emoh:

I think SJI(Int'l), ACS(Int'l) and Hwa Chong Int'l does IGCSE at Yr 4 while the local IP/IB schools like SJI and MGS/ACS Independent would not require the students to do O Levels before IB (Yr 5/6) as these IP students would be part of the through train from Sec 1-4 to JC 1-2

jetsetter:

mylittleprincess:

[quote=\"jetsetter\"]mylittleprincess


Do IB students need to do O Levels before they progress to Yr 5-6 to sit for the IB Dip exams?

Will they be diverted to the O-Level track if their grades fall short of the std required for IB track at Yr 3-4?

Hv there been cases where IB kids were asked to stay back 1 yr to buck up, else will face the fate of going to a local polytechnic?

Is the fate the same as those in IP track?

Tks

Hi jetsetter
i can only speak for our local international school context and not so for IP schools as i have no experience there.
In our local International school, we do from sec one to sec 4, and all students sit for IGCSE , equivalent to O levels. after that , they continue to do IB. However, there are some students who after doing IGCSE, and realised they don't to do IB, can use the IGSCE to apply for local polys and yes, i have had many students who did that. Some also used the IGCSE to apply to SIM foundation course , to do their degrees after the 8-9 months foundation course.

in our school and i believe the philosophy of IB, there is no student who deserves to be retained in the year. IB is a 2 year course, and if the student is lagging behind in the first year, there is still chances to catch up in the second year of IB. Unless the student is horrible with attitude and has no aptitude for iB, the school may register the student for Certificate instead of IB diploma, which is a lower level, and may not allow the students to apply to many unis. But because IB points range from 20 plus to 45, a weak student may still get a IB diploma and get just 26-30 points, and may still get to go to some universities. But that range of points is very low and not good grades. Universities here tend to be very competitive with A level kids who score very very well, so its kinda competitive in local unis and not possible to get in if the kids onlt score below 30 points, hence their option is to go overseas. If they have close to 40 points, they stand a good chance to get into local uni, but again it depends on the faculty they applying.
I have a student who got 34 points (by my standard, its not good ) but got a place in UCL in london to do a business course. so it depends on alot of factors too. Another student got 40 points , got into NUS, but chose to do medicine in Uni of Melbourne.

for out local IP track, i can say for sure their standards are much higher..( and they probably will do quite well to secure places in uni here and overseas when they do IB. Cuz i think in the first place, they have quite stringent rules before accepting students into IP and the fact that there aren't too many IP schools yet, so i reckon (in my opinion) those who get into IP here are pretty good students:)
but i am not sure if they do IGCSE at the end of sec 4 or just an internal exam for them to be promoted. Our local international school and in fact all 'pure' international schools do that, as it offers our students the flexibility of not doing IB and transfer out to do other stuff or go overseas.

mylittleprincess:

jetsetter:

mylittleprincess


Do IB students need to do O Levels before they progress to Yr 5-6 to sit for the IB Dip exams?

Will they be diverted to the O-Level track if their grades fall short of the std required for IB track at Yr 3-4?

Hv there been cases where IB kids were asked to stay back 1 yr to buck up, else will face the fate of going to a local polytechnic?

Is the fate the same as those in IP track?

Tks

Hi jetsetter
i can only speak for our local international school context and not so for IP schools as i have no experience there.
In our local International school, we do from sec one to sec 4, and all students sit for IGCSE , equivalent to O levels. after that , they continue to do IB. However, there are some students who after doing IGCSE, and realised they don't to do IB, can use the IGSCE to apply for local polys and yes, i have had many students who did that. Some also used the IGCSE to apply to SIM foundation course , to do their degrees after the 8-9 months foundation course.

in our school and i believe the philosophy of IB, there is no student who deserves to be retained in the year. IB is a 2 year course, and if the student is lagging behind in the first year, there is still chances to catch up in the second year of IB. Unless the student is horrible with attitude and has no aptitude for iB, the school may register the student for Certificate instead of IB diploma, which is a lower level, and may not allow the students to apply to many unis. But because IB points range from 20 plus to 45, a weak student may still get a IB diploma and get just 26-30 points, and may still get to go to some universities. But that range of points is very low and not good grades. Universities here tend to be very competitive with A level kids who score very very well, so its kinda competitive in local unis and not possible to get in if the kids onlt score below 30 points, hence their option is to go overseas. If they have close to 40 points, they stand a good chance to get into local uni, but again it depends on the faculty they applying.
I have a student who got 34 points (by my standard, its not good ) but got a place in UCL in london to do a business course. so it depends on alot of factors too. Another student got 40 points , got into NUS, but chose to do medicine in Uni of Melbourne.

for out local IP track, i can say for sure their standards are much higher..( and they probably will do quite well to secure places in uni here and overseas when they do IB. Cuz i think in the first place, they have quite stringent rules before accepting students into IP and the fact that there aren't too many IP schools yet, so i reckon (in my opinion) those who get into IP here are pretty good students:)
but i am not sure if they do IGCSE at the end of sec 4 or just an internal exam for them to be promoted. Our local international school and in fact all 'pure' international schools do that, as it offers our students the flexibility of not doing IB and transfer out to do other stuff or go overseas.

jetsetter:

mylittleprincess


Do IB students need to do O Levels before they progress to Yr 5-6 to sit for the IB Dip exams?

Will they be diverted to the O-Level track if their grades fall short of the std required for IB track at Yr 3-4?

