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International Schools of Singapore

Ella Bruhl-Gati

As a multi-national society, Singapore offers a host of international schools with a wide range of academic curriculums to suit you and your children’s needs. However, making the decision of where to send your child can often be a daunting task with many factors to weigh when making this choice.

Education System

There are various education systems at the international schools in Singapore. When first narrowing down which schools may be of interest, you may want to take these questions into account:

  • How long are you planning to be in Singapore?
  • Do you know where you are planning to relocate to next?
  • Where would your child like to attend university?
  • What are your child’s strengths and weaknesses?
  • What is your child’s citizenship status?
  • What are the tuition fees?
  • What are the additional, associated costs?

These questions are a good jumping off point to start your discussion about schooling. Remember, to set your child up for success, it is important to consider both your current situation as well as where you and your child plan to be in the future.

If you or your spouse is American, and your children are American citizens, looking at an American international school may be the way forward. However, if you have extended family in the UK and your child has always had a strong desire to continue further education in the UK, a British international school may be better suited.

Alternatively, if your children are third culture-kids and have spent their time living in different countries, choosing an international school that aligns with their current schooling may be the best way to determine their educational path in Singapore.

Lastly, if you find your child is exceptionally passionate when it comes to art, music, sports, drama, or another niche interest, choosing a school that has outstanding facilities to grow this talent could be a determining factor.

There are many paths to take, and breaking down the larger distinctions between education systems is a good step in the right direction.

Location

Location, location, location. It’s as important in schooling as it is when buying or renting a property.

Some families first determine where they will live and then work on schooling, while others determine their schooling and then figure out where to live in relation to that.

Determining where you will live in relation to schools will help you figure out transportation options—school bussing, taxi, public transport options, or driving your child yourself—and the time and costs associated with those options.

Finding out if your school has a “late” bus is also something to consider if your children will be staying late for extracurricular activities, as this will impact your own schedule depending on your children’s age and ability to take alternate modes of transport home.

Tuition Fees 

A large contributing factor to deciding which school your child should attend comes down to a cost breakdown. International schools in Singapore are highly comprehensive and offer a sophisticated education, but these benefits come with an associated cost.

It is important to look into the yearly cost breakdowns as these schools can range anywhere from SGD 25,000 to over SGD 50,000 annually. Schools tend to increase their fees every year to keep pace with inflation and rising costs, so it important to consider this when working with your budget. Depending on the stage of schooling, the price will also fluctuate, with later years being more expensive. The facilities offered and extra-curricular activities that are built into the program will also influence the cost of the education system.

Lower-Price-Tier Schools

There are a variety of international schools in Singapore that offer a more affordable education, priced around SGD 25,000+ per year. These schools offer a range of facilities, but it is important to get a prospectus to ensure that your expectations will be met.

Some examples of more cost-effective options* to consider are:

  1. One World International School - ~ S$25,000 annually
  2. Global Indian International School Singapore - ~ S$30,000 annually
  3. Middleton International School - ~ S$27,000 annually
  4. Invictus International School - ~ S$24,000 annually

Higher-Price-Tier Schools

Singapore also offers a host of globally-recognized international schools that have a range of facilities and academic programs. These schools are often significantly more expensive; therefore, it is important to evaluate the costs of these educations and the included extracurricular programs as part of the tuition fees.

Some well-known international schools* are:

  1. Dulwich College Singapore - ~S$50,000 annually
  2. Singapore American School - ~S$43,000 annually
  3. UWCSEA – S$48,000 annually
  4. Tanglin Trust School – S$48,000 annually
  5. Australian International School - ~$51,600 annually

* All average school fees used are tuition fees alone taken from pricing for final schooling years as of the 2024/25 school calendar.

High School (and Equivalent) Qualifications

Each school, often depending on their nationality, will offer a different set of final examinations.

The most common examinations are:

International Baccalaureate Diploma Program

The International Baccalaureate, more commonly referred to as the IB, is a rigorous program that is taken in the final two years of schooling (US grades 11 and 12). This program focuses on obtaining both a breadth and depth of knowledge, with six subjects alongside the Diploma Program (DP) Core.

The six subjects include: studies in language and literature, language acquisition, individuals and societies, sciences, mathematics, and arts. This range of subject groups offers a variety of choice, which may appeal to a child who is an all-rounder and favors a mixture of classes.

The IB is widely accepted at a range of global universities (including those in the UK, US, Canada, and EU countries).

A-Levels

A curriculum that is often popular with British citizens and those looking to study in the UK are A-Levels. A-Levels take a differing approach to the IB—they are subject-based qualifications that often have a far more focused approach.

This qualification sees students between ages 16-18 years old choosing 3 to 4 subjects to study for their final two years. A-Levels often appeal to students who know what they wish to study at university or who are applying to universities where you must apply directly to a program like in the UK and Singapore.  

For example, a pupil who has a great interest in Science and Math but finds English and Humanities not to their liking may opt to study A-Levels as it provides this flexibility. A-Levels align with future university aspirations, so for example, a child looking to study Mechanical Engineering at university would have to choose appropriate A-Levels to follow this route.

AP Exams

AP Exams are standardized, college-level subject exams that are taken by many American high school students. They are often submitted to more competitive US colleges and in some instances may be used to earn college credits or advanced placement at US universities.

