Could you share with us more about the workload of this school? How many pieces of homework each day on average (include correction)? Do they have dictation once every week? Do they have their own orchestra where students are to learn musical instrument?
I could share some experience here:
1) I think the homework load is average, 5-6 pcs / day.
2) Eng & Chi dictations every other weeks
3) The school strongly encourages students to learn one kind of musical instrument, beside the recorder pipe which was taught in class.
I should say the school material is NOT exceptionally difficult. But it is true that competition are very keen between students and parents. Ranking are differ by decimal points!!