Singapore American School, is it a good school academically?

[screns]

Thinking about where to send my kids for an upcoming move, and am torn between SAS and CIS. I have read that SAS has amazing facilities but am concerned that there doesn't seem to be much on these boards about its academics (everyone harps on about UWC or Tanglin). Is it academically challenging or is it just for a bunch of rich American kids who want to get by (we're American by the way)?

Am considering CIS because it seems more international that SAS, plus it follows the IB program which I think might be more academically challenging that a traditional American-curriculum based school. Does anyone have any insights? Thanks.

[scarbowl]

This strikes me as a wind-up. Else, read their website, for goodness sake!

[Zeenit]

A friend has a daughter at the Stamford American International School and the British. The school is aiming on 50% USA and 50% international students. They also moving in Sept to a brand new campus in Seeragoon Road.
Hw old are your kids and are you coming from the UK?

[screns]

This strikes me as a wind-up. Else, read their website, for goodness sake!

I guess you make a good point, but this question is not a wind-up. I never really pay much attention to any school's website for evaluations, since they are, by definition, self-serving and so will claim to have the best academic record in the universe.

We are coming from the UK though are an American family.

[scarbowl]

By law, all foreign systems schools are required to include specific information on their websites regarding class size, classroom size, faculty credentials, etc. If you don't review the websites of each school you are considering you are doing yourself a real disservice. Also, schools such as UWC (don't know about SAS) include a list of Unis their graduates are accepted into - which says something about the academics. Some will include test scores, most will identify other activities such as sports and clubs which are available. All is relevant to the quality of the experience for your children.

Asking an anonymous forum about schools seems like an inefficient and likely inaccurate way to gather information. Actually, you should take the effort of visiting since the "feel" of a school is important as well. There are many quality schools in Singapore and finding the best fit for your child is not likely all about academics. The length of the bus ride, the composition of the student body, the availability of special resources, the libraries, technology, language classes, etc.

We are very fond of UWC but, as an American, you might consider the International Community School, Stamford, or SAS as well. You'd do your child well by researching the websites and visiting. On this board you'll find fans of a school are like fans of a football team - not terribly objective.

[Mary Hatch Bailey]

Thinking about where to send my kids for an upcoming move, and am torn between SAS and CIS. I have read that SAS has amazing facilities but am concerned that there doesn't seem to be much on these boards about its academics (everyone harps on about UWC or Tanglin). Is it academically challenging or is it just for a bunch of rich American kids who want to get by (we're American by the way)?

Am considering CIS because it seems more international that SAS, plus it follows the IB program which I think might be more academically challenging that a traditional American-curriculum based school. Does anyone have any insights? Thanks.

My kids all graduated from SAS. We felt it was the strongest academically and though other options have cropped up since they started, we stuck with SAS. We are American and they all wanted to attend University in the US. SAS offers by far more AP courses than other options and the scores achieved are impressive. It is a well-rounded learning environment ~ arts, drama, sports, language ~ there is something for 90% of students. Like with most schools however, if your child has more-than-moderate learning challenges or is extremely gifted, you will find fault with all of the International Schools in Singapore. They cater to the bell curve.

Lastly, SAS is not filled with just rich Americans,quite the contrary, it is a highly diverse community of teachers and students. The richest students, like in lots of schools are probably from Indonesia. Students are from over 50 countries. If it is any help, I have a veteran teacher friend who has taught all over the world and left SAS to teach in KL, changing from AP to IB. He said, hands down AP is the better prep for college and covers a lot more content.

Go deep into the websites of the schools, past all the hype and look at the photos, see what the kids are studying, where they go on field trips, what they offer extracurricularly, etc. If you have specific questions feel free to PM me. Good luck.

[screns]

Scarbowl, good points. Thanks. I guess I was just trying to get a consensus/opinion from some people who may have gone through this. Will definitely visit all the schools on my short list when I come to Singapore in a couple of weeks to get a feel for them and see if they are or aren't a good fit for my kids. Thanks for all the help.