Singapore Expats

We've finally come to a decision on which International School to send our son to, but are now at a loss as to when to switch him. The kindergarten he's in is on the local system, meaning the school year ends in December. He is in K2 this year, and he and his little mates have all been together since N1, they are a very tight group. However, the international school system starts in August. He'll be going into Grade 1 at that point. But it seems such a shame for him to miss the last few months of his schooling, and his graduation ceremony, with his kindy school mates. Any advice from those already at the International Schools or who have made the switch before? I'd assumed most kids would switch at the beginning of the international school year if they had the choice, but would my kid be the only one coming in at January instead if we chose to finish the year out at his kindy? Or are there plenty of other new kids in Jan?

If it were me I would switch him at the start of the school year at the new school. Much easier to start with all news kids.

Also, International Schools tend to have the most places available at the start of a new school year. They won't necessarily have a spot for you mid-year.

I agree with movingtospore. My kids always have new students joining their classes and have always been told that they(new students) have difficulty in making friends and sometimes, keeping up with work. Always start your child from the beginning of the academic year and he/she wouldn't feel left out or awkward.