DSA 2022
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Notabene\" post_id=\"2082012\" time=\"1663035684\" user_id=\"36517:
A very helpful post. Thank you!!
SOTA’s IB curriculum is the exactly the same as the other Singapore IB schools. They offer most of the same subjects although the breadth in choice of subjects offered will differ from school to school anyway. SOTA also offers anticipated Chinese (same as ACSI) so they can have one less subject to study in Y6 if they qualify.
Those that choose (and qualify for) Double Science in Yr 5, will have to drop their Group 6 subject which is their Art Form. This is the same requirement for ALL IB schools globally (including ACSI) regardless of which school and which country. The main difference is that SOTA does not offer TRIPLE Science, which requires you to drop your Humanities subject.
To be honest, being in SOTA means a very high chance of a 7 (top bracket) in IB for a Group 6 subject. And being at SOTA means that the Group 6 (ART Form) must be one of your HL subjects. Having had 4 years of intense Art Form, it then should be a relatively easy HL subject to score well in.
The double science class kids that no longer do an art form in SOTA do miss doing their Art Form subject, but they only form a small percentage of the cohort. Double Science used to be a much desired subject combo for degrees like Medicine, however most B.Med degrees are now post graduate or a double degree, and therefore if you have a single science (usually Chem) you are accepted. The second science is done in your final year of your first degree. If you speak with Doctors that train fresh interns, they really value students with a holistic approach (less traditional) which is where SOTA students have the advantage.
Things to consider btw IP and IB:
A Levels and O Levels are SIngapore specific exams. They are NOT the same exams that UK students sit for and are significantly harder. Those that can afford to, usually send their kids overseas for their A Levels to take the UK A Level equivalent version and guarantee an easier pathway into a UK University. Hence the stress in O Levels and A Levels in SG. It is necessarily harder because of the limited places in local Uni’s here.
IB is the same GLOBAL Exam for all students. It is NOT made specifically harder for Singaporeans. Hence most MOE students regardless of school, are better prepared than International school kids for IB due to the rigour and discipline in MOE schools. Singapore has the highest global average for the IB exam (IB average is 40) and has traditionally dominated this exam on a global platform. SOTA’s average is 41.1, which is just behind SJI (42) and ACSI (42.7)
IB is also used for entrance into all universities globally, and is not weighted against Singaporeans who sit for tougher O Levels and A Levels. If you are targeting overseas universities, then it would be a sensible strategy to choose IB over IP (A Levels) for a fairer reflection of the student’s abilities.
SOTA vs ACSI/MGS vs SJI
Less choice of Sport CCAs (I think Floorball, Badminton, Tchoukball)
Your area of interest eg music lessons are paid for
Literary Arts kids can choose Film in IB for their Group 6 subject. Other Art Forms can also switch to Film instead of their current Art Form if they wish.
SOTA does not offer Business Management but does offer Economics (both HL and SL)
Students are offered unique opportunities to collaborate with other kids from other art forms throughout their school life
You can also choose more CCA’s in addition to your Art Form and most kids do. However there is a lot of time that is devoted to your Art form (think of it as a heavy CCA commitment)
Also, despite the name, SOTA is not like a traditional “Arts School” like Juilliard or Paris Ballet etc. Think of it as a taster dish. The academic rigour is the same as any other IB school, hence the very long school days.
For the kids that know that they ONLY want to do their Art form (eg go to UK to do dance) would leave SOTA to go overseas by Yr5. Others will choose IBCP which is the career related pathway that has significantly less IB subjects. The unique advantage SOTA offers is that it buys most of these kids with talent, some time to make some decisions about what they are truly passionate about. Most kids find a sense of belonging once they get to SOTA in Y1- like being welcomed to a tribe, gives them a sense of pride, purpose and a unique identity. Once they get an idea of how intense their Art Form can be, some are turned off (usually by the theoretical components) , but for some its enough to confirm that they wish to pursue further study. Some choose to not pursue anything related to their Arts and go on to pursue Med or Law etc. The choice is open to them which is what makes SOTA unique as a “Arts School”
Good luck in your decision making process!
