Moved to Singapore recently and wondering if the international schools in Singapore live up to the nation’s high standard of education? Well, we have good news for you – they do! Being a metropolis that attracts expats from around the globe, Singapore is home to a wide range of excellent international schools offering specialised curriculums and programs for your child.
It can be difficult for your child to transition from one education system to another, but the plethora of curriculums and varied learning structures of the international schools in Singapore means that there is something out there for every child. Whether it be the International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum, an American curriculum or the GCSE curriculum – you can be rest assured that world-class education is provided for your child at each of these top international schools in Singapore.
In addition to a stellar curriculum, many of these international schools in Singapore also offer up a holistic and comprehensive extra-curricular programme. In order to shape your child into well-rounded global citizens, these schools ensure that they are exposed to various cultures and activities that would broaden their world views, whilst shaping them into compassionate, independent learners.
Here’s our rundown of some of the best international schools in Singapore and how you can apply for them!
1. St. Joseph’s Institution International
Part of a group of seven Lasallian schools in Singapore with a history as far back as 1852, St. Joseph’s Institution International High School opened its doors in 2007 and was quickly followed by SJI International Elementary School in 2008. One of the oldest and most well-respected schools in Singapore, St. Joseph Institution aims to encourage Singaporean and expatriate children to achieve their full potential and become discerning learners.
Ora et Labora, the school’s Latin motto, stands for ‘Pray and Work’ – two values firmly rooted in the Catholic faith and the 335-year tradition of the De La Salle Brothers. Despite being a Lasallian Catholic school, SJI welcomes children from all backgrounds and faiths. The school believes in instilling in its students an enthusiasm and curiosity for learning, and to encourage them to pursue excellence in all endeavours.
Currently, there are over 600 students at SJI International Elementary and 1030 students at SJI International High School, representing 40 different nationalities. The High School admits both Singaporean and international students from Grades 7 to 12 (ages 12 to 18) whilst the Elementary School caters to expatriate children from pre-school to Grades 1 to 6 (ages 4 to 12). Curriculums from both the Elementary and High School side features a blend of the International Primary Curriculum (IPC), English National Curriculum with components from the American System and International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE)
Tuition for both SJI International Elementary and High School are invoiced termly, twice a year. The tuition for SJI International Elementary ranges from $32,978 to $33,220; whilst the tuition for SJI International High School ranges from $33,059 to $35,481, depending on your child’s grade level.
Apply here.
St. Joseph’s Institution International
Address: 490 Thomson Rd., 298191
Tel: 6353 9383
Opening hours: 7:45 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. (Mon. to Fri.)
2. Dover Court International School
Founded in 1972, Dover Court International School has been part of the Nord Anglia Education group of schools since April 2014. It is also a member of the Federation of British International Schools in Asia and has been accredited by the Council of International Schools (CIS) and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).
What makes Dover Court special amongst international schools in Singapore is the daily access to international opportunities through the Global Campus, Nord Anglia’s exclusive online learning platform. Through Global Campus, your child has access to ubiquitous learning activities from Dover Court’s exclusive collaborations with MIT, UNICEF and Juilliard. From engaging in STEM activities with MIT to tackling UN Sustainable Development Goals, Dover Court draws upon the best in the world to create a stimulating learning environment for your child to grow in.
The school offers admission for lower primary stages (ages 3 to 7), upper primary stages (ages 7 to 10), secondary school (ages 11 to 16) and sixth form (ages 16 to 18). Dover Court International School offers a broad and balanced programme operating within the framework of the English National Curriculum, a curriculum used by over 30,000 schools worldwide and is known for its reliable assessment system and variety of resources.
The school year at Dover Court is split into three terms, and with tuition being invoiced each term. Dover Court’s tuition ranges from $22,470 to $34,876, depending on your child’s grade level. Do note that application to the school includes a one-time application fee of $1,000, as well as a one-time registration fee of $3,000. A Building Fund fee of $1500 per annum is also charged to all students as a contribution towards Dover Court’s annual building and maintenance fees.
Apply here.
Dover Court International School
Address: 301 Dover Rd., 139644
Tel: 6775 7664
Opening hours: 7:45 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Mon. to Fri.)
3. Stamford American International School
One of the leading international schools in Singapore, Stamford American International School boasts a student body comprising over 75 nationalities across six continents. Owned and operated by Cognita, Stamford American has two campuses in Singapore — the Early Learning Village that caters students from Pre-Nursery to Kindergarten Two at Chuan Lane, and the Elementary and Secondary campuses at Woodleigh Lane.
