How to get into top local primary schools for DP holders?

[metroguy]

Dear All,

My son, who was born in 2005, is currently in K1 @ Lorna Whiston Pre-school, a local bilingual (English & Mandarin) kindergarten. He is on a dependant pass. I am on PEP.

Our mother tongue is neither of the 3 offered in local schools, but we prefer to opt for Mandarin, as he is currently being exposed to bilingual environment and he is good in Mandarin (his teachers call him 'chinese boy', though he is not chinese by ethnicity).

I've learnt that it's next to impossible for foreigners on DP to get into any of the top local primary schools, as there won't be any places left in these schools by Phase 3, no matter how close one lives to any of these.

So, I'd like to seek advice on what my options would be, come next year.

Following are my thoughts.

1. Apply at a top school anyway and pray (as there's nothing much we can do)

2. Apply at a nearest school, no matter how its track record has been.

3. Move to a place close to an above average school which possibly has places left for Phase 3.

4. Go the international route, though it costs time and money. As most, if not all, int'l schools start in Aug where as local schools start in Jan.

5. Enroll him in Marlborough College Malaysia which starts in Sep 2012.

Any input is appreciated.

Best,
MG.

[boffenl]

I have never heard of Marlborough College Malaysia--make sure it is fully registered with the Council for Private Education before enrolling.

Tough call on your choices--I've mentioned before I think the whole top school thing is a bunch of crap since all the SG teachers come from the same school (NTU) and teach the same curricula.

I went the local local route--ie the neighborhood school my daughter enrolled in had a spot and was super super close to our apt. Sorry can't give advice on how to get into the top school--praying just might work--sending good thoughts helps too.

[metroguy]

Thanks for the advice boffenl.

The closest primary school to my apt is Blangah Rise Primary School. It's a relatively new school. I'm not sure how true it is, but I read in other forums that some of the teachers who teach at this school send their kids to other schools. It's a concern.

Marlborough College is a world renowned boarding school from the UK. They are setting up a campus (not a franchise) in Iskandar Malaysia (closse to 2nd link). The school will start in Sep 2012. I don't mind sending him to a boarding school, as I attended one myself . But my wife doesn't like the idea.

There's a rumour that some of the local "institutions" offer a place for a generous donation to the school development fund. I don't believe this, as many parents, especially expats, could easily offer these donations for a place in these reputed, branded schools as the said donation is a fraction of the int'l school fees.

Let's see how things go!