Diocesan school

Can any parents out there explain what is the hack with Diocesan Boys or Diocesan Girls? Why are these school so popular and parents are driving crazy to get their kids in these schools? Personally I feel really uncomfortable with these schools. What kinds of students are in these schools? stuck up? ego? rich and popular? just cant understand it. To me primary school should be relax and fun.

I am a DGS girl. The reason it's SO sought after for DGS and DBS... think of them as Harvard in HK for primary to secondary. It's a NAME BRAND. As a parent having a child in DGS or DBS, it's a "status" to have.


As a child, because of the way they teach the kids, and the way they push the kids to excel, every child and parents must exceed beyond their limit to survive in such schools. I don't know about LOVING going to the school necessarily, but each child who does and remain are proud students of their school.


In comparison to my overseas education after DGS and now my kids are in international school, I much much prefer life outside of DGS and DBS.


However, it's true they are very good schools, and much cheaper than international schools if you are referring to tuition only. However, EVERY child I know who attends DGS and DBS must have tutors, and lots of extra curricular lessons because the school doesn't teach the child every aspect, much of the homework is expected from the parents and tutors to support.


It holds true also for the infamous LaSalle and Maryknoll and St. Mary.


So as a child, and now my students who attend these schools, tuition, plus all the tutoring in english, mandarin, math, speech, swimming, etc. etc. adds up to about $ 10 k a month per child.


My daughter went to a very elite private tutor in Kowloon Tong, only specializes in DGS, DBS, LaSalle, and Maryknoll kids..... it was $ 680.00 per lesson, 1 hour, in a group of 4-5 kids. Each month I paid close to $ 3000 including some photocopy charges just for 4 lessons of English. I quit after I decided my daughter isn't going to DGS.


Just my two cents.

Thank for the info, $10K per mth worth of tutorials is sooooo ?! I cant even describe my feelings! pathetic?! Katetam, when you mentioned "I much much prefer life outside of DGS and DBS" sounds negative.

Cara, you ask "why do you feel uncomfortable with them?" because I've heard too much negative stuff (first hand info from parents of actual students in those so called famous schools) I can't stand the fact that alot of parents still view BRAND NAME and status (as Katetam mentioned "As a parent having a child in DGS or DBS, it's a "status" to have.") to be their priority in life for their child. some parents just want their child to fulfill their own dreams and ego.

"...they perform well on exams" yes the act of memorization, competition and more competition. Just what i hate about these kinds of education.

well, it's not really whether YOU want to send the kids to these schools or not, admission is SO hard, and selective, it's THEM choosing your kid, and not you choosing the school.


I know many students in DGS chosen for many different reasons. Not because of academic abilities, one student I know got in last year because she was tall, and they wanted her for track and field. One was a swimming talent, had to join swimming team for competitions, no choice. Other possible reasons are family background, kids of alumni, donations....etc....


BUT, it is no doubt a very good school, but seriously, in order to survive until graduation, it's not easy, and it's very expensive.


TO get into DBS, my friend's son started taking fencing, and chinese instrument playing (Guzheng and Erhu) at age of 3...... otherwise, she said, he has no SPECIAL talent to be chosen.... and indeed, he got accepted.


There are special cases, I know a girl in DGS, naturally born scholar, takes her minimal effort each day for homework, still got lots of time to take other lessons, like swimming, ballet, piano, violin, speech, art, math,....etc.


But average, most of them need extra-curricular English lessons, and tutors for Math. Chinese is tough too..... and each girl needs to take music lessons in an instrument or two, and sports, and many clubs, and charitable events, and activities to join....