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StMichael
Ranter
Joined: Feb 19, 2005
Posts: 556
Location: Qibao, Shanghai
Status: Offline
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 Posted:
Oct 06, 2007 - 11:00 PM |
 
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| icyfrosty wrote: |
| Perhaps my only complain about the school is that I somehow never feel welcomed when I'm in the campus - so basically I don't go there unless I absolutely have to. |
Is it ok for you to share why you feel that way? |
_________________
Michael Chan www.senseimichael.com |
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Syria1
Newbie
Joined: Oct 10, 2007
Posts: 2
Status: Offline
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Oct 16, 2007 - 03:59 PM |
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I've read all the posts in this thread and found a few that mentioned YCIS but could anyone share personal experience or observation with YC-Pudong?
My husband works in Shanghai without an expat package so the inexpensive SMIC Private School sounds very attractive but its location is too far out. YC is closer to our future apartment and they seem to put relatively more effort on teaching students the Chinese language, which I like.
We're from the US and my children have been attending (and enjoying) the local public school.
I know that YCIS is based in HK and HK is influenced by the UK. Is YCIS very different from other American-Curriculum based international schools?
YCIS in Shanghai (both Pudong & Puxi) follows an international curriculum based on the UK National Curriculum for England & Wales with an intensive Chinese programme attached. It offers PSAT and SAT testing for its own students only.
Hope this helps |
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KungFu
Lurker
Joined: Jan 30, 2007
Posts: 31
Status: Offline
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Oct 26, 2007 - 12:27 AM |
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| lioralourie wrote: |
I voted "other".
Maybe I'm awful, but I am under the impression that they are ALL seriously overpriced ripoffs. Full of noveau-riche brats whose ayis have cleaned up for them their whole lives...I wouldn't let my kids near any of the international schools. |
i'm not a religious person, but AMEN!!! |
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msittig
Rocker
Joined: Oct 06, 2004
Posts: 721
Location: Zhangjiang High-Tech Park
Status: Offline
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Oct 29, 2007 - 11:15 PM |
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| Quote: |
| It offers PSAT and SAT testing for its own students only. |
Sadly, this is now true for all int'l schools: as I understand it, SATs are given only to students of the school that is proctoring the test. This is a result of a "feud" between the College Board, who creates the test, and the Chinese education bureau. And since no new school are being approved as testing sites, our (SMIC) students are having to leave the country (HK, TW, Hawaii(!)) to take their SATs. Incredible, but something to consider.
| Quote: |
| I am under the impression that they are ALL seriously overpriced ripoffs. Full of noveau-riche brats whose ayis have cleaned up for them their whole lives. |
I think impressions tend to be born from fact, but this is quite a generalization. And in any case, what's the best alternative? (I know StMichael's answer  ) |
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Hi Charlotte! |
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StMichael
Ranter
Joined: Feb 19, 2005
Posts: 556
Location: Qibao, Shanghai
Status: Offline
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Oct 29, 2007 - 11:20 PM |
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I think the Shanghai Education Bureau here must have a reason for it. My school can only offer the iPSLE (the Singapore's national high school entrance exams for overseas pupils) to registered pupils of the school. It immediately closes off many propective candidates (Singaporean pupils in other schools, for example), and I suspect it'd take quite a bit of diplomatic wrangling between the consulate and the local government to resolve this issue.
