教育王國

標題: Topschools [打印本頁]

作者: Julybabe 時間: 15-1-27 08:52 標題: Topschools

Hi, has anyone heard about this ageny in HK? like how much does it usually cost end to end til succuessful admission to any of the intl schools? Thx

作者: jolalee 時間: 15-1-27 08:55

Heard of her, Ruth Benny of Topschools. Not sure about cost or success, but Ruth seem quite nice and dedicated. You can Facebook her.

作者: Julybabe 時間: 15-1-27 13:29 標題: 引用：Heard+of+her,+Ruth+Benny+of+Topschools.+

原帖由 jolalee 於 15-01-27 發表
Heard of her, Ruth Benny of Topschools. Not sure about cost or success, but Ruth seem quite nice and ...

Thanks. just wanna know more how it is priced before reaching out.. thx a lot anyways

作者: GabGabGab 時間: 15-1-27 13:58 標題: 回覆：Topschools

sorry don't know much about her services n charge scheme. Just recently heard from a friend that $1500 for inital meet up.

作者: Mighty 時間: 15-1-27 14:52

But why do you need an agent to get into international schools (in Hong Kong) in the first place?

作者: Julybabe 時間: 15-1-27 14:56 標題: 引用：But+why+do+you+need+an+agent+to+get+into

原帖由 Mighty 於 15-01-27 發表
But why do you need an agent to get into international schools (in Hong Kong) in the first place?

Becus i dunno which school would fit my kid the best. i just wish someone cud give me a quick and general view of intl schools in hk.

作者: Julybabe 時間: 15-1-27 14:57 標題: 引用：Quote:原帖由+Mighty+於+15-01-27+發表But+

原帖由 Julybabe 於 15-01-27 發表
Becus i dunno which school would fit my kid the best. i just wish someone cud give me a quick and ge ...

In fact i hv bunches of questions in my head where i hope somebody cud shed me some lights on those

作者: Mighty 時間: 15-1-27 15:26

Why dont you post all the questions here? There are lots of parents willing to help.

作者: Radiomama 時間: 15-1-27 16:12

回覆 Julybabe 的帖子

My advice: do the research by yourself. No one know your kid and your family better than you.

作者: Julybabe 時間: 15-1-27 16:27 標題: 引用：回覆+Julybabe+的帖子 My+advice:+do+the+

原帖由 Radiomama 於 15-01-27 發表
回覆 Julybabe 的帖子

My advice: do the research by yourself. No one know your kid and your family ...

Of course nobody understands my family hence my kid better than myself. but im not that familiar with schools on hong kong, so thats why i syarted researching. going to open seminars and agency is perhaps one of the channel. thanks anyways for ur advice....

作者: beekay 時間: 15-1-27 17:05 標題: 引用：Hi,+has+anyone+heard+about+this+ageny+in

原帖由 Julybabe 於 15-01-27 發表
Hi, has anyone heard about this ageny in HK? like how much does it usually cost end to end til succu ...

Successful admission? At your preferred school?

I heard a friend talked about Topschools. Cost probably around $20K for advice through the process. That's what I heard about 2 years back. Not sure the update

作者: Julybabe 時間: 15-1-27 17:11 標題: 引用：Quote:原帖由+Julybabe+於+15-01-27+發表Hi

原帖由 beekay 於 15-01-27 發表
Successful admission? At your preferred school?

I heard a friend talked about Topschools. Cost pro ...

Alrightie, thanks a lot! cheers

作者: 紅紅 時間: 15-1-27 17:25 標題: 回覆：Topschools

Actually if you can spare 1hours a day to read through all the related topics here, you should have quite a good and sufficient insight into IS education in Hong Kong, that is what I did 2 years ago when I urgently need to switch my daughter to an IS.

After you have done your research here, you should be able to narrow down your list of preferred schools, then you should arrange for school visits to see for yourselve . After that if you still have questions, come back here to ask. No need to waste money on an agent.

