There’s a wide array of International Schools in Singapore to cater for the varying needs of expatriate children. Demand for places in international schools is intense and waiting lists are in operation for many of the schools, hence to allow the greatest possible choice start dialogue with the schools you’re interested in as soon as possible.
For a list of International Schools in Singapore click here.
Applying to International Schools in Singapore
School fees include registration fees, non –refundable new student fees, annual infrastructure fees and annual tuition fees. Fees in international schools in Singapore range from pre-school of $15,000 to fees for senior students up to $47,000.
The availability of places for students to enter international schools in Singapore has been enhanced through the opening of new campuses and new international schools in the past three years. Inspite of greater capacity there are waiting lists for places at some international schools for certain grade levels. Each school has a unique policy on how the waiting list is managed.
To be confident that when you arrive in Singapore that your children can commence class at the preferred school of choice, it is advisable to submit applications for review and once accepted to register as early as possible, which may be up to eight months ahead of a new academic year. If you intend to arrive in Singapore during an academic year, check with your school of choice whether mid – term or mid – year entry is available. There are restrictions for entry dates for senior year students.
Language of instruction at International Schools
There are 17 international schools in Singapore that deliver tuition in English. This number includes the German European School and the Lycee Franciase of Singapore which each have a section delivering multi-lingual tuition English/German and English/ French. There are three Singaporean Integrated schools also delivering tuition in English.
In addition to the international schools delivering instruction in English, the Chinese International school delivers instruction in Mandarin, and for families who seek to place their child in school dedicated to giving instruction in their mother tongue European language or Asian language you can apply to Swiss, French, German, Dutch , Korean or Japanese schools.
There are supplementary schools for classes at weekends or afternoons for Italian, Spanish and Finnish speakers. Foreign language tuition and mother tongue language tuition is offered within the curriculum at the International Schools.The frequency of classes in the weekly schedule differs within each international school.
A sample of the variety of language options offered include Stamford American School: daily Mandarin or Spanish for all students; Avondale Grammar School: daily Mandarin or French; Eton House International School: daily Mandarin, Hindi, Japanese or English as a second language. Singapore American School daily Mandarin in Primary school, twice per week in Intermediate School, at Grade 6 introduction to Spanish, French and Japanese with selections by students to focus on their language of choice as they progress into High School.
Mother tongue programs are offered too with as a sample the German European School of Singapore (GESS) offering secondary students Dutch and Danish which is fully integrated into the curriculum The Australian International School offers classes in Mandarin, Korean, Japanese and Bahasa Indonesia.
Curricula Offered at International Schools in Singapore
There are ten different curricula offered in the international schools delivering instruction in English. The most popular is the International Baccalaureate (IB), Primary Years Program and Middle Years Program known as PYP and MYP which is offered in 13 schools including being offered at the Chinese International School. The curriculum is a student collaboration and enquiry based learning philosophy. Milestones are measured through assessment tasks and group and individual projects not measured through examinations. You can read about the IB approach on their website.
The most popular final High School examination program is the International Baccalaureate IB Diploma which is being offered in ten international schools and also in the three Singaporean Integrated International schools.
The next most popular curriculum offered by the International schools which leads to the final High School curriculum is the Cambridge IGCSE which is delivered in Grades 9 & 10. Nine schools including the Globan Indian School, The Australian International School and the three Singaporean Integrated International Schools offer the Cambridge IGCSE.
The variety of curricula offered can create confusion for families when selecting the school which may cater to their child’s immediate needs or to prepare them for entry into their desired tertiary institution.
Waiting list management policies include sibling priority which places a sibling ahead of a student with an earlier application date, preference for holders of specific nationality passport eg American passport holder at the Singapore American School or Australian passport holder at Australian International School and children of staff at the Canadian International School (CIS), students transferring from one CIS campus to another and children who are Canadian citizens.
The schools usually follow the curriculum of their native countries and the International Baccalaureate. Classes cover those from 4 to 18.
The facilities at the international schools are phenomenal and kids will be kept busy until late afternoon/evening with extra-curricular activities. This includes sports, music, sciences and debating- just a few examples. Most schools provide afternoon transport and students will be dropped back home after class or activities. Check with the respective transport office for more information.
Many expatriate workers negotiate this fee into their benefits package. If you haven’t tried already, this proposal could save you a lot over the course of your stay in Singapore. Because more expatriates are being employed on local terms, and prices for International Schools are on the rise, many expat families are choosing to send their children to local schools.
Learning Support and Special Needs Schools
Conditions catered for in main stream International Schools and at dedicated Special Needs Schools are Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), Asperger’s Syndrome, development/physical disability, Down (or Down’s) Syndrome, Dyslexia/Dyspraxia, language delays/disorders and specific learning disabilities.
