What to look for in International School

[glenda2868]

Hi, my family just moved to Singapore a few months back and I’m trying to figure out the best schooling options for my daughter as she starts high school. I’ve heard that the local secondary school route can be tricky for expats, so we’re leaning towards International Schools. What should I consider when deciding on the right school for her? Any recommendations or personal experiences with International Schools here? Thanks!

[PNGMK]

Choose a not for profit school. The for profit schools will absolutely wine and dine you but they are not great behind the scenes. Some not for profit American curriculum schools include ICS and SAS. OFS Chatsworth, Standford are for profit.

The problem with for profit schools is that they are for profit, not for education.

[PNGMK]

I should add; for American curriculum schools check where they are on AP test results and admissions into colleges. A little school like ICS is absolutely beating the for profit schools on AP marks.

[Sara.Haddah]

Welcome to Singapore! It’s great that you’re starting the school search early, finding the right fit, especially for high school, as it can really shape your daughter’s experience here. You're right, for expat families, getting into local secondary schools can be tough, especially without Singapore citizenship or PR status. That’s why many families in your situation opt for International Schools, which offer more flexible admissions and globally recognized curricula like the IB, IGCSE, or American diploma with APs.

When choosing a school, here are a few things to consider:
Curriculum fit: Is your daughter aiming to go to university in the US, UK, Australia, or elsewhere? The IB, IGCSE/A-Levels, or US curriculum can all prepare her well, but the choice might depend on her learning style and goals.

Academic and extracurricular balance: Some schools are more academically intense, others focus on holistic development. It helps to think about what environment she thrives in. does she love project work, arts, sports, science competitions?

Location & commute: Traffic in Singapore can be a consideration, so proximity matters if she's not boarding.

School culture & size: Some schools have a tight-knit community feel, while others are larger and more diverse. Visiting campuses or joining open house sessions can help get a feel for this.

A few popular International Schools here include UWCSEA, Tanglin Trust, Dover Court, Stamford American, and Canadian International School, but there are many options.

[malcontent]

I’ll play along since it’s a topic others might be interested in…

Stamford American — International School that uses American curriculum, not a genuine American school in the real sense.

Canadian International School — for profit school resulting in lower paid teachers and higher teacher turnover. Parents I’ve talked to seem to tolerate rather than love the school.

UWCSEA — a pretty strong school (academic & well-rounded) and hard to get into from what I’ve heard; they are far left liberal too.

Tanglin Trust — effectively the Singapore British School, and has a strong reputation. Also hard to get in from what I’ve heard.

Dover Court — UK curriculum, known to have good special needs support when required, have heard some positive comments, but my impression is that it’s not the strongest academically.

I’ll just add ICS — it often goes unnoticed, but it is effectively the American Christian school in Singapore, no far left liberal bent, punches above its weight academically, but facilities are sparse.

[PNGMK]

ICS has recently built a new sports field and sports facilities. They are trying and they won't turn your kid into a flaming radical f*ggot, that's God's job.

[megnanako]

Dover Court is indeed less academically driven than the rest as it caters for children with different learning needs. If the child is academically driven, there are more choices. Maybe you could share if IB, A levels or AP curriculum is your preference since the child is already going on to high-school.

[malcontent]

The choice between A-levels, IB or AP depends on which university system(s) they’ll be applying to.

AP is the easiest to score, but works best with US universities. A-levels (assuming the IGCE variety) work best with UK universities. IB is the most universally respected globally, and is what I’d recommend if gunning for top universities. For Singapore local A-levels, it’s the toughest and narrowest set of credentials, hit or miss when it comes to how they are valued outside Singapore.

Any advanced standing awarded for any of these credentials is highly dependent on the university.