The right International School for 8yr old

[Incubating]

Hi,
I would like to hear from parents who have tried a couple of International School in SIngapore. Or if your kids are in OFS. My son is in Australian International for last 7 months and is a bright child in class. He is a fast learner and we feel that Australian school has slowed his progress. He has admission in OFS but I need a good reason to move my child. I have visited OFS but find it too cluttered and lacking in open spaces. The classrooms are almost half the size of where he is now. I know space should not be teh critiera but I am confused if it would be a good atmosphere for learning.

Love to hear from you if you could help me decide.

[sundaymorningstaple]

Have you asked your child if he likes it there where is currently is? If so, and you move him, you may well put him into a situation where he is not happy and then it won't matter how much the school offers, he's not going to be receptive to learning. Might be something to think about. A happy child learns easier.

[YumMum]

Hi there, We are just about to move our 8 year old daughter from OFS. Our experience has not been good, but I know there are many parents who are very happy with their children attending. The school is quite simply chaotic, cramped, filthy and under-resourced in terms of staff (no teaching assistants, as per most International Schools). Class rooms are dark and stuffy. Real discipline is lacking. It's a private company that own OFS, and it's plain to see they put no investment into the place. Our daughter is a native English speaker - one of very few in her class, so the pace is slow.

If you feel the Aussie school is not working for you, perhaps you can talk to the principal. I have many friends who have kids attending there, and by and large, it seems to be a great school (if you hit on the right teachers).

I'm sure my post will trigger some parents who have nothing but good things to say about OFS. I don't mean to offend any of you...just giving my honest views. OFS just wasn't good enough for us. My son attends another International School, so we do have an alternative to compare with, and in our view, OFS is not at the races. Hope this helps.

[Jacqui Wong]

Hi,

I would like to suggest you come look at the school my children attend - Avondale Grammar School. We have been very happy there for the past year and one term. The school follows the Australian curriculum and also offers amazingly low teacher to child ratio. My son is in year 2 and there are 23 kids. They have 3 fully qualified teachers every morning for literacy and maths and 2 teachers each afternoon. My daughter is in year 4 with 13 children and they have 1 fully qualified teachers and an aid in the room. I have watched my children come on in leaps and bounds with reading, maths and confidence. You can't beat ratios like that. It is a small school where the teachers really know you child. They extend them where they have strength and help in areas of need. You can do a trial day at Avondale which is a great way for your child to judge it. Please call Sarah or Juan on 62588544 to book a tour.

[mandrew]

Given your son is in AIS I was also going to suggest Avondale Grammar, it's the same curriculum and if your son needs more focussed attention because he's ahead then the ratios at Avondale would help I would think.

My daughter is there and we're very happy with the school.

[splat]

it never ceases to amaze me how many parents think their kids are too smart for their class! And then they put them in about 3 different schools in 4 years and end up complaining about something in every single school. How unstable for the child, how do they make friends? Crazy people...