Overpriced? Perhaps. Full of noveau-riche brats, definitely not in my school. Yes, Micah, you sure are a prophet! Heh. BTW, did your school get in touch with that contact I passed to you? |
_________________
Michael Chan www.senseimichael.com |
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msittig
Rocker
Joined: Oct 06, 2004
Posts: 721
Location: Zhangjiang High-Tech Park
Status: Offline
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Oct 31, 2007 - 01:14 PM |
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StMichael
Ranter
Joined: Feb 19, 2005
Posts: 556
Location: Qibao, Shanghai
Status: Offline
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Oct 31, 2007 - 08:14 PM |
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Hey! She didn't mention your school as one of the alternatives to international schools! Awh... |
_________________
Michael Chan www.senseimichael.com |
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sbergman
Veejay
Joined: Sep 12, 2007
Posts: 2120
Status: Offline
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Nov 01, 2007 - 02:31 PM |
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Don't know if this is still the College Board's issue but there was a time when cheating and having others take your test in China was so rampant that everyone could quote the price to have your SAT or TOEFL exams taken for you. After a year teaching at Fudan, I informed the Ivy League school where I worked to never trust SAT and TOEFL scores coming out of China. One of the problems was that Chinese teachers and schools were being assessed and rewarded on the basis of their students' scores so it was in everyone's interest to allow cheating. |
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spandex
Raver
Joined: June 06, 2006
Posts: 464
Status: Offline
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Nov 01, 2007 - 03:56 PM |
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So where is this on-line poll, do we get to vote somehow, have searched this thread and can't find any poll, maybe I missed something?  |
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If moths like the light so much why do they only come out when its dark? |
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Jadechun
Newbie
Joined: Sep 24, 2007
Posts: 3
Location: Hong Kong
Status: Offline
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Nov 01, 2007 - 09:04 PM |
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How about local international school or semi-international school? We're moving to Shanghai the coming Aug., what local international would be good? Comments and name of school if possible. Many thanks! |
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tnmom
LoopKicker
Joined: Mar 04, 2004
Posts: 856
Location: Shanghai
Status: Offline
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Nov 02, 2007 - 07:46 AM |
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| Quote: |
| So where is this on-line poll |
This is an old thread - from March 2005. It originally did have a poll where you could vote for a school but it wasn't too meaningful - everyone just votes for their own! |
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hautumncloud
LoopKicker
Joined: Nov 04, 2006
Posts: 846
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Nov 02, 2007 - 03:23 PM |
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| Jadechun wrote: |
| How about local international school or semi-international school? We're moving to Shanghai the coming Aug., what local international would be good? Comments and name of school if possible. Many thanks! |
Jadechun
Do a search on this forum and you will find what you are looking for. There are a couple local int schools or sime-int schools depending on the age of your children. |
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Jadechun
Newbie
Joined: Sep 24, 2007
Posts: 3
Location: Hong Kong
Status: Offline
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Nov 04, 2007 - 05:07 PM |
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Hautumncloud
Thanks so much! It got great resources about semi-int schools in Shanghai. Do any one know what type of school system would be good if my son (11) is planning to study university at Canada in future? The British or US? Thanks! |
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hautumncloud
LoopKicker
Joined: Nov 04, 2006
Posts: 846
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Nov 05, 2007 - 10:09 AM |
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Jadechun
Universities in Toronto accepts the GCSE (British Y13 diploma), AP (American) and IB Diploma (international). You may want to google the universities you have in mind and have a look at their acceptance criteria. In your position, I would be incline to pick a school who offers their country's high school diploma (British/US) as well as an IB Diploma, just get your son covered. An extra certificate won't hurt, besides an IB Diploma will open more chances than just Canada/US. In terms of curriculum, my personal opinion is that British is closer to Canadian curriculum - after all Canada do pledge allegiance to the Queen of England  |
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rtlanguage
Newbie
Joined: Oct 15, 2007
Posts: 9
Location: shanghai
Status: Offline
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Nov 05, 2007 - 09:38 PM |
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Actually, there are many good local schools in Shanghai, and double languages are used in some of those good schools. Maybe your son or daughter can have a better education in any of those schools. |
_________________
http://www.rtlanguage.com Translation Provider Based in Shanghai |
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StMichael
Ranter
Joined: Feb 19, 2005
Posts: 556
Location: Qibao, Shanghai
Status: Offline
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Nov 05, 2007 - 09:54 PM |
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rtlanguage,
It really depends. Which is the stronger and main language in use? Many bilingual local schools basically has some 70% of their lessons taught in Chinese, and possibly has 95% local children. How one can get a good English foundation under such circumstances is way beyond me. |
_________________
Michael Chan www.senseimichael.com |
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HK2ShviaUSA
Reacher
Joined: Feb 14, 2006
Posts: 274
Status: Offline
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Dec 17, 2007 - 11:55 AM |
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StMichael....you are so right about going to school where the kids will be able to practice the language they are learning. And even in a school where english is half a day...and the kids are at lunch break chatting with their friends in chinese.....how can you learn to express yourself in english? When will they get a chance?
Regarding SHS (Shanghai High School):
| Quote: |
SHSID about RMB 40,000 /semester, therefore about 80,000 for one academic year.
Personal opinion, considering the history of SHSID in the market (turning 15 years in 2008) and the university acceptance records of previous graduates, it is quite a value for money choice if
1) you are open with the more Asian style approach and
2) you concern more on the academic achievement of your kid.
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We know a family where all 3 kids studied at SHS at one point or another. 4th grade, not one native english speaking teacher (out of like 5-6) ...and they are suppose to be learning english (daughter stayed one year). Son in 3rd grade, philippino teacher supposedly from the USA....but regardless, ineffective teacher using lots of worksheets so I question how much learning and writing (son pulled out after 2 months).
