THE EXPAT’S GUIDE TO EDUCATION & SCHOOLS IN SINGAPORE CONTENTS INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................................................. 2 PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN SINGAPORE ....................................................................................................................... 3 ADMISSION EXERCISE FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS (AEIS) .................................................................................... 3 PRIVATE AND INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS IN SINGAPORE ................................................................................. 6 ADMISSION TO PRIVATE AND INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS ........................................................................................... 6 TUITION AND FEES ............................................................................................................................................. 8 SCHOOL TERM AND SCHOOL DAY ..................................................................................................................... 8 HOMESCHOOLING ............................................................................................................................................. 9 NURSERY SCHOOLS ............................................................................................................................................ 9 TERTIARY EDUCATION...................................................................................................................................... 10 TIPS FOR CHOOSING A SCHOOL FOR YOUR CHILD .......................................................................................... 10 CURRICULUM .............................................................................................................................................................. 10 TEACHERS AND CLASS SIZES ....................................................................................................................................... 11 PROXIMITY .................................................................................................................................................................. 11 NURSERY SCHOOLS .......................................................................................................................................... 11 Rain Trees Kindergarten........................................................................................................................... 12 Rosemount International School ............................................................................................................. 12 INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS ............................................................................................................................... 13 Chatsworth International School ............................................................................................................. 13 Canadian International School ................................................................................................................. 14 EtonHouse International School .............................................................................................................. 16 GEMS World Academy (Singapore) ......................................................................................................... 17 German European School Singapore ....................................................................................................... 20 Integrated International School ............................................................................................................... 22 ISS International School ........................................................................................................................... 23 Lycée Français de Singapour .................................................................................................................... 25 Nexus International School Singapore ..................................................................................................... 26 One World International School (OWIS) .................................................................................................. 27 Singapore American School ..................................................................................................................... 29 Stamford American International School ................................................................................................ 30 Tanglin Trust School ................................................................................................................................. 31 United World College of South East Asia (UWCSEA) ............................................................................... 34 FOR MORE INFORMATION ............................................................................................................................... 35 1 © Globe Media Ltd. All rights reserved. THE EXPAT’S GUIDE TO EDUCATION & SCHOOLS IN SINGAPORE INTRODUCTION Singapore started out as a 19th century trading post and has transformed into one of the world’s busiest ports. Today, skyscrapers stretch into the tropical skies above a bustling population made from a rich tapestry of cultures. A city state that’s concerned with leaving a legacy and striking a balance with nature, Singapore continues to attract thousands of expats seeking stability and prosperity. Parents moving to Singapore have little to worry about when it comes to the quality of their children’s education. The local schooling system is one of the best in the world, and in addition to Singapore’s public and private schools, there’s a wide selection of international schools that follow American, British and other international curricula. No matter where you’re moving, few Expats might initially be overwhelmed by the various tasks can feel more daunting than councils and school classifications that fly about in selecting the best place for your acronym-loving Singapore. But having all of these children to continue their education, regulatory bodies ensures that its schools maintain their and the questions can feel endless: high standards and ultimately makes finding a suitable What curriculum is best? Will my child school less stressful. get the attention he needs? Will she be able to integrate back into our home Singapore's public schools appeal to some expats because system? Will she be prepared for they teach in English and their fees are lower than private college entrance exams? Can I afford international schools. But they usually give priority to local it? Will he make friends easily? Will she students over permanent residents, and only consider overcome the language barrier? students on other temporary visas after that. By contrast, Singaporean students need special permission from the Ministry of Education to attend private or international schools, so it’s usually easier for expat parents to place their children in an international school. In short, families moving to Singapore for the long-term should consider placing their children in a reputable public school for the winning combination of lower fees and a world-class education. But expats staying for the short-term will find international schools are easier to apply to from abroad, and their children will have a smoother transition from their school at home and back again. The Expat Arrivals Schools Guide for Singapore sheds some light on the city-state’s school system and provides some of insights parents will need to make the best decisions for their children, ensuring that their transition abroad is as seamless as possible. 2 © Globe Media Ltd. All rights reserved. THE EXPAT’S GUIDE TO EDUCATION & SCHOOLS IN SINGAPORE PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN SINGAPORE For many parents moving overseas, deciding whether to enrol their children in a public or international school is easy. There may be a language barrier, or expat kids might not be allowed to enrol in local schools by law. However, Singapore's public schools are English-medium, maintain high standards, are closely monitored by the Ministry of Education (MOE), and are often much cheaper than private schools. Furthermore, they allow foreign students to attend (though they will have to get through the rigorous application procedure first). If expats plan is to stay for a long time and the local syllabus isn’t too unfamiliar, Singapore’s public schools may be worth considering. Children in Singapore usually start school at six years old. Primary schools run from Primary 1 to Primary 6, while high school runs from Secondary 1 to Secondary 5. This is followed by two or three years of post-secondary, pre-university education. The Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) is held at the end of Primary 6. The results of the PSLE determine which secondary education stream the student will follow. There are three main streams, each of which has a slightly different structure. Those in the “Express” stream take the GCE O-Levels in Secondary 4 before moving on to pre- university education. Students in the “Normal (Technical)” and “Normal (Academic)” streams, on the other hand, take the GCE N-Levels in Secondary 4. Academic students who perform well in the N-Levels will have the opportunity to take the GCE O-Levels in Secondary 5, after which they too move on to pre- university education. Meanwhile, technical students will typically leave secondary school at the end of Year to attend specialised institutes, where they earn