How to choose an international school in Singapore
We match each student to the schools where they will thrive — with more than ten years of placement experience behind every recommendation.
Renowned for its safety, Singapore, the “Asian educational hub,” is famous for its unique bilingual education system and its outstanding performance in global education rankings in recent years. This has led to an increase in the number of young students from around the world flocking to Singapore for their studies. They can not only achieve significant academic success but also can connect with world-famous universities. As a result, Singapore has increasingly caught the attention of parents in China, who consider it as the preferred springboard for their children to enter “world-class universities.”
After delving deeper into Singapore’s education system, many parents realize that the competitive pressure of the elite streaming system in Singapore’s public schools is no less intense than that in China, and the English language requirements are very strict (local schools only have English A, while international schools offer both English A and English B for non-native speakers). As a result, an increasing number of Chinese parents are opting for the high-performing international schools in Singapore (IB scores in Singapore have consistently exceeded the global average for 10 consecutive years).
Admittedly, choosing an international school means avoiding the intense competitive pressure of government high schools, but at the same time, it has a stricter management process than the average international school in China. While pursuing high scores, the international schools in Singapore also place great emphasis on the holistic development of students , enabling them to be more independent, innovative, and willing to serve and contribute to the larger society. However, many parents’ understanding of the classification and characteristics of the various international schools is limited to the information found online, which lacks professional guidance and leads to information mismatch . This mismatch of information leads to various issues such as inability to adapt well to the education system or slow progress for children when studying in Singapore. At this point, some parents choose to change schools, some choose to return home, and some continue to be confused.
ILC, which has more than 10 years of experience in helping Chinese students and their parents in planning their education road maps, sourcing for suitable international school in Singapore, and accompanying them to top-ranked schools, has researched and helped parents to have a better understanding of the suitability of the various international schools in Singapore for their children.
Top 5 International Schools
1. St. Joseph's Institution International (SJII)
Established in 2007 by a team of alumni of St Joseph’s Institution, a local Catholic boys school in Singapore, SJII promotes inclusion and welcomes foreign students of different faiths. The school has over 1,200 students from more than 40 countries, aged between 4 to 18 years old. It offers courses for kindergarten to Grade 12, including IGCSE courses for Grade 9 to 10, and IB Diploma courses for Grade 11 to 12.
The school adopts the Singapore academic year, starting in January and ending in December each year.
- The first semester: From the beginning of January to mid-June
- The second semester: From late July to the beginning of December
Check their curriculum: www.sji-international.com.sg
2. United World College of South East Asia （UWCSEA)
Founded in 1971, UWCSEA is one of the world’s leading 16 United Colleges in Singapore. Having two campuses (Dover and East) in Singapore, with more than 5,000 students from 101 countries, it offers courses from kindergarten to Grade 12, including IGCSE courses for Grades 9-10 and IB Diploma courses for Grades 11-12.
The school adopts a Northern Hemisphere academic year , starting in August and ending in June of the following year. Each academic year is divided into three terms as follows:
- Term 1: August to December
- Term 2: January to March
- Term 3: April to June
Check their curriculum: www.uwcsea.edu.sg
3. Tanglin Trust School (TTS)
Founded in 1925, TTS provides a British education framework to Singapore’s international community, with approximately 3,000 students from 54 countries, 60% of whom hold British passports. TTS offers the UK curriculum from Kindergarten to Year 13, including IGCSE in 10-11th grade, and IB Diploma or A-level in Year 12-13 (also known as Sixth Form).
The school adopts a Northern Hemisphere academic year. Each academic year is divided into three terms as follows:
- Term 1: August to December
- Term 2: January to March
- Term 3: April to July
Check their curriculum: www.tts.edu.sg
4. Dulwich College (Singapore)
Dulwich College is a prestigious private school in the UK with a long history. It has over 2,500 students from more than 70 countries, aged between 2 and 14 years old. Founded in 2014, Dulwich College (Singapore) is one of seven Dulwich International Schools. It offers education from pre-kindergarten to Year 13, with students aged between 2 and 18 years old. It also provides IGCSE courses for Year 9-11, and the IB Diploma Programme for Year 12 to 13.
The school follows the Northern Hemisphere academic year, starting in August and ending in June of the following year. Each academic year is divided into three terms, with specific term dates as follows:
- Term 1: August to December
- Term 2: January to March
- Term 3: April to June
Check their curriculum: singapore.dulwich.org
5. The Singapore American International School (SAS)
Founded in 1956, SAS has the largest international school campus in the world, with nearly 4,000 students from over 50 countries, 60% of whom hold American passports. SAS offers an American curriculum for students from kindergarten to Grade 12, including a middle school curriculum for students from Grades 7 to 9, and 25 Advanced Placement (AP) courses for students from Grades 10 to 12, preparing them for various American standardized exams (such as ACT or SAT) and facilitating a smooth transition to an American university education.
The school follows the Northern Hemisphere academic year, with each academic year divided into two semesters and four quarters as follows:
First Semester
- Quarter 1: August to October
- Quarter 2: October to December
Second Semester
- Quarter 3: January to March
- Quarter 4: March to June
Check their curriculum: www.sas.edu.sg
Local International school
1. St. Joseph's Institution International (SJII)
Established in 2007 by a group of alumni of St Joseph’s Institution, a local school in Singapore, SJII promotes inclusion and welcomes foreign students of different faiths. The school has over 1,200 students from more than 40 countries, aged between 4 to 18 years old. It offers courses for kindergarten to Grade 12, including IGCSE courses for Grade 9 to 10, and IB Diploma courses for Grade 11 to 12.