According to my friend, if you are doing average, you get something like a 75. If you are applying to college in the USA, they look at grade, ranking and what courses you take (AP, etc.). A 75 GPA would never get you into a decent college (equivalent to 80's in the usa). Colleges have no idea what reputation SHS has, perhaps in China. But then again, a college would rather accept a 80's GPA over a 70's GPA anytime - no matter what school they go to (State University NY won't even look at your application if your GPA is less than 78 and no one would consider that a tough school to get into and SAS won't even consider you for school if the GPA is less than 80).
My friend believed in the 'name' of SHS, because the school's reputation/name is supposedly so incredibly awesome. (maybe because they told her that and perhaps that might help you if you are going to CHINESE university from the local division) and has now totally regrets SHS but she can't get her child into any other school because of her daughter's 70's GPA. Her daughter is stuck there.
Another example, grading should be relative to other kids in the school, my daughter got the 2nd highest grade on a science test (89), she got a B (15 kids or so and most got in the 70's). Could have been a hard test. Could have been the teacher didn't teach properly. Can't be that all the kids were dumb.
**** Something to think about when putting your kids into a local school. **** |
Last edited by HK2ShviaUSA on Dec 17, 2007 - 12:10 PM; edited 2 times in total |
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phrixus
Raver
Joined: Sep 02, 2005
Posts: 383
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Dec 17, 2007 - 12:06 PM |
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schools in shanghai are so expensive wth |
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Jadechun
Newbie
Joined: Sep 24, 2007
Posts: 3
Location: Hong Kong
Status: Offline
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Dec 17, 2007 - 11:46 PM |
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Hey friends, still, I need to enroll my son (grade 7) to a school. Any important matters I should keep in mind? He can communicate in English but not native. |
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HK2ShviaUSA
Reacher
Joined: Feb 14, 2006
Posts: 274
Status: Offline
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Dec 18, 2007 - 12:31 AM |
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what are your objectives for your son 6 years down the line? Is he at level for english/international schools level? Do you have to live on Pudong or Puxi side? Start from there. You'll then narrow down to a handful of schools quickly. |
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88807
Lurker
Joined: Oct 15, 2004
Posts: 25
Status: Offline
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Jan 01, 2008 - 08:23 PM |
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| Post subject: SSIS- Stmicheal |
StMicheal, I made some comments here about SSIS some time ago, but I didnt log back in to see your reply. My previous nick name here was 777... (forgoten the end, sorry).
Anyway, I wont respond to all your comments, but I may have been wrong- it sounds like the school has moved on since I was there.
I think SSIS is extremely slow to respond to the market. You say that there is (will be?) a change to the Chinese course offered. That took an awful long time coming. Yes, SIngaporeans do learn Chinese of course, but you are in CHINA, and one would think you would have something to learn from the local way of doing things. It seems mad not to have seen this from day 1.
As to the idea that throwing kids in the deep end also produces challanges for motivated students, this maybe true, but most of the literature indicates that kids learn best when they are nutured and build confidence. SSIS, from what I know of, still doesnt do this. It may create "challenegs" for some students, but I remeber when i was teaching there it also really did depress lots of kids, and this was in the primrary level. Quite sad.
I don't mean to rubbish SSIS, it does some things really well. Im just responding to what I see as the negative side of the place. |
Last edited by 88807 on Jan 01, 2008 - 08:42 PM; edited 3 times in total |
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88807
Lurker
Joined: Oct 15, 2004
Posts: 25
Status: Offline
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Jan 01, 2008 - 08:33 PM |
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Its called SHSID (SHS is the lcoal division, international kids cant study there).
SHSID is a Chinese international school, so the marks are done differently. Also being a Chinese school, teachers are pushed to give kids lots of worksheets and there's an awful lot of testing here. thats the nature of the school. Parents are talked through this when enrolled, as are teachers when they are hired.
Im not sure about the stories below, Im sure they are accurate, but I dont think they are typical of the school. Like other schools, there are some good teachers, and some not so good teachers at the school. I think there's always a bit of variety in teaching staff. being one of the chepaer international schools, it also cant pay the salaries of the "blue ribbon" schools like SAS, so it looses talentd teachers too often. This makes it tough. i think other schools have these issues to. The teaching salaries offered at SAS are much much larger than many other schools.
Anyway, SHSID does what it does pretty well, but as you said you need to think about how academic you want your kids education. SSIS is also very academic, so if thats to your liking, would work out ok.
One thing I've noticed at SHSID is that Korean and Japanese kids who come here seem to do well in their Chiense, and often use it in class and at lunch times as a neutral language.
