Overview
Structured international schools network within the country; foreign expatriates provided with a range of educational opportunities
Singapore has always acted as an important hub for international business and regularly welcomes foreigners into the city for work. Whether it be for short-term reasons or long-term settlement, the country has a steady flow of foreigners being welcomed in.
Offering 51 international schools, the little island of Singapore provides students with a dynamic opportunity for international K-12 education. The curriculum varies from British/IGCSE to International Baccalaureate (IB), and the international schools sector has proved to be an established and thriving one.
Under the IB programme, students are provided with four segments:
Primary Year Program - designed for ages 3-12 years and revolves around inquiry-based learning with individual subjects.
Middle Year Program - provided for ages 11-16 years and offers eight subject groups with a minimum of 50 hours each. The program enables students to connect education and the real world.
IB Diploma - catering to ages 16-19 and provides only six subject groups. The lessons are structured around independent research and community service projects within the educational curriculum.
IB Career Program - a more vocational-based segment that focuses on career-related education in addition to the IB Diploma.
The IB program was initiated in 1977 and today, one or more of the four IB programs is offered by 33 international schools in Singapore. Additionally, 24 international schools within Singapore provide a Cambridge IGCSE curriculum, which is flexible and provides students aged between 14 and 16 years with 70 different subject options to select from. Students are allowed to match education and career goals when selecting subjects, depending on the schools and the subjects being provided.
The educational system is inclusive, and entails opportunities to pursue primary and secondary education alone, depending on the length and time of the child’s stay in the country. Tuition fees being charged by international schools also range from approximately SGD 19,500-32,000 per child on average but may vary depending on the school.
Influx of expatriates entering the city for work; number of international schools increases every year
Between the years 2012 and 2013, the international school enrolment jumped to 47,000 (a 12% increase) and as of May 2016, the enrolment number remained at 59,900 (27%) over the entire period. This notable increase saw the country ranking 3rd in 2017 for having a South-east Asian international school with the 3rd highest number of students enrolled in it.
Data also showed that the number of international schools within Singapore witnessed a notable increase of 32% from 2012 to 2016. In the year 2020 alone, Singapore saw the opening of four new international schools within the country.
The demand for international schools kept growing during this period of time, and many schools saw expansion and development as well. In order to assist with the increase in demand, the Ministry of Education introduced policies that entailed the restriction of Singaporean students enrolling at international schools except under special circumstances.
Even though the country allows expatriates to enroll students in local schools, many of the local schooling systems opt for strict and somewhat extreme methods of discipline. Hence, most expatriate families search for a more holistic educational approach that caters to international standards but also provides a better environment for children to pursue an education within the country.
Scholarships offered for international school students; increased living costs and school fees affecting education
With an increasing number of expatriates entering the country, many deem the cost of living within the city to be high. The scholarship programs offered at international schools benefit families in several ways such as
A compensation of between 10 and 80% of all educational fees depending on the scholarship given to the child.
Providing students an opportunity to partake in rigorous curriculums, and access to a range of dynamic sports and technology. This is useful especially for scholarships provided by top international schools in Singapore.
Motivating children, and developing a sense of gratitude and reward upon the achievement of a scholarship due to the appreciation of the hard work involved by the student.
Scholarships could also be included in applications for college and provide children with wider opportunities for excellent universities in the future.
The offering of scholarships paves a much easier path for families due to the fact that international schools are dedicated towards assisting expatriate families, resulting in excellent support structures for children.
Key Trends
International schools under pressure; loss of jobs and income reductions impact attendance
The pandemic resulted in creating a large impact on the international school market where tens of thousands of expats lost their jobs in 2020. International travel became severely restricted initially and the inbound market took time to pick up.
A survey conducted in 2020 on the impacts of the pandemic on international schools showed a massive drop in attendance. This included many children being pulled out of schools due to expatriate families leaving the country. The survey showed that 15% of families had taken children out of schools as a result of job losses or lowered incomes due to COVID-19.