It is recommended that you contact your school of choice to obtain information about the current support services offered. The services range from Learning Support departments which provide a wide range of support services, to main stream schools which offer limited services for students with learning challenges. Admission is decided on a case by case basis to ensure that the academic team can provide the appropriate programs to support the academic , behavioral and emotional development so students reach their potential.
Dedicated Special Needs schools include Dover Court Preparatory School, Divinity Especial Needs Intervention Centre, Genesis School for Special Education, Integrated International School, St Clare School of Special Education, St Gerard’s School and Zee School. With other options for tuition available in schools run by Voluntary Welfare Organisations: Towner Gardens School, Lee Kong Chian Gardens School, Fernvale Gardens School and Woodlands Garden School. The web sites indicate fees for foreigners.
The volunteers who run support group Singapore Special Needs and Parents (SSNAP) have compiled a list which is available for group members which includes schools, support groups, medical services, educational support centres and tutors, development centres, multi-disciplinary therapy centres, psychologists and counselors, occupational therapists, natural therapists and professional services related to hearing, vision and speech. You can visit that list here.
The schools usually follow the curriculum of their native countries and the International Baccalaureate. Classes cover those from 4 to 18.
Gateway have compiled a list of International Schools in Singapore.
Australian International School
1 Lorong Chuan Singapore 556818 T: +65 6883 5155Avondale Grammar School
Phoenix Park Singapore 247979 T: +65 6258 8544Canadian International School
As an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School, the Canadian International School offers the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) for students in ECE to Grade 6, the Middle Years Programme (MYP) for students in Grades 7 to 10, and the Diploma Programme (DP) for students in Grade 11 and 12. The IB DP is recognised by universities worldwide.
The Canadian International School places a key focus on the use of modern information technology (IT) systems to support teaching, learning and communication. Today’s students are native digital citizens who move seamlessly from one digital platform to another. The CIS curriculum integrates technology to optimize and enhance student-learning experiences and deliver lessons in a very hands-on, minds-on manner.
For more information or to book a personal tour, please contact us at admissions@cis.edu.sg.
Addresses:
Lakeside Campus
7 Jurong West Street 41
Singapore 649414
E: admissions@cis.edu.sg
T: +65 6467 1732 Fax: +65 6467 1729
Tanjong Katong Campus (ECE to Grade 10)
371 Tanjong Katong Road
Singapore 437128
E: East (Tanjong Katong) admissionstk@cis.edu.sg
T: +65 6345 1573 Fax: +65 6345 4057
Website: www.cis.edu.sg
Chatsworth International School
37 Emerald Hill Rd Singapore 229313 T: +65 6737 5955Chinese International School Singapore (CNIS)
60 Dunearn Rd Singapore 309434 T: +65 6254 0200Dover Court Preparatory School
301 Dover Road Singapore 139644 +65 6775 7664DPS International School
36 Aroozoo Ave Singapore 539842 T: +65 6285 6300Dulwich College
+65 6338 4771Eton House International School
The EtonHouse campus at Broadrick Road is a popular International Baccalaureate World School that houses both the pre-school and international school. There are approximately 500 children enrolled at the Broadrick site. Situated in a quiet, leafy residential area adjacent to the Geylang walkway connector and canal, the school has a bustling, multicultural community of learners from over 44 different nationalities.
The school also offers a richly diverse curricular and co-curricular program that includes: a Years 5 and 6 laptop program, computer laboratory access for all, a well-stocked library, specialist art and music rooms, a large multi-purpose hall for dining and performance, and daily language classes in Mandarin, Hindi, Japanese and English as a Second Language. Also offered are Chinese Cultural classes, parents Mandarin classes, Pre-SAP immersion Mandarin, after-school academic and recreational clubs and sports programs on the extensive playing fields.
Address: 51 Broadrick Road Singapore 439501
Tel: (65) 6346-6922 Fax: (65) 6346-6522
Email : broadrick@etonhouse.com.sg
Website: www.etonhouse.com.sg
German European School Singapore
With its 1 school – 2 system philosophy, GESS is an authorised IB World school for PYP, MYP and IB Diploma programmes which are taught in English, in addition to offering all German school leaving certificates.
As the first German school worldwide, GESS was accredited as an official “Excellent German School Abroad” in January 2009.
Address : 72 Bukit Tinggi Road, Singapore 289760
Phone No: (65) 6469 1131 Fax No: (65) 6469 0308
Website: www.gess.sg Email: info@gess.sg.
