choosing school for 11 year old

[cminchina]

We may be moving to Singapore this summer with our 11 year old daughter. We've been told that the UWC and SAS have waiting lists of 1 - 2 years, so are reluctant to bank on her getting into one of those, as we would prefer not to move her after her first year (we did that after returning to Canada from China, and it was Not A Good Thing). I would greatly appreciate any input regarding other schools out there -- right now, I'm looking at Dover Court and the OFS as other possibilities. She will be coming from a congregated gifted class (in which she has blossomed) -- any such thing in Singapore? We are less concerned with fantastic facilities (wonderful though that would be), and more with a nurturing and challenging environment, preferably with like-minded kids (which is what she found in the gifted class).

A tall order, and a long message, I know. Any suggestions/input would be much appreciated.
signed,
Overwhelmed in Ottawa

[Mad Scientist]

Read this . Maybe will be some help to you

http://www.singaporeedu.gov.sg/htm/mis/faq01.htm

[Wivelsfield]

Definitely look at Dover, I was just recommending on another forum. Senior school is small though and they are doing a new building and planning to enlarge and improve. Small classes good academics and a real feeling of community and caring. It is fairly eccentric place and not very forward looking, but the children are happy and it is a lovely environment. We have two of our kids there and will probably keep there until they are 13 if not longer.

[Skeeter01]

Hello, I just went through this with my 2 kids who are due to arrive in June. I have visited in the last two weeks almost every Intl school here.
UWC is definitely a superb school but no chance for my 11 YO to get in due to the waiting list. The Canadian School is a good alternative and seems a nice place. Not good for me due to the proximity to my work. I finally decided on OFS. Write me if you want more details as I have a very detailed spreadsheet comparing the schools and fees.

[mrt23]

Overwhelmed

I heard the same thing and didn't apply to SAS at first. I choose another school which turned to be the wrong choice. Now we need to change schools.

We applied to SAS 2 weeks ago and got the notice yesterday that my daughter was accepted.

She is going into 6th grade in August. Don't believe what you read, just apply.

MRT

[Hackerwill]

Hello, I just went through this with my 2 kids who are due to arrive in June. I have visited in the last two weeks almost every Intl school here.
UWC is definitely a superb school but no chance for my 11 YO to get in due to the waiting list. The Canadian School is a good alternative and seems a nice place. Not good for me due to the proximity to my work. I finally decided on OFS. Write me if you want more details as I have a very detailed spreadsheet comparing the schools and fees.

Skeeter01

Unfortunately I cannot PM you, because I am such a Newbie.
Is it possible for you to PM me with you investigations?
I would be very grateful.

[Hogancat]

I am considering OFS for 14 and 12 year old girlr, have heard very mixed reports, some say is OK, others that it is a completely chaotic school and the English curriculum is way behind where it should be.. please, can anyone advise? am desperate now.

[Mary Hatch Bailey]

Really, what are your choices?

Boarding school?

Home Schooling?

or one of the schools here in Singapore ~

That leaves local or international.

OFS is fine. All of the International Schools are fine. Not great, not outstanding ~ but fine. They have strengths and weaknesses, but there are no profound differences among them except for curriculum and facilities. You can fill-in the gaps with some tutoring if necessary. Lots of people opt for extra help in Mandarin, Math, English, whatever.

Don't panic ~ just choose a school that you can afford, that your child likes the look and feel of and do your research. Lots of people overlook schools like SAS or CIS because they say they're 'too' American or 'too' Canadian but never look at the diversity of the teachers or the student body. Be careful of forum feedback ~ lots of disgruntled parents out there with an axe to grind.

Just relax, whatever academic deficits your child encounters here (if any), will be compensated 100 times by life experiences they can't even imagine. You can get a tutor to fix the former, but you can't even hope to replicate the latter.

Good luck with your move!

[Robnc]

Hi there.I am glad to have found this forum. My husband has just been given an offer to come to singapore that includes a 58K housing and schooling allowance. We are busy searching schools that might fit our child first and then our budget. We are Aussies living in America and sort of aiming to get back in the direction of home, but we have never had to pay for private school here. (son is going into 4th grade in the fall) Even wiht this 58K, the school fees seem upward of 25K per annum, often not including GST or uniforms or or or. Yikes! We arent sure that at those rates (which leaves about the same for an apartment) that we will be able to make it work at that price. We are not overly extravagant people, living in small town america right now, but we do also have a beloved dog to bring who needs a yard so dont want a high rise flat. How negotiable are rents over there cos they all seem to be upward of 4-5 K per month, hich when you add it all up, doesnt work! Are we just being unrealistic? To the person above wiht the spreadsheet, I would love to see that, but cant PM you as this is my first post here. Thans to all who read and I will apprreciate any input.

[aster]

Even wiht this 58K, the school fees seem upward of 25K per annum, often not including GST or uniforms or or or. Yikes!

...

How negotiable are rents over there cos they all seem to be upward of 4-5 K per month, hich when you add it all up, doesnt work! Are we just being unrealistic?

No, you're being perfectly realistic here. If you calculate your school fees and housing costs, a 58k allowance is not nearly enough.

Now all this is relative. Maybe your husband's salary is so high that the additional 58k is just icing on the cake, and not meant to cover absolutely everything. You really need to combine both amounts and take things from there.

[Robnc]

Hi Aster and thanks.. No, he would actually only be earning about 5k more than he does now (when you adjust from S$ to US$) we have decided we need to ask for an increase but boy, thats kinda scary in case they say no! Luckily we arent too married to the idea yet. I will let you know how we do.

Also, do you happen to know if expat kids ever go to the local schools? we dont know if it is realisitic either, but just looking at all the ways this could play out. seems rent is an unavoidable expense. Schools, well, we hear the local schools have very high standards but would he be just be TOO different if he was the only expat/ caucasian kid without the language etc. Hes very tall for his age and as blonde as blonde can get, very talkative and a little unaware still, probably not as disciplined as I imagine other 9 year olds to be. (esp malay kids whom I imagine to be more studious altho that could just be a stereotype.) I know this is subjective as you dont know us and maybe not even any local families or kids, but I am just happy to have had someone answer me! Sorry if this sounds hokey or ignorant. we know weve been living in a bubbble here. Thanks again for the reply. Appreciate it. Rob

[scarbowl]

Economics might force you to consider local schools though I'd suggest you check out the International Community School (great value/cost ratio) before deciding on local schools. If your children are quite young and you expect to remain here for a long period local schools are a reasonable option. Older kids and/or a short stay are less likely to be successful.

You'll hear some say that being Caucasian in a local school is not an issue but I wouldn't trust that. I've heard too many unpleasant stories to discount them.

You should be able to find comfortable housing for $4k per month. But that's most of your allowance.

[Robnc]

Hi scarbowl. we did look at ICS but it makes a point of saying how it is a christian based cirriculum wiht God's mission as part of thier own. oi. Thats fine for many but not our families cup of tea. we are still waiting to see if they offer more allowance before deciding on the move, but thanks for the input.