All About International Schools

[jilltan]

Hi, has anyone heard of or enrolled his/her kids in the Winstedt School? It is also called Learn Different. Any feedback is welcome, thanks!

[Canvas]

Local kids can attend International schools up to year 1 (until the December before starting primary 1 in local schools). However, if a child has some learning problems, special needs or have lived abroad for a substantial amount of time, the child can continue attending the Elementary/middle/high schools. There are a handful of students who started out at local schools but couldn’t cope and transferred to international schools. One thing to consider is the school fees which can be as high as $2k per month. There are a few tiers of international schools (fees and facilities), for example ISS international school is much more affordable than UWC (long waiting list) but doesn’t have its own pool etc. Hope that helps.

[sweetbaby]

Canvas:

Local kids can attend International schools up to year 1 (until the December before starting primary 1 in local schools). However, if a child has some learning problems, special needs or have lived abroad for a substantial amount of time, the child can continue attending the Elementary/middle/high schools. There are a handful of students who started out at local schools but couldn't cope and transferred to international schools. One thing to consider is the school fees which can be as high as $2k per month. There are a few tiers of international schools (fees and facilities), for example ISS international school is much more affordable than UWC (long waiting list) but doesn't have its own pool etc. Hope that helps.

Thx canvas. Do you know whether the schools provide tours before enrollment? Where can I find a list of international schools especially British curriculum? MOE website?

[Canvas]

sweetbaby:

Canvas:

Local kids can attend International schools up to year 1 (until the December before starting primary 1 in local schools). However, if a child has some learning problems, special needs or have lived abroad for a substantial amount of time, the child can continue attending the Elementary/middle/high schools. There are a handful of students who started out at local schools but couldn't cope and transferred to international schools. One thing to consider is the school fees which can be as high as $2k per month. There are a few tiers of international schools (fees and facilities), for example ISS international school is much more affordable than UWC (long waiting list) but doesn't have its own pool etc. Hope that helps.

Thx canvas. Do you know whether the schools provide tours before enrollment? Where can I find a list of international schools especially British curriculum? MOE website?

Yes, make a call to the school and the friendly admission personnel will bring you around. You may also ask about their curriculum during the tour. While some schools seem to be more British (like Dover Court etc), many schools follow a certain curriculum, for e.g: IB PYP/MYP programme which many universities around the world recognise. You can try google-ing for the list of international schools in Singapore. Do bear in mind that most international schools are more about character building instead of achieving academic excellence. There is no exams in elementary level, but plenty of group projects.

[sweetbaby]

Thx Canvas

[bpr81]

Hi All,


I am a Singapore citizen while my wife is a SPR. My kid is also a Singapore citizen. For the past few weeks, I have trying to find information on how I can get my kid to enroll in an international school. The local school system though great and proclaimed as world class does have its own drawbacks like emphasis on rote learning, exam pressures, Singlish etc. These are pretty significant for me since I would like to have my son go through a more broad based education (like IB PYP) and instill a joy for learning.

Since a MOE approval is required, I was wondering whether anyone in these forums has gone through this process and can answer a few questions:
1) When does the process need to be initiated if I want to get my son into primary international school? ( like month/quarter of the year)
2) Other than health reasons, is there a provision for appeal solely based on the fact that one of the parents is not a Singapore Citizen?
3) Any idea of the success rate?

Emigration is an option which I am seriously considering if all else fails, though I wish it does not come to that.

Appreciate your help.

[chickenpox]

I have intend to put my DD in the international school gifted programme but was rejected by MOE even the int’l school has already accepted my DD’s enrolment. MOE wanted my DD to wait till P3 to sit for the GEP exams and go for GEP Programme in P4 even we had submitted them her IQ report and the fact that she is a Mensa member. Anybody any idea what other alternatives I can take as I am afraid normal stream school is unable to nurture her full potential and keep her challenged. Thanks in advance.

[tankee]

I suggest you go see your MP for help

[chickenpox]

I have intend to put my DD in the international school gifted programme but was rejected by MOE even the int’l school has already accepted my DD’s enrolment. MOE wanted my DD to wait till P3 to sit for the GEP exams and go for GEP Programme in P4 even we had submitted them her IQ report and the fact that she is a Mensa member. Anybody any idea what other alternatives I can take as I am afraid normal stream school is unable to nurture her full potential and keep her challenged. Thanks in advance.

[sleepy]

chickenpox:

I have intend to put my DD in the international school gifted programme but was rejected by MOE even the int'l school has already accepted my DD's enrolment. MOE wanted my DD to wait till P3 to sit for the GEP exams and go for GEP Programme in P4 even we had submitted them her IQ report and the fact that she is a Mensa member. Anybody any idea what other alternatives I can take as I am afraid normal stream school is unable to nurture her full potential and keep her challenged. Thanks in advance.

You might want to read up various threads on GEP. My dd is a Mensa member too and yes indeed need to wait for GEP screening at p3, no other alternatives that I'm aware of

unless GEB classified child as exceptionally gifted, they might allow level skipping. This is very rare though