FantasyLandDreams:

walterp:

[quote=\"nobhill88\"]Hi Ammonite and Miracle Child, yes, the students will do the \"O\" level equivalent by Year 2 and \"A\" level equivalent by Year 4. They do pure sciences and therefore, integrated textbooks used by regular schools are irrelevant because at NUSH, they go in-depth into each subject. So, you can say, that from day 1, they are already doing pure sciences.


Not too sure about \"mugging\" part. It all depends on the individual child's mode of studying. I notice some do well by mugging, some by consistent revision... so, it all depends on the individual child. For NUSH, it is also a lot of independent learning. The teachers are very dedicated, responsible and helpful especially so, when the class size is small.

And don't forget, it is a big jump from primary school to secondary school/ NUSH for all our kids - from just 4 subjects to 8 to 9 subjects. Ultimately, it all depends on the individual child and for the parents to assess if their child can cope with new school, new syllabus, new subjects. One man's meat is another man's poison. For my experience, my dd is in the top 5% in a premier girls school and even though she was accepted by IP school of the same namesake, she chose NUSH because she feels that NUSH offers her a learning experience that is unparalleled to the conventional schools. And she is enjoying herself and learning a lot. The learning curve at NUSH is steep and you will be surprised how well your child can cope, given the steepness. I always marvel at my dd's schoolwork at NUSH and the projects that they have to tackle. Very innovating and challenging. So, parents, if your child is prepared for the challenge, by all means, try for the NUSH DSA. Remember, NUSH is the only school that \"selects\" your child, unlike the PSLE S1 posting whereby it is based on the magical 3-digits and the 6-school selection and your child gets posted accordingly based on supply and demand.

What Nobhill88 said is correct. If your child's interest and passion is in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics), NUSH is about the only school in S'pore that is unconventional and where kids can learn at even faster pace for those who can cope. By Y3/Y4 almost everyone is encourage to take part in S'pore Junior Olympiads and some even get started involving in research at local research institution. Just look at the yearly Olympiads and SSEF (S'pore Science and Engineering Fairs) results will tell you the vast difference in standards and performance. Top 5 - 10 percentage of NUSH graduates can get 2/3 years exemptions at local NUS, NTU and even top foreign universities like MIT etc.

After 10 years of curriculum, there are some new changes. I heard the new Y1 batch will take computing science as a subject (previously as Y2 elective) and Specialization started at Y4 instead of Y5. Hence NUSH is a very demanding school for STEM and parents should not be too worry if the DC is selected. Only those who have the proven capabilities and the determination to do well in STEM will be selected by the school.

As I read more on the above sharings, I can't help but conclude that 进得了NUSH， 不一定能 survive the 6 years wor, and I don't think NUSH allow re-take of their diploma if I am not wrong. So parents must really know their child well and consider properly before accepting the NUSH DSA offer perhaps. :siam:[/quote]Agree with Walterp. Results speak volumes. NUSH has a short 10-year history compared to the older established IP schools but it has in a short span of time, churned out students that have gained entry into local and foreign universities. \"Demanding\", \"challenging\" - all these words have been used to describe the curriculum. It is precisely on this basis that the school is able to perform in a short 10-year span. Last year, it proudly produced its first President Scholar. Just as it took 150 years for the US to reach its first world status, it took Singapore only 50 years.

First to get into NUSH is not a walk in the park. To be selected through DSA (say, out of average of 2000 applicants) and say, 150 applicants ultimately given the CO is only 7.5% chance. So, to those that have being accepted into NUSH are, if I may say, suited to the regime or curriculum of the school. Whether they can \"survive\" in the environment for the full 6 years or not is anybody's guess (too many variables involved) but I would say, if one can \"survive\" the DSA qualifications or the hour-long interview by the principal/ staff, the child certainly will be able to hold his/her own.

I would like to share a real-life situation which a relative of mine faced with the DSA. Her daughter is in a premier girls school and in one of the top 2 classes. She had been grooming her daughter to excel in a particular sports since lower primary to prepare her for dsa through sports. So, last year, she applied through sports dsa to the top girls IP school. The daughter was given the CO and they accepted it.


The irony is that when the PSLE results came out, the daughter did remarkably well (264) which is more than enough to go into any IP school. The daughter could have gotten in that same school based on her PSLE results. But because she had already been accepted via DSA sports, the regulation is that she has to stay in the school under sports domain and as a result, she has been spending a lot of time on her CCA and as such, been neglecting her school work.

So, parents, be aware that unless your child enjoys the sports and want to excel in sports as opposed to academics (or can excel in sports and academics at the same time), it is best to think twice about DSA sports. Otherwise, what is the whole point of going into IP school through DSA sports when academics has to suffer. The opportunity cost is just too great even just for the sake of being a brand name school. Is it worth it?

phtthp:

supikiasu:

My mother encourages me to try NUSH which CCA are less competitive. Anyone can advise if this is true? No sport DSA for NUSH?

Based on the Open House conducted last Sat (11 April) :
The criteria to enter NUS High is based on showing strong passion & interests in Both Maths & Science subjects.

