Which one you choose, ICS or ESF primary?

ddmummy

Both schools accept my boy. Which one you will choose, please share.

lenglengma

My son and daughter got accepted at ICS and they are switching from Hong Lok Yuen Int. School. They will start school in December 05. The reason why I wanted to have them switched from HLYIS to ICS is because eventually they will go back to the U.S. for future education. One thing I want to mention here is the system. There are not much American system Int. school here in Hong Kong. 1. Hong Kong Int. School (very expensive tuition which we can't afford). 2. American Int. School (I used to study there, kids are not too disciplined) and 3. ICS.
If you want to send your kids to the U.S. or Canada for future education (university), I think it is best your kids to start studying in an American system Int. School ASAP. I experienced the same thing before. I spent 4 years in an British System Int. School and switched to American Int. School in Grade 11 and then went to the U.S. to study Grade 12. I still needed to spend a 2 hours a day at a nite school to study American History. In order for you to get into University in the U.S., you need to take Civics, American History and Health and Safety. These are the must. If you haven't took it, it will either lower your chance of getting into it, or you need to take these courses before you get into University. It was harsh on me at that time. Also, the grading system of U.K. schoosl are very different from American schools. In U.K. school, a "B" or a "C" are okay grades, but in the states, it is different. You can get A's and B's quite easily at school. Therefore, if you take the grades from an U.K. school to apply for an American university, they might think your grades are loudsy. They think C's are quite bad already. But indeed "C's" in U.K. school are quite good.
I heard many good things about ICS. I have done some research before I considered to have my kids switched. Hong Lok Yuen Int. School is indeed a very a good school. If it wasn't because of system thing, I will have my kids stayed. So for parents who want their kids to study in a U.K. system Int. School, Hong Lok Yuen is a good choice. A lot of open spaces and it feels like a community school to me. I know many teachers and parents of ICS at my church. I think all ICS teachers have very good personalities. They really enjoy teaching and care for children. I once read a command on the other website saying that the ICS teachers are so willing to spend some more extra time for after school activities/voluntary work. Kids at ICS are more disciplined ( I know because I met some of them at my church), but not "nurdy". As for high school kids, most of them know how to play music instruments. The school stresses so much about music / art/ sports. I think it is very important to have students involved in these activities. A lot of the high school kids play the piano, guitar, drums and participate in the school's jazz band and orchastra.
You know ICS will have a brand new campus in Shatin in the year of 2007?

ddmummy

Many thanks for your sharing.  

I know that they will have a new campus in the year of 2007. But one thing I am worrying about  is the school fee. I am still struggling they will put up the school fee after moving to the new campus.

Jeremymama

Sorry for my ignorant question.  What is ICS and where is it?

weeweewet

How old is your boy?  You have acceptance letter from ESF primary school already? and which ESF?

gin

Hi! Jeremymama,

you can visit the website of ICS to get more information.

click:  http://www.ics.edu.hk

BeBeJ

ICS = International Christian School
It's in Fo Tan.

WYmom

Lenglengma,

What you said may be valid, yet we also see that many students graduated from the ESF secondary schools (UK system) enter famous US Universities.  If only US system schools are better for entering US universities, the choice of such IS in HK is very limited.  Besides, US universities accept students from many different countries with different system, they should know the standard of popular secondary schools and their grading system.  

Moreover, ESF secondary schools have adopted or will adopt IB diploma program gradually.  IB is internationally recognized, so students can  apply to different Us internationally.  So this may even be better.

What do you think?

lenglengma

Dear Wymom,
Although the ESF IB curriculum is accepted worldwide, I think it is still essential for all students to take American History, Civics and Healthy and Safety before university entry. Of course you can take these after you get into college, but I think it will be a waste of time (probably another quarter/semester). Also, for US system, kids need to take math on "schedule". Algebra I in grade 9, trigonometry in grade 10, Algebra II in grade 11, Pre-Calculas in Grade 12. For many American students, they sometimes study AP Calculas in Grade 12 already...meaning their AP credit/unit can be counted as University units. I experienced all these, I didn't need to take Physics, Chemistry and Biology in my British system International school back then (i am not sure if it is still the case now), but in the states, these are the must-takes. You are supposed to take Biology in grade 9, chemistry in grade 10, and Physics in grade 11, sometimes AP physics in grade 12. When you fill out the application form for University, you are asked to state which year did you take these subjects. Since I haven't took those, it was such a headache for me at that time. That's why I personally think that having your kids switched in high school is quite important if you are planning to send them to the states for University.  At least making this move will sure save your kid a lot of time that he/she spends in university.
Hope this helps.
Lenglengma