Singapore Expats

Hello
I am new here. Does anybody know anything about Stamford American International School? It's a new school. I am looking for a school for my kids age 8 and 9.

Thank you

All I have heard is the Stamford is a bit more expensive than SAS. Stamford is an unknown and SAS is well-established. Stamford would have to offer something very special to overcome that deficit, but I would go see all the schools you are considering and ask a lot of questions.

Thank you Road.Not.Taken
SAS has a long wait list. We are here for long term so my kids will study until grade 12. We are considering between UWC and Stamford American. UWC at Ang Mo Kio still has vacancies and it's well established but I don't know where kids go after grade 12. Do they get into universities of their choice?

Thank you

I am also interested in hearing what the buzz is about The Stamford American School. We will only be in Singapore for one year but my son will be starting Kindergarten in August when we move there. I looked into SAS but the bus ride would be way to long for a 5 year old and I think there is a wait list but not positive for his grade. Any help would be appreciated since we will not be able to visit until right before our move.

Pentium wrote:Thank you Road.Not.Taken
SAS has a long wait list. We are here for long term so my kids will study until grade 12. We are considering between UWC and Stamford American. UWC at Ang Mo Kio still has vacancies and it's well established but I don't know where kids go after grade 12. Do they get into universities of their choice?

Thank you

I thought Stamford was only through grade six at this time? Also, check again, there may be wait lists at SAS but the vary greatly from grade to grade and are much shorter these days ~ your chances might be very good.

Not sure about your question about where the kids go afterward at UWC, if ANY school tells you all the graduates get into the first college of their choice they are lying. UWC is IB and SAS is AP, an important distinction.

katy2, if you really think you're here for a year, I'd stick as close to home as possible. If you are still here in a few years, then I'd consider a moving schools.

I don't know how Stamford can be financially sound in this climate, I'd check that out right away if I was giving it serious thought.

SAS has "donation" program. It's $300,000 for non American and slightly less for American. It guarantees your place at the school.

Yeah, we had a big "discussion" over this sometime last year. Search the threads using the boards search fuction.

Pentium wrote:SAS has "donation" program. It's $300,000 for non American and slightly less for American. It guarantees your place at the school.

Not so Pentium, they do have a ''Guaranteed Placement Program" for corporations ($200,000 I believe?) as well as for individuals as do many International Schools in the region. The cost for individuals is around the $300,000 mark, regardless of how American you are (as long as you qualify for enrollment). Don't believe everything you hear out there.

I have searched previous posts and have found no real discussions about the Stamford American School other than the fact it is new and opening this August. Just wondering how it stackes up to SAS and if others are enrolling especially because it is so centrally located.

The previous discussions were more about the merits of the debenture system, not the schools specifically.

There is not a lot of information out there, because it is so new. Will you have time to visit the schools once you arrive? Do you know where you will be living? Or where your husband's office will be? You can save a lot of money by finding a nice local Kindergarten, which would be suitable for him. My son went to a local pre-school for a bit, and it was fine.

We are thinking we want to live in the Orchard Rd. Area. Do you have any suggestions on Kindergartens. He will be attending first grade back in in the states next year.

also, is the ride from Orchard Rd to SAS too long for a 5 year old. I am really worried about it.

For Katy2
I once saw SAS schools buses coming to the school in the morning. Most kids inside the buses were sleeping. Having enough sleep is very important ... not just for kids but for everyone.