"......Another example, grading should be relative to other kids in the school, my daughter got the 2nd highest grade on a science test (89), she got a B (15 kids or so and most got in the 70's). Could have been a hard test. Could have been the teacher didn't teach properly. Can't be that all the kids were dumb.
**** Something to think about when putting your kids into a local school. ****[/quote]" |
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StMichael
Ranter
Joined: Feb 19, 2005
Posts: 556
Location: Qibao, Shanghai
Status: Offline
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| Posted:
Jan 01, 2008 - 09:32 PM |
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| Post subject: Re: SSIS- Stmicheal |
| 88807 wrote: |
| Anyway, I wont respond to all your comments, but I may have been wrong- it sounds like the school has moved on since I was there. |
Indeed it has moved on. I have encountered quite a few former teachers here who still think of the school in terms of their previous encounter with it. If you are who I think you are <wink>, what I can say is that the SSIS of today is very different from the SSIS that I joined 4 years ago.
Still can do better though, frankly speaking. But that's just my personal opinion.
| Quote: |
| I think SSIS is extremely slow to respond to the market. You say that there is (will be?) a change to the Chinese course offered. That took an awful long time coming. Yes, SIngaporeans do learn Chinese of course, but you are in CHINA, and one would think you would have something to learn from the local way of doing things. It seems mad not to have seen this from day 1. |
Yes, the change began from this year.
I do not feel that we are slow in responding to the market - there are different market niches for each school. You may not find SAS doing the local Chinese syllabus, for example (do they?). SSIS was not prepared to explore that niche previously, but we are prepared to now.
There are lots of considerations before one can move into a new niche. You must remember that it was only 4 years ago that we hired our first western teacher, and just 6 years ago when all our pupils were Singaporean. The school is slowly evolving.
| Quote: |
| As to the idea that throwing kids in the deep end also produces challanges for motivated students, this maybe true, but most of the literature indicates that kids learn best when they are nutured and build confidence. |
I'm not too sure about the "most of the literature". Literacy pedagogy is still producing plenty of debates regarding this, with very little conclusion. I do agree, though, that the "proper scaffolding" idea is the more popular one among educators, especially the more humanistic west.
| Quote: |
| SSIS, from what I know of, still doesnt do this. It may create "challenegs" for some students, but I remeber when i was teaching there it also really did depress lots of kids, and this was in the primrary level. Quite sad. |
It is an unfortunate carry over from the highly demanding Singaporean curriculum. There is a reason why my children are homeschooled, for example - my wife prefers not to expose them to such a demanding curriculum. On the other hand, we are popular with Asian parents because of our demanding curriculum too.
I would like to know something though - I understand that SHSID has a very demanding curriculum too. How did you handle ESL children? Or you simply chose not to admit them?
This year, with me in charge of pupil placement with SSIS Xuhui, has seen quite a number of pupils being dropped grades when placed in my school, and even some turned away. Hopefully, I will not get hanged by my boss for doing what I feel an educator should do! Haha.
| Quote: |
| I don't mean to rubbish SSIS, it does some things really well. Im just responding to what I see as the negative side of the place. |
I'm curious also - were there any positive thing you saw at my campus while you were here? It would be nice to provide some perspectives for those considering the school.
While I am the "best" person (because of my intimate knowledge of the campus and school), I may also be the "worst". Never ask the salesman if his goods are good, if you get what I mean. |
_________________
Michael Chan www.senseimichael.com |
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88807
Lurker
Joined: Oct 15, 2004
Posts: 25
Status: Offline
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Jan 02, 2008 - 12:50 PM |
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Hi StM... Yes, i think you know who I am
Positives that i saw while I was there- the text books from Singapore are really good, Singaporean teachers are really thorough, and he school did a good job of pushign students hard to learn (this I think is also a bad point in a sense).
SHSID has 4 levels of English class. If the kid is ESL (any student is accepted) then they move into the ESL class. When they progress, they move a rung up the ladder. They dont get dumped form ESL into a "native level" class straight away.
SHSID is also quite academic, and its not something I'm a fan of. Having said that, like SSIS, it has many pluses. |
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StMichael
Ranter
Joined: Feb 19, 2005
Posts: 556
Location: Qibao, Shanghai
Status: Offline
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Jan 02, 2008 - 02:19 PM |
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SHSID must have a lot of resources to be able to run so many English levels at one time. It took SSIS many years to finally get the courage to plunge the resources to do multiple levels of Chinese. Good for the school to do so. Tough for the administrator, or the businessman (non-existent in this case, since it is non-profit), though. |
_________________
Michael Chan www.senseimichael.com |
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