作者: Radiomama 時間: 15-1-27 18:33 標題: 回覆：紅紅的帖子

Maybe it's a matter of living style: in house vs contract out

作者: beekay 時間: 15-1-27 19:02 標題: 引用：Actually+if+you+can+spare+1hours+a+day+t

原帖由紅紅於 15-01-27 發表
Actually if you can spare 1hours a day to read through all the related topics here, you should have ...

While parents here suggest you research via EK may be right, I must also say that base on my observation, the discussions in here are more ESF centric, especially ESF schools in the Kowloon or NT side. There are also more discussions on IS with lot more local parents, such as ICS, KCIS... but rarely much deeper insights on schools such as HKIS, Kellett, Harrow, CIS, GSIS, and etc. You see some topics of these schools popped up but like I said, nothing informative, if not about the gossip or hearsay.

I am not sure if Topschools as a service provider would give you more neutral advice and answer your questions more directly because I don't know what kind of services they offer and to what extend they could help you. So it's better you connect with them to find out what they could help to see if it's worth paying or do your own research.
There used to be a good English forum called Geoschools, with more English speaking participants/ foreigners, but it's no longer too active these days.

Well, depends on how much you are willing to pay vs. time you have hanging around in the discussion boards.

作者: beekay 時間: 15-1-27 19:09 標題: 回覆：Topschools

By the way, if you are keen for ESF schools in Kowloon and NT, or schools like ICA, CAIS, ICS, YMCA, KCIS.. I do think you find lots of useful information here. A friend of mine settled in Shatin when they moved from abroad told me as well. I referred EK to her and she found lots of good info.
I think there are many keen parents willing to share their personal experience.

作者: 紅紅 時間: 15-1-27 19:43 標題: 引用：Quote:原帖由+紅紅+於+15-01-27+發表Actual

原帖由 beekay 於 15-01-27 發表
While parents here suggest you research via EK may be right, I must also say that base on my observa ...

EK is not the only forum in hong kong you can research for IS , there are many other forums that has discussions on other IS. Just google search.

As for gossips or heresay, these are not as useless as one can imagin. If you only want facts, then just visit the school websites or look at a prospectus. No one said you should believe in everything in a forum other parents discuss. We should be able to gather information and form our own opinions.

p.s. My kid is not going to ESF or KCIS etc.

作者: Julybabe 時間: 15-1-27 21:36 標題: 引用：Quote:原帖由+紅紅+於+15-01-27+發表Actual

原帖由 beekay 於 15-01-27 發表
While parents here suggest you research via EK may be right, I must also say that base on my observa ...

Thanks very much Beekay. Very good info there. I agree that EK here is useful but sometimes ppl does say ning nong.... pls do let me know if u know of any similar forums like Geoschool... thanks a lot!!

作者: 紅紅 時間: 15-1-27 23:33 標題: 回覆：Topschools

Gossips, heresays, ning nong...

Whether you like to believe it or not, most parents in Hong Kong got their kids into an IS this way. If you are so aganist these type of discussion, you should just contact your agency directly, rather than insulting other parents who are "heresaying, gossiping and ning nonging" at this forum. Just go get a quote.

作者: Julybabe 時間: 15-1-28 03:01 標題: 引用：Gossips,+heresays,+ning+nong...+ Whethe

原帖由紅紅於 15-01-27 發表
Gossips, heresays, ning nong...

Whether you like to believe it or not, most parents in Hong Kong g ...

紅紅小姐請你不要對號入座

作者: Julybabe 時間: 15-1-28 03:20 標題: 引用：Quote:原帖由+紅紅+於+15-01-27+發表Gossip

原帖由 Julybabe 於 15-01-28 發表
紅紅小姐請你不要對號入座

Sorry my Chinese might not be as good. wat i mean is - pls dont get me wrong. in fact i do appreciate all of ur replies under this post that i hv created.

i did read other posting and threads elsewhere which the info are not quite realistic as they are in reality…… those, i referred to as ning nong…

