SAS vs UWC

[BeThereSoon]

We are coming in February - on my look-see visit last month, I walked and talked at both schools. Most of the Americans I talk to that have lived there went to SAS and have good things to say - but also have heard good about UWCSEA and liked that just as well from my visit. My girls are 6th and 8th grade and our stay will likely be 3-6+ years - so the girls may graduate there or may have to come back.  I would like to live closer to town - not the Woodlands, so the bus ride is a consideration, but not determining.  Actually, I may not have a choice as enrollment was filled for my 8th grader at UWCSEA, but of course that may change by the time we get there.  I would like to get my application/deposit in somewhere soon though.  Any advise on both school environments and any advantages/disadvantages to the British system and transferring back to the US?  I also looked at Chatsworth (sp?) and just decided I would like the larger schools better.  Cant really say why - maybe just more range of kids to meet.

[Parent]

Well, the good thing about UWC is that at the end of Grade 10 the pupils take the IGCSE (International General Certificate of Secondary Education) exams. This would be a great 'practice run' in taking exams for your eldest no matter what educational system your daughter will return to, and if your daughter in years to come wishes to work in say, the UK or in countries like Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, India (ok - ex-British colonies!) then as the IGCSE's are basically the English modern version of the "O" Level qualifications  (which all Singaporean local pupils take) it might be nice for her to have taken the exams.

My daughter completed Grade 10 and took the exams this Summer and had excellent results - a tribute to the fantastic education she received at UWC. She had American teachers for art and math. Have you seen their website? They have fantastic educational trips, there is one coming up in India, but they also take pupils to places like New Zealand, Oz, Europe etc. You can even go on a family trek to the Himalayas at Christmastime, an Aussie family I know did this trip and said it was wonderful and the memories will last a lifetime.

Also the vacations I think are brillian for expat families with kids at UWC - they get long breaks at Christmas, a week in October, Feb, 2 weeks min at Easter and about 7-8 weeks in the Summer. It gives you lots of opportunities to take vacations around the region, to places like Phuket, Bali, Hong Kong etc. etc. I know from SAS families that they did not get as many school vacations and not so many opportunities to visit other Asian destinations. I know that both schools are very highly regarded, so whichever one you choose you will have no worries.
http://www.uwcsea.edu.sg        

[BeThereSoon]

Thanks, That is one thing that I liked about UWCSEA - it looked like they did more trips and have an attractive "mission" statement.  From surfing and reading various places, I have picked up on some references about kids at International schools having elitist attitude, and it seems to be directed mainly at SAS.  I want to like it, because it would be the easy thing to do.  Just the name makes it more comfortable for my eldest.  She is reluctant (predictably, I think) about the move and has kind of latched on to the idea that there is an "American" school there and already has been writing to a few kids that got her e-mail address from someone over there.  The kids she hears from are all very enthusiastic about the school.  It would be alot easier if I had just hated one of them!