From new campuses to new school openings, new affordable fee structures and curriculum changes, there’s A LOT of school news happening amongst international schools in Singapore right now
Extra, extra, read all about it! There’s always news when it comes to international schools in Singapore. From campus closures to new curricula, new bilingual offerings, new international school openings, and additional primary and early years campuses (many with affordable school fees), we’ve got the scoop! If you’re considering an international school for your kiddo for the 2021 school year, be sure to keep reading for all the latest deets!
Global Indian International School: Wide Range of Scholarships
Global Indian International School (GIIS) offers a wide array of scholarships for deserving students right from Grade 1 to Grade 12. The merit-cum-means scholarships reward and recognise multiple talents, ranging from academia to sports to scientific talent like inclination towards STEM. The school believes in a ‘no child left behind’ policy, making it one of the few schools to offer scholarships that go beyond academics and are given to primary grade students as well. A fair assessment based on the merit and means of each student makes them eligible for up to 80% discount on tuition fee (which is already really affordable – at least 40% lower than other international schools in Singapore!).
GIIS scholars get the opportunity to learn and grow at one of the best international schools in Singapore and attain a holistic personality with a global outlook. They can pursue a Chinese-English Bilingual Programme in primary grades as well as study under recognised international curricula like IB, Cambridge and CBSE. Check out the Scholarships in GIIS that are currently open for application!
GIIS SMART Campus, 27 Punggol Field Walk, Singapore 828649, singapore.globalindianschool.org
Tanglin Trust School: UNICEF Award Winner
Tanglin Trust School has been awarded UNICEF’s Rights Respecting School Award (RRSA): Gold for their Junior School, which encourages schools to place the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) at the heart of its ethos and curriculum. Tanglin is the first school in Asia and outside the UK, to receive this award!
“The award provides an excellent framework to empower children to enjoy and exercise their rights; lead happy, healthy lives; and be responsible, active citizens. Achieving Gold shows we are committed to promoting children’s rights and encouraging adults, children and young people to respect the rights of others. It provides so many learning opportunities and limitless links to current affairs as well as world events. For example, linking RRSA to: International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, World Religion Day, the Black Lives Matter Movement, and Autism Awareness Day, to name but a few.” – Tanglin’s RRSA coordinator, Cameron Davidson
Tanglin Trust Junior School, 95 Portsdown Road, Singapore, Tel: (+65) 6778 0771, [email protected], www.tts.edu.sg
Chatsworth International School: New Early Childhood Centre
Chatsworth International School has opened a new Early Childhood Centre in August 2020 for their youngest Kindergarten learners (3-5 years old)! The new purpose-built centre is equipped with stimulating classrooms and facilities for learning and playing. The dedicated play area includes a sandpit and water play space, both tailored specifically for young children right outside their classroom door! There’s also an extended library, housing a significant young readers collection in a warm and inviting reading space for learners to develop a love of books and reading. Another new facility for primary learners is the Jungle Playground, spanning over 650 square metres, and strategically connected with nature for students to explore and innovate play at another level. With their small class sizes and a team of passionate and experienced teachers and teaching assistants providing nurturing care and support in a safe environment, Chatsworth provides the best early childhood experience possible!
Chatsworth International School, 72 Bukit Tinggi Road, Singapore 289760, Tel: (+65) 6463 3201, [email protected], www.chatsworth.com.sg
DIMENSIONS International College: New IT Classes for IGCSE & AS/’A’ Level Curriculum
Established in 1980, DIMENSIONS is known for providing quality education in their fully-equipped campuses at transparent, affordable fees. Their rigorous curriculum is tailor-made for students who seek diverse pathways – whether they aim to move up to local universities, polytechnics, or to top schools abroad. In a move to equip students with in-demand skills like coding and programming, DIMENSIONS has recently incorporated IT classes into their IGCSE and AS/’A’ Level curriculum. With a newly set up IT laboratory, students will get to learn from industry experts and acquire the valuable know-how that drives today’s tech-driven world.
