Best International Schools For Expats In Singapore – that will be the topic of today’s article.
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Introduction
How is education in Singapore organized? The youngest education system in the world that brings up practical youth. They do their internships in Cambridge and receive free education funding from major investors in the world.
In elementary school, they don’t pay to renovate the classroom, don’t collect money for the cafeteria, but pay only $ 13 dollars a month for small expenses. Education in this country is free and schoolchildren keep pace with the global economy. And all of these great opportunities are in Singapore.
Singapore’s education system consists of primary, secondary, and higher education. There are no seasonal vacations, the study takes two semesters and is divided into several levels.
Primary school (6 – 12 years old)
Primary education in Singapore is free. Parents only pay $ 13 a month for school supplies. As for the educational process, there are three stages of cognition. First, a fundamental stage: for 4 years children learn English, their mother tongue (Chinese, Malay, or Tamil).
Necessarily mathematics for the development of logical thinking, plus everything in the school curriculum includes ethics, artwork, music, and physical education. The next two years are special training. What disciplines the child has more craving for – for those, the transfer exams to high school are formed. After passing the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) exam, the student’s further path is paved.
Secondary school (12 – 17 years old)
Based on the results of exams, children enter secondary schools, where education takes place according to special courses. The student’s future depends on the primary school exams. The following courses exist:
Higher education (17 years – above)
Universities attracting huge attention and the flow of foreign students began to form only at the beginning of the 20th century, many of them are considered very “young” by world standards. And thanks to its technical focus, it is still cutting edge.
Types of universities in Singapore:
International education in Singapore
Finding a new school is one of the most important decisions in the lives of many parents and students, especially when moving to Singapore. If you are considering going to an international school in Singapore, then you already know that there are many options.
International schools in Singapore are known for their high educational standards. But what is called an international school? It is a usual school, but with a difference – providing international education in an international environment (this means students from different countries and cultures), also these schools adopt an international curriculum, like an International Baccalaureate program, or following a national curriculum such as an American or British curriculum that differs from that of the school’s country of residence.
This international focus helps these schools foster cultural exchange, instill new ways of thinking globally, and create an immersive environment for language skills development.
Singapore is one of the most expensive cities in the world, but also one of the best cities to live in, as it is ranked 125th in the ranking of the most expensive cities in the world “Quality of Life Index 2021”.
Singapore is an efficient and clean Asian city that retains the charm of British colonial times while offering an advanced, well-developed environment. Singapore has become one of the most important trade and financial centers in Asia and today is one of the five richest countries in the world in terms of GDP.
Singapore has a tropical climate with no sharp seasons. There is a high temperature here all year round, as well as high humidity and a large amount of rainfall. Temperatures typically range between 20 °C – 35 °C.
Singapore’s four official languages are Malay, Mandarin, Tamil, and English. However, English is considered the main language in Singapore and is officially the main language of instruction in almost all school subjects. It is also the common language of administration and an important language for international business.
Singapore attracts a large number of expats and exceptional international schools exist to meet their demand. Singapore’s international schools tend to have a very international student population and you can find many different international curricula in the UK, USA, Canada, Switzerland, Australia, IBA, and others.
Parents need to be sure they are considering top-tier schools with valid and up-to-date accreditation from recognized international bodies.
Best International schools in Singapore
Singapore has a large number of international and private schools. It is not allowed to visit such educational institutions without obtaining special permission from the Ministry of Education.
International Schools or Foreign System Schools (FSSs). Here, in the learning process, programs from other countries are used. There are over 7 international schools in Singapore. ACS International, Hwa Chong International, and SJI International are recognized as the best international schools. They offer secondary and tertiary education programs, including a bachelor’s degree recognized by Ivy League universities.
Here is the list of some of the best and worthy international schools located in Singapore:
Choosing the right school for your kid in Singapore
When deciding which school to send your child to, you should study the proposals of educational institutions, their curriculum, tuition fees, work experience and much more.
First of all, you should assess the needs, interests of the child and choose a school in Singapore in accordance with them. This may be the remoteness of an educational institution, art circles, etc.
