Anglo-Chinese School (Independent)

[SoMe]

Hi, I'm a newbie on this forum. Looking for a school for my son. Pardon me if my question has been asked before. Are IP and non-IP students clearly distinguished at ACSI? Do they use different curriculum & have separate activities? Are the enrichment programmes like the Talent prog reserved for the IP students only? Are the non-IP students treated like 2nd-tier students? I learnt that SJI does not define the 2 groups clearly and the talent prog are opened as options to the O level track. Sounds good to allow the non-IP students participate and try out a different type of learning

Thank you!

Can someone answer my questions above please? Thanks!

[autolycus]

Hi, I'm a newbie on this forum. Looking for a school for my son. Pardon me if my question has been asked before. Are IP and non-IP students clearly distinguished at ACSI? Do they use different curriculum & have separate activities? Are the enrichment programmes like the Talent prog reserved for the IP students only? Are the non-IP students treated like 2nd-tier students? I learnt that SJI does not define the 2 groups clearly and the talent prog are opened as options to the O level track. Sounds good to allow the non-IP students participate and try out a different type of learning

Thank you!

Can someone answer my questions above please? Thanks!

IP students have a different curriculum from non-IP students. This is because IP students are being prepared to take the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme in Y5/6, while non-IP students may go on to do A-levels instead.

They have different enrichment programmes but some common enrichment programmes as well. Non-IP students are the majority at Y1/2. They are treated like students with a different curriculum. However, that must take into account the fact that they're being prepared for a major exam at Y4, whereas the IP students have even higher stakes two years later.

ACS(I) is probably the top IB school in the world in terms of grades. This is not very surprising, since it has a selective admission policy (MOE enforces this). What is surprising is that it does better than other schools with similarly selective admission policies, despite being a relatively new IB school.

This tends to contrast with the fact that ACS(I) never ranked higher than 8th in the national O-level rankings. When the students who used to be the top O-level students became IP students, there were obvious consequences. Fortunately, we don't have national O-level rankings anymore.

[SoMe]

Hi, I'm a newbie on this forum. Looking for a school for my son. Pardon me if my question has been asked before. Are IP and non-IP students clearly distinguished at ACSI? Do they use different curriculum & have separate activities? Are the enrichment programmes like the Talent prog reserved for the IP students only? Are the non-IP students treated like 2nd-tier students? I learnt that SJI does not define the 2 groups clearly and the talent prog are opened as options to the O level track. Sounds good to allow the non-IP students participate and try out a different type of learning

Thank you!

Can someone answer my questions above please? Thanks!

IP students have a different curriculum from non-IP students. This is because IP students are being prepared to take the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme in Y5/6, while non-IP students may go on to do A-levels instead.

They have different enrichment programmes but some common enrichment programmes as well. Non-IP students are the majority at Y1/2. They are treated like students with a different curriculum. However, that must take into account the fact that they're being prepared for a major exam at Y4, whereas the IP students have even higher stakes two years later.

ACS(I) is probably the top IB school in the world in terms of grades. This is not very surprising, since it has a selective admission policy (MOE enforces this). What is surprising is that it does better than other schools with similarly selective admission policies, despite being a relatively new IB school.

This tends to contrast with the fact that ACS(I) never ranked higher than 8th in the national O-level rankings. When the students who used to be the top O-level students became IP students, there were obvious consequences. Fortunately, we don't have national O-level rankings anymore.

Thank you for answering my questions. Non-IP students will have much to adapt to if they switch over to the IP track at Year 3!

A well-rounded education probably means less extreme O Levels results. I will gladly choose the former!

[Hobbitworld]

sorry - totally different topic and query. Can I check if one can order school books for next year online and if so, what is the website we can go to to do so? I vaguely recall I ordered schoolbooks for son online last year and had it delivered to the home but don't seem to be able to do so this year. He will be a 3rd yearer next year. thanks

[zeemimi]

May I know is it faster / more convenient to reach the school from dover mrt or buona vista mrt?

[autolycus]

May I know is it faster / more convenient to reach the school from dover mrt or buona vista mrt?

If walking, probably best to cut through S'pore Poly campus from Dover MRT.

If switching to a bus, best to get one from BV MRT. But One-North MRT is closest from that direction.

[ngbrdad]

Just like to check, does the school have any alternative plan for students going to Chieng Mai, Thailand for OEP in Jan next year ?

Just in case the situation in Thailand get worse.

When will the students and parents be informed if there is such a change ?

[zeemimi]

May I know is it faster / more convenient to reach the school from dover mrt or buona vista mrt?

If walking, probably best to cut through S'pore Poly campus from Dover MRT.

If switching to a bus, best to get one from BV MRT. But One-North MRT is closest from that direction.

Thanks!

[autolycus]

Just like to check, does the school have any alternative plan for students going to Chieng Mai, Thailand for OEP in Jan next year ?

Just in case the situation in Thailand get worse.

When will the students and parents be informed if there is such a change ?

The default plan is cancellation, as always. However, I should note that Chiang Mai is 700 km north of Bangkok and generally peaceful even at times like this. All the best!

[ACS-I boy]

Hi guys, I am a student of the school who transferred some years ago.

First the bad:
To tell the truth, this school is tough to get used to. I was bullied in sec one and two as I did not "play the same computer games as they did". Luckily I am in IP, express classes got even more bullies. There are also very few Singaporeans compared to the number of foreigners here (IDK if this happens to just my class.) I also saw some cases of express students not getting leadership positions in their CCAs. And the maintenance of the facilities kinda sucks. TBH I kinda regretted coming to this school

Then the good:
Well, the teachers give kinda good notes to reinforce what is being taught in the lessons. The friends are nice, if you manage to clique with them (if you don't within the first few weeks, then kena ignore the whole year, damn boring). Umm... Unfortunately, i think thats all...

To sum up, I believe that your child will have a good time here, but its damn tough if you don't join from year 1. If you're in IP, then lucky... express damn sad.