DIMENSIONS International College Kovan, 58 Lowland Road, Singapore 547453, Tel : (+65) 6334 0600
DIMENSIONS International College Bukit Timah, 2 Jalan Seh Chuan, Singapore 598417, Tel: (+65) 6875 0555
dimensions.edu.sg/programme/cambridge_a_level
Dover Court International School: 2021-2022 Scholarships
Dover Court International School (DCIS) is one of the leading inclusive British international schools in Southeast Asia offering a broad, balanced and differentiated programme within the English National Curriculum framework. DCIS is part of Nord Anglia Education and benefits from the opportunities gained from being part of a family of over 60 schools worldwide! They welcome students from Nursery to Year 13 and their Sixth Form offers the IB Diploma Programme, with a strong English as an Additional Language Programme. The school also has a Department of Supportive Education for students of all abilities. Current and prospective students commencing the IBDP in August 2021 can get up to 50% off school fees for the duration of the course (2 years) with DCIS’s scholarship programme! Applications will open from 15 November 2020 to 26 February 2021, welcoming students with strong academic ability, excellent academic proficiency in English, strength in one or more areas of the arts, technology, humanities, mathematics, science, languages or sports, and readiness to undertake service learning contributing to the school and community.
Dover Court International School (DCIS), 301 Dover Road, 139644 Singapore, [email protected], Tel: (+65) 6775 7664, www.dovercourt.edu.sg
Dulwich College (Singapore): New Forest School
Dulwich College (Singapore) has a fantastic Forest School site on campus and is the first international school in Singapore with Forest School run by an accredited Forest School leader. It uses the outdoor environment to deliver exceptionally high-quality, memorable learning experiences. At Forest School, children aren’t taught in the traditional sense – it’s all inquiry-led and retrospectively planned rather than directed learning. Students are taught how to assess, mitigate and embrace risk to drive their learning through meaningful and personal child-led experiences. The priorities of Forest School are cultivating independence, risk identification and management, individualised learning and exceptionally high skills retention. The teaching philosophy at Dulwich College (Singapore) of student-led learning, enriched with meaningful opportunities to apply new knowledge, is already in alignment with the tenets of Forest School.
Dulwich College (Singapore), 71 Bukit Batok West Avenue 8, Singapore, 658966, Tel: (+65) 6890 1000, singapore.dulwich.org
HFSE International School: Discount on Enrolment Fees
HFSE International School is the first Filipino-run school in Singapore, with a mission to create global citizens making an HFSEan difference. HFSE was first established in November 2015 when a group of friends realised the need for a stable and loving environment to be set up where the children in expatriate families can be nurtured and educated in Singapore. Now, they’re committed to providing a nurturing and loving environment through quality education, skills development and a holistic approach. HFSE aims to build a community of skilled educators, supportive parents, and competent students who are passionate about pursuing excellence both in academics and in service.
Sassy Mamas can use the code AMSA10 for $100 off your enrolment fees!
HFSE International School, 231 Mountbatten Road, Level 2 Building D, Mountbatten Centre Singapore 397999, Tel: (+65) 6451 0080, [email protected], www.hfse.edu.sg
Invictus International School: New Campus
Since initially launching as an affordable international primary school (fees at $17,000 before GST!) back in 2016, Invictus International School has gone from strength to strength – they now have seven campuses in three countries! The latest addition to the Invictus umbrella is a bilingual (English-Chinese) Primary and English medium Secondary school. Helmed by Founding Principal Dr Nicholas Duggan, Invictus Centrium will be moving from its temporary home at Dempsey Hill to the Centrium building near Farrer Park MRT in December 2020. With Centrium offering both a bilingual programme for Primary school students as well as the IGCSE and A level curriculum in Secondary school, Invictus is now offering an all-through school education option. Plus, Invictus Centrium has received full accreditation to become a Cambridge-certified international school in October 2020. This has opened up a range of teaching and learning resources and professional development opportunities for teachers so they can continue to teach a world-class curriculum. The Cambridge curriculum prepares students for life, helping them develop an informed curiosity and lasting passion for learning.