Being \"old school,\" I see it more likely for students in SOTA to pursue art-related undergraduate programs or careers. In my mind, it is the nature of the school and environment where students are geared (whether they are aware or not) to a certain path. This is not at all a bad thing if the student is keen on that path. But, it's one of those - you can't miss what you never had - scenarios.
My worry is that my DS is not mature enough (at this stage) to make a firm decision on what he wants in the longer term. This is why SJI seemed like a good balance. He can still pursue art (and SJI's visual arts program is quite decent) but at the same time, be exposed to much more. Given this, having a broader selection seemed like a good way to start Secondary education.
Plus, I'm really keen on stricter discipline and enforcement which I think SJI may have the edge over SOTA. I could be wrong but I've neither heard nor been told otherwise. -
Notabene\" post_id=\"2082017\" time=\"1663038276\" user_id=\"36517:
Understand, thank you for the add'l info on Lit Performance for double science kids. Unfortunately, I did not inquire as to what the class will be (or how it would be any different than HL Lit).
Yes, for the LA kids they must take Lit Performance, which is the same subject that the double science kids must take to replace their missing Group 6. I guess the only way you can confirm if by IB will offer a dedicated Group 6 subject for Lit Arts by 2026 (for those that enter in 2023) is to contact IB yourself or do your own research. IBO is in charge of syllabus changes and responds independently to the school. And of course I would imagine that if indeed it becomes its own Group 6 stand alone subject, that SOTA would be the first to offer it. Lit Arts however is much time the same as HL Lit so it would be tough to justify a Group 6 subject just for Lit Arts given the similarities. Just my opinion though.
Anyways, thanks again for your posts. I do think the school offers kids a lot and it is good to have another way to take IB through the local system (or outside of the local international schools). -
Mr.Clumsy\" post_id=\"2082018\" time=\"1663038389\" user_id=\"135989:
https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/education/more-sota-students-go-on-to-pursue-non-arts-related-fields
A very helpful post. Thank you!!
Being \"old school,\" I see it more likely for students in SOTA to pursue art-related undergraduate programs or careers. In my mind, it is the nature of the school and environment where students are geared (whether they are aware or not) to a certain path. This is not at all a bad thing if the student is keen on that path. But, it's one of those - you can't miss what you never had - scenarios.
My worry is that my DS is not mature enough (at this stage) to make a firm decision on what he wants in the longer term. This is why SJI seemed like a good balance. He can still pursue art (and SJI's visual arts program is quite decent) but at the same time, be exposed to much more. Given this, having a broader selection seemed like a good way to start Secondary education.
Plus, I'm really keen on stricter discipline and enforcement which I think SJI may have the edge over SOTA. I could be wrong but I've neither heard nor been told otherwise.
I think over 70% of SOTA students go on to pursue non related Arts Careers. So in actuality, more students choose NOT to pursue a career in the arts. The key is exposure - the kids are exposed to the Arts and it would still change the way they see the world etc, no matter what career they choose. IB aims to develop a holistic student, offers exposure to all types of subjects rather than force a choice in early secondary. Ultimate IB subject selection happens at the end of Yr4 and is dependent on a students EOY grades. A student can still study two sciences in first 4 years of SOTA -
Notabene\" post_id=\"2082021\" time=\"1663039765\" user_id=\"36517:
Thank you again for your feedback.
https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/education/more-sota-students-go-on-to-pursue-non-arts-related-fields
I think over 70% of SOTA students go on to pursue non related Arts Careers. So in actuality, more students choose NOT to pursue a career in the arts. The key is exposure - the kids are exposed to the Arts and it would still change the way they see the world etc, no matter what career they choose. IB aims to develop a holistic student, offers exposure to all types of subjects rather than force a choice in early secondary. Ultimate IB subject selection happens at the end of Yr4 and is dependent on a students EOY grades. A student can still study two sciences in first 4 years of SOTA
Definitely more food for thought for me. I'll need to spend more time looking through SOTA and SJI, and comparing both schools in more detail. For the moment, I'm trying to balance between encouraging my DS for his PSLEs and measuring my BP every few hours to make sure that I don't kill myself doing so. -
70% of SOTA graduates choose not to pursue an art-related career? Reminds me the reason why we did not choose to DSA to NUS High because at their open house, we learnt that 50% of the students chose a non Math/Science related Uni course. I hope it’s not the case of too much of a good thing kills off the aspiring artist’s or scientist’s interest!