Parents who stayed within the city began opting for more economical means of education and opted for switching to budget schools for children in the primary section. Statistics showed that 20% of parents with children in primary schools considered budget schools as opposed to 4% of those who had children in secondary schools. Among the small group of foreign expats who remained within the city, statistics showed that 30% reported a large decrease in income.
International schools immediately begin to adapt to the pandemic; virtual classes conducted in order to assist students
The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in the government of Singapore resorting to various safety protocols as a means to curb the spread of the virus. This way of handling the pandemic led to the country being 4th in rank for a survey conducted in 2021 that proved the country to be a much safer destination for travel and work.
Due to the border tightening, many families found themselves stuck abroad and unable to enter the city. This resulted in schools having students who were physically unable to attend classes and international schools needed to immediately mitigate these challenges.
The Tanglin Trust School - a well-known school located in Singapore - has stated that a large number of its staff were not severely affected by the pandemic and instead, the school had opted for more virtual options for students. Even students who hoped to join in the future were provided with virtual tours of the school and interviews were carried online in replacement of physical meetings.
Students were provided with a SMART Campus that enabled virtual learning classrooms and technology facilities to access classes remotely. This was noted in not just the Tanglin Trust School but in many other international schools within Singapore, as a means to assist students amidst the crisis.
Key Statistics
- The international schools sector in Singapore contributes SGD 1.6 billion to the education sector and enrolls around 53,000 students annually, as per statistics obtained in 2018.
- Over 4,000 students occupy the largest international school in Singapore and approximately 30 students occupy the smallest.
Top Singapore MNC in International School
UNITED WORLD COLLEGE OF SOUTH EAST ASIA
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DOVER COURT INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL (PTE.) LTD.
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STAMFORD AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL PTE. LTD.
Incorporated in 2008 in Singapore, Stamford American International School (SAIS) is a subsidiary of Cognita, a UK-based global private schools group. The school has obtained several educational accreditations that are recognized worldwide, including the EduTrust Certification and accreditation by the Accrediting Commission for Schools, Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). SAIS is an authorized school that offers International Baccalaureate (IB) Programmes for Primary Years, Middle Years, and Diploma level. These programmes integrate US Standards, the College Board’s Advanced Placement (AP) courses, and Business and Technical Education Council (BTEC) Diploma curricula.
AUSTRALIAN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL PTE. LTD.
Founded in 1993 in Singapore, The Australian International School (AIS) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the UK-based Cognita education group. The school caters to infant care for children between the ages of 2 to 18 months. The AIS education begins with the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme from Preschool to Year 5, followed by the Australian Curriculum for Years 6 to 8. AIS’ curriculum is combined with Cambridge IGCSE in Years 9 and 10, and the Higher School Certificate (HSC) or International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme is offered for Years 11 and 12.
DULWICH COLLEGE (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD.
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Top Singapore Large Local Enterprises in International School
ETONHOUSE INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS PTE. LTD.
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SINGAPORE AMERICAN SCHOOL LIMITED
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CANADIAN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL PTE LTD
Canadian International School (CIS) is a Singapore-based international school that was founded in 1989. The school currently has two campuses that cater to students between the ages of 2 and 18 years. CIS is authorized to offer the International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme from Pre-Kindergarten through to Grade 6. The IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) at CIS spans Grades 7 through 10 - this programme prepares secondary school students aged 16 to 19 years for the IB Diploma Programme. CIS has also received the four-year EduTrust Award in the years 2012, 2016 and 2020.
TANGLIN TRUST SCHOOL LIMITED
Tanglin Trust School was founded in Singapore in 1925. The British international school offers the English National Curriculum with an international perspective to children aged 3 to 18 years. The school offers A-Level and the IB Diploma in Sixth Form, and all of Tanglin’s Sixth Formers study a programme that is customized for them. Tanglin’s Infant School has been awarded the Primary Science Gold Quality Mark, while the Senior School achieved the Pearson Centre of Excellence Award. Tanglin Trust School has been awarded Best School for a UK Pathway and Best Post-16 Education by WhichSchoolAdvisor.com Singapore.