作者: beekay 時間: 15-1-28 08:54 標題: 回覆：紅紅的帖子

Hi 紅紅, apologies if there's any misunderstanding from my post. I didn't have the intension to stir up anything but just saying what I have observed. Most of all, I DIDN'T say that ALL discussions here are gossip or hearsay, I only said discussions about certain schools (and again not all discussions about those schools, but quite a lot of them). I also said that EK is however a place where you found some very good information about ESF schools (particularly those in Kowloon or NT side), and other schools I mentioned in my precious post. I just wish to clarify this. Or it doesn't make sense if I am one saying this place is full of hearsay and gossip while I continue to hang out here.
Like I mentioned, a friend of mine settled in Shatin when they moved back to HK found EK to be very resourceful when they were looking for an IS near them. Some people here may again be offended and thought I am trying to imply that participants here don't go for the TOP TIER schools, well.. I guess it's fair if I said yes most of hem don't but may be a small number do. That's just my observation, and I can't be bothered to proof myself wrong or what. It doesn't really matter if this is a place for top tier or more "down to earth" schools. I think this is a place with information relevant to my needs so I stay here and enjoy the readings here.

I do read your posts as well 紅紅，and I appreciate you are one always share some very good information here. Once again, apologies for the misunderstanding, if there's any.
Happy discussion...

作者: beekay 時間: 15-1-28 09:08 標題: 引用：Quote:原帖由+beekay+於+15-01-27+發表Whil

原帖由 Julybabe 於 15-01-27 發表
Thanks very much Beekay. Very good info there. I agree that EK here is useful but sometimes ppl do ...

I think depending on what you want. If you don't have time and want a more comprehensive overview, and doesn't mind the cost.... Then why not try a consultant/agency?
But be mindful that not all agencies/consultants is really good and able to give you a true answer. I don't know about Topschools though, it has the reputation but I don't know how good they are actually.

作者: lovecasey 時間: 15-1-28 09:24

本帖最後由 lovecasey 於 15-1-28 09:24 編輯

I joined Her fcebook, and she has sponsors from certain schooling her page, I m not sure if this will have any tendency on her suggestions.

作者: beekay 時間: 15-1-28 10:49 標題: 引用：+本帖最後由+lovecasey+於+15-1-28+09:24+

原帖由 lovecasey 於 15-01-28 發表
本帖最後由 lovecasey 於 15-1-28 09:24 編輯

I joined Her fcebook, and she has sponsors from certai ...

Hi Lovecasey, do you know of any other consultants providing similar services as Topschools? I know there are some immigration agents or real estate agents such as Savills and Collier International do together with their house search service, but I encountered once with Savills and I found it to be a joke... Well, big joke

作者: Julybabe 時間: 15-1-28 12:45 標題: 引用：Quote:原帖由+lovecasey+於+15-01-28+發表

原帖由 beekay 於 15-01-28 發表
Hi Lovecasey, do you know of any other consultants providing similar services as Topschools? I know ...

Isnt Savills a real estate agency?!

作者: beekay 時間: 15-1-28 13:05 標題: 引用：Quote:原帖由+beekay+於+15-01-28+發表Hi+L

原帖由 Julybabe 於 15-01-28 發表
Isnt Savills a real estate agency?!

Yes but they claim to also have a school expert to provide schooling advice ti expats relocating here... I remember it's either Savills or Collier...

作者: Julybabe 時間: 15-1-28 13:27 標題: 引用：Quote:原帖由+Julybabe+於+15-01-28+發表Is

原帖由 beekay 於 15-01-28 發表
Yes but they claim to also have a school expert to provide schooling advice ti expats relocating her ...

Nothing an agent cant do (before the client signs off a contract…)

作者: oooray 時間: 15-1-28 13:28

本帖最後由 oooray 於 15-1-28 13:28 編輯

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/expert?s=t

expert
[n., v. ek-spurt; adj. ek-spurt, ik-spurt]
Spell Syllables
Synonyms Examples Word Origin
noun
1.
a person who has special skill or knowledge in some particular field; specialist; authority:
a language expert.

According to the above definition, every parent is an expert.

作者: sara_liu 時間: 15-1-28 15:30

I would be extremely cautious about any advices provided by TopSchools or Ruth Benny. I find her very biased, only comments highly on schools that her clients can get in or pay for her advertisements, and talk down on the schools that her clients cannot get in, so be careful.....