Global Indian International School
Queenstown Campus
1 Mei Chin Road Singapore 149253 T: +65 6508 3700East Coast Campus
82 Cheviot Hill Singapore 459663 T: +65 6442 6670Balestier Campus
51 Jalan Rajah Singapore 329154 T: +65 6254 3258Hwa Chong International School
663 Bukit Timah Road Singapore 269783 +65 6464 7077Insworld Institute
No 2 Serangoon RoadThe Verge #03-18
Singapore 218227
Tel: +65 6732 1728
International Community School Singapore
27A Jubilee RoadSingapore 128575 Tel: +65 6776 7435
ISS International School
25 Paterson Road Singapore 238510 T: +65 6235 5844Integrated International School (IIS)
Maximum class size: teacher to student ratio of 1:6; Enrollment: up to 80. The curriculum offered is the Australian New South Wales Board of Studies. IIS also offers grade 1 to grade 12 programs for children with learning differences and developmental delays.
Website: www.iis.com.sg E-mail: admissions@iis.com.sg
41 Sunset Way #02-03/04 Clementi Arcade Singapore 597071 Tel: (65) 6235-9602/ 6466-4475Marlborough College Malaysia
Further information may be obtained at www.marlboroughcollegemalaysia.org
or malaysia@marlboroughcollege.org
Nexus International School, Singapore (NISS)
201 Ulu Pandan Rd Singapore 596468+65 6536 6566
NUS High School of Mathematics and Science
20 Clementi Avenue 1 Singapore 129957 Tel: +65-65161709One World International School
696 Upper Changi Rd E Singapore 486826T: +65 6542 2285
Overseas Family School
25F Paterson RoadSingapore 238515
Tel: +65 6738 0211
Singapore American School
40 Woodlands Street 41 Singapore 738547T: +65 6363 3403
SOTA – School of the Arts
1 Zubir Said DriveAdministration Office #05-01
Singapore 227968
Tel: +65 6338 9663
Stamford American International School
Stamford offers two rigorous programs of learning; the International Baccalaureate (IB) Program integrated with the most rigorous US state standards. Stamford students get the best of American and international education to prepare them to live, learn and work in our increasingly globalized world.
Stamford has recently launched a new campus which houses a Library Media Center with global video-conferencing, an interactive Science Center, and top-of-the-line athletics facilities. The purpose-designed facilities remain centrally located, easily accessible and convenient to Singapore’s expat communities.
For more information please contact us:
279 Upper Serangoon Road
(1 Woodleigh Lane)
Singapore 347691
Tel: +65 6602 7247
Email: admissions@sais
www.sais.edu.sg
St. Francis Methodist School
Founded in 1960, St. Francis Methodist School (SFMS) is Singapore’s leading private academic school. With an annual cohort of 450 students, both local and foreign who hail from over 25 countries, SFMS offers a variety of holistic programmes catered to the learning needs of different students.
492 Upper Bukit Timah RoadSingapore 678095
T: +65 67600889
Email: sfmsadmin@sfms.edu.sg
www.sfms.edu.sg
St. Gerard’s International School
12 Mt Sophia Singapore 228460T: +65 6333 9226
St. Joseph’s Institution (SJI) International School & Elementary School
490 Thomson Road, Singapore 298191 T: +65 6353 9383Tanglin Trust School
Established in Singapore in 1925, Tanglin Trust School provides a world class education, through British-based learning with an international perspective, for students aged 3-18 years. Student enrolment stands at over 2,700, with 52 nationalities currently represented. The school is run as a not-for-profit organisation. Tanglin strives to make every individual feel valued, happy and successful. Responsibility, enthusiasm and participation are actively encouraged and integrity is prized.
Working together in a safe, caring yet stimulating environment, high expectations are set whilst offering strong support, resulting in a community of lifelong learners who can contribute with confidence to our world. The Tanglin Trust Sixth Form College offers both the A Level and International Baccalaureate pathways to top universities.
95 Portsdown Road, Singapore 139299.
Phone: +65 6778 0771
Fax: +65 6777 5862
Email: communications@tts.edu.sg
Website: www.tts.edu.sg
United World College of South East Asia
UWCSEA offers a challenging, holistic education with an emphasis on academic achievement, service to others, teamwork, environmental stewardship and leadership for students in K1-Grade 12 on two campuses. The programme is carefully designed to combine challenging experiences with academic rigor and creative opportunities in the personal education of every student.
Dover Campus East Campus
1207 Dover Road Singapore 139654 East Campus
1 Tampines Street 73 Singapore 528704
Curriculum: IB PYP, Middle School Programme, (I)GCSE, IB Diploma
Grades: Kindergarten 1 – Grade 12 (4 – 18 years)
Boarding: Grades 7 –12 (ages 12 to 18)
Admissions
Tel +65 6774 2653
Email admissions@uwcsea.edu.sg
Website www.uwcsea.edu.sg
A great guide for people like myself with kids. Thanks for the tips! There is incredibly little reliable advice for those setting up life in Singapore…