Check their curriculum: www.sji-international.com.sg
2. Singapore ACS International School (ACSI)
Founded in 2005, Singapore ACSI is owned by the Methodist Church of Singapore. It is also one of the six schools under ACSI with a long history. The first ACS school was founded in 1886, with 1,000 students from more than 20 countries. ACSI offers courses for Year 1 to 6, IGCSE courses for Year 3 and 4 and IB Diploma courses for Year 5 to 6.
Check their curriculum: www.acsinternational.edu.sg
3. Hwa Chong International School (HCIS)
HCIS was established in 2005 and is associated with one of the best schools “Hwa Chong Institution”. HCIS has over 900 students from over 20 countries, emphasizing the infusion of Asian values, focusing not only on academic education but also on cultivating students’ character. It offers courses for Years 1 to 6 in middle school, Years 3 to 4 IGCSE courses, and Years 5-6 IB Diploma courses.
Check their curriculum: www.hcis.edu.sg
Non-local International Schools
1. ISS International School (ISS)
Established in 1981, ISS is an inclusive and internationally-aware school and also the oldest school in Singapore to offer IB programs (IBPYP/ IBMYP/ IBDP). ISS currently has around 600 students from over 50 countries. ISS offers education from kindergarten to Grade 12 and IB-Diploma programs for Grades 9 -12.
Check their curriculum: www.iss.edu.sg
2. Canadian International School (CIS)
Founded in 1990, CIS is one of Singapore’s most diverse school communities, and is a well-recognized IB school with nearly 3,000 students from over 78 countries and staff from over 33 nations . CIS offers courses from pre-kindergarten to Grade 12, including PYP primary school courses for Grades 1 – 6, MYP courses for Grades 7 – 10, IB Diploma courses for Grades 11 – 12, and University Preparatory Courses.
Check their curriculum: www.cis.edu.sg
3. Nexus International School (NEXUS)
Initially established in Malaysia, NEXUS opened a branch in Singapore in 2011, enrolling nearly 1,000 students from over 50 countries. Nexus offers courses from kindergarten to Year 13, including IGCSE courses for Years 10 – 11 and IB Diploma courses for Years 12 – 13.
Check their curriculum: www.nexus.edu.sg
4. Stamford American International School (Stamdford American)(SAIS)
Founded in 2009, SAIS belongs to the Cognita Education Group with first-class facilities. SAIS has more than 3000 students from over 50 countries. It offers educational programs from kindergarten to Grade 12, including IB secondary school program (MYP) for Grade 6 – 8, and students in Grade 9 -12 are allowed to choose to pursue either an IB Diploma or an American High School Diploma.
Check their curriculum: www.sais.edu.sg
5. Overseas Family School (OFS)
Founded in 1991, OFS is one of the largest international schools in Singapore, with nearly 3,000 students from 73 countries. OFS offers courses from kindergarten to Grade 12, including the International Primary Curriculum for Grade 1 – 5, the IB Secondary Program (MYP) for Grade 6 -10, and and the IB Diploma program for Grade 11 – 12. Students can take the IGCSE examination in Grade 10.
Check their curriculum: www.ofs.edu.sg
6. Australian International School in Singapore (AIS)
Founded in 1993 and owned by Cognita Education Group, AIS has more than 3,000 students from 50 countries, 66% of whom are from Australia or New Zealand. AIS offers an education programme for students from kindergarten to Year 12, with the IB Primary Curriculum (PYP) for elementary students, IGCSE courses for Grade 9 – 10 students to prepare for IGCSE examination. Students from Grade 11 and Grade 12 can choose to pursue a IB Diploma or Australian High School Diploma.
Check their curriculum: www.ais.com.sg
7. Dover Court International School (DCIS)
Founded in 1972, DCIS initially started out as an English as a Second Language (ESL) provider, and it is one of the international schools under Nord Anglia Education, the world`s largest international organization. DCIS has about 1,900 students from over 60 countries. DCIS only admits students with an independent pass, Singaporean citizens, or permanent residents of Singapore. It offers courses for students from kindergarten to Year 13, with English National Curriculum for kindergarten to Year 9, IGCSE for Years 9 – 11 and IB courses for Years 12 -13. DCIS also offers a vocational route with the International BTEC Diploma in Business at Levels 3 and Level 2 for Years 12 – 13.
Check their curriculum: www.nordangliaeducation.com/dcis-singapore
8. German European School Singapore (GESS)
Founded in 1971, GESS is a multilingual school with about 1,900 students from over 68 countries. The school’s curriculum is suitable for students from 18 months to 18 years old. GESS offers a unique dual program running simultaneously: the German Program and the IB (International Baccalaureate) Program. Although the academic year begins in mid-August, students can join at any time during the year. Courses in GESS are taught in European languages, and limited Chinese courses are available.
Check their curriculum: www.gess.edu.sg
9. North London Collegiate School (NLCS)
Opened in 2020, NLCS has established campuses in South Korea, Dubai, and Singapore. The school offers IB courses for all age groups from kindergarten to Grade 12, with a bespoke primary school curriculum with MYP and IBDP accreditation.
Check their curriculum: www.nlcssingapore.sg
10. XCL World Academy (XCL)
Formerly known as GEMS World Academy, XCL was established in 2014 as an international school in Singapore for students aged 2-18. Currently XCL has over 1,000 students from over 60 countries. It offers a full IB curriculum for students from grades 1-12, with international accreditations including IB, CIS, WASC, and College Board covering various educational systems from Europe, America, and Asia.
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