作者: lovecasey 時間: 15-1-28 17:53

回覆 beekay 的帖子

Search Ian tsang. On fb, never used and no comments on him. However, he seems to be more focused on local school. My advise is to take school tour on the targeted schools.

作者: beekay 時間: 15-1-28 20:51

sara_liu 發表於 15-1-28 15:30
I would be extremely cautious about any advices provided by TopSchools or Ruth Benny. I find her ver ...

Hi Sara_liu, do you know which schools she tend to recommend?
I just dropped by the topschools site, and saw 2 ads banners, Eton School and ICA. These are new schools, would she tend to recommend them?

What about the featured schools on the website? I don't know what does it mean by "featured schools"... any ideas?

作者: miumiu1 時間: 15-1-28 20:51

Top schools / Ruth Benny service is not catered to us here. Instead, she provides service to expats who are new to Hk or people who needs to be handheld. Her advice is useful on schools that are not even mentioned here, ie not the ones we are interested in or want to get in. People browsing through EK are really focus on the top tier and the very minute details.

作者: beekay 時間: 15-1-28 20:52

lovecasey 發表於 15-1-28 17:53
回覆 beekay 的帖子

Search Ian tsang. On fb, never used and no comments on him. However, he seems to ...

Thanks lovecasey... I thought Ian Tsang only good for local schools?

作者: sara_liu 時間: 15-1-28 22:27

beekay 發表於 15-1-28 20:51
Hi Sara_liu, do you know which schools she tend to recommend?
I just dropped by the topschools si ...

Those two schools Eton and ICA in the banner with school logos and images are obviously paid advertisement to her agency. Topschools /Ruth Benny favors new schools because they have new classes (openings) and more chances to take her clients. She guarantees 100% success rate of placing all her clients in a school and not all of them are bright or academically strong so those schools have special programs like ESL, special needs or not selective in the admissions process would naturally be the most favored by her.

作者: lovecasey 時間: 15-1-28 22:53

回覆 beekay 的帖子

Seems to be, not sure if he has good referral or recommendation on IS. Regards to Topschools, agree that it is more useful to those who doesn't know much on IS, I think as local parents, we would visit the schools personally and search on the web if time allowed.

作者: jolalee 時間: 15-1-29 12:40

miumiu1 發表於 15-1-28 20:51
Top schools / Ruth Benny service is not catered to us here. Instead, she provides service to expats ...

I believe Ruth gets both expat & local clients and that's why few months ago she tried to hire someone with a bit of local background who can help her clients to navigate both local & international schools. Her own kid is in ISF so personally she is pro Chinese learning. Given parent who are willing to pay her probably has tricky cases on their hand, so i wouldn't blame her for teaming up with new schools. True though, that probably we can learn more by doing the research ourselves.

作者: jolalee 時間: 15-1-29 12:41

beekay 發表於 15-1-28 10:49
Hi Lovecasey, do you know of any other consultants providing similar services as Topschools? I know ...

Try ITS

作者: beekay 時間: 15-1-29 15:13 標題: 引用：Quote:beekay+發表於+15-1-28+10:49+Hi+Lov

原帖由 jolalee 於 15-01-29 發表
Try ITS

Thanks Jolalee!!
Heard of ITS but not sure how it's different from TopSchools. Do you know?

作者: sara_liu 時間: 15-1-29 18:10

beekay 發表於 15-1-29 15:13
Thanks Jolalee!!
Heard of ITS but not sure how it's different from TopSchools. Do you know?

Again, the same. It works with large corporates more as those companies are more likely or willing to pay for debentures for their top executive's children. It also favors/recommends schools that have special needs and pay for their exposure such as advertisements...

作者: beekay 時間: 15-1-30 14:21 標題: 引用：Quote:beekay+發表於+15-1-29+15:13+Thanks

原帖由 sara_liu 於 15-01-29 發表
Again, the same. It works with large corporates more as those companies are more likely or willing t ...

Thanks Sara_Liu!

I just ran through the school lists, HK has indeed so many international schools that are not even known much (to me?)
Harbour School
Think international (I thought it's just kindergarten but didn't know it offers primary too)
Sear Roger?
California School? (Not the California IS now called AIS?)
Carmel international
Umah international

What schools are these?