OVERSEAS FAMILY SCHOOL LIMITED
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GLOBAL INDIAN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL PTE. LTD.
Global Indian International School (GIIS) was established in 2002 and caters to students from Kindergarten to Grade 12. GIIS offers its students a wide range of International and Indian curricula including the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme, Cambridge Lower Secondary Programme, Cambridge IGCSE, IB Diploma Programme, CBSE, and a customized Global Montessori Programme for Kindergarten. GIIS is recognized for its Bilingual Education Programme for those seeking proficiency in Mandarin and English. In 2018, GIIS was recognized as one of the Best Education Brands by The Economic Times.
ST. JOSEPH'S INSTITUTION INTERNATIONAL LTD.
St. Joseph's Institution International is a Lasallian Catholic school which was founded in 2006 in Singapore. The Elementary School caters to children aged 4 to 12, from Prep 1 to Grade 6. SJI International follows the Singapore Mathematics programme and the International Primary Curriculum (IPC) for Humanities and Science. SJI International has combined the English National Curriculum with components of the American System and included Chinese as a compulsory subject, as well as Spanish as an option for Upper Elementary Students in the curriculum. The school offers its high school students, from Grade 7 to Grade 12, programmes such as the IB Diploma and IGCSE.
ACS (INTERNATIONAL)
Founded in Singapore in 1886, ACS (International) is an Anglo-Chinese School affiliated with the Methodist Church of Singapore. ACS (International) is registered with the Council of International Schools, recognized by the International Baccalaureate Organization as a World School, offering the IBDP, and also recognized as an assessing centre for Cambridge International Centre, offering the General Certificate for Secondary Education. The school is organized into eight faculties, covering different areas of academic discipline: English, English Second Language, Languages, Humanities, Mathematics, Science, Physical Education and Sports, and Arts.
HWA CHONG INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL
Hwa Chong International School (HCIS) was founded in 2005. It is a Singapore-based international school which delivers a six-year integrated curriculum encompassing the four-year Integrated Programme, progressing from the Foundation Programme to the Pre-IB Programme, leading to the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme. HCIS highly values experiential learning, enabling students to practise what they learn. Students are exposed to various outdoor activities that challenge them and push them outside their comfort zones. Essential life skills including communication, teamwork, critical thinking, leadership, and resilience are developed through these experiences.
GERMAN EUROPEAN SCHOOL SINGAPORE (DEUTSCHE EUROPAEISCHE SCHULE SINGAPUR)
Founded in 1971, German European School Singapore (GESS) is officially recognized by the German Central Agency for Schools Abroad and authorized to deliver the German national curriculum. In 2005, GESS attained the status of an international school after the launch of the English International Baccalaureate Curriculum. Today, the school has become a fully accredited IB World School that offers the entire range of International Baccalaureate programmes including PYP, MYP and DP. GESS has also gained accreditation from the Council of International Schools (COIS). These recognitions allow GESS graduates to successfully apply to universities globally with the GESS high school diploma.
Top Singapore SMEs in International Schools
XCL WORLD ACADEMY PTE. LTD.
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LA PETITE ECOLE PTE. LTD.
La Petite Ecole is a Singapore-based multilingual school which was founded in 2012. The school is a member of the Odyssey international school network, and is in partnership with The Agency for French Education Abroad. La Petite Ecole has adopted the curriculum for kindergarten and elementary school by the French Ministry of Education, from which it has received accreditation. French, English, Mandarin, Art, Music, Physical Education, Moral and Civic Education, History, Geography, Science, Technology, and Math are some of the disciplines that La Petite Ecole uses to give students a strong foundation in academic skills such as reading, writing, counting/calculating, etc.
