Getting into top local schools

[Blue Sapphire]

I'm looking into good local schools like SJI Junior of ACS Primary/Junior etc.

Would it be difficult to get into these schools? Must one live close to the school to even be considered for admittance? We are expats but considering to apply for PR as we will be living in Singapore for years to come. I dont see any reason to put our son into International School in this case. He hasnt even started school yet as he is still young so I think the option of local school is wide open.

[lynn13]

You do not need to live near the school if you are not registering under the P1 registration exercise.

The only year that the schools may have openings, is at the end of P3 when some kids transfer to GEP schools. It is difficult to get into these schools as they have very long waiting lists. Some of my friends wanting to transfer their children from neighbourhood schools started putting down their names on the waitlist in P1 and were told that the waiting time is at least 2-3 years.

[Blue Sapphire]

Thanks lynn13 for your useful reply.

My kid is only 20 months now and I'm entering him into a local montessori from January. But it looks like I have to start trying to get into those waiting lists.

Does it matter what sort of school the child attends before P1. Does local kindergardens already start preparing the kids for P1?

I studied P1-P2 here in Singapore at St Anthony's, it was a very long time but I do remember that I found P1 already quite challenging and had to work hard to catch up with the other kids. They seem to be already at a higher level in maths but were already comfortable with the work. I however was quite lost when I first joined. But once I did catch up it was quite ok, I didnt even need a tutor.

[lynn13]

It doesn't matter which kindergarten the child goes to before P1.If you are going into P1, you have to go through the P1 registration exercise. The distance matters now that you are applying into P1. You can only put the child on wait list for entry into P2 and above.

For SJI Junior, if you are living within 1 km and are a Catholic, the chances can be quite high. For ACS Junior, living within 1km and affiliation with a Methodist church can increase your chances. So you may want to search for an apartment which is within 1 km of these 3 schools.

PAP kindergartens tend to prepare the kids well for P1. But I do not like PAP kindergartens because they are too much like primary schools, which effectively means sending your child for a formal education at the age of 4.

I sent my boy to Pat's schoolhouse and was quite happy with the school. My boy later went to Nanyang Primary and was doing well there too.

[madura]

I'm looking into good local schools like SJI Junior of ACS Primary/Junior etc.

Do widen your choices beyond SJI and ACS. There are many local schools that are just as good and which aren't as difficult to get admitted into.

[NewtoSing]

I'm looking into good local schools like SJI Junior of ACS Primary/Junior etc.

Do widen your choices beyond SJI and ACS. There are many local schools that are just as good and which aren't as difficult to get admitted into.

Hi Madura,

Do you have the name of these good schools?

Thank you.

[Blue Sapphire]

What are the other good local schools?

We live central at river valley. And we own our condo so moving is out of the question just to be within 1km of a school.

[viajera]

i think it all depends on what you call "good". for us, "good" means well-balanced, not too much pressure on academics, good facilities, and not constantly having to keep up with kiasu parents.

we attended the tanjong katong primary open house this year and were very impressed. they emphasize that co-curricular activities are just as important as academics. the kids we talked to also seemed to be happy, not tired or bored.

there are many foreign students in there because for some time, it was one of the schools in the area which always had vacancies left for the last phase of registration. it was not popular with the locals then (not rigid enough, i suppose). that has changed though. this year, there were no spots left for phase 3. whether it's because of the school's improved PSLE results or the fact that it's become like an International School of sorts, i don't know.

[jpoorni]

Hi,

We r new to SG, so can u tell me what is P1 registration exercise. we r planning for a local kindrgarten for my son this year,next year he would be in P1.

Poorni