作者: Jane1983 時間: 15-1-30 17:03

回覆 beekay 的帖子

呢個世界無死錯人，無人講的學校，多少有原因。

Carmel IS 係jewish school, Umah係Muslim，吾知收吾收外人，但一般家長較少興趣。

作者: Jane1983 時間: 15-1-30 17:05

至于其他幾間，有些有討論過的，爬吓文就搵到。

作者: Julybabe 時間: 15-1-30 18:58 標題: 引用：Quote:原帖由+sara_liu+於+15-01-29+發表Ag

原帖由 beekay 於 15-01-30 發表
Thanks Sara_Liu!

I just ran through the school lists, HK has indeed so many international schools t ...

Oh thanks for listing. same thoughts - what are these…

作者: elmostoney 時間: 15-1-30 22:51

Think International - 有朋友讀過, 但佢覺得多左D功課, 中文都有D深, 老師叫佢搵人補習! 講緊一年級, 最後佢退左學.

作者: beekay 時間: 15-1-31 10:12 標題: 引用：Think+International+-+有朋友讀過,+但佢覺

原帖由 elmostoney 於 15-01-30 發表
Think International - 有朋友讀過, 但佢覺得多左D功課, 中文都有D深, 老師叫佢搵人補習! 講緊一年級, 最後 ...

Interesting! Thanks for sharing.

作者: beekay 時間: 15-1-31 10:13 標題: 引用：回覆+beekay+的帖子呢個世界無死錯人，無

原帖由 Jane1983 於 15-01-30 發表
回覆 beekay 的帖子

呢個世界無死錯人，無人講的學校，多少有原因。

Oh yeah... Thanks for sharing.

作者: elmostoney 時間: 15-1-31 10:34

我睇過下, 佢D中文當然唔可以同 ISF呢D比, 但比好多 IS都要深好多, 最攪野係老師叫佢補習, 因為佢阿媽其實諗住入IS, 比個細路慢慢上, 就係唔想做到 LS咁.

作者: Jane1983 時間: 15-1-31 11:44

回覆 beekay 的帖子

好似Harbour School，之前聽過興趣班的家長講，它是小班，老師有愛心，亦多孩子說native english，這些都很好。
但它校舍非常細、學費吾平(13萬一年)、現有得K至grade 8……甘家長有其他選擇都會想想。

作者: annie40 時間: 15-2-2 08:49

回覆 Jane1983 的帖子

Carmel 有收non Jewish, 911后門口保安是明顯地加強，見到那𥚃高規格的貌似軍人的保安，唔會夠膽報名了。

作者: torunpoland 時間: 15-2-2 10:48

回覆 Jane1983 的帖子

呢個世界無死錯人，無人講的學校，多少有原因。——＞我兒先後讀過兩所學校，都不是多人談論的。我認為，可能是家長覺得冇咩問題，冇咩值得討論。另外，加上學校規模細，家長人數有限，想要興波作浪也難，最多弄潮踢水。

作者: Jane1983 時間: 15-2-2 11:08

回覆 torunpoland 的帖子

邊d細校？如果有好的，可以推介吓給樓主。

作者: beekay 時間: 15-2-2 13:31 標題: 引用：回覆+beekay+的帖子好似Harbour+School，

原帖由 Jane1983 於 15-01-31 發表
回覆 beekay 的帖子

好似Harbour School，之前聽過興趣班的家長講，它是小班，老師有愛心，亦多孩子說nati ...

That's quite costly actually. Unless its programs are very unique or if there are other uniquenesses that could be attractive to take that kind if fees.

作者: beekay 時間: 15-2-2 13:35 標題: 引用：我睇過下,+佢D中文當然唔可以同+ISF呢D比,+

原帖由 elmostoney 於 15-01-31 發表
我睇過下, 佢D中文當然唔可以同 ISF呢D比, 但比好多 IS都要深好多, 最攪野係老師叫佢補習, 因為佢阿媽其實 ...

