Any issues with CIS/ Emaar/ Overseas/ St Joseph's??

[irivadi7]

My little niece and two nephews are moving to Singapore and we are looking for an International School for them. Have done quite a bit of research on school options here and have shortlisted 6. Now I am really looking for advice based on first-hand experience in regards to any issues with these schools (i.e. concerns with school management, teacher quality, anything that you wouldn't be able to get from websites, school visits, etc.). The schools that we have shortlisted are:
1) Overseas Family School
2) Emaar
3) Canadian International School
4) St Joseph's International School
5) possibly GIIS
6) the new Stamford American International School

Does anyone have experience with these schools? What's your opinion on them? Areyou generally satisfied? Anything we should know about?
Many thanks for your help in advance!

[184jones]

Hi
Have looked around a few and I think it very much depends on their age. I looked at Overseas family SChool for my 4 year old who had been attending a small daycare in Oz and just found it was too big, the school size was quite overwhelming!!!
My older daughter goes to ST. Josephs and I have been very happy with it, they are restricting the growth of the school to only 3 classes per year group, so keeps the feel very community based. THe only problem has been that school starts at 8am meaning we have to be on the road by 7.30, a real shock to the system where previously they didnt have to be at school in Oz until 9am!!!Good luck!!

[Topshelf]

We chose OFS for our daughter, mostly because there was no other option (or it didn't seem so at the time) but if I had it to do over again I wouldn't send her there...I have not been happy with the quality of the teaching; it's very crowded and chaotic, and the facilities are pretty run-down. PM me if you want more details.

[movingtospore]

CIS has some issues right now re their campuses. The middle school has to move by next August and as of yet they have not communicated anything to the parents to explain what they're going to do. If you are considering CIS I would push them very hard on this issue, to get a clear answer. They had previously said they would build a new campus but that seems to have collapsed, and there has been no clear indication of what the plan is.

Most people I've talked to seem quite happy with the school's teachers and curriculum, but very unhappy with the ownership and management structure of the school (for profit). I know that we will be looking to switch to a different school in a couple of years, and our first criteria will be that it's a non-profit school.

[shef]

I had a son in Emaar Preschool for one year and he had three different homeroom teachers. By the end of that year, the 3rd one also left. The place was disorganised, had huge teacher turnovers as well as local (main not assistants) teachers speaking Singlish while I am paying International School fee rates. So, we packed our bags and left.
We moved to CIS and we are happy. Well organised and established, know what they are doing. Teachers are fantastic, all native speakers, be it English French or Mandarin. Low teacher turnover, definitely not during the school year. I am told they now have a solution for their middle school before their new campus in Jurong is completed. No experience in the other schools you have mentioned but have personally viewed OFS and it is extremely crowded. Very intimidating for little ones.

[AliceP]

Hiya,

The schools you have picked are good two others though to consider are:

Rosemount Kindergarten and UWC

Rosemount is great for young children. Essentially they are a mini UWC that caters for the early years.

UWC does cater for early years but it is not its area of expertise. It is however a great primary school ( i think one of the best primary schools around).

As for CIS - i have heard mix reviews. Expat parents like it due to it being slighlty less expensive however I hear this is reflected in the quaility of teachers and the student outcomes. Note - this is just what I have heard through the grapevine.

Honeselty there are good and bad reviews about every school. best to just visit them and see which you get a good vibe from

[madura]

Seem to hear better reviews for:
1) Overseas Family School
4) St Joseph's International School

[broti]

Nothing like visiting the school, ask if you can visit during a normal school day and peep in as well. Visiting on Saturdays will give you a totally different taste of the place. Also do ask about their deposit / registration fee / refund policy. This tells you quite a lot about what kind of school it is !