Stamford American is the first (and only!) school in Singapore to offer multiple graduating pathways for its students. Students graduate with a US accredited Stamford High School Diploma alongside the opportunity to pursue either the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma, Advanced Placement (AP) Diploma or the Level 3 BTEC Diplomas awarded by Pearson (equivalent to the GCE A Levels). The school offers over 40 different IB courses and more than 20 AP courses.
Over 350 co-curricular activities (CCA) are available throughout the year for students from Kindergarten to Grade 12. Stamford American has pioneered an online CCA registration programme, which includes an informative brochure with information regarding transportation, attendance and payment module. This allows parents to sit in with their children and tailor the extracurricular programmes to each child and family’s interest. A wide range of activities are available, from sports teams like basketball and swimming to Model United Nations and even a financial market trading club!
Tuition for the Early Learning Village ranges from $16,484 to $39,028 per annum, depending on your child’s age and the number of days they attend school (for nurseries). The tuition for the Woodleigh campus goes as follow:
| Woodleigh Campus | Grade | Annual Technology Fee | Semester 1 Tuition | Semester 2 Tuition | Annual Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elementary School | 1 to 5 | $850 | $19,089 | $19,089 | $39,028 |
| Middle School | 6 to 8 | $1,070 | $20,641 | $20,641 | $42,352* |
| High School | 9 to 12 | $1,070 | $21,570 | $21,570 | $44,210* |
Apply here.
Stamford American International School
Address: 4 Chuan Ln, 5543501 / Woodleigh Ln., 357684
Tel: 6602 7247
Opening hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (Mon. to Fri.) / 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Mon. to Fri.)
4. EtonHouse
With over 16 schools across various locations in Singapore, EtonHouse is a name you’ve definitely come across as one of the top international schools in Singapore. The founder of EtonHouse, Mrs. Ng Gim Choo, was inspired to establish an international school in the 1980s after her family relocated to London. She was worried about how her young children (then two and four-years-old) would adjust to their new schools, routines and cultural context. After returning to Singapore, Mrs. Ng put pen to paper and began the process of creating a learning institution inspired by pedagogical approaches from around the world.
Fast-forward 30 years, EtonHouse continues to provide world-class education from pre-nursery to high school in Singapore and 10 other countries, establishing itself as a global leader in education. Currently, there are several branches of the school: EtonHouse Pre-School, EtonHouse Primary School, EtonHouse Secondary School and EtonHouse High School. The Cambridge-approved International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) and IB Diplomas are both offered for older students at EtonHouse. Younger students follow the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) as well as EtonHouse’s own Inquire-Think-Learn curriculum.
In terms of university preparations, EtonHouse offers college counselling and career guidance for students to discuss where they want to go for university, or simply talk to someone about how stressed they might be. More than 60% of the graduates from EtonHouse International School at Suzhou have been admitted to top ten universities in their own countries. Notable universities include New York University, Birmingham University and Peking University!
Tuition at EtonHouse ranges from $16,969 to $35,310 per annum, depending on your child’s age and the number of days they attend school (for nurseries). Note that there is a $535 applicable fee and a $2,140 enrolment fee that are one-off, as well as a facilities fee of $1,070 per annum (paid on top of regular tuition each year).
Apply here.
EtonHouse
Address: Multiple locations
Tel: See website
Opening hours: See website
5. Nexus International School
Having moved from its previous location of Ulu Pandan, Nexus International School now stands at Aljunied Walk in a brand new campus. Nexus is a member of the Council of International Schools, approved by the Cambridge International Examinations (CIE) Centre, EduTrust certified as well as being fully accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).
Facilities at Nexus International’s brand new campus included an Olympic-sized swimming pool, two gymnasiums, a two-tired theatre, double-storey library and a FIFA and World Rugby specified AstroTurf pitch. These facilities all culminate in students being able to partake in a wide variety of co-curricular activities such as swimming, drama, hip hop classes, Taekwondo and many more! In fact, Nexus frequently participates in sports competitions organised by the Athletic Conference of Singapore International Schools and has been the official host for the FINA Swimming World Cup Swim Meets since 2017.
After enrolling its first learners in 2011, Nexus International School has continually expanded and is now home to over 900 students from 50 different countries. Your child will be able to meet other children from countries such as Australia, China, India, Japan and USA! The school caters students from nursery up to Year 13 (ages 3 to 18). More than 80 percent of Nexus International’s teachers possess over five years of teaching experience and hold two or more professional qualifications.