SIR MANASSEH MEYER INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL PTE. LTD.
Sir Manasseh Meyer International School (SMMIS) is a Singapore-based school that serves students from 2 years up to Grade 10. The school was established in 1996 and uses the frameworks of the International Primary (IPC) and International Middle Years Curricula (IMYC). In Grades 9 and 10, students are offered the Cambridge IGCSE. SMMIS follows the Singapore Maths Curriculum and British National Literacy Curriculum. As modern foreign languages, SMMIS offers Hebrew and Mandarin. The school focuses on the well-being of children through Personal, Social, Health and Emotional (PSHE) lessons and PE.
CHATSWORTH INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL PTE LTD
Chatsworth International School is a private school that is open for KG through to Year 13. Established in 1995 in Singapore, Chatsworth International offers a well-rounded education with a strong focus on athletics and the arts. The curriculum includes core subjects, music, PE, art, Mandarin and French. Chatsworth also offers 14 mother tongue languages, including Hindi, Italian, Arabic, French and Korean. In 2021, Chatsworth International School won the Gold Award in the HoneyKids Singapore Education Awards in the Best Arts Program category. The school offers all three IB programmes and has gained recognition in the category of Best IB School by WhichSchoolAdvisor.com Best Schools Awards (Singapore) in 2022.
INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY SCHOOL (SINGAPORE) LTD
Founded in 1993, International Community School (Singapore) is part of the International Christian Schools (NICS) network. The school’s international curriculum is Christ-centred and Biblically focused. ICS offers student support services in the genre of learning and behaviour, development of English language skills, social and emotional well-being, or planning for their educational and professional future. The school received international accreditation from the Association of Christian Schools International (ASCI) and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) in 1999. ICS received full certification under Singapore’s EduTrust international school in 2015.
ONE WORLD INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL PTE. LTD.
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NEXUS INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD.
Nexus International School (Singapore) was founded in 2011. The Nexus campus caters to all ages of learning from Early Years and Primary to the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP). The school is designed and built based on innovative and flexible learning spaces that enhance a child’s learning experience. Exhibition spaces for children enable them to present their work, and design & technology rooms integrate STEAM into lessons throughout the school. Nexus has won Gold Awards in the 2021 HoneyKids Singapore Education Awards in the categories of Best Innovative Learning Environment and Entrepreneurship in Education.
ISS INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL PTE. LTD.
ISS International School was founded in1981 in Singapore. Since 2002, ISS is the authorized provider of all three International Baccalaureate (IB) Programmes including the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP), IB Middle Years Programme (MYP), and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP). The ISS High School Diploma (HSD) programme is also offered for Grade 9 to Grade 12 students as an alternative to the IBDP. The ISS HSD is an option that enables students to graduate after 12 years of study and apply for entry into colleges, foundation courses, polytechnics, and universities under certain conditions.
INVICTUS INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL PTE. LTD.
The Singapore-based Invictus International School was founded in 2015. Invictus is a proprietary brand of Sing-Ed Global Schoolhouse. The scope of the Sing-Ed business ranges from operating pre-schools, K 12 international schools, and enrichment centres, along with investments in education technology firms. Invictus offers quality and affordable education from Grade 1 Prep through Grade 12, including students aged 5 to 18. The school utilizes rigorous, globally renowned programmes such as The International Primary Curriculum (IPC) and Cambridge International Curriculum, along with immersive classroom experiences through experienced teachers to support each child in developing a spirit of excellence and lifelong learning.
SINGAPORE KOREAN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL LTD.
Singapore Korean International School (SKIS) was founded in 1993. For children aged 3 to 5, the school follows the Nuri Curriculum and connects it with an integrated International curriculum to introduce foreign languages. This curriculum includes basic phonics education and operation of the English Readers Programme through Oxford Reading for each level of infants from grade K. Based on the convergence curriculum, SKIS guarantees high school students the freedom to choose their studies as much as possible so that they can be prepared for college entrance exams. These preparations are possible within the school through an on-campus curriculum, after-school CCA, and individualized career guidance programmes.
