School fees

[Califmom]

I am investigating schools for my two kids in Singapore in anticipation of moving there soon. Can someone tell me what I should expect in terms of fees for international schools ? I liked the website for the Overseas Family school and they seem to be about $8000. a semester. Is this typical ? I am assuming there are three semesters a year. Any other IB schools recommendations would be greatly appreciated.
Anxious in California

[IB schools]

The IB is currently offered by UWC, OFS,ISS and the Canadian School - CIS,
OFS has 2 semesters so school fees will be $16000 pa.  This is fairly typical of fees here.
How old are your children?  Generally fees increase as your child gets older.  Also be aware of hidden costs - Building funds etc.  Another thing to consider is the cost of the school bus, this can add another $500-1000 per semester depending on where you live.

[califmom]

Thanks for the prompt reply. Two semesters is better than three  
My daughter will enter fourth grade, my son will enter kindergarden in fall.
My other question is that i have been hearing that kids don't have neighborhood parks to go to and it is hard for them to meet kids in the neighborhood and make friends. Any tips?
We are so used to an outdoor life here in California I am wondering if the kids will get really house-bound ?
Please bear with me I am sure I will have dozens of questions as we come closer to moving.
Thanks,
Anxious in California

[beenthere]

We recently moved here from the states as well and it has been a big adjustment.  You are wise to obtain as much information as possible before landing!  We made a quick decision to move when my husband's short term project turned into a long one.

We had no fore knowledge of school tuition so we were more than a bit taken aback.  We did a bit of checking around and determined that many times school tuition is a part of employment packages.  We were able to successfully negogiate this my husband's company.

Apartment living has been a big adjustment for us as we love the outdoors as well.  We have been forunate to live in a complex with a beautiful pool and are slowly finding great outdoor activities. Bike and in-line skate rentals are readily available. Not sure what your weather is like in California right now but be prepared for lots of heat and humidity.  It will probably take some time to get acclimated.

My children have been able to make friends within our complex.  This is a multicultural/multinational country with expatriates from many parts of the world as well and it has been wonderful for them to meet children of from many different cultures.  The kids will do well as children just seem to naturally gravitate to each other regardless of cultural and language differences.  Unfortunately, we loose that when we become adults.

Which brings up the language....English is the common language here amidst the many cultures here but can more appropriately be referred to Singlish.  Can be difficult to understand but locals have been very kind and patient for themost part.

Good luck to you in your move.  It will be an adventure!

[beenthere]

Geez, really not that illiterate!  Can't edit my message without registering...excuse the poor spelling and grammer.

[califmom]

Wow, thanks for such a detailed reply. I guess I am not so worried for myself as for the kids. I really want them to continue with the carefree life they have here. A good school, friends and some outdoor fun didn't seem to be much to ask for... I am really glad to hear that the kids play across cultures and ethnicities, here in California there is no other way, we are very integrated in this part. What about stay at home moms? Do you think I will meet other moms too and make friends, and will they be of all races and cultures too ? I have been told again that the expats tend to mingle with their own countrymen, and that would be a shame when living abroad.
thanks,
K

[beenthere]

When looking for places to live with an agent,  we were asked if we wanted to live in a "caucasian"  neighborhood.  We chose against this and it has had its advantages and disadvantages.  I have met some wonderful local residents but do miss more interaction with other expats who tend to share a common bond regardless of nationality as we are all adjusting to a new culture.   There are plenty of opportunities for both types of interaction..there are clubs for each nationality and meet-ups such as the MMM (more info on social  section of the board).

Since your original post I have thought of a few items that we wished we had brought but didn't.  This was our first move abroad so we were not terribly savvy.  I wish that we had brought more of the kids' toys, books and board games.  Books and board games are particularly expensive here.  I also wish I had brought more personal items such as photographs.  This can be a somewhat isolating experience and it helps to have lots of photos of loved ones about.

We were blessed to have wonderful individuals from my husband's company help us out with information on the ins and outs of daily living such as where to shop, etc.  I hope the same for you but would love to help out anyway I can once you arrive.

[schools]

If you will be paying school fees yourself, then unless you want to pour all your $ away at SAS (American School) or UWC, then you may want to look into Chatsworth.  Tuition is S$6k/sem x 2 sem/yr, so about 12k.  I believe the tuition is the same for all primary grades.  Whereas at schools like the American school, it is higher every year (eg., your 4th grader would pay more than a 1st grader).  BTW, tuition for SAS is on the order of S$20k+++.