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Mr.Clumsy\" post_id=\"2082009\" time=\"1663033334\" user_id=\"135989:
same feeling here as you, MrClumsy.
Totally agree, @zac's mum! It's great if art is his world but I don't know that for sure. I'd like him to have a more open mind for the time being hence my preference for SJI over SOTA.
If my P6 kid were to choose IB,
I rather kid choose IB (MGS / ACSI / SJI), than SOTA -
lee_yl\" post_id=\"2082035\" time=\"1663044585\" user_id=\"17023:
At P6 level (aged 12),
70% of SOTA graduates choose not to pursue an art-related career? Reminds me the reason why we did not choose to DSA to NUS High because at their open house, we learnt that 50% of the students chose a non Math/Science related Uni course. I hope it’s not the case of too much of a good thing kills off the aspiring artist’s or scientist’s interest!
during DSA time, so many P6 students are so interested, passionate in (Maths & Science), aiming for NUS High.
But, in contrast,
6 years later, speed up, fast forward the clock (passage of time),
around ( 18 to 21 ) years old,
many of them : their interests changed, switched over to non (Maths & Science) related career / university opportunities , instead. -
A couple of other things I considered when looking at IBDP (or IP programme that goes to IB):
a) Language Acquisition (Category 2): it wasn’t clear to me whether this category is particularly well suited to Singapore’s education system where kids have taken MT since P1. If I have taken 10 years of CL/HCL plus passed the HCL O Level Exam and taken four years of Third Language, it seems a little redundant to pickup another "Language initio." I would much rather use the contrasting A Level subject to further advance one of the two above.
However, admittedly not many kids actually finish Third Language O Level exam and MT typically isn’t going to win any awards for "favorite subject," so I can see that this consideration is actually in the minority.
Further, SL Chinese B is supposedly a guaranteed "7" for nearly everyone, so the IB offerings can be an advantage for some.
b) Back to the sciences, if the (IB) school only offers double science in upper secondary I think this is fine (I’m not huge on triple science in upper sec but many kids still do it). I would put much less weight on 3x Science option in Upper Sec than the availability of 2x Science in JC (Year 11-12).
Like I said above, at the end of the day I think any of these options are fine for the child. I.e. I would not cross off any of these schools simply for the reasons above (the above are considerations and factors but they can be worked around). -
lee_yl\" post_id=\"2082035\" time=\"1663044585\" user_id=\"17023:
I am a big fan of NUSH and think the cohort/school/offerings are amazing. But like any specialized school for a 12-year-old it has its pros and cons.phtthp\" post_id=\"2082039\" time=\"1663046140\" user_id=\"35251:[quote=phtthp post_id=2082039 time=1663046140 user_id=35251]At P6 level (aged 12),
during DSA time, so many P6 students are so interested, passionate in (Maths & Science), aiming for NUS High.
But, in contrast,
6 years later, around ( 18 to 21 ) years old, many of them : their interests changed, switched over to non (Maths & Science) related career / university opportunities , instead.
I think what is often not well understood is whether the child (at age 12) likes the praise and accolades associated with doing well in certain subjects/competitions or if the child truly loves the underlying content/learning/doing such stuff. Sometimes it is not always easy to tell, and I think the interest can wane off once it becomes harder and harder to \"win.\"
That being said, I do think NUSH can take some of these kids the furthest over the next 6 years. Is it materially different than what other IP schools can do or better when weighed against a broader education (not to say NUSH only does Math and Science)? I'm not sure either way :? :? -
Last thought on IP A vs IP IB. Is it that one education is truly better than the other? Or is it that one is just a more valuable global currency for university admissions?
For me, the first question is not so clear, and individual school preferences are stronger than the curriculum track. For the second question, the answer is clear.
The riddle is that if all of Singapore switched to IB the cohort would then flood the global universities with 42-45 point scorers (or the IGPs for the local unis would be just as crazy). Part of the reason it is valuable is because only a few schools here are running it (a valid reason to go this route if any of these schools are a good fit for your child).
Adios…
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