Need School Information/Opinions of schools

[artbymaia]

We are Americans and my husband is being transferred to Singapore this summer. I know it is alot to ask, but I would love your input on school choices for our 2 children. They are ages 10 and 12 and will be going into grades 5 and 7.

I have sent enquiries to several schools regarding their availability. The schools I have contacted are: Singapore American School, Australian International School, Canadian International School, Chatsworth, International Community School, Overseas Family School, Tanglin Trust School and United World College of SE Asia. The American school already responded and they have availability for 7th grade but not for 5th grade. The Canadian School and International Community School have responded and have limited spaces in both grades available right now. I have not heard back from the other schools as yet.

What I need from other expats is.....of the schools I listed above, which are the best and what part of town are they in? Which ones should I focus on? Which of these should I not even consider? Are there other schools I should contact?

I am holding off on looking for housing until we know what school the kids are going to be attending and what area the school is in. Being this late date, I am really under the gun to get the kids enrolled, but I don't want to mistakenly enroll them in a bad/inferior school.

Thanks a million for all your help.

[Mary Hatch Bailey]

Without a doubt the American school. PM me for details if you want more specific reasons why. OFS is a good second choice for your 5th grader while he/she clears the waiting list (sorry Matney, no disrespect meant in the slightest).

The American school is in a, excuse my language: crappy location, inconvenient and practically im Malaysia. Still 3700 students manage to get there every day. It's no big deal at all, Singapore is small enough.

OFS has the best location if you want to be in the middle town, my kids could walk there in 5 minutes but we still much prefer the American School. Send me questions through 'Private Message' if you need more help, glad to do it.

Welcome aboard!

[andbaynard]

artbymaia,

I was in your shoes two months ago. I have one son that I was looking for a school. Had the same list as yours. My wife and 3yr old will be at home without a car when I am at work. I completed the house hunting trip and the school enrollment. Like you are doing, I also tried to hold off on finding a apartment until I located the school. I found out fast, this is not a good approach to take. Singapore is so small, and I realized fast to pick a good school regardless of location and separately pick a place to live that gives you a good home life.

I can provide details in PM about areas and schools. But to summarize, my son is will be attending SAS 06'/07' school year and we will be living in Holland Village arriving on June 3rd. The 40 minute bus ride is the only negative in our discisions. But like the previous post, we really did not want to live in Malaysia i mean woodlands.

[Mary Hatch Bailey]

we really did not want to live in Malaysia i mean woodlands.

I like you andbaynard !

[micknlea]

The 40 minute bus ride is the only negative in our discisions.

Even this is not really a negative as you may also find that even if you pick a different school that is closer the school bus trip may still take 40 minutes.

As an example our school is only a 10 minute car trip from our home but if the kids go on the school bus it takes 40 due to all the stops etc.

From what I hear the American school has their bus system running very efficiently.

[Mary Hatch Bailey]

From what I hear the American school has their bus system running very efficiently.

Generally yes, it is a huge undertaking -- 88 buses a day. They are receptive to parental kibbutzing and try very hard. The activity buses are also efficient and extremely helpful.

[honey girl]

Andbaynard...It's not too late to enroll your 3-yr old at International Community School (ICS) for the fall...while there are still openings. Since you've already considered the school (www.ics.edu.sg), you know that they're the only Biblically based International School on the island, with a new class for 3-year olds beginning mid August, and of course with classes going through 12th grade...and accepting students, with little or no English ability, too. We got the keys to our new school property today (so renovation has begun). This location is very close to Clementi MRT, at 27A Jubilee Road, and is less than 4 km from Holland Village. We'll be touring parents/students around this property this Saturday, 20 May, between 9 and 1, but with construction ongoing, ask that no unaccompanied children under 14 should attend...if anyone wants to see the campus before the work is done. Contact Knute Reierson @ [email protected] for more information, or Dr. Joe Beeson @ [email protected]. You should already know that fees are competetive, possibly less expensive than some, and of course financial assistance is available to those with a need...just download the application and submit it! Maybe you also know we're trying to raise $1.2 million for renovation of the new school property, and have a donor that will now match all tax deductible donations up to $250,000! ...if you know someone wanting to double their monies! Any other questions...about anything...there are folks here eager to answer! Welcome to Singapore! ...to both of you new families! I know you'll love it as much as we do.

[Quasimodo]

we really did not want to live in Malaysia i mean woodlands.

I like you andbaynard !

brown-noser

[Matney]

The best thing to do, if at all possible, visit all those school listed. Read up on the literature and ask around here or possibly where your husband works for their opinions on the schools.
There is not a perfect school, they all have their problems, but it is your children and their education that you have to consider. We have all made this difficult decision. Good luck!

[Mary Hatch Bailey]

we really did not want to live in Malaysia i mean woodlands.

I like you andbaynard !

brown-noser

And your nose is bashed and decayed from using it to ring one too many bells.

[Quasimodo]

I like you andbaynard !

brown-noser

And your nose is bashed and decayed from using it to ring one too many bells.

I prefer to call it self-made cosmetic surgery.

[artbymaia]

brown-noser

And your nose is bashed and decayed from using it to ring one too many bells.

I prefer to call it self-made cosmetic surgery.

Was it an improvement??

[Mary Hatch Bailey]

Good question, let's say the jury is still out on that one. I have to say, all kidding aside, if you see the melee on the 'Dude, nice t-shirt thread' under general discussions -- I am happy to report that my son, grade 8 at SAS was just required to read Night by Elie Wiesel and my daughter, a 7th grader just finished Diary of Anne Frank .

[Quasimodo]

And your nose is bashed and decayed from using it to ring one too many bells.

I prefer to call it self-made cosmetic surgery.

Was it an improvement??

You should have seen me before . . . Some people would have called me unattractive . . . now my life is better and the babes are chasing.

Good on them, Mary . . . keeping an open mind and learning are important qualities.

[wk]

artbymaia,

I have 2 boys (6th & 8th grade) in the Singapore American School & they love it there. My husband & I had also looked at OFS, ISS, Chatsworth, Canadian International & UWC before deciding on the American school as it best suited our needs (American curriculum, excellent academic standards).

I think you need to take a look at the schools personally to make the best decision for yourselves. Good luck!