Probably the school's population is mostly local Chinese or Other Asian, so the parents tend to expect school to do more Chinese. When there's a selected few with weaker Chinese, school would push the ball to the parents instead of thinking of ways to help the kids. I wonder what is their English level.?!

作者: Jane1983 時間: 15-2-2 13:39

回覆 beekay 的帖子

佢可以約school tour的，但地址係 2/F Kennedy Town Centre，吾係大家心目中的校園，不過亦有聽過外籍媽媽讚，所以人人想法吾同...

作者: beekay 時間: 15-2-2 13:45 標題: 引用：回覆+beekay+的帖子佢可以約school+tour

原帖由 Jane1983 於 15-02-02 發表
回覆 beekay 的帖子

佢可以約school tour的，但地址係 2/F Kennedy Town Centre，吾係大家心目中的校園， ...

Yes I guess every family has its unique situation hence with preference for certain type of schools. I have friend who gives up offer from bigger and popular school for a smaller school because she thinks it suits her daughter best. Her daughter needs more encouragement to socialize with other children.

作者: Jane1983 時間: 15-2-2 18:36

本帖最後由 Jane1983 於 15-2-2 18:40 編輯

回覆 beekay 的帖子

經歷多咗，吾會話邊一間學校特別吾好，因為個個細路吾同，家長期望亦有異，甲之熊掌，乙之䀝霜。但學校的整個package（學術、校舍、學費、student mix、語境...）綜合考慮，有兩邊offer，可能真係一百個家長中，98個選Esf，2個會選你個Harbour school， Sear Rogers.....
香港家長好精，個market真係研究得好透，隱世好學校吾會多，但近年新校多，亦可能提供更多選擇。

作者: torunpoland 時間: 15-2-2 19:29 標題: 回覆：Jane1983 的帖子

Harbour school was unable to get a site to build a new campus and is now kind of being confined to its current premise. That site was allocated to a school that highlights Montesorri education philosophy.

作者: beekay 時間: 15-2-2 22:53 標題: 引用：+本帖最後由+Jane1983+於+15-2-2+18:40+編

原帖由 Jane1983 於 15-02-02 發表
本帖最後由 Jane1983 於 15-2-2 18:40 編輯

回覆 beekay 的帖子

True. HK parents do really thorough research when it comes to schooling

At the end of the day, the choose a school with reasons they know best, though more and more because of no other choices available as well.
That's probaby the reason why school search consultant could possibly has its market in HK, the schooling system and admission game is hard to comprehend for new comers or even the locals.

作者: elmostoney 時間: 15-2-3 10:27

其實而家學校選擇都多左, 我所見, 已唔再係英基天下, 如Jane1983所言, 有個別學校, 人氣唔及esf, 但可能係整體上較適合個別家長或小朋友. 特別係將來入學冇左gov't subsidy個班小朋友, 比成萬蚊一個月學費時, 家長會更認真考慮其他選擇.

作者: Jane1983 時間: 15-2-3 11:02

回覆 beekay 的帖子

兩睇，Consultant吾係一定吾好，如果使d錢可以解決問題，好多人都願意。但係，如果100%guarantee，佢點會話推薦你去考好適合你小朋友，但超級難入的學校？始終一盤生意。更大機會係提議d容易入的學校，吾使佢幫都搞得掂果d，咁有也意思。
所以自己做功課係必要，上網、去school tour、問人、搵人傾，咁你先至可以做最well informed decision。吾係好似長實係大陸賣樓，話「大圍係香港的政治、經濟中心」，信佢一成，真係雙目失明。

作者: type409 時間: 15-2-3 11:57

There is a free monthly magazine called "Playtime" and I cannot remember which month but once a year they will have a kind of IS guide attached to an issue. Every time I got it I glance through it. That's pretty much enough for your initial research. After you shortlisted a few, you may start to do your detail research here by asking EK experts :)
Re the agent you mention…I seriously doubt if it could help.

作者: Mighty 時間: 15-2-3 15:04

回覆 Jane1983 的帖子

Hilarious!! 香港有蘇民大学都無人知ＬＡ。

歡迎光臨教育王國 (/)