In addition, you need to choose a school in accordance with the level of knowledge of English. For example, in public schools, all lessons are taught mainly in English. If you intend to send your child to a public educational institution, you should start preparing him for the test as part of the Admissions Exercise for International Students (AEIS).
Next, you need to pay attention to the curriculum. This is especially true if the child will soon go to college or university. Most often, parents choose a program that is as similar as possible to the program in their country, but the program of study in a Singapore school must be quite difficult for the student.
The curriculum for certified schools in Singapore aims to prepare children for admission to higher education. In addition, attention should be paid to the types of extracurricular activities. It is best to choose schools with a good athletic program that enable students to develop skills such as leadership, teamwork, or arts or music programs.
Then check out the level of professionalism of the teachers, as this factor is one of the fundamental factors in the quality of education and development of the child. To do this, you need to find out about the certification and the required degrees of education required in the chosen school from your teachers, whether employees are required to take advanced training courses.
The size of the class is also important. The smaller it is, the better. You also need to choose the right level of education in accordance with the age of the child.
The cost of the education in Singaporean international school is also an important factor. In public schools, fees are standardized by the Ministry of Education. International students are charged higher fees than Singaporeans.
For the year, primary school costs S $ 513, secondary school S $ 670, and college S $ 1,027. In private schools, the cost of education is much more expensive and can reach 35 thousand Singapore dollars, depending on the chosen institution of the child’s age and status (foreign student or resident in Singapore).
Let’s now quickly review all the above-mentioned international schools, so you could point out the ones that you think can be a good match for your kid.
GESS Singapore is an international non-profit school that believes in fostering confident, forward-thinking learners, celebrating our values of respect, openness and diversity. GESS offers two main study programs: the English-speaking International Baccalaureate (IB) program and the German language program. The school caters for students of all ages from 2 years old to graduation at 18 years old.
Since 2005, GESS has expanded its appeal by offering both a curriculum in German and the popular IB program in English. As such, it is not only the only international school in Singapore to teach Konferenz der Kultusminister, but also a popular choice for families looking to follow the IBDP path.
The main subjects in the school include mathematics, German, English, social studies, science, arts, music and sports. However, these two areas of education are completely different, and each in its own way addresses families of different nationalities.
All students enroll in the same preschool program (18 months to 5 years), which is built on the IB Primary Years Program (PYP); instructions in English and German.
Students also have the opportunity to learn a third language – French or Latin – upon reaching high school; Spanish is offered from grade 10.
GESS is making a real effort to bring what can be a two-part school into one. Both the German and European streams go through the same academic year, wear the same uniforms, and are encouraged to study and specialize together in extracurricular activities, breaks, sports clubs, seasonal festivals and gatherings.
Tuition fees
Fees range from $ 18,880 to $ 23,870 in the German stream and from $ 26,950 to $ 35,310 in the European stream; As you would expect, the IB program fees are slightly higher.
St. Joseph International Institute is a Catholic school with good results in IGCSE and IBDP. As one of seven Lasallian schools in Singapore, SJI also emphasizes pastoral care and “respect for the individual”.
The SJI Nonprofit International High School opened its doors in 2007 and was followed in 2008 by the SJI International Primary School; two schools share one campus. In 10 years, the school passed a very long way and upgraded through years. Primary school has about 650 students who follow the Singaporean Mathematics Curriculum and the International Primary Curriculum (IPC); The high school has over 1000 students, students working on their IGCSE and IBDP exams.
A local international school like SJI International attracts expatriate students for many reasons: they are easier to find than at a local school; training combines MOE and international curricula such as the IB and A Levels program; tuition fees are lower than in many international schools; and academic standards are high.
SJI International school provides a mixed curriculum which runs on IBDP and aims on a wide variety of nationalities represented at the school.
In high school (grades 7-12), students work on IGCSE and IBDP courses and study subjects such as math, English, science, geography, physical education, design technology, music, drama, arts, ICT, wellness, and RE. The high school language program includes a choice of Chinese, Korean, Spanish, Hindi and Tamil.
