Singapore Expats

Would appreciate some advice...trying to decide between Stamford American and Eton House (Broadrick campus). My daughter is currently at Stamford, but we are not pleased (brand new teacher that is learning "trail by fire" method, the level of work is well below grade level and the front reception people are just not nice---given what we are paying for the school would at least expect some smiles or friendliness). Eton House seems to be more established. Would appreciate some advice/thoughts on these two schools.

Thanks

Im a parent at SAIS, just wondering what happend? did you stay? Is there any questions you might want to ask a parent, im here to talk.

We have our two children at SAIS and have nothing but very positive things to say. In particularly the reception and admissions team. Of all the schools we visited in Singapore, only Stamford's admissions people actually seemed like they really cared about what we were looking for in a school.

So i would be suprised if you had a negative experience and would have to assume there is more to the story?

As far as comparing to Eton House, they are not even in the same league.

These school names are ridiculous!

What next the Harrow school Yale campus?

Appreciate any comments from SAIS parents. My child is in an upper elementary grade and I find what he is learning to be below grade level.
One example is - in his previous private school in USA, he has to write an essay/story out of the 20+ spelling words of the week. Here he just needs to write 1 sentence for each spelling word. Homework level seems to reflect that of a regular public school in the US.

Sisi2000, is your child at SAIS or elsewhere? That homework sounds like our grade 1 homework at SAIS. Personally, I love SAIS. I have 2 kids, grade 1 and KG1. The academics have been rigorous and I am blown away at how well my kids respond to the inquiry based learning approach. I was a bit hesitant at first when I met our very young Scarlett Johanson looking grade 1 teacher, and I thought no way can she handle a rowdy bunch of first graders. Now my daughter LOVES her, and it turns out she is young and full of energy and ideas. Who better to keep up with a room full of six year olds? We have been quite happy with the school. It was the right place for our kids.

Hi BrooklynJenn Sorry for the late response. Yes, my child is in SAIS. I feel worse now that you say it sounded like Grade 1 homework. Anyways, comparing to what the school in the US did at similar grades, its really a far cry. At 5th grade at the US school, kids had to juggle with 2 state/national level projects on top of regular homework. Compared to that, SAIS is no where close. The plus at SAIS is that my child looks forward to going to school, more than he had any other school.

That is interesting. I do know they adjust the homework for the individual kids. Have you tried asking the teacher for more challenging homework?

Thank you windycitykidz and brooklynjenn for your insights into SAIS.
We are seriously considering it for our two daughters, ages 4 and 6, but I have not been able to speak directly with anyone who goes to the school. I am most interested in knowing the quality of the teachers in K2 and early primary grades. We are currently in an IB program outside of Singapore and love the curriculum. I am most interested in having my girls attend a school that is nurturing, engaging, challenging, and looks at developing their minds, as well as their character.

Our second question has more to do with the school and it's relationship with Cognita. I've had some teachers and school administrators express reluctance in going to a "for profit" school. Have you experienced or heard of any problems that this might cause within the school and have you seen it trickle down to affect what is happening in the classroom.

Thanks for your thoughts!

I have heard great things about the KG2 teachers, and friends I have with kids in other grade one classes are all quite happy. We haven't had any issues with the for profit aspect. We have not had any trouble getting any resources we need. In fact, I'd say the fact that it is for profit from a large company means we have deeper pockets to draw from and they are able to provide things that a small non profit would not be able to do. We get things provided that we never would have had provided in public school in the states, like school supplies and after school activities. Feel free to pm me and I can discuss more. My kids are four and six also, and I am really happy with the school.

himom wrote: Our second question has more to do with the school and it's relationship with Cognita. I've had some teachers and school administrators express reluctance in going to a "for profit" school. Have you experienced or heard of any problems that this might cause within the school and have you seen it trickle down to affect what is happening in the classroom.

We came to SAIS from a not-for-profit private school in the US, and they said the exact same thing to us -- I think that is the standard view of FP schools by NFP schools, perhaps a way to distinguish themselves bc a NFP school likely cannot afford as much of the fancy stuff as the FP schools, so they need to somehow take a position that justifies sending kids to NFP. The way I see it, a FP school has more motivation to satisfy their "customers," i.e. the child/parent, bc if they don't, families leave and then they aren't making any profit.