<![CDATA[Which is your ideal choice?]]>Which is your preferred choice: Your child being only an average student in a good school or one of the top students in a neighborhood school? Why?


Appreciate all sharing. :rahrah:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/topic/26066/which-is-your-ideal-choiceRSS for NodeSat, 25 Apr 2026 06:37:07 GMTMon, 19 Sep 2011 08:37:34 GMT60<![CDATA[Reply to Which is your ideal choice? on Sat, 22 Oct 2011 00:49:50 GMT]]>

MandyMummy:
verykiasu2010:

as they say, iron sharpens iron


\"streaming\" by ability has more merits than otherwise

and ability is usually benchmarked by exam results most of the time though many can dispute it is not conclusive....must cater for late developer bla bla bla...later developer can be benchmarked against their peers too...

and hence naturally most of the high scorers go to schools with high cop and so on and so forth

highly gifted kids find normal mainstream lessons boring

high ability learner find the learning pace among his lower cop comrades stifling or too easy....and too easy will result in too much slacking, just flow along, and eventually slide down to similar performance level of his lower cop comrades... you people call it peer influence ?

so, :siam: :siam: πŸ¦† πŸ¦†

Academic streaming does not always result in peer influence. Peer influence is everywhere during adolescence, from church groups, CCA, primary school friends, classmates. It is present in all schools including top schools.

\"Peer pressure refers to the influence exerted by a peer group in encouraging a person to change his or her attitudes, values, or behavior in order to conform to group norms\"

When a child does not perform up to expectation in secondary school. A number of factors need to be explored.
1. Cognitive ability and Study skills. The set of study skills in secondary school is different from that in a primary school.
2. Time management. CCA and projects eats into homework and revision time.
3. Study culture of school.
4. Emotional problems - some kids lost interest in studies, some face BGR problems, family problems etc
5. Negative peer influence.

The last two are the most difficult to manage.
I know of a case of a RI boy who was expelled as a result of his behaviour stemming from negative peer influence. Don't ask me why so sure it is negative peer influence. This a very sad case despite professional counseling.

Very well said. :goodpost:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/616573https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/616573Sat, 22 Oct 2011 00:49:50 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Which is your ideal choice? on Sat, 24 Sep 2011 12:28:05 GMT]]>I think the gal with 260 goes to 230 school is not too wise as 230 schools are usually band 3 or below.(like st andrew 230 is band 7 if i remember correctly) However, the other with 274 goes to 250 school, afterall 250 schools are mostly band 1 or 2 schools.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/593688https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/593688Sat, 24 Sep 2011 12:28:05 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Which is your ideal choice? on Sat, 24 Sep 2011 06:54:01 GMT]]>Agree with what you have all said! Thank you. πŸ™‚

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/593584https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/593584Sat, 24 Sep 2011 06:54:01 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Which is your ideal choice? on Sat, 24 Sep 2011 03:33:06 GMT]]>

dasalo:
θΏ‘ζœ±θ€…θ΅€,θΏ‘ε’¨θ€…ι»‘

If a child succumbs easily to peer pressure, then it is more of a behaviour issue rather than an academic issue. This can happen anywhere. Even in the top schools, there are many underachievers and slackers. If the student doesn't have the right values, he might still fall prey to negative peer influence in a top school.

I would encourage students to consider factors like academic development, values education, CCA achievements and distance when selecting their secondary schools. Many years ago, I had the chance to go to a SAP school, but I chose a government school as I didn't want to pay the relatively higher school fees. It turned out well for me. I selected a school with a COP around 25 marks below my PSLE results. Nothing \"bad\" happened. I made great friends, did my 'O' levels, 'A' levels and received my honours degree. πŸ˜‰

I think education is the means to an end rather than the end itself, so I don't think academic results are the only consideration when selecting a school. Seriously, there are mischievous kids in the top schools. It is a false assumption to think that going to a top school can prevent a child from slacking or falling into bad company. In my humble opinion, students should be taught to resist peer pressure rather than be shielded from it.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/593515https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/593515Sat, 24 Sep 2011 03:33:06 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Which is your ideal choice? on Sat, 24 Sep 2011 02:40:02 GMT]]>I agree with MandyMummy that it depends on the child. Some kids thrive among stiff competition :nunchuk: , while others gets demoralized and sink amid clever, competitive classmates :imdrowning:


However the top kid in neighbourhood school ultimately has to meet the top kids in IP schools in JC and unis. He/she basically can't skip the litmus test on his/her resilience in face of stiff competition :pokeeye: Which explains why some top O level top scorers do not end up as top scorers in A levels.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/593494https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/593494Sat, 24 Sep 2011 02:40:02 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Which is your ideal choice? on Sat, 24 Sep 2011 02:02:42 GMT]]>

ppnqq:
Thank you for all the respond and discussion. Base on what have been \"discussed\" above, will it help if an average child goes to a better school (not top)? TIA.

