School enrollment for a single term - is it possible?

[NorwayCalling]

Hi All,

I am an academic and I will be taking a research sabbatical (lucky me, I know) in the first half of 2025. I hope to spend this time in Singapore at NUS and having been examining school options for my daughter. The response I have got from a number of International Schools is that they will not accept someone for a single term; it has to be for a year minimum.

Can anyone offer some advice on schools that would accept people for a single term? Maybe this is more feasible in the state schools, although having quickly read some information on this site it seems difficult to get a spot in a good state/local school too.

Thanks in advance for any hints or tips!

Best wishes

[Lisafuller]

The real question is, from a parental perspective, is this really the best choice for your daughter? Will she be able to adapt quickly enough? Is it even worth adapting as by the time she does it'll presumably be time to leave.

[NYY1]

Hi All,

I am an academic and I will be taking a research sabbatical (lucky me, I know) in the first half of 2025. I hope to spend this time in Singapore at NUS and having been examining school options for my daughter. The response I have got from a number of International Schools is that they will not accept someone for a single term; it has to be for a year minimum.

Can anyone offer some advice on schools that would accept people for a single term? Maybe this is more feasible in the state schools, although having quickly read some information on this site it seems difficult to get a spot in a good state/local school too.

Thanks in advance for any hints or tips!

Best wishes

For the state schools, you will only be able to enter at certain times of the year. January would be one of them, although you'd need to do a bunch of stuff the year before, and even then, it (a place) wouldn't be guaranteed.

For the International Schools, try OFS (Overseas Family School). I think they have on-going enrollment, and the application/registration fee tends to be lower. If you are joining in January, some other schools may be at capacity, although I'm sure you can find some that have space.

I believe tuition is paid before each term (semester) at most of these places. Just plan for a year and if you cannot make it that long you leave? The main obstacle for some of these schools is that the first-year fees are substantially higher (either direct fees quoted or what you end up paying via application/registration fees, although some people won't really care either way).

The other question raised is relevant. I assume academics are secondary and that you just want the kid to have a school environment to go to (socialise with other kids)? Could someone just homeschool the kid based on the home country curriculum for half a year (and then spend the weekends enjoying Singapore)? Not exactly a school environment, but it may work.

Good luck.

[NorwayCalling]

[/quote]


The other question raised is relevant. I assume academics are secondary and that you just want the kid to have a school environment to go to (socialise with other kids)? Could someone just homeschool the kid based on the home country curriculum for half a year (and then spend the weekends enjoying Singapore)? Not exactly a school environment, but it may work.

Good luck.
[/quote]

Many thanks for the helpful advice. I now have at least found one school that will accept people for a single term, but I will contact OFS.

Yes, the academic side of the equation (fortunately) is not particularly problematic for various reasons, also because she is already taking an internationally accredited syllabus, rather than a national syllabus, at home. The main point for her is life experience and cultural enrichment, and this is why we would tend to steer away from homeschooling. But perhaps an active agenda of evening clubs, etc., would partly overcome the issue of isolation. Food for thought!

Best wishes,

[NorwayCalling]

The real question is, from a parental perspective, is this really the best choice for your daughter? Will she be able to adapt quickly enough? Is it even worth adapting as by the time she does it'll presumably be time to leave.

Thank you for your concern. Obviously, we have talked to her about this and she is keen to do it, if possible for various reasons.I have many friends and colleagues who have done something similar with their children and the majority report very positive experiences that stay with their children all their lives. There are risks, but there are also potentially negative dimensions and risks in staying put.

Cheers,

[NYY1]

Many thanks for the helpful advice. I now have at least found one school that will accept people for a single term, but I will contact OFS.

Yes, the academic side of the equation (fortunately) is not particularly problematic for various reasons, also because she is already taking an internationally accredited syllabus, rather than a national syllabus, at home. The main point for her is life experience and cultural enrichment, and this is why we would tend to steer away from homeschooling. But perhaps an active agenda of evening clubs, etc., would partly overcome the issue of isolation. Food for thought!

Best wishes,

Understand. I had some friends looking to do the same a while back, and as you mentioned in your other reply, it seems like most people find the experience beneficial. Best of luck and regards.

[Lisafuller]

Hi All,

I am an academic and I will be taking a research sabbatical (lucky me, I know) in the first half of 2025. I hope to spend this time in Singapore at NUS and having been examining school options for my daughter. The response I have got from a number of International Schools is that they will not accept someone for a single term; it has to be for a year minimum.

Can anyone offer some advice on schools that would accept people for a single term? Maybe this is more feasible in the state schools, although having quickly read some information on this site it seems difficult to get a spot in a good state/local school too.

Thanks in advance for any hints or tips!

Best wishes

For the state schools, you will only be able to enter at certain times of the year. January would be one of them, although you'd need to do a bunch of stuff the year before, and even then, it (a place) wouldn't be guaranteed.

For the International Schools, try OFS (Overseas Family School). I think they have on-going enrollment, and the application/registration fee tends to be lower. If you are joining in January, some other schools may be at capacity, although I'm sure you can find some that have space.

I believe tuition is paid before each term (semester) at most of these places. Just plan for a year and if you cannot make it that long you leave? The main obstacle for some of these schools is that the first-year fees are substantially higher (either direct fees quoted or what you end up paying via application/registration fees, although some people won't really care either way).

The other question raised is relevant. I assume academics are secondary and that you just want the kid to have a school environment to go to (socialise with other kids)? Could someone just homeschool the kid based on the home country curriculum for half a year (and then spend the weekends enjoying Singapore)? Not exactly a school environment, but it may work.

Good luck.

Most tend to have a pretty exorbitant registration fee, usually in the thousands.

[Lisafuller]

The other question raised is relevant. I assume academics are secondary and that you just want the kid to have a school environment to go to (socialise with other kids)? Could someone just homeschool the kid based on the home country curriculum for half a year (and then spend the weekends enjoying Singapore)? Not exactly a school environment, but it may work.

Good luck.
[/quote]

Many thanks for the helpful advice. I now have at least found one school that will accept people for a single term, but I will contact OFS.

Yes, the academic side of the equation (fortunately) is not particularly problematic for various reasons, also because she is already taking an internationally accredited syllabus, rather than a national syllabus, at home. The main point for her is life experience and cultural enrichment, and this is why we would tend to steer away from homeschooling. But perhaps an active agenda of evening clubs, etc., would partly overcome the issue of isolation. Food for thought!

Best wishes,
[/quote]

Also depends on where you're from, for example, if you're from the US, you might want to join the American club so you can have her meet other American kids, though I guess the whole point of International Schooling is for her to meet kids ofall different backgrounds.

[Lisafuller]

The real question is, from a parental perspective, is this really the best choice for your daughter? Will she be able to adapt quickly enough? Is it even worth adapting as by the time she does it'll presumably be time to leave.

Thank you for your concern. Obviously, we have talked to her about this and she is keen to do it, if possible for various reasons.I have many friends and colleagues who have done something similar with their children and the majority report very positive experiences that stay with their children all their lives. There are risks, but there are also potentially negative dimensions and risks in staying put.

Cheers,

If she is keen, that's all that matters. Hope it's a good experience for her.