All About International Schools

[ridcully]

wushixiancn:

Hi parents:


I'm a newcoming to singapore from shanghai,China. My son is in P3 now. He should be in p4 in Sep. I find that it is difficult to find a vacancy in local school and he may be still in P3 in Sep. So I'm looking for international school for him now . Are the international schools in singapore as good as the local schools? pls give some advises. thanks.

Primary 3 or Secondary 3? Your posting's header says 'teenage boy'.

I presume you mean Primary 3. If not, much of the following is still applicable.

Depends what you mean by 'good'. Academically, the local schools are relatively strong in maths and science (but not as strong as schools in Shanghai). However, they have a narrow curriculum focused on English, mother tongue (eg Chinese), maths and science. Classes are large (around 40 pupils at P3 and above). Fees are quite low.

International schools have broader curricula and aim to develop children holistically, and have smaller class sizes.

In time, you should be able to get a place in a local school. It is in fact much more difficult to get a place in an international school - several of them have waiting lists of more than a year. Some places in international schools are reserved for nationals of that country, and some places are 'reserved' by companies with hefty sums. Fees are very high.

If your child has gone through the Shanghai system, then he is likely to be very strong in Chinese, maths and science, and will do well in a local school.

Rgds
R

[wushixiancn]

ridcully: you are so kind to reply my so quickly.thanks a lot.


yes, my son is in primary school now. My husband has called several local schools and international schools. the result is : every local school says the waitlist is very long ( herry park?), and the internaional schools ( CIS,CNIS, EIS?) are very nice and have vacancies.
So , I wonder whether the local school is better than international school? Since they are more difficult to apply

Primary 3 or Secondary 3? Your posting’s header says ‘teenage boy’.

I presume you mean Primary 3. If not, much of the following is still applicable.

Depends what you mean by ‘good’. Academically, the local schools are relatively strong in maths and science (but not as strong as schools in Shanghai). However, they have a narrow curriculum focused on English, mother tongue (eg Chinese), maths and science. Classes are large (around 40 pupils at P3 and above). Fees are quite low.

International schools have broader curricula and aim to develop children holistically, and have smaller class sizes.

In time, you should be able to get a place in a local school. It is in fact much more difficult to get a place in an international school - several of them have waiting lists of more than a year. Some places in international schools are reserved for nationals of that country, and some places are ‘reserved’ by companies with hefty sums. Fees are very high.

If your child has gone through the Shanghai system, then he is likely to be very strong in Chinese, maths and science, and will do well in a local school.

Rgds
R[/quote]

[ridcully]

Hi wushixiancn


The availability of places is no indicator of quality: The educational ‘market’ is not analogous to a restaurant! Again, you have to define ‘good’ and ‘better’ in order to judge.

For me, ‘good’ means good English, a broad curriculum, willingness to help weaker students rather than train for exams, and small class sizes. On these criteria, certain international schools (such as Tanglin Trust and the Australian School) are better than local schools.

In terms of training for exams, especially in maths and science, then certain local schools are better.

I think that’s the extent of my advice. Other contributors welcome!

Rgds
R

[wushixiancn]

For me, ‘good’ means good English,–international school may be better,since there is hardly any classmates can speak chinese, while may local children understand and speak chinese well.

a broad curriculum-- this is what I can’t know really now,since without any compare.
willingness to help weaker students rather than train for exams-- international school has ESL lessons to help the students whose mother tounge is not english. BTW, I bring some worksheets from shanghai for my son.
small class sizes. On these criteria, certain international schools (such as Tanglin Trust and the Australian School) are better than local schools.

In terms of training for exams, especially in maths and science, then certain local schools are better.

update my situation: I put my son in a international school in theend.

[ridcully]

wushixiancn:

update my situation: I put my son in a international school in theend.

Hope it works out for you.


Rgds
R

[phtthp]

is there an International school that accepts primary school Singapore kids (P1 - P6) with severe speech delay, or any other form of development delay in a child ?


if Yes - may i know the name of such school ?

i) do kids still prepare and sit for PSLE in P6, but at a much slower pace?
how much is school fees per Term, in this school ?

ii) how big is the class size - Teacher to kids ratio ?
would be good if class size is kept small.
because current local school class size too big (P1 - P3: 30 kids per class, P4 onwards: 40 kids per class)

many TIA !

[mummyhk]

Glad I found this thread. My issue is probably similar to some of the parents here. My child does not hold a Singaporean passport nor has a Singapore Permanent Resident permit. The only good thing I guess is I’m a Singaporean. I then realise that the chances are next to a big fat zero to get into any local primary schools in Singapore. There are waitlists at the more popular ones, and as parents, we naturally fret about the less popular ones. The only viable option for the child is probably into an international school.


However I do believe in the Singapore education system to a certain extent and wanted at least for the child to get his foundation early on in this system before progressing to a more balanced approach to education. But it is hard.

[chixchix]

Hi all ,I have a problem with my 2 boys, they are in Primary 3 and 1 in a local school, they are having a big issue with a NITL in school,they are not interested in taking any 2nd language at all. I am now thinking of transferring them to a International school.


There is a new school opening at JB ,called Marlborough college, has anyone got any feedback about the school ?

My DH was saying that better we put our kids in International schools based in Singapore, I am not sure what to do.

Please advise, as per what I know in PSLE and O levels,2nd language is a must.

[kaigene]

I am new to Singapore and I’m trying to figure out whether my already bilingual children will better retain their level of Mandarin and English in local schools or international schools? I assumed at first that kids in local schools learn more Chinese, but after meeting a few, it seems like many can’t actually speak it very well (even if they can pass tests). Is this the norm? Would I be better off going to Stamford American or Canadian school where there is integrated Mandarin curriculm?


If cost isn’t an issue, is there any advantages for me to try enrolling my P1 child in a local school?

[usa-sing-1]

It is my understanding that United World College and the American School here have excellent reputations here and abroad in terms of the quality of their curriculum…I don’t know about others specifically. I do know that even at primary school level these schools are extremely expensive and there are generally waiting lists to gain admission. I am not necessarily convinced that international schools are any better or worse at the end of the day. I think it also depends on where you/your child see yourselves in 5 years, 10 years, etc. If you are repatriating back to your country of origin, maybe international schools would more easily integrate with home country school curriculum?