[Califmom]

Thanks again, both of you. Beenthere I totally agree with the photos and games. Will definitely plan on more not less.
As for Chatsworth, I will look into it, but I do see us returning to the US and want an IB stream, altho US curriculum would be fine too. Chatsworth is Brit based, I thought.
K

[semester]

  semester = half a year (semi)  

if you look for three of them it's called trimester. You must be very blonde  

You'd better not send your kids to an American School...  

[califmom]

Embarrassed grin  
Thanks for the reminder. I realise entirely your post was in good humor, but just wanted to check on the referance to the American school, is it thought to be a higher level than the IB schools ? My understanding was that the IB was more rigorous, infact only a few schools offer it out here, and people think it makes it easier to get into college bcos the univs think those kids had a better education.
K

[SAS]

The Singapore American School (SAS) is very highly rated.  I understand their placement rate to be excellent.  I have also heard it is one of if not the best American school in Asia.  Probably the only two schools that compare academically, at the HS level, are UWC and Tanglin.  At the primary level, UWC has no track record.  (there have actually been some negative comments, but that's mostly due to the wait list and high fees for an unproven program).  

At the elementary level, in order, I would rate the schools as TT, SAS, Chatsworth, OFS, Dover, AIS, and CIS.  (But I would not argue if someone said CIS or AIS should be higher on the list, as all of these schools are really quite comparable).  I am sure that the French, Japanese and Dutch schools are good to, but do not teach primarily in English.

That being said, aren't your kids early primary school?  If so, what's the big deal.  In the US, universities don't look at anything before 9th grade.  And as high schools are public and anyone gets in as long as they live within the school borders, getting into HS can't matter.  Nor can getting into a private HS really matter since all they care about is whether you can pay the $$ or not.

[califmom]

Well, I understand what you are saying about the primary level not mattering so much. I live in California in one of the top rated school districts... so much for that. Thanks to the budget cuts PE, music and arts are no longer part of the curriculum. Private school in my area is about $25000 a year (US dollars per kid) Part of the reason I was excited about my husband planning to move to S'pore is that for atleast a few years I could afford (relatively speaking) to send my kids to a top-notch school, so what if it is in the primary years. However, the SAS seems to offer (theoretically at least) the same curriculum my kids are supposed to be getting in their top-rated (in the top three in Califonia) school. So I thought that an IB stream would be more challenging. The curriculum in their school right now is anything but challenging. Open ended, child centered, creative yes, challenging NO !
Also I want to keep the option open of staying in S'pore, and not pick a school that is good for elementary alone.
Hence when someone referred to the American school as being challenging (even as a joke) my ears perked up. Bcos if the traditional American curriculum is being regarded as more challenging than the IB than I need to rethink my notions on an IB curriculum.
Since we are looking at private education for the first time, I want to be sure I am getting what I think I am.
Thanks for all the opinions, everyone, I really appreciate all the help.
K

[don't worry]

I think anyone who has kids at SAS will tell you that their academic program is indeed very rigorous at any grade level.  The only criticisms I have heard are that some kids have trouble adjusting to such a program.  Also plenty of opportunity for enrichment beyond the classroom program. I don't think that SAS could be described as anything like a "typical" U.S school.

[School Mom]

Chatsworth also does the I.B.
The school has come a long way since it first opened in 94. They offer children a good education, the teachers are lovely and the Principal and vice principal are both very caring people who take a genuin interest in every child.  They also plow a lot of money into upgrading the school instead of putting it into shareholders pockets. They also have a wide and varied ECA going on, not to mention their uniform knocks spots off any other school here, it is by no means ugly as a previous poster mentioned!!!!.
We have been with Chatsworth for seven years and our kids have experienced both the elementary and higher secondary years and we would not hesitate in recommending Chatsworth to any parent looking for a suitable school for their child/children no matter what Country you are from.  Our eldest son took his GCSE's at Chatsworth and our daughter is getting a very good education in Lower Secondary and she began her education there at the age of Five.  What it boils down to is if your child is happy and enjoys going to school each day and learning.
Sorry for waffling on so much but i am puzzled why on earth some parents put their kids names down for Tanglin or UWC knowing the waiting list is a mile long when they do not bother to look at other schools that do not have such a long waiting list and also do not charge an arm and a leg, especially when it is coming out of your own pocket.
Whatever school you are interested in you should go and pay a visit before deciding.
Good luck in your choice.