During the Principal's briefing (Dr Hung), we were told that 90 % of Secondary 1 cohort that enter by Phase 1 DSA, whereby:-
- first, must clear the 3 hr Maths & Science Tests,
He said that out of roughly 1800 P6 students, 400 will be short listed to attend the next test (Science camp)

- second, need to pass the Science camp Tests, where Tr will observe students in working with group dynamics, & the extent of General Science knowledge displayed, as 400 pupils break into small groups, move from one lab to another, to discuss mini lab projects.

He mentioned that only 153 candidates out of 400 who attend the Science camp, will be offered DSA, sometime in August.

he added that lastly, only a very small remaining 10%, will enter by Phase 2 T-score : last year Cut off point was 256.

No where during the briefing, did he mention about entry via Sports DSA.
However, he did mention that students can choose a Cca that they are interested in, from a wide range of Ccas available, at NUS High. Some of them are very good, able to handle both Cca & studies, well, as they can strike a balance.

Also, after briefing session was over, during tour guide round the campus, we were told by the guide (Yr 5 student) that the academic progress is fast pace, here.
The tour guide mentioned that -
By end of Yr 2 : students complete O level syllabus
By end of Yr 4 : students complete A level syllabus

In Yr 5 & 6 : students start to cover Science & Maths subjects, that is beyond the A level syllabus, they start to cover part of NUS University syllabus, where they are attached to mentors from respective NUS Faculty, or to industry partners.

To us, we interpret that it seems that able to manage the study workload here, is more important than concentrate in Sports, because seems like NUS High curriculum, is demanding.
If a child's Maths & Science not strong, hard to survive through the next 6 years.
Although of course, one cant deny the fact that Cca is also an important aspect : because Cca build up other kind of skills in students, like build up team work, team spirit, resilience, Sportsmanship, peserverance, etc. in a person. hence, pupils still need to take up one Cca, at NUS High.

Then when we asked what's the ratio of boys to girls like, someone replied that is 2 to 3 boys, to 1 girl.

If my interpretation is wrong, pls feel correct to correct me. Tq

Generally, the interpretation is correct. The boy-girl ratio is 5:1 on the average. There are a decent selection of CCAs available at NUSH and no, it is not competitive at all. CCAs is compulsory because it allows your child to de-stress and learn something new other than academics, learn teamwork, develop a new skill. For example, you do not have to be a tennis player to take up tennis CCA or be in your soccer team to take up the sports at NUSH. That is why I favour NUSH because they are strong in academics but at the same time, they encourage the student to pursue interests outside of school work.

Hi Ammonite and Miracle Child, yes, the students will do the "O" level equivalent by Year 2 and "A" level equivalent by Year 4. They do pure sciences and therefore, integrated textbooks used by regular schools are irrelevant because at NUSH, they go in-depth into each subject. So, you can say, that from day 1, they are already doing pure sciences.


Not too sure about "mugging" part. It all depends on the individual child’s mode of studying. I notice some do well by mugging, some by consistent revision… so, it all depends on the individual child. For NUSH, it is also a lot of independent learning. The teachers are very dedicated, responsible and helpful especially so, when the class size is small.

And don’t forget, it is a big jump from primary school to secondary school/ NUSH for all our kids - from just 4 subjects to 8 to 9 subjects. Ultimately, it all depends on the individual child and for the parents to assess if their child can cope with new school, new syllabus, new subjects. One man’s meat is another man’s poison. For my experience, my dd is in the top 5% in a premier girls school and even though she was accepted by IP school of the same namesake, she chose NUSH because she feels that NUSH offers her a learning experience that is unparalleled to the conventional schools. And she is enjoying herself and learning a lot. The learning curve at NUSH is steep and you will be surprised how well your child can cope, given the steepness. I always marvel at my dd’s schoolwork at NUSH and the projects that they have to tackle. Very innovating and challenging. So, parents, if your child is prepared for the challenge, by all means, try for the NUSH DSA. Remember, NUSH is the only school that "selects" your child, unlike the PSLE S1 posting whereby it is based on the magical 3-digits and the 6-school selection and your child gets posted accordingly based on supply and demand.

NUSH curriculum cannot be compared to the IP schools as it is different in terms of pace and syllabus. NUSH is a "one of a kind school" that breaks all convention and strives to stretch the students’ minds. At year 1, the students are doing Sec 3 syllabus for the core subjects, year 2 - sec 4 equivalent and so on. Your child must be able to cope. That is why to qualify to get into NUSH is stringent - the school yearly intake is >90% through DSA. The school has to assess if your child has the potential to excel in NUSH.

The CCAs at NUSH is IMO not demanding. My dd in her primary school was never active in CCAs - she was in arts club in lower primary and E2K in upper primary. So, thankfully, at NUSH, there are a good choice of sports, music, arts… CCAs to choose from. Unlike the other schools, CCAs at NUSH is purely to relax their minds and enjoy their CCA. They are held twice a week. No stress at all. DD is taking in Chinese orchestra even though she does not play any musical instruments and she is enjoying learning a new skill.