High school for an Eastcoaster

[Stepmomma]

I just heard from my husband that his estranged daughter whom he just visited while on business trip wanted to live with us here. It seemed that they cleared things up.

Anyway I think she will be in senior high school.

I have some questions that I couldn't find answers on the internet.I hope somebody can help me.


1) How many semesters are there in a school year?

2)What's your experience in local school and is it not difficult for a european student to cope up?
Cost?

3) What about private schools - any recommendations in the east area? No?
If you are in the east too, where do you send your high school kids?

4) The high school in Europe is usually six years, how many years do they have here?

5) How much allowance does a girl of 16 gets a day/ a month?

6) What's included in the allowance - clothes, make up or just school things?

Thanks in advance!

[taxico]

1) How many semesters are there in a school year?

2 semesters a year. each semester broken into 2 with a short break inbetween.

school begins january. march sees a week break, then a 4 week break in june. semester 2 resumes july'ish and then another 1 week break in september, and then a 6 week break in mid-november.

2)What's your experience in local school and is it not difficult for a european student to cope up? Cost?

i can't answer this cos it varies from child to child. but i dare say it won't be easy to cope with if her previous school load was light and she's not motivated.

singapore public schools aren't expensive even at full fees. a few hundred bucks a month for independent schools.

3) What about private schools - any recommendations in the east area? No?
If you are in the east too, where do you send your high school kids?

private schools or International Schools? there're a few private schools in singapore but they cater mostly to kids i would not recommend you have your step-daughter mix with. (i am generalizing based on past experience)

sorry can't help with schools in the east. others might chime in later.

4) The high school in Europe is usually six years, how many years do they have here?

normal singapore secondary schools take in kids aged 13-16 or 17. foreign kids' mileage may vary: china students come in at aged 15 or 16 to begin a syllabus meant for a 13 year old local

5) How much allowance does a girl of 16 gets a day/ a month?

times have really rushed by since i was studying in singapore! i think meal prices are half that of outside food: $1.50-$2.00 (cheap because of subsidised store rental) AT THE MOST.

i won't recommend any particular sum right now. i was given $10 a day in the past when i was a teen. i had friends who had as much as $75-80 a day and some who had $1 a day and a few who had no allowance and packed some really nasty looking meals.

you need to sort this out with your spouse to see what she was used to receiving and the type of stuff she buys.

6) What's included in the allowance - clothes, make up or just school things?

again, i think this is something you'll have to work out with your husband. if you guys intend to give her extra spending money, then i think the bare minimum of food money may suffice.

be sure to double the food money for an extra meal if she's staying back after school.

and give them a buck or two more (daily) for a soda or snack or just to save.

--- personal view:

i'd say $30-40/week school allowance is a generous start as long as you dole out a little extra every now and then.

of course that does not include transportation - they have bus passes good for unlimited rides. not sure about trains but i think they have those too.

those passes should cover a student's transport needs.

[taxico]

i forgot to add, "high school" or secondary school in singapore does not include pre-university education of between 2-3 years.

it might be best if you took a look at www.moe.gov.sg to figure out the singapore syllabus and progression chart.

i'm sure they have an area designed specially for foreign parents.

they might also have information on the different types of programs and schools available.

[Stepmomma]

Thank you so much Taxico. You have been very helpful. I will look at the MOE site/ Thanks again.

[Matney]

I feel I must clarify something that Taxico has stated.

It will depend upon which school your child attends as to when its school year starts. I may be wrong, but the Australian school starts its school year in January-December, while most others start in August-June.

Most secondary schools are for 4 years, years 9-12. Unfortunately, they are no International Schools in the East for the older students yet. I lived on Upper East Coast Road. In our condo, older students went to the American, OFS, Chatworth, Australian school. I can't help with the local schools, others on here could though and hopefully will chime in.

Transport to their school can be through the school's bus stopping at the condo, the public bus, MRT or by private car.

Allowance is personally preference. My 15 year was given $150 per month which was for lunches(she usually takes hers), taxi and for her entertainment(movies, food, etc.). I usually topped up the eazilink card for the bus or train. All teenagers ask for more.

In my opinion, I think it will be difficult for this child to move to a new family, new country, new school, and for a couple of years of school. Good luck!