrees.

It's definitely cheaper to start your US degree immediately. It's not 2 additional years in a community college - the 2 years is the general education part of the US degree, and had to be done whether you start with O level, A level or IB. After your community college, you transfer to the third year, while someone with A level or IB start in the first year. Cost wise, community college isn't that expensive. It'll work out cheaper than international schools and the fees would probably cost about the same as what you'll pay for tuition for A level students. You can do it accelerated and complete in about 1-1/2 years.

From what I know, you don't get much credit for A levels or IB. At the most, you'll save just 1 semester after spending 2 years doing it. For community college, you can almost always transfer all your credit, including to many of the Ivies and definitely to all the public ivies. You may also get priority to public universities in the same state, compared with someone applying straight with A levels / IB.

Yes, professional degrees can only be done after your 1st degree in the US.

Just to add, you'll graduate much faster if you skip your A level / IB if you intend to study in the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

The only advantage in doing A level / IB is that the student is older, more matured and better prepared for college, and will tend to do better than a 16 year old fresh out of O level, particularly for the Maths and Science subjects, and Econs (if they did all that in their A level / IB).

rosemummy:

autolycus:

[quote=\"DadOfGirl\"]
wouldn't it be more expensive to do 2 addtional year in US- community college & all that. Infact , it will be better to do A-level & finish first degree in 6-7 semester with great A level score & associated credits

That's the chepest for middle class family.

Erm, not cheaper. If a student does O-levels + SATs, he will end up graduating two years earlier than his friends. It's not two additional years. The Singapore system of education is based on the English system, which can take a very long time before university. The American system, however, takes a longer time for professional degrees.

autolycus:

DadOfGirl:

[quote=\"rosemummy\"]
Like to share where you got this info from? From what I know, the reverse is true. But whether A level or IB, you don't get much credit, probably just for 1 or 2 subjects, which would translate to 6 credits.

Actually, if you're planning to do a first degree in the US, the best option is to forget about both A level, IB or poly. Just do O level and SAT and apply for admission straight away. Alternatively, you can do the freshmen and sophomore years in a community college. Most students starting at a community college immediately after their O levels should be in their junior (third) year by the time those completing their A level / IB start their first year. Definitely faster and cheaper.

wouldn't it be more expensive to do 2 addtional year in US- community college & all that. Infact , it will be better to do A-level & finish first degree in 6-7 semester with great A level score & associated credits

That's the chepest for middle class family.

twilight:

I also heard about the reverse being true, but then again, there are different A levels all around the world, so I'm not sure a comparison can truly be made. I suppose it depends on the universities. But for IB, it's uniform worldwide, so it's easier to obtain the statistics for credit transfer. That's what I heard.

DadOfGirl:

rosemummy:

[quote=\"DadOfGirl\"]
A level get more credits in US undergraduate shools than any IB diploma..

Like to share where you got this info from? From what I know, the reverse is true. But whether A level or IB, you don't get much credit, probably just for 1 or 2 subjects, which would translate to 6 credits.

Actually, if you're planning to do a first degree in the US, the best option is to forget about both A level, IB or poly. Just do O level and SAT and apply for admission straight away. Alternatively, you can do the freshmen and sophomore years in a community college. Most students starting at a community college immediately after their O levels should be in their junior (third) year by the time those completing their A level / IB start their first year. Definitely faster and cheaper.

rosemummy:

DadOfGirl:

A level get more credits in US undergraduate shools than any IB diploma..

Like to share where you got this info from? From what I know, the reverse is true. But whether A level or IB, you don't get much credit, probably just for 1 or 2 subjects, which would translate to 6 credits.

Actually, if you're planning to do a first degree in the US, the best option is to forget about both A level, IB or poly. Just do O level and SAT and apply for admission straight away. Alternatively, you can do the freshmen and sophomore years in a community college. Most students starting at a community college immediately after their O levels should be in their junior (third) year by the time those completing their A level / IB start their first year. Definitely faster and cheaper.

ycpang:

I also remember what our MM LKY said, if there is no pressure, you will never improve.

sall:

I have a friend teaching in an international sch. All the kids are from rich background, they have to be rich to be able to pay the high sch fees. Seems to have quite a bit of discipline problems too. The syllabus seems to be less demanding.

DadOfGirl:

A level get more credits in US undergraduate shools than any IB diploma..