Express or Normal stream

[janice_koh]

how do you define reasonable school i wonder?

[caroline3sg]

reasonable sch:

1) students must not be rowdy, mis-behave in public places.
2) I prefer majority chinese, not a lot of malays. I have seen one sch near my house, female malays wear their uniforms shabbily.
3) teacher care not lose hope kind of attitude.

I just heard very bad comments on chestnut sch students.

[jedamum]

Ogima:

need advice here too...your are inputs greatly appreciated.


BPGH = autonomous since 1994, Express > 244, Normal > 192

YTSS = autonomous in 2010, Express > 237.

the above is based on last year aggregate range.

for example, if your child score is 240...

Would you want your child to enlist in an autonomous school with good long track records...but in a NORMAL stream. I understand that there is still a chance to promote to EXPRESS if his result is good in sec 1& 2....

OR.....

enlist the child to a newly promoted autonomous school in EXPRESS stream ?

I am really looking forward to my child studying in a local U. Hence, choosing the right Secondary school & Pre-U studies is the precedence.

note : the schools mentioned are an example....the point acrossed is a \"good\" school but in NORMAL stream....or a \"normal\" school but Express ?

imagine you scoring 238 and your parents enrol you into BPHS when you could have got into another school and doing express, how would you feel? yes, if work hard, one can get from normal to express stream, but what if the kid gets dishardened or prefers to slow down and take normal academic route?

[janice_koh]

I think the teens are a rowdy bunch by nature. Even good sch also have \"gangster students\". I think it is also important to find out the school's academic performance to justify if it is a \"reasonable school\". Travelling dist for the kid is also as important :lol:

[lego]

Ogima:

for example, if your child score is 240...

Would you want your child to enlist in an autonomous school with good long track records...but in a NORMAL stream. I understand that there is still a chance to promote to EXPRESS if his result is good in sec 1& 2....

OR.....

enlist the child to a newly promoted autonomous school in EXPRESS stream ?

I am really looking forward to my child studying in a local U. Hence, choosing the right Secondary school & Pre-U studies is the precedence.

For a result of 240, i'll opt for express stream in a normal sec school, rather than normal stream in a \"good\" school.

[janice_koh]

of course lah…

[justsay]

tutormum:

The cut off point to opt for express course is 188. If your child scores 187, he can't opt for express course. However, I understand that some schools are willing to put the child in the express course if it's only 1 or 2 points difference upon parents' request. Whether it's better to put your child in the good school but normal stream depends on your child. If he's good but due to his poor performance in the PSLE, which may not be a fair estimate of his ability, I'll strongly recommend that he opt for normal stream and get promoted to the express stream based on his sec 1 results. I know of a boy who did just that. Not only did he top his level in sec 1 and get into the express stream, he did very well for his O level. However, it is tougher on the kids in Normal stream than Express stream actually. The main obstacle is to overcome the stigma to be in the Normal stream and their confidence is bruised. Also, they have to work a lot harder to prove themselves esp if they want to get into the Express stream. If they can't get in due to their Sec 1 results, there is actually little hope to try to get in based on their Sec 2 results. Usually, the school required an overall 75% for the transition.

I came across this boy who worked hard throughout the whole year and attained more than 75% (2 years ago). He and his parents were so happy thinking that he could promote to express in Sec 2. What happen was the principal told the boy that he should get 75% for every subjects and not overall percentage 75%. The poor boy's dream was dashed. Do you think you want to take this risk ?

[janice_koh]

The percentage is only 6% for those Sec 1 normal going to express.

[janice_koh]

just spare the kid let him/her settle down wholeheartedly please

[tutormum]

If your child scores 200, he cannot opt for Normal stream and must choose an Express course in a \"not so academically strong\" school. I shall not name the school but the students from this school, which is academically not bad, behave rather badly compared to another \"weaker\" school. I suggest parents go to the schools of their choice during dismissal time to observe the students. Choose a few schools now with a range of scores and do it before the school term ends this month.