Invictus International School Dempsey Campus, 73 Loewen Road, #01-21, Singapore 248843, Tel: +65 6259 3877, [email protected]
Invictus International School Centrium Campus, 320 Serangoon Road, Singapore 218108, Tel: +65 6271 6088, [email protected]
www.invictus.edu.sg
ISS International School: ISS Learning Accelerator launch and 2020 School Fee Waivers and Discounts
ISS International School recently launched its innovative ISS Learning Accelerator programme. The programme is a holistic system that enhances learning by creating personalised approaches that address individual students’ strengths and needs for academic and community goals (through interactions, participation, service). As goals are achieved and new ones created, the programme nurtures self-directed learning, empowering each student to realise their full potential. Plus, good news! ISS International School has reduced Kindergarten tuition fees to $22,577 a year and has also waived the $3,600 enrolment fee for applicants applying before January 2021 for the 2020-2021 school year! Furthermore, families will benefit from improved sibling discounts and postcode catchment discounts. Enquire now for more info!
ISS International School, 21 Preston Road, Singapore 109355, [email protected], Tel: (+65) 6939 6117, www.iss.edu.sg/iss-learning-accelerator
One World International School: New Bilingual Programme for Primary Students
One World International School (OWIS), popular with families for its affordable school fees, has announced the introduction of a Chinese-English bilingual programme for primary school students. This programme will emphasise the importance of a bilingual, bi-literate and bicultural education. Qualified bilingual educators, fluent in Mandarin and English, will teach the bilingual programme and bilingual teaching assistants will work closely with the students in the classroom, allowing them to receive personalised instruction every step of the way. The bilingual programme is aligned with the IB PYP and enables students to learn through inquiry in both languages. It incorporates lessons about Chinese culture and literature, and students receive weekly instruction from specialist teachers in Art, Physical Education and Music.
One World International School Nanyang, 21 Jurong West Street 81, Singapore 649075
One World International School East Coast, 231 Mountbatten Rd, Singapore 397999
[email protected], www.owis.org
Overseas Family School: New World-class Sports Facilities
Student athletes at Overseas Family School have been enjoying their newly upgraded Olympic standard swimming pool! Transformed over the summer holidays, the all-weather covered pool now boasts a fully equipped Omega Timing System, Omega Touch Pads, World Class Antiwave Starting Blocks and wave breaker lane ropes. The facility is competition-ready and can be configured in multiple ways to hold 2 x 25m pools and 1 x 50m all in the same aquatic center. The pool upgrade coincides with the exciting appointment of Overseas Family School’s new Head of Competitive Sport, Mr. Gil Levy. Coach Levy is considered one of the world’s top swim coaches, having mentored many elite athletes at all levels of competition, including Olympic Gold Medalist, Olympic Record Holder, World Champion and four-time World Record Holder Cameron van der Burgh.
Overseas Family School, 81 Pasir Ris Heights, Singapore 519292, Tel: (+65) 6738 0211, [email protected], www.ofs.edu.sg
The Perse School Singapore: Cambridge Curriculum + Singapore Maths and Daily Mandarin
The esteemed Perse School Singapore opened its first international campus in Bukit Timah in January 2020. Founded in Cambridge, UK all the way back in 1615 to prepare students for entry to Cambridge University, the school has an outstanding academic reputation. In 2018 and 2019 it was the top performing co-educational school in the UK in GCSEs! Catering to students ages 5 to 11, The Perse School Singapore is the only primary school in Singapore to offer subject-specific teaching from year 3 onwards. They closely follow the Cambridge International Primary curriculum, with integrated Singapore Maths and daily Mandarin for all children. There will also be great emphasis on cutting edge technology and STEAM topics, along with strong pastoral care to support each child’s journey of growth and maximise their potential.
The Perse School Singapore is continuing a 30% discount for the school calendar year (until July 2021) and now offers a 5% sibling discount too!
The Perse School Singapore, 191 Upper Bukit Timah Road, Singapore 588180, [email protected] or call (+65) 6971 8210, www.perse.edu.sg
Astor International School: Affordable Fees + More Flexibility
Two Singapore mamas, Elena and Marina, came together to create an alternative schooling option, Astor International School (rebranded from Razum), which offers a focused four-hour school day. Conveniently located in Tanglin, Astor International School provides quality and affordable education for students from 5 to 12 years of age. The academically rigorous, individualized core curriculum teaches Singapore Maths and English within the International Primary Curriculum (IPC). There’s also a wide variety of ECAs available! Classes are small (capped at 12-18 students per class), and the qualified teaching team consists of IPC-trained teachers from Australia, the UK, South Africa, New Zealand and Singapore. Astor school fees are $14,900 a year, and they are offering a monthly payment plan – just $1,490 per month – to support parents during this challenging time due to COVID-19. Astor is also offering up to 50% discount off the $1,700 admission fee till the end of 2020. Make sure you check out their exciting upcoming holiday camps!
