Which international school is better?

[PAT_US]

Based on my web searches, I have come across the following candidate schools:
- ISS International School
- Overseas Family School
- United World College
- Singapore American School

I am sure there are other schools too. I would like to get some feedback based on your experience in Singapore as to which one of these schools is the best one. My son will be going to 10th grade and my daughter to 2nd grade.

Thanks.
Pat

[Clifford]

UWC would be my pick of high schools. However the school may be a bit on the large side for your younger child. Perhaps one of the smaller more family feeling schools like ISS or Rosemount. If you go for two different schools just check vacation dates so that the holidays coincide.

[KatyF]

I guess the question here is, what do you mean by "better"?  Forgive me if I'm wrong, but I imagine in the case of your 10th grade child, you would mean exam results and sociability of fellow classmates, and in the case of your 2nd grader, friendliness, learning, kindness of teachers/classmates etc.  Perhaps you'd care to elaborate?

[brussels]

Hi Pat,
Where are you coming from? We will be moving to S'pore in a few months and also lived there a few years ago. My boys attended SAS and loved it...2 of the SAS teachers are now at the International School of Brussels where we live now..small world! I have a 6, 9, and 11th grader and they are happy to be returning to Singapore Am.Schl. It is a big campus, but a wonderful atmosphere and the kids are great. Good luck.

[Nelly]

Hi Pat

I've just done this whole school thing myself two weeks ago.  First like you I researched them on the interned and then got the prosepctus for each school.  I came back a week ago from Singapore, where I visited and talked to staff of my chosen four schools.

School is really a personal choice based on the personal experience of your impression with the school combined with the personality and nature of your child.  There is no perfect school, no perfect child and no perfect parent.

However, from my experience, I can offer you the following advice.  Ask the school for the prospectus and it will give you a good overview of the ethos of the school.  It will also give your children an insight into the school if they are unable to visit it too.  When you look at the schools, make sure that you will have time to get a good look at all the facilities and to ask them lots of questions regarding your needs for your children.  Make sure that you visit the schools during term time as it make a big difference to see the school in action rather than looking at just a shell.

For me, I chose Tanglin Trust above UWC the main reason being that it was more of a British Curriculum, which is what my children are now used to, and UWC have huge waiting lists for each year.  It was over 50 children on the waiting list for my son (he's 6), and the same story for my daughter who is 8.  They said a place was highly unlikely until late 2003, and even then it would be unlikely.  This is not because we are coming into Sing, as I have friends who's children are still waiting for places at UWC and they have been in Sing for 18 months.  But it is really because everyone wants to send their children there.  By the way if your children have any special needs such as dyslexia then they cannot accomodate these children.

As for the American School, I have heard nothing but shining reports on it.  It was voted best Overseas School.  I have many colleages of my husband all with children there who say how fantastic it is.  I also know a lady who teaches there.

Good Luck and do your homework!!!  

[Teach]

The only thing I'd suggest is that if you're coming from the States, then the Singapore American School which is based at Woodlands would follow a  similar/same curriculum to what you're used to.  I visited there a few weeks ago and was blown away by the whole campus and facilities.  It's got to be the BEST equipped school in Singapore.  Even though it's HUGE - I think almost 2,500 kids, it didn't seem like there were that many kids.  All I can say is if I were American, that's where I'd be sending my children.  For the record, UWC has a great reputation as well - but long waiting lists are a problem.  Lots a luck.

[PAT_US]

I should clarify my definition of a "good" school:

- A school that pays individualized attention to students
- A school that focuses on building character and life values and not just teaching academics
- A school with experienced, loving, and caring staff
- A school with good infrastructure and resources
- A school that is open to work with special needs students
- A school that does not have any racial bias

Thanks,
Pat

[Loops]

I'm in the process of doing this school thing too - I've been looking at the Tanglin Trust one today and the ISS.  They both seem OK, so I think my next step is to send for more info and then come over and visit them.

Trouble with schools is that people whose kids go there will give glowing reports and often make out that their school is better than the rest (I found this happened at home when I was choosing a primary school), so I just went on my own feelings in the end and I've been quite pleased with my choice so far.

One of the things I'm finding difficult is that because I've not yet been to SP - I haven't got much of an idea of the size of the place and how far I'll have to travel each day with my kids.  But I guess that if I do the research first, I'm halfway there and hopefully with be coming over later this year to suss the rest of it out.

[parent]

Top Tier:  American School (SAS) and United World College.  Pick one of these if your co. is paying.

Tanglin is good, but basically for Brits., especially stuck up ones, but others can go there too.  

Second Tier:  Good for K-9.
OFS is good, but some say getting too big.
Chatsworth and Dover Ct. are v. good.

Other National Schools are good, e.g., Canadian, French, Japanese, but watch out for the Aus. School, some love it and others hate it.

Local schools.  Can be good if your kids are adaptable and willing to study hard.  Emphasis on tests and do it the way taught in class, other ways are marked wrong (even if the text is wrong, you have to regurgitate the error cuz the teachers will not accept deviation).

[Loops]

Tanglin is toffy is it?

What about the other ones, Canadian, French, American etc, do kids of other nationalities go to them or are they really for kids of that nationality?

[Nelly]

Can say from the bottom of my heart that I did not find Tanglin at all TOFFY!!!  If you want TOFFY you should see some of the schools I looked at for my children in England and didn't send them too!

I found Tanglin and Dover Court Schools to be very friendly especially if your kid has any learning dificulties.  

Can report no Toffiness at Tanglin, but who knows, when my children actually start there, that may be the case!!!

[seeker]

to "parent" - I'm curious about this 'regurgitate even if it's wrong' thing about local schools you've mentioned. Is it a common stereotype? I would imagine if something is wrong and the student can properly disprove it, there's no reason a teacher would demand regurgitation.

[Nella]

Hi Pat_US, you mentioned that a school needs to be open to work with special needs students, if this is a particular requirement you have for either of your own children you may have to narrow your focus.  My grade 9 son is dyslexic and I've been in touch with a number of the schools to ask about the facilities they have, so could provide more info on that front.  I also have details about dyslexic tutors if needed.

[SAS fan]

Although the facilities at the American school are indeed impressive, it's the great teachers that make it the terrific school that it is.  Most of the teachers there are highly motivated to to the best for their students.  Many truly enjoy teaching there and it is reflected in their efforts.

[parent2]

The Canadian School is also very good & popular and they take all nationalities, lots of kids there are not Canadian. Can not advise about Tanglin Trust but I know one really stuck up Brit who sends her child there ..... so there is at least one stuck up parent there...however her child is totally normal