DSA 2011

[clayman]

yukilei:

Gleemom, thks for the info. Have been hearing a lot of ACSI about being \"rich man\" son sch. Finally hearing sthg fm someone from the sch. This really put me at ease. Personally, I prefer ACSI than NUSH. Was thinking mayb ask my DS to try ACSI DSA next year. However, almost none of his classmate is interested in ACSI. All going crazy with NUSH. Furthermore, DS doesn't like CCA, esp uniform groups... So, not sure whether he'll put it as one of his choice. Of course, have to depend on his grade too. Will definitely bring him to ACSI open house.
Btw, since you say IB prog is purely on merit, does it mean it'll not give priority to ACSP? Which means everyone has equal chance???

Hi yukilei,

Let me wade in on this. I'm an ex-ACS boy myself, and way back in 70's when ACSI was still ACS Secondary at Barker Road as one entity, my classmates came from a variety of background. I had classmates whose parents were teachers, taxi-drivers, normal working folk. Maybe half of them were above the average middle-income class. But still, everyone was equal when it came to interacting and socialising. Our teachers back then, treated everyone as equals. It was only when one of our current aspiring Presidential Election candidate espoused some nonsense at our Founder's Day about ACSians as being snobs that this myth took hold. Believe me, a lot of ex-ACS boys of my time still hold it against him for that comment.

So in a nutshell, I would strongly encourage you to try for ACSI for your DS when his time comes next year. I believe their DSA process give equal chances to everyone. The only reason it seems that there are more ACSP and ACSJ boys in their IP programme is because there is a higher percentage of these boys from the feeder schools applying. The IB programme is not well-known in this part of the world but ACSI is one of the top IB centres in the world administering this programme.

Also with a new Principal at the helm, it will be exciting times ahead as he charts new directions for the school. Will let you know my impressions, after this Friday's parents meeting with him. For me, my son's DSA journey is drawing to a close. Now...on to PSLE!!

[gleemom]

Hi yukilei

We went thru similar concerns so I fully understand yr concerns. DS was deadset on applying for NUSH & teachers recommend him to do so as he’s strong in sci & math. But we felt either IB & A levels suit him better (won’t go into the details) so he applied for ACSI & another IP sch, & finally selected ACSI, the only one from his neighbourhood primary sch to do so. Other than ACSP/J boys having a separate Pre-DSA briefing, entrance criteria for ACSI IB is based purely on merit-Pri sch results, CCA, personal statement & all-important HAST test. Test covers English, math & logic. ACSP/J boys only have advantage for the O level program, not the IB program. My estimate is at least 50%, if not more, places are given to non-ACS boys.

My experience so far is DS also likes the humanities & broadbased curriculum. Of course I wouldn’t know how he would have fared if he had gone to NUSH or an A level school. But I personally do like the program.

[gleemom]

To add to the 'snob' reputation, I must add that becos the sch appears to some others as '2nd best', the boys are actually not snobbish contrary to popular belief. They are mostly quite the confident gentlemen

[ngbrdad]

Surely they give some advantage of the ACSJ/ACSP kids who play rugby since it’s such a prominent sports in ACSI. They are one of the few who have under 12/11 rugby teams.

Or is it most of these kids will be in the O level section ?

[Paddy Field]

yukilei:

Paddy Field:

Congrats to all who hear from ACSI.


I rec'd phone call to attend the principal talk this Friday too. Did not expect to get this as I thought most of their slots will be given to he ACSP and ACSJ boys.

DS likes the IB program but I cannot imagine having to cope w 2 CCAs in the midst of such heavy workload.

Any parents has any feedback on this?

Paddy field, :congrats:

What does your DS like about the IB Prog & choose it over others???
One of the 2 CCAs include uniform group & most of the uniform group requires training twice per wk. So with another CCA, most likely he has to stay back 3 times per wk.

He's quite a project-based type of person, but he also excel in math n passionate about science. IB is broad-based so it may suit him, but he'll have to sacrifice on pursuing math/science at deeper level. Furthermore he's more inclined to study overseas, so IB should be recognized world-wide.

But my understanding may be wrong. Anyone has any insights on IB applicants applying for Us overseas?

[gleemom]

Hi ngbrdad - IP schools may give priority to sports DSA students over academic DSA students as the latter can enter via their PSLE scores. As you can read from this forum, many academically excellent students did not obtain CO’s, not because they are not good enough, but becos there are limited number of DSA places per domain, so the school figure some of these will get in eventually with PSLE scores and thus not give them a CO. ACSI has 2 tracks - IB (about 1/3 of cohort) and Express (O levels). Sports DSA is offered to boys for either track. I guess just as in other schools, they will look at the boy’s sporting abilities, and also at his results & HAST test to ascertain which track is more suited. At the DSA application, you are asked to indicate if you want to be considered for O level track if you are not successful for IB track. You can say no, if you are only interested in the IB track. Hope this helps.