Astor International School, 1 Kay Siang Road, #05-01, Singapore 248922, Tel: (+65) 6974 5700 www.astor.edu.sg
Singapore American School: Virtual Events for Early Years & Chinese Immersion
Join Singapore American School (SAS) for a number of upcoming virtual events! Get an exciting glimpse into the happiest place on the little red dot – SAS’s Early Learning Center! The Early Years virtual events will cover everything about the Early Learning Center, where you’ll find out more about cultivating unique, curious, and capable learners, participate in an insightful panel discussion with the school’s principals and teachers, and learn more about the application process for preschool, pre-kindergarten, and kindergarten. Don’t miss the chance to learn about their two-way bilingual Chinese Immersion program too, where students go beyond just learning the language. Find out how and why an immersion model allows students to gain high-level mastery of the language and truly become engaged global citizens.
Singapore American School, 40 Woodlands Street 41, Singapore 738547, Tel: (+65) 6360 6312, [email protected], www.sas.edu.sg
Sir Manasseh Meyer International School: Daily Mindfulness & Pastoral Care for Students
The child is at the centre of the educational philosophy of Sir Manasseh Meyer International School (SMMIS), with wellbeing and pastoral care at the heart of all they do. Think daily mindfulness sessions at the start of every day, helping to set the children up to approach learning with a positive mindset! Regular Personal, Social, Health and Economic education (PSHE) classes address age-appropriate topics in a timely and relevant manner. Students also have access to the school counsellor. SMMIS aims to empower parents as well. They’ve just started a quarterly Speaker Series, providing parents with stimulating and supportive information and guidance on topical subjects. Look out for the upcoming session titled Speaker Series: Child Anxiety and Coping with Covid by Developmental & Behavioural Paediatrics Consultant Dr Roby Marcou, on 19 November 2020 @ 8pm. Dr Marcou will focus on how parents can cultivate resilience in children and support children experiencing anxiety.
Sir Manasseh Meyer International School, 3 Jalan Ulu Sembawang, Singapore 758932, Tel: (+65) 6331 4633, smmis.edu.sg
St. Joseph’s Institution International Elementary School: EduTrust Award Winner
St. Joseph’s Institution International Elementary School (SJII) has earned the EduTrust Award by the Committee of Private Education (CPE) for Private Educational Institutions (PEIs)! This EduTrust certification recognises SJII’s outstanding learning outcomes, student protection and support services, academic processes, governance and financial prudence to name a few. It also permits them to accept Student Pass applications. The milestone is a testament to the high-quality international education SJII provides while demonstrating their commitment to continuous improvement.
St. Joseph’s Institution International Elementary School, 490 Thomson Road, Singapore 298191, Tel: (+65) 6353 9383, www.sji-international.com.sg
Swiss School in Singapore: Expanded French Language Stream
If you’re keen on bilingual education, be sure to check out the Swiss School in Singapore a look. Due to the popularity of its recently-added bilingual French language stream, the international school will be offering French Support and French-speaking native teachers in their Early Childhood department (which is still open for registrations, by the way!). A small, family-oriented international school in a beautifully lush (but convenient) Bukit Timah location, Swiss School in Singapore caters to children in the early years from age 2 through Grade 6. The school offers bilingual education in either German and English, or French and English, where native language-speaking teachers work four hours a week with the children. The school focuses on playful learning in a family-friendly nature environment with sports, swimming, sand play and music as integral parts of their education. They also have an optional Full Day programme offered daily till 3:20pm!
Swiss School in Singapore, 38 Swiss Club Road, Singapore 288140, email [email protected] or Tel: (+65) 6468 2117, www.swiss-school.edu.sg