ISS vs OFS and SAS

jamser · Post by **jamser** » Mon, 15 Aug 2005 8:19 am

Will be relocating soon with 2 kids (3 and 4) and are curious on any input on the schools listed above. THis is a big decision and appreciate any input/opinions.

beenhere10years · Post by **beenhere10years** » Mon, 15 Aug 2005 8:27 am

All fine schools but more info is needed to make an informed decision:

Where are you moving from?

How long do you think you'll stay in Singapore?

Does your company pay for their education? transportaion to and from school?

Where are you planning to live and work?

Do your kids have any special needs?

Do they favor a certain type of learning style?

And that's just the tip of that iceberg. You're right this is a big decision -- but if you narrow down your scope a bit the answer may seem clearer.

Good luck!

jamser · Post by **jamser** » Mon, 15 Aug 2005 11:28 am

To Beenhere10years:

Thanks for the reply. With respect to the questions you raised:

We will be moving from California and school will be paid for by our firm. We are not sure where we will live; thats a whole other topic,. but have heard abot Holland Village. We want a bigger place but not too far out as we will have no car.

Our kids are great, no special needs, and we look at this opp. in SIngapore to give them a head start in education through the exceelent schools rumored to be here; hopefully as good or better than Manhattan Beach schools in California. Ideally, want an interactive experience for our kids that incorporate academics with real world, fun... They are still young.

Schools from co-workers seem to favor OFS as their are many europeans as well the English schools (Tanglin). However, want them to maintain a little commonaility with the US as will likely return within 4 years.

Appreciate the information

beenhere10years · Post by **beenhere10years** » Mon, 15 Aug 2005 2:31 pm

Are you sure your company will pay for preschoolers? That is fairly unusual. Also, if you are not planning on having a car I think you should be near an MRT. Holland Village doesn't have one yet. Are you not sure where your office will be?

Having said that, if you are planning on returning to the US then the kids should go to the American school. The curriculum, holidays etc... are American and their transition back will be easier. I also believe that for most American kids it provides the best education. The student body and teachers are very ethnically diverse (take a look at the website) so no need to fear that you wouldn't be exposing them to new cultures and people.

OFS, ISS are good too, but I think SAS is best. Downside is that bus ride, but don't let it scare you off. Good Luck.

guest2005 · Post by **guest2005** » Mon, 29 Aug 2005 10:14 am

It is always a tough decision. I have heard great things about OFS, UWC, and the Canadian School. Go take a look. The advantages of OFS and Canadian School are the later start times. School starts at 9:00 am and most bus pick-ups are around 8:30. Your kids are little and that might make a difference. Being American - and having had my children in both the California educational system and an International PYP. I would vote PYP. It is a great system! I agree that there might be an adjustment when they go back to the States --- but it is an incredible system that my children are benefiting from.
My opinion is that your children are small - if you are going overseas take advantage of the international expericence. All schools here will have a diverse student body and staff -- give them an international education as well. Regarding holidays ---- those can certainly be celebrated. If a class does not cover Halloween or Thanksgiving have your child bring in something to show the class. The only adjustment we have made has been pushing Thanksgiving to Saturday since the Thursday has been a school day. (My kids like to to help with all the cooking.)

Go take a look

CBEDI · Post by **CBEDI** » Mon, 29 Aug 2005 10:21 am

My kids are at SAS and I enjoy the school greatly. I did not check out the other schools so no comment. My son graduated two years ago and was able to pick and choose which university he wanted to go to. My daughter built a web page in the 2nd grade. The alternate days for music, art and pe and I have framed some of her artwork. Mandarin is included in her curriculm as well.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon, 29 Aug 2005 1:50 pm

In end you are left with a win/win situation. You have amazing choices. The schools here are great. I think you will be happily impressed when you see them. All the schools place heavy emphasis on the arts and language. My advise is to take the time to tour as many as you can. Because of your children's age do consider where you live and how long their bus jouney will be and the time of morning pick up. (This is something to consider for all the schools.) Depending on where you live some of the schools start pick-up between 6:50 and 7:10 a.m.

rv224 · Post by **rv224** » Fri, 16 Sep 2005 2:52 pm

SAS is a great school but its far away and for kids that young, it may not be worth the long trip. If you are looking to live around HOlland Village/Ulu pandan area, then ISS, OFS, and UWC are all nearby. They are all really excellent schools.