[cylg]

gleemom:

Hi ngbrdad - IP schools may give priority to sports DSA students over academic DSA students as the latter can enter via their PSLE scores. As you can read from this forum, many academically excellent students did not obtain CO's, not because they are not good enough, but becos there are limited number of DSA places per domain, so the school figure some of these will get in eventually with PSLE scores and thus not give them a CO. ACSI has 2 tracks - IB (about 1/3 of cohort) and Express (O levels). Sports DSA is offered to boys for either track. I guess just as in other schools, they will look at the boy's sporting abilities, and also at his results & HAST test to ascertain which track is more suited. At the DSA application, you are asked to indicate if you want to be considered for O level track if you are not successful for IB track. You can say no, if you are only interested in the IB track. Hope this helps.

:goodpost: well explained

[cylg]

clayman:

yukilei:

Gleemom, thks for the info. Have been hearing a lot of ACSI about being \"rich man\" son sch. Finally hearing sthg fm someone from the sch. This really put me at ease. Personally, I prefer ACSI than NUSH. Was thinking mayb ask my DS to try ACSI DSA next year. However, almost none of his classmate is interested in ACSI. All going crazy with NUSH. Furthermore, DS doesn't like CCA, esp uniform groups... So, not sure whether he'll put it as one of his choice. Of course, have to depend on his grade too. Will definitely bring him to ACSI open house.
Btw, since you say IB prog is purely on merit, does it mean it'll not give priority to ACSP? Which means everyone has equal chance???

Hi yukilei,

Let me wade in on this. I'm an ex-ACS boy myself, and way back in 70's when ACSI was still ACS Secondary at Barker Road as one entity, my classmates came from a variety of background. I had classmates whose parents were teachers, taxi-drivers, normal working folk. Maybe half of them were above the average middle-income class. But still, everyone was equal when it came to interacting and socialising. Our teachers back then, treated everyone as equals. It was only when one of our current aspiring Presidential Election candidate espoused some nonsense at our Founder's Day about ACSians as being snobs that this myth took hold. Believe me, a lot of ex-ACS boys of my time still hold it against him for that comment.

So in a nutshell, I would strongly encourage you to try for ACSI for your DS when his time comes next year. I believe their DSA process give equal chances to everyone. The only reason it seems that there are more ACSP and ACSJ boys in their IP programme is because there is a higher percentage of these boys from the feeder schools applying. The IB programme is not well-known in this part of the world but ACSI is one of the top IB centres in the world administering this programme.

Also with a new Principal at the helm, it will be exciting times ahead as he charts new directions for the school. Will let you know my impressions, after this Friday's parents meeting with him. For me, my son's DSA journey is drawing to a close. Now...on to PSLE!!

:goodpost: Congrats on ACSI CO

[yukilei]

clayman:

yukilei:

Gleemom, thks for the info. Have been hearing a lot of ACSI about being \"rich man\" son sch. Finally hearing sthg fm someone from the sch. This really put me at ease. Personally, I prefer ACSI than NUSH. Was thinking mayb ask my DS to try ACSI DSA next year. However, almost none of his classmate is interested in ACSI. All going crazy with NUSH. Furthermore, DS doesn't like CCA, esp uniform groups... So, not sure whether he'll put it as one of his choice. Of course, have to depend on his grade too. Will definitely bring him to ACSI open house.
Btw, since you say IB prog is purely on merit, does it mean it'll not give priority to ACSP? Which means everyone has equal chance???

Hi yukilei,

Let me wade in on this. I'm an ex-ACS boy myself, and way back in 70's when ACSI was still ACS Secondary at Barker Road as one entity, my classmates came from a variety of background. I had classmates whose parents were teachers, taxi-drivers, normal working folk. Maybe half of them were above the average middle-income class. But still, everyone was equal when it came to interacting and socialising. Our teachers back then, treated everyone as equals. It was only when one of our current aspiring Presidential Election candidate espoused some nonsense at our Founder's Day about ACSians as being snobs that this myth took hold. Believe me, a lot of ex-ACS boys of my time still hold it against him for that comment.

So in a nutshell, I would strongly encourage you to try for ACSI for your DS when his time comes next year. I believe their DSA process give equal chances to everyone. The only reason it seems that there are more ACSP and ACSJ boys in their IP programme is because there is a higher percentage of these boys from the feeder schools applying. The IB programme is not well-known in this part of the world but ACSI is one of the top IB centres in the world administering this programme.

Also with a new Principal at the helm, it will be exciting times ahead as he charts new directions for the school. Will let you know my impressions, after this Friday's parents meeting with him. For me, my son's DSA journey is drawing to a close. Now...on to PSLE!!

:thankyou: Clayman for the clarification.

I've heard a lot abt ACSI's IB prog. To be frank, ACSI IB prog is the reason why I laid my eyes on the sch. :evil:

Let us know abt ur impression of the new P after your tea session & Good luck to your Ds PSLE!

[clayman]

cylg:

:goodpost: Congrats on ACSI CO

Thanks cylg.