I think it depends on the child. If the child performs below most of the cohort but within his expectation, he may still feel demoralized and may feel that he is not in the right school. Conversely, if he performs beyond his expectation, he will be more motivated.
Knowing the resilience of the child helps both the parents and child to make a more informed decision.
No matter what, motivation is a very sticky situation to manage.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/593486https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/593486Sat, 24 Sep 2011 02:02:42 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Which is your ideal choice? on Sat, 24 Sep 2011 01:46:56 GMT]]>Thank you for all the respond and discussion. Base on what have been "discussed" above, will it help if an average child goes to a better school (not top)? TIA.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/593478https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/593478Sat, 24 Sep 2011 01:46:56 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Which is your ideal choice? on Sat, 24 Sep 2011 01:06:31 GMT]]>

jtoh:


Below par as in she isn't topping her school or she's still topping her school but punching below her weight? I think in an effort to fit in with the rest of her peers she may not be trying her best. Which is why it's better to be in an environment of similar academic ability. You learn more from each other and push each other further. It's curious that she chose to go to a school with a COP so much lower than her own score. I can understand if she chose to go to a school with COP 250 or 240 but 230 is rather low for her.
I am just as curious as to why she chose that school. Most of her \"good\" friends goes to that school and she just follow thinking she can be the best there. Also, the school is near where she lives so she does not need to travel far. I \"heard\", \"she pass one of the subjects with one mark. I don't know about the rest of the subjects. Also, with the influx of mainland students in her school, she was demoralised as comparison was made.\"

Anyway, IMO, I do not think PSLE score is a good gauge of a student's ability in study. Also, I totally disagree with parents who discourage their child to go to a better school just because of distance. I was a victim with my own choice so I know. Another student I know who scored 274 went to a 250 cop school (again distance case) but she remain in the top 5 position each year when she was always the top in primary school.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/593469https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/593469Sat, 24 Sep 2011 01:06:31 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Which is your ideal choice? on Sat, 24 Sep 2011 00:44:06 GMT]]>θΏ‘ζœ±θ€…θ΅€,θΏ‘ε’¨θ€…ι»‘

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/593462https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/593462Sat, 24 Sep 2011 00:44:06 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Which is your ideal choice? on Sat, 24 Sep 2011 00:35:56 GMT]]>

dasalo:
MMM:


Just curious, what makes you think that a average student in \"top schools\"= top students in neighbourhood school??? :?

This may not necessarily be the case.

Agree.
ppnqq:
we are not talking about those elite children who opt out the good schools and went into neighborhood schools as these cases are rare.
I know of one student who scored 260 went to a 230 COP school saying she wants to be the top student there. Yesterday, I just found out from a friend that her result were under par. Not that she mixes with bad companies or sorts, I really don't know what happened.

Hi dasalo,

Below par as in she isn't topping her school or she's still topping her school but punching below her weight? I think in an effort to fit in with the rest of her peers she may not be trying her best. Which is why it's better to be in an environment of similar academic ability. You learn more from each other and push each other further. It's curious that she chose to go to a school with a COP so much lower than her own score. I can understand if she chose to go to a school with COP 250 or 240 but 230 is rather low for her.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/593459https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/593459Sat, 24 Sep 2011 00:35:56 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Which is your ideal choice? on Fri, 23 Sep 2011 23:58:08 GMT]]>

verykiasu2010:
as they say, iron sharpens iron


\"streaming\" by ability has more merits than otherwise

and ability is usually benchmarked by exam results most of the time though many can dispute it is not conclusive....must cater for late developer bla bla bla...later developer can be benchmarked against their peers too...

and hence naturally most of the high scorers go to schools with high cop and so on and so forth

highly gifted kids find normal mainstream lessons boring

high ability learner find the learning pace among his lower cop comrades stifling or too easy....and too easy will result in too much slacking, just flow along, and eventually slide down to similar performance level of his lower cop comrades... you people call it peer influence ?

so, :siam: :siam: πŸ¦† πŸ¦†
Academic streaming does not always result in peer influence. Peer influence is everywhere during adolescence, from church groups, CCA, primary school friends, classmates. It is present in all schools including top schools.

\"Peer pressure refers to the influence exerted by a peer group in encouraging a person to change his or her attitudes, values, or behavior in order to conform to group norms\"

When a child does not perform up to expectation in secondary school. A number of factors need to be explored.
1. Cognitive ability and Study skills. The set of study skills in secondary school is different from that in a primary school.
2. Time management. CCA and projects eats into homework and revision time.
3. Study culture of school.
4. Emotional problems - some kids lost interest in studies, some face BGR problems, family problems etc
5. Negative peer influence.