 Facilities

Another way to assess the suitability of an international school can be through its facilities and associated programs. Many international schools in Singapore offer a wide range of facilities that cater to sports, drama, art, and music, so it is important to evaluate what is important to you and to your child’s development. Find out what is included as part of the school’s tuition in regard to extracurricular activities and what other additional opportunities may be offered.

Sports

If your child is particularly driven by sports, looking at the sporting grounds and programs available can help you determine a suitable fit. There are key organizations and leagues that your child can partake in depending on the school they are enrolled in. These competitions include:

  • Athletic Conference of Singapore International Schools (ACSIS)—Is an inter-school athletic program that allows students to compete within Singapore.
  • Interscholastic Association of Southeast Asian Schools (IASAS) —Is a regional athletic conference for international schools (the Singapore American School is the only member in Singapore).
  • South East Asia Student Activities Conference (SEASAC) —Is an elite sports league comprising 16 members within SEA that gives students the opportunity to travel and represent their school.

Many schools offer a range of sports as part of the school curriculum, or in the form of after school activities—finding out how accessible these activities are and which sports are offered can help you make an informed decision.

Language

As part of a multi-national society, many schools offer comprehensive language programs. Singapore offers a host of international schools that incorporate bilingual learning programs into their teaching.

Some of the pathways that are offered in Singapore include:

  • Mandarin and English—Is the most common bilingual program that you will see in Singapore, where lessons are taught both in equal parts English and Mandarin, or classes have both Mandarin and English teachers. This program is offered at a host of schools including SAS, SAIS, DCSG etc.
  • French and English—This pathway is offered by the International French School in Singapore, where classes can either be taught exclusively in French with dedicated hours for Mandarin and English, or the curriculum is taught equally in French and English.
  • German and English—This program is offered by the German European School Singapore (GESS), where both an English and German track are offered with differing curriculums.

After-School Activities

In Singapore, there is a common practice for children to be enrolled in after school activities that can either be used to improve academically, or provide enrichment (such as sport, dance, art, music, and the like). It is often the case that out-of-school lessons are as big of a factor in financially planning for a child’s education as the actual schooling system itself. Therefore, knowing what potential costs may arise and evaluating the opportunity costs of these choices is paramount.

Tuition

Tuition, often referred to as tutoring in the US, is a common practice in Singapore even for very talented students. It is important to account for this when setting aside funds for your child’s education. Depending on your child’s strengths and weaknesses, the age at which your child may start tuition, and the frequency and style of tuition may vary.

The price of tuition can vary from S$30 to S$250 per hour. Tuition can vary in format—1:1, small group, in-home, and more. There are many intensive after-school tuition facilities all over the city.

Depending on the tuition service chosen, prices vary. Types of tuition services available include:

Center-based tuition 

Center-based tuition facilities traditionally offer group classes that conform to a set program. These classes often mimic more traditional schooling but on a smaller scale.

These classes range anywhere from S$30 to S$60 per hour with prices generally increasing with academic age. Many of these facilities offer packages, which reduces pricing. For those that charge by a monthly or annual fee, the cost per hour varies depending on the frequency that your child attends the class.

Examples include: Kumon, MathVision, Habitat Learning Centre, and Eton Academy.

Home-based tuition

This style of tutoring is good for a child who needs a more tailored, hands-on approach. Some parents may prefer this flexibility, but it also comes with associated costs.

This tuition is more expensive, where the experience and qualification of the tutor can cause the price to vary significantly from about S$60 to more than S$200 per hour. Negotiating a package with the tutor and committing to a certain number of lessons per week can often reduce the overall cost.

Online tuition

Finally, the option for an online tutor is becoming increasingly popular. Depending on the qualifications and credentials of the tutor, it is common to see prices ranging anywhere from S$25 to S$200 per hour.

 Conclusion

To conclude, choosing which international school best suits you and your children’s wants and needs can be an intimidating task. However, looking at the bigger picture initially, and then breaking down the search into more specific requirements and needs, can help you make the best decision possible.

Please reach out to one of our wealth planners if you are looking for further information regarding the financial implications and cost breakdown of investing in your children’s futures.


 Sources:

AP Courses and Exams – AP Students | College Board (no date). Available at: https://apstudents.collegeboard.org/courses (Accessed: 21 April 2025).

British International School in Singapore | Tanglin Trust School (no date). Available at: https://www.tts.edu.sg/ (Accessed: 21 April 2025).

Choosing your exam | British Council Singapore (no date). Available at: https://www.britishcouncil.sg/exam/school-exams/choosing (Accessed: 21 April 2025).

DULWICH COLLEGE (SINGAPORE) | International School in Singapore | Dulwich College (Singapore) (no date). Available at: https://singapore.dulwich.org/ (Accessed: 21 April 2025).

Editorial, H. (2025) ‘All the best international schools in Singapore: Browse by price, curriculum, location, and why we love them!’, HoneyKids Asia, 26 February. Available at: https://honeykidsasia.com/best-international-schools-in-singapore/ (Accessed: 21 April 2025).

Home (no date) IFS - International French School - Singapore. Available at: https://www.ifs.edu.sg/ (Accessed: 21 April 2025).

International School in Singapore | Singapore American School (2023). Available at: https://www.sas