momsie:

I have a story to share with all parents choosing a secondary school for their children. I have a daughter who was from one of the top SAP schools. She was only an average student there. My daughter was a well behaved and quiet girl. With her average results, she was not given much opportunities to shine. With her aggregate of 207 at the end of P6, I decided to put her in one of the notoriously 'bad' school, where she was top of her cohort. She was put into the best class and was given all kind of opportunities to shine. For 4 years, her teachers willingly stayed back after school whenever she needs extra coaching. At the end of 4 years, she was a leader in her CCA, a peer support leader and an oganiser of many activities, each allowing her to hone her leadership skills. She went into her 1st choice in Poly, Business Engineering, because of her strength in A/E Maths. Her Sec 4 teacher is still her mentor. She's just as popular in the Poly. The head of her Course is given her extra guidance now and then and she's just as active in all the activities. My daughter is now in her 2nd year in Poly and is one of the top 10 students there. I believe she would not have any problems getting accepted into our local U and most importantly, she has become a very confident girl.


My son this year score 226. He's all along had his eyes set on Temasek (COP 230-252). My choice for him is Bedok View (COP 218-229). Thanks to koguma for highlighting the Means and Median, I agree this is also very important. I brought him to Bedok View this morning and I was greeted by 4 students cousillors there, all in their Sec 2. The Principal and Manager were not available to answer to my questions. In fact there was no one in school other than these student cousilors. But, my trip was not wasted. They politely, diplomatically and clearly answered all my questions in good simple English, even the difficult ones I put in to test them. I saw with my own eyes the confidence the School has in them and how well they were trained. Yes, although Bedok View is just an average school, I'm impressed. My son wiill be one of the top cohort there in their best class. I believes like my daughter, he'll be given all opportunities to shine there and being one of the best, his morale will be high and that will motivate him to give off his best. But, if I were to appeal for him to go to Temasek, or put him in one of the better schools with COP 22X, he'll only be at the bottom of his cohort.

With so many of his peers better than him, would he be able to shine?

With my son's personality, I believes Bedok View is a good fit. My son also feels comfortable interacting with these students and is convinced Bedok View is more suitable for him. This school will be my son's 1st choice.

I've scanned thru many comments in this and other threads and I feel it is not how good the school is, but how good will your child be in that school. That's the questions you should be asking. A good school is a school that would give your child lots of opportunity to shine without overwhelming him. Hope all of you will make the right decision where to put your child in.

I am very encouraged by your success story and i have a similar experience now. Son from decent SAP school but not doing too well. Results only 210 and therefore can only consider limited school. If i may asked which school did you put your daughter into which she subsequently blossomed?