Hv there been cases where IB kids were asked to stay back 1 yr to buck up, else will face the fate of going to a local polytechnic?

Is the fate the same as those in IP track?

Tks

resgmom:

There's already an existing thread on IP, IB vs A levels


http://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/forum/viewtopic.php?f=48&t=60908&view=previous

mylittleprincess:

hhgold:

Hi mylittleprincess,


Thanks for Sharing.

May i know what are the subjects and how many subjects are taught in IB?
What are the assignments pattern like and frequency of the assignment per subject?

Is IB recognised for all uni locally and internationally?
Can they choose any course or they cannot apply for any particular course?

Hi

In IB, students need to take 3 Higher level and 3 standard level subjects. In addition, there is a Theory of Knowledge and extended essay component which makes up the full 45 points.
IB is definitely getting more recognised and i have had students who were given places in NTU, NUS and SMU in Singapore. Getting into which ever course depends on the course and cut off points. They can do any course and any faculty as IB is equivalent to A levels.
i think IB is getting more recognised quite evidently by the increasing number of IP schools.

hhgold:

Hi mylittleprincess,


Thanks for Sharing.

May i know what are the subjects and how many subjects are taught in IB?
What are the assignments pattern like and frequency of the assignment per subject?

Is IB recognised for all uni locally and internationally?
Can they choose any course or they cannot apply for any particular course?

pinkie:

:thankyou:


For IB graduates, can they apply to study in our local uni? If not, they can only study in International unis locally or overseas?

mylittleprincess:

Jennifer

I have a colleague whose wife is teaching there. but I believe that is a 'pure' international school whereby locals may not be admitted. There was an example of a potential student who is a Singaporean but have been overseas her whole life, and now at 14 yo..wants to enter Nexus, another 'pure' intl school, it was rejected by MOE, though the school accepted her.
So unless ur child , and perhaps one parent is not a Singaporean, CNIS, and places like UWC cannot take ur child in. other options will be SJII, HCI, ACS intl, whom the government allows locals to do secondary and IB qualifications there. as for how the school is, sorry, I am not sure:)

mylittleprincess:

Interesting topic, as i teach in an international school and i am Singaporean, who has gone through A levels.


I teach IB and its only after i teach IB , i realise the value and the difference in the curriculum.

IB is more holistic and it not just focused on the academics, but also the service creativity element, which is in fact a life skill.

It's true that in local international schools like SJII, HCI, ACS Int, the cultural is vastly different from A levels. Students are more expressive, more interactive due to smaller class sizes. There is a good mix of locals and international students, thereby exposing the kids to a cosmopolitan of cultures and values. (which includes good and bad vibes)

We have many students in our school who do stay in spore to complete unis . Some went to SMU, NTU and NUS. so it doesn't mean that all must and will go overseas. However, it is true that many parents are more open to having their kids in overseas colleges and unis because of the high receptiveness of IB qualifications overseas, and maybe the prestige factor.

I have children of my own and i do wish for them to be able to do IB instead of A levels in the future. Me having mugged my way through A levels, i feel IB might be more suitable for my own kids as it might suit their character more, and because i have myself witnessed how the students blossom throughout IB. Well , not all are suited but if they are, IB is a good alternative to higher education.

Just my thoughts

mylittleprincess:

Interesting topic, as i teach in an international school and i am Singaporean, who has gone through A levels.


I teach IB and its only after i teach IB , i realise the value and the difference in the curriculum.

IB is more holistic and it not just focused on the academics, but also the service creativity element, which is in fact a life skill.

It's true that in local international schools like SJII, HCI, ACS Int, the cultural is vastly different from A levels. Students are more expressive, more interactive due to smaller class sizes. There is a good mix of locals and international students, thereby exposing the kids to a cosmopolitan of cultures and values. (which includes good and bad vibes)

We have many students in our school who do stay in spore to complete unis . Some went to SMU, NTU and NUS. so it doesn't mean that all must and will go overseas. However, it is true that many parents are more open to having their kids in overseas colleges and unis because of the high receptiveness of IB qualifications overseas, and maybe the prestige factor.

I have children of my own and i do wish for them to be able to do IB instead of A levels in the future. Me having mugged my way through A levels, i feel IB might be more suitable for my own kids as it might suit their character more, and because i have myself witnessed how the students blossom throughout IB. Well , not all are suited but if they are, IB is a good alternative to higher education.

Just my thoughts

Coolkidsrock2:

In terms of language use, it was a choice between Singlish or swear words.

Snow Crystal:

Truth Hurts:

Hi parents

Just a thought. Many of us want our kids to do IB. Has anyone considered IB in an International school like: SJI International or ACS International? Its a little expensive but its one option. Besides mixing with children from all over the world is a good way to globalise them. Your views? Thanks

Pros - international exposure, good class size, more attention, less stress, less need for tuition (hopefully), more vocal, speak less Singlish and speak more proper English.

Cons - High cost (S$2xK/year alone for school fees), 17-20% score 40 and above (vs minimum 50% in ACSI IB), be prepared to send the kids overseas eventually, influence on behaviour and attitude in a bid to belong, hole in parents' pockets to keep up with Jones, must put in more efforts to maintain life long friendships as the friends may return to own countries or stay abroad eventually.

justbehappy:

Just curious, what is the school fee per month in SJI international and ACS International? What is the class size?