Hi Parents,
Comeback with the result. Finally we decided to enroll at OFS.
Here are some of my opinions about both schools:
OFS
Positive:
a. Many sport activities are offered (they are strong in swimming & have a good program for the competitive team)
b. Variety of facilities like: semi indoor basketball courts (more than 1 bball court, in fact it is 4, so many events can be held together), a huge greenish outdoor football/soccer/rugby/hockey fields, a moderate size of gym room (quite variety of gym equipment - I did my gym routines so I know it is more than enough for your teens to build up their body strong and healthy), a big semi indoor swimming pool (still can swim in the thunder), running tracks, a full air-conned multi-functional hall.
b. OFS has a very good layout and healthy school environment for our kids because it is so spacious. I like the air there, so refreshing.
c. Study preparation program is for free for non native English speaker students before they are going to mainstream classes.
d. Very speedy, warm, friendly and welcoming response from admission office
e. IB and IGCSE are offered.
g. All students are NOT ALLOWED to go out from the school in active hours.
h. A huge parents' room to wait for their children & a very comfy waiting room at 1st floor.
i. A huge outdoor dining hall (I read some negative review about the food from the internet but when I tried, the taste was not bad at all. I think most of our kids eat too much tasty oily junk foods).
j. A well mannered students & respectful teachers.
k. Teachers and students are so welcoming to guests.
l. No cell phone while studying (only on break time and lunch break are allowed).
m. Strict security
n. Very strict on guardianship rules
o. Has a free bus for parents or guardians to back and forth between school and Pasir-Ris MRT
p. Located in green area in Singapore.
Negative:
a. I cannot find it yet, let my son tell his journey later.
b. All negativity I found in the internet seems cant be reliable ( I will share my opinion below)
c. There is no perfect schools, so I believe I will find one in the future
SAIS
Positive:
a. Many sport activities are offered
b. Has an indoor full air-conned basketball court (but sometimes they use it as volley ball court, multi functional hall as well and kinda cramped), a huge greenish football/soccer/rugby/hockey field, a small rock climbing wall (good activity for your teens), .
c. A strong American education system (IB system as well)
d. A comfy small cafe for parents, a comfy indoor air-conned moderate size dining hall (not sure how SAIS can arrange the students to have their lunch together here though cus it will not be enough).
e. A very professional and welcoming front liners / admission team (they have a live chat online which I found it very helpful).
f. Students - teachers respect relationship seem so well built.
g. No cell phone while studying (only allowed when on a break or lunch break)
h. Located at town / near Orchard and very convenient because so near to the MRT by walking distance.
i. Strict security
j. For kids who love adventures, they have a mandatory field trip program for our young ones, such as go to Thailand, Vietnam and Malaysia.
Negative:
a. Admission take a bit longer to response (try to remind from live chat)
b. The school can be hot/warm because it is located in central area / air flow not really well
c. School layout a bit cramped
d. Students can be so free and not showing manner to elderly on their break time such as raise up their feet on the table, laying down on the library chairs (for Asian families, showing proper manner is a must).
e. Students - teachers relationship seem like more into a family (from my perspective).
f. Need extra money for school laptop and EAL or a non native English speaker class
g. Teachers & Students do not care with their guests.
I dont discuss about academics too much because it is depending on each parent's perspective. I have sons who are not into academics (all of my sons can do it moderately but not too special).
They are good in communications, making friends, music, strong in sports. So I do not want to waste time to push them in full academics, I have to find a way for them to nourish their skills & talents. So basically it is depending on what kind of vision or mission of each parent would like their children to accomplish.
Every individual's talent both academics or non are back to students' habits. Even tough they are good at it, if they do not put hard work or effort, they will be just another ordinary individual no matter how well and prestigious you place your children into.
I believe a balance life will provide us a good success in the future.
For each of the school reviews from the internet, for me, they are not reliable because they are either out of date, or from spoil children (who complained about the food or no air con on the hallway), or from parents who might be lack of understanding of how each school system's work.
So I think this is a wrap for my son's new mid-school choice. Let us see in the next few months to come what kind of journeys he will share to me and my family.
Lastly, my wife was a perfect academics score student from primary to her university years. She is now accepting that my genetic is running strong in my sons instead of hers
Thank you everyone for your feedback.