Top Singapore Fastest-Growing Companies International Schools
MIDDLETON INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL PTE. LTD.
Founded in 2017 in Singapore, Middleton International School is part of the EtonHouse International Education Group. Middleton offers an international curriculum with a combination of both international and local learning outcomes. The school provides an affordable schooling option for expatriate families, offering them the choice of International Primary Curriculum (IPC), International Middle Years Curriculum (IMYC), IGCSE, and A-Levels learning pathway. Middleton currently has three campuses in Singapore that provide bespoke leadership and entrepreneurship programmes, and additional languages like Mandarin, French, Hindi and English. Middleton International School is EduTrust-certified and registered by the Committee for Private Education (CPE) under the Enhanced Registration Framework (ERF).
ONE WORLD INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL PTE. LTD.
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INVICTUS INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL PTE. LTD.
The Singapore-based Invictus International School was founded in 2015. Invictus is a proprietary brand of Sing-Ed Global Schoolhouse. The scope of the Sing-Ed business ranges from operating pre-schools, K 12 international schools, and enrichment centres, along with investments in education technology firms. Invictus offers quality and affordable education from Grade 1 Prep through Grade 12, including students aged 5 to 18. The school utilizes rigorous, globally renowned programmes such as The International Primary Curriculum (IPC) and Cambridge International Curriculum, along with immersive classroom experiences through experienced teachers to support each child in developing a spirit of excellence and lifelong learning.
DOVER COURT INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL (PTE.) LTD.
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STAMFORD AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL PTE. LTD.
Incorporated in 2008 in Singapore, Stamford American International School (SAIS) is a subsidiary of Cognita, a UK-based global private schools group. The school has obtained several educational accreditations that are recognized worldwide, including the EduTrust Certification and accreditation by the Accrediting Commission for Schools, Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). SAIS is an authorized school that offers International Baccalaureate (IB) Programmes for Primary Years, Middle Years, and Diploma level. These programmes integrate US Standards, the College Board’s Advanced Placement (AP) courses, and Business and Technical Education Council (BTEC) Diploma curricula.
NEXUS INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD.
Nexus International School (Singapore) was founded in 2011. The Nexus campus caters to all ages of learning from Early Years and Primary to the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP). The school is designed and built based on innovative and flexible learning spaces that enhance a child’s learning experience. Exhibition spaces for children enable them to present their work, and design & technology rooms integrate STEAM into lessons throughout the school. Nexus has won Gold Awards in the 2021 HoneyKids Singapore Education Awards in the categories of Best Innovative Learning Environment and Entrepreneurship in Education.
DULWICH COLLEGE (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD.
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XCL WORLD ACADEMY PTE. LTD.
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AUSTRALIAN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL PTE. LTD.
Founded in 1993 in Singapore, The Australian International School (AIS) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the UK-based Cognita education group. The school caters to infant care for children between the ages of 2 to 18 months. The AIS education begins with the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme from Preschool to Year 5, followed by the Australian Curriculum for Years 6 to 8. AIS’ curriculum is combined with Cambridge IGCSE in Years 9 and 10, and the Higher School Certificate (HSC) or International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme is offered for Years 11 and 12.
LA PETITE ECOLE PTE. LTD.
La Petite Ecole is a Singapore-based multilingual school which was founded in 2012. The school is a member of the Odyssey international school network, and is in partnership with The Agency for French Education Abroad. La Petite Ecole has adopted the curriculum for kindergarten and elementary school by the French Ministry of Education, from which it has received accreditation. French, English, Mandarin, Art, Music, Physical Education, Moral and Civic Education, History, Geography, Science, Technology, and Math are some of the disciplines that La Petite Ecole uses to give students a strong foundation in academic skills such as reading, writing, counting/calculating, etc.