Tuition at Nexus International School ranges from $21,800 to $40,760 per annum, depending on your child’s age and the number of days they attend school (for nurseries). Note that there is a $856 applicable fee and a $2,500 enrolment fee that are one-off, as well as a Development Levy of $1,712 per annum. The Development Levy pays for the maintenance, improvement and renovation of the Nexus campus as well as for all its capital development projects. It is payable during the first semester of attendance each year and will not be pro-rated regardless of enrolment date.
Apply here.
Nexus International School
Address: 1 Aljunied Walk, 387293
Tel: 6536 6566
Opening hours: 8:20 a.m. to 5:20 p.m. (Mon. to Fri.)
6. Sir Manasseh Meyer International School (SMMIS)
Sir Manasseh Meyer International School (SMMIS) was established by the philanthropic commitment and generosity of Sir Manasseh Meyer, a prominent civic leader in Singapore. With a vision of providing a nurturing international education for children, Sir Manasseh Meyer wanted to create a space to shape children to lead successful, ethical lives.
SMMIS is a not-for-profit school that places the educational experience and wellbeing of the student community above all else. As such, the Sir Manasseh Meyer Trust continues to provide an annual grant to SMMIS – subsidising both the student’s tuition fees as well as providing funds to maintain the school. The small class sizes also allows for greater attention to be placed on each child, allowing students to focus on each student and cater to their individual needs.
SMISS caters for children from 18 months, in its Reggio Emilia inspired pre-school, up to 16 years old (Grade 10). The internationally trained staff at SMISS delivers a curriculum that is rigorous, broad and relevant. In SMISS Primary School, a mix of the British National Curriculum Literacy and Singapore Maths has been blended with the enquiry based International Primary Curriculum (IPC). At SMISS Secondary School, the International Middle Years Programme (IMYC) and the Cambridge IGCSE qualifications are offered. From 2022, SMMIS will offer the Cambridge International A Levels to Grades 11 to 12.
The tuition at SMISS follows the table below. Note that there is also a one time registration fee of $963, as well as an annual technology fee of $350 (for Kindergarten 1 to Grade 5) or $580 (Grades 6 to 10).
| Full Time Fees | |||
| Pre-School | Kindergarten 1 to Kindergarten 2 | Grades 1 to 5 | Grades 6 to 10 |
| $15,890.00 | $23,615.00 | $24,760.00 | $25,124.00 |
Apply here.
Sir Manasseh Meyer International School (SMMIS)
Address: 3 Jalan Ulu Sembawang, 758932
Tel: 6331 4633
Opening hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Mon. to Thu.); 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Fri.)
7. Chatsworth International School
Chatsworth International School opened in January 1995 and is currently authorised to provide the IB Primary Years Programme (IBPYP), Middle Years Programme (IBMYP) and Diploma Programme (IBDP). It is a member of East Asia Regional Council of Schools (EARCOS), The Principals’ Training Centre (PTC) and Overseas Association for College Admission Counselling (OACAC).
The Chatsworth campus at Orchard is part of the growing Chatsworth Group of School, which also includes an international primary school located in the East of Singapore catering to students from Kindergarten to Year 6, as well as two Kindergartens that run under the Ministry of Education curriculum. In 2020, however, Chatsworth International School consolidated its international campuses to one at the Bukit Timah area, which opened in August. This marked the closure of the Primary School East Campus and Orchard Campus.
Sports in an integral aspect of the Chatsworth curriculum. The school is an active member of the Athletics Conferences of Singapore International Schools (ACSIS) where students aged 8 to 19 years old from Singapore’s international schools compete. Students at Chatsworth can choose from sports including badminton, basketball, cross country, football, netball, touch rugby, swimming and ultimate frisbee. Co-curricular activities are offered for students from Year 1 both before and after school. In addition to sports, these also include arts, leadership councils, clubs and various special interest groups.
The tuition at Chatsworth follows the table below. Note that there is also a one time registration fee of $260 and one time confirmation fee of $2,600, as well as a Development Levy of $2,263 per annum.
| Year level | Per year ($) |
| Kindergarten 1 & 2 | 24,287.95 |
| Years 1 to 6 | 28,201.15 |
| Years 7 to 9 | 28,697.15 |
| Years 10 to 11 | 29,979.95 |
| Years 12 to 13 | 33,429.55 |
Apply here.
Chatsworth International School
Address: 72 Bukit Tinggi Rd., 289760
Tel: 6463 3201
Opening hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Mon. to Fri.)
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