The last two are the most difficult to manage.
I know of a case of a RI boy who was expelled as a result of his behaviour stemming from negative peer influence. Don't ask me why so sure it is negative peer influence. This a very sad case despite professional counseling.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/593454https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/593454Fri, 23 Sep 2011 23:58:08 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Which is your ideal choice? on Fri, 23 Sep 2011 16:27:42 GMT]]>

jedamum:
not trying to make sweeping statement here, but personal opinion is that besides coping with new subjects, schools that have 230 COP may not have the same/comparable teaching culture/techniques/framework/guidelines/tips/focus as compared to schools having 260 COP.

well said

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/593426https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/593426Fri, 23 Sep 2011 16:27:42 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Which is your ideal choice? on Fri, 23 Sep 2011 16:26:50 GMT]]>as they say, iron sharpens iron


\"streaming\" by ability has more merits than otherwise

and ability is usually benchmarked by exam results most of the time though many can dispute it is not conclusive....must cater for late developer bla bla bla...later developer can be benchmarked against their peers too...

and hence naturally most of the high scorers go to schools with high cop and so on and so forth

highly gifted kids find normal mainstream lessons boring

high ability learner find the learning pace among his lower cop comrades stifling or too easy....and too easy will result in too much slacking, just flow along, and eventually slide down to similar performance level of his lower cop comrades... you people call it peer influence ?

so, :siam: :siam: πŸ¦† πŸ¦†

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/593424https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/593424Fri, 23 Sep 2011 16:26:50 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Which is your ideal choice? on Fri, 23 Sep 2011 09:49:50 GMT]]>not trying to make sweeping statement here, but personal opinion is that besides coping with new subjects, schools that have 230 COP may not have the same/comparable teaching culture/techniques/framework/guidelines/tips/focus as compared to schools having 260 COP.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/593222https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/593222Fri, 23 Sep 2011 09:49:50 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Which is your ideal choice? on Fri, 23 Sep 2011 08:12:32 GMT]]>

dasalo:
MMM:


Just curious, what makes you think that a average student in \"top schools\"= top students in neighbourhood school??? :?

This may not necessarily be the case.

Agree.
ppnqq:
we are not talking about those elite children who opt out the good schools and went into neighborhood schools as these cases are rare.
I know of one student who scored 260 went to a 230 COP school saying she wants to be the top student there. Yesterday, I just found out from a friend that her result were under par. Not that she mixes with bad companies or sorts, I really don't know what happened.

A high score in the PSLE doesn't guarantee good grades in Sec One. The student may be having problems coping with the new subjects.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/593060https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/593060Fri, 23 Sep 2011 08:12:32 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Which is your ideal choice? on Fri, 23 Sep 2011 07:59:35 GMT]]>Peer influence during their teenage years is usually the main worry of parents. Also, must take in account the study culture of the school. πŸ˜„

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/593027https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/593027Fri, 23 Sep 2011 07:59:35 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Which is your ideal choice? on Fri, 23 Sep 2011 07:51:19 GMT]]>

MMM:

Just curious, what makes you think that a average student in \"top schools\"= top students in neighbourhood school??? :?

This may not necessarily be the case.
Agree.
ppnqq:
we are not talking about those elite children who opt out the good schools and went into neighborhood schools as these cases are rare.
I know of one student who scored 260 went to a 230 COP school saying she wants to be the top student there. Yesterday, I just found out from a friend that her result were under par. Not that she mixes with bad companies or sorts, I really don't know what happened.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/593007https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/593007Fri, 23 Sep 2011 07:51:19 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Which is your ideal choice? on Tue, 20 Sep 2011 09:43:49 GMT]]>Hi MMM, thank you for your reply.


Well, of course cannot be all but at least from my social circle, most of the children whom I know or heard of are like this, and of course, here, we are not talking about those elite children who opt out the good schools and went into neighborhood schools as these cases are rare.

JMHO.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/589948https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/589948Tue, 20 Sep 2011 09:43:49 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Which is your ideal choice? on Mon, 19 Sep 2011 08:48:47 GMT]]>

ppnqq:
Which is your preferred choice: Your child being only an average student in a good school or one of the top students in a neighborhood school? Why?


Appreciate all sharing. :rahrah:
Just curious, what makes you think that a average student in \"top schools\"= top students in neighbourhood school??? :?

This may not necessarily be the case.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/589001https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/589001Mon, 19 Sep 2011 08:48:47 GMT