Sports and music are considered “an integral part of life” at SJI International and the school has invested in the development of a sports facility to support this. The school’s music program includes an optional instrumental curriculum that offers piano, violin, flute, clarinet, saxophone, guitar, trumpet, voice and percussion lessons throughout the school day.
Tuition fees
These rang from $ 28,250 in primary school to $ 32,986 in grade 12. Scholarships are also available in the school, both for local and international students.
Hwa Chong International School (HCIS) is one of three local international schools in Singapore (the other two are Anglo-Chinese (International) School and SJI International School). These three local international schools are run by the Ministry of Education, but they are privately funded and have the power to set their own curriculum and tuition fees. Although at least half of the students must be Singaporean, these schools tend to have a large number of students from different countries.
A local international school like HCIS attracts expatriate students for many reasons: they are easier to find than at a local school; training combines MOE and international curricula such as the IB and A Levels program; tuition fees are lower than in many international schools; and academic standards are high.
HCIS is the highest performing school with impressive IGCSE and IBDP scores. Part of the Hwa Chong family of schools, this Singaporean outpost is renowned for its teaching of the Chinese language and a long list of academic awards. Teaching goes beyond the classroom with a wide variety of extracurricular activities, community service, outdoor adventures, and excursions.
HCIS is a high performing school with impressive IGCSE and IBDP results. Hwa Chong has over 800 students from grades 7 to 12. At a local international school, at least half of the students must be Singaporean; the rest of the students include international students from over 20 countries.
The school plans to expand with a new four-story study wing, which will include a performing arts center and a student activity center.
Tuition fees
Admission is based on the school’s own entrance examination (and not on the Ministry of Education’s AEIS). Tuition fees range from $ 24,610 to $ 28,890, which is an average in terms of tuition fees in other countries and significantly cheaper than other high-performing international schools.
Anglo-Chinese School is one of three local international schools in Singapore. This local international school is run by the Ministry of Education, but they are privately funded and have the power to set their own curriculum and tuition fees. Although at least half of the students must be Singaporean, these schools tend to have a large number of students from different countries.
A local international school such as ACS International attracts expatriate students for many reasons: they are easier to find than at a local school; training combines MOE and international curricula such as the IB and A-Levels program; tuition fees are lower than in many international schools; academic standards are high.
Today ACS (International) is part of a family of six Methodist schools in Singapore and has carved a niche for itself as an international educational institution for year 1-6 students.
The academic year runs from January to December and consists of two semesters per year. In the first two years of study at ACS (International), students take IGCSE preparatory courses in subjects ranging from English, mathematics, and science to physical education, life skills, history, geography, art, music, and languages. After passing the international GCSE exams, students transfer to the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (IBDP), which is studied instead of the A-Level and similar programs. The school day is divided into five one-hour periods, with a choice of CCA after school.
Tuition fees
Tuition fees range from $ 24,206 to $ 29,606, which is average in terms of tuition fees in other countries and significantly cheaper than other high-performing international schools.
Chatsworth is an internationally oriented mid-size school with students from approximately 50 nationalities from kindergarten to grade 13 (grade 12). Created in 1995, Chatsworth’s mission to inspire, teach and educate forms the backbone of the philosophy of education.
As a worldwide IB school with three programs, we offer students the International Baccalaureate (IB) PYP, MYP, and DP study programs. The IB student profile is built into everything we do at Chatsworth, and the entire school community is encouraged to recognize and support these attributes.
A no-selection school, Chatsworth focuses on the holistic development of each individual student and prepares students to either enter universities around the world or transfer to international and national schools as their families move from Singapore. Highly skilled teachers come here from different countries and offer a real international education.
Their learning technologies are progressive and based on learning from the 21st century: they are the Apple and Google school with a 1: 1 laptop program from grade 4 and up.
Tuition fees
Fees range from $ 23,819 in kilograms to $ 32,788 in Year 13. There is a very attractive discount for siblings; families with two children studying at the same time at Chatsworth receive a 25% discount. Full scholarships are available for the two-year IBDP, with Chatsworth covering 100% of the fees; that’s about $ 72,000 in savings.
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