This is a quick explanation for some who don't understand Singapore school options.
In Singapore there are three basic types of schools available.
Singapore government funded or subsidised - these are 'not for profit' but are not generally aimed at the international student market. Peruse other threads on how to get into a local school.
"For Profit" schools. These are schools that are set up by business people with the idea of generating revenue from the fees. They usually are set up to fill a gap in the market - for example the only Aussie school here is a for profit school. Other examples are CIS, SAIS, OFS, Chatsworth and the Global Indian chain. Whether the school actually makes a profit is not the point, the point is the school is trying to make a profit. Some of the owners of these schools are a little shadowy and I make no apologies for not being brave enough to name them.
"Not for profit" schools are set up with the idea of educating kids without making a profit and are owned by education boards, not for profit trusts or government groups. Some of these boards are churches or mission or philanthropically orientated, others like SAS were started with government assistance in the beginning (although I don't think SAS received State Dept assistance now) in order for the children of that nation to be able to receive home curriculum studies. Examples of these are SAS, ICS, Tanglin Trust, Nexus.
It's very important - IMO - for parents to understand there is a HUGE difference in the emphasis in these schools. A not for profit school will spend your fees on materials, lease costs, teachers salaries and possibly a small return to the board/governors/trust for future needs. A for profit school will RESIST spending money on materials and teachers salaries and maintenance in order to return a profit to the owners.
I personally, unless there was no other choice, would not send my child to a Singapore International 'For Profit' school.