My advice is to look for a school near where you live. ISS, OFS and UWC are your best bets if in the HOlland area.

There are also international primary schools, like Eton House (http://www.etonhouse.com.sg/). The German school has also recently started an English based primary school system:
www.gss.edu.sg

Also keep in mind, that for primary school grades, many of these schools have long waiting lists, so you may not get your first choice.

beenhere10years · Post by **beenhere10years** » Sun, 18 Sep 2005 7:17 am

Literally hundreds of students commute to SAS from the Holland area. Nothing in Singapore is really far away! Pick the right school for your kids, not the right commute.

ochin_1787 · Post by **ochin_1787** » Tue, 20 Sep 2005 12:03 am

well...i am a fresh graduated from ISS,and i found that this scholl is an amazing school. the teachers are really nice and always concerns to their students. the staff are nice as well. we all like a really big family. well... at the end...it's all your choice.. ISS/OFS/UWC...those are the best International School here i guess....

emiko08 · Post by **emiko08** » Mon, 12 Dec 2005 5:20 pm

ochin_1787 wrote:well...i am a fresh graduated from ISS,and i found that this scholl is an amazing school. the teachers are really nice and always concerns to their students. the staff are nice as well. we all like a really big family. well... at the end...it's all your choice.. ISS/OFS/UWC...those are the best International School here i guess....

yea. ISS is a good school. with wonderful teachers.

Mary Hatch Bailey · Post by **Mary Hatch Bailey** » Mon, 12 Dec 2005 5:34 pm

ochin_1787 wrote:well...i am a fresh graduated from ISS,and i found that this scholl is an amazing school. the teachers are really nice and always concerns to their students. the staff are nice as well. we all like a really big family. well... at the end...it's all your choice.. ISS/OFS/UWC...those are the best International School here i guess....

Clearly you slept through Reading and Language Arts.

Tania Gai · Post by **Tania Gai** » Tue, 13 Dec 2005 7:17 pm

"Been Here 10 years" hits the nail on the head.
Great questions! I have been here 13 years and if in the same situation would be asking the same questions.

My kids are at AISS but have heard good things from all the other schools mentioned from other posters.

SAS is great for resources and facilities too. Heard good things about the others and the fair share of bad stuff as well.

Go with your gut is what I suggest. Can you come and suss them out beforehand? Take a look around perhaps and make a decision then?

As for travel time.....I believe SAS would have the most travel if you lived in Orchard/ Holland area and attended there. But Hey the same if you lived in Woodlands and went to Chatsworth!

Its funny how we actually start thinking about "travelling time".
When if in our home town would we think twice if our kids did a 30 minute commute each day?
I know I always have to give myself a huge reality check!

Good luck

Tania

Mary Hatch Bailey · Post by **Mary Hatch Bailey** » Tue, 13 Dec 2005 9:20 pm

Tania, thanks for the acknowledgement, but look at the date -- this thread is as stale as last week's baguette.

No one would live in the Woodlands and commute to Chatworth, believe me -- Causeway Point is no one's raison d'etre.

MHB aka BH10Y

nayaka · Post by **nayaka** » Sat, 26 Dec 2009 10:31 am

Hi

We are moving from Cincinnati to Singapore in Feb 2010. Our daughter (6yrs) will be attending the Singapore American School and we are thinking of staying in the Nuvena/Newton area. Could someone provide us with information on bus commute times to school and apartment complexes that might be close to the bus routes. We have heard that in some locations the buses fill up which means no additional stops on way to the school. thank you.

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