ISS versus Chatsworth

[second time around]

Hi all...I'm seeking opinions on both ISS and Chatworth schools, which are the two schools we're considering putting our middle school age daughters into when we arrive just in time for school to begin in August.
Has anyone had experience with both? Or a particularly good or bad experience with one or the other?
We've narrowed our list down to these two due to location and price...turns out both of them are only around $2K more per year than the new ER International.
Any input at all will be greatly appreciated!

[silverfern]

Hi again, visited both schools.

ISS had availability straight away however had large class size (24). There were limited sports facilities which meant travelling outside of the school. The staff seemed friendly and helpful, but seemed very young and mostly woman. The staff argued in front of us about which grade my son should be in because of birth/cut off dates. We followed up because they needed to go to the prinicipal to discuss and still couldn't decide but said they had room for him. That was a "No thanks".

Chatsworth (Orchard) was full with a large waiting list but they had opened East Coast so wanted us to go there instead, this did not suit as my son would need to move into Orchard the next year and we were looking at stability. The classrooms at Orchard seemed damp or musty (smelly). The teachers were too busy to talk to us and we were quickly ushered through the school - too full to care. They did offer to set an appointment up with East Coast which entitled us to instance acceptance into Orchard Campus when my son completed primary. Bad timing. I've heard good things about Chatsworth though.

Honestly, these were to first two schools we visited and were shocked at the facilities versus cost. Coming from a publicly funded education system and a top school in New Zealand we expected a little more than we saw when visiting both of these schools. We then went on to Dover, Tanglin etc and saw that there were the facilities out there it just depends on your requirements.

[GKalra]

Hi,
I was shocked at the conditions at Chatsworth Orchard when i visited them, dark, uninviting and chaotic. Dirty corridors and uncaring displays. I was out of there in 15 minutes.

ISS i have not seen.

[second time around]

Wow...great input from both of you, thanks very much.

Such a big decision...we'll definitely have to make a bunch of visits once we arrive.

[t4sha]

my son attends chatsworth (east) and we are very pleased with the curriculum and philosophy of the school - i would imagine that it is similar to orchard - lots of field trips and hands on learning as well as the academic side

[second time around]

t4sha, thanks for the input. I'll definitely be visiting them.

[danuse]

Hi,
my two sons joined Chatsworth Orchard in February. They are in year 3 and 6. They are happy there, made a great progress. Both their teachers are very good. I am a teacher myself and quite a demanding person so I keep a close eye on what the boys do at school. Although the facilities may not be the best in Singapore, the curriculum and what the boys do in classes is more important for us than a shining swimming pool. Moreover, classrooms are definitely not musty. Some of them are a bit dark though. There are a lot of pictures on the walls in each class and the students display what they do during lessons.

All that glitters is not gold...

[second time around]

Thanks much for the input. I'm with you, a swimming pool is a nice bonus but not at all necessary. I'm more concerned with whether the school is providing a good education or not where the students are academically challenged and treated fairly. We'll be visiting Chatworth, ISS and ER once we arrive. Thanks again.

[silverfern]

I used to think that too, until my son grew and starting getting more physical. Now I can appreciate the teachers trying to keep these kids still to learn. They need to get out and kick a ball during breaks, they need to have physical education - structured and freeplay as part of the social and physical education. The facilities don't need to be flash just space which is safe and accessible which provides a variety of options so the kids can make choices.

I suppose it depends on what you expect from education at the end of the day. Each child is different and has different needs.

[second time around]

I agree with all that Silverfern, I just don't think a pool is a necessity nor something they need to be bothered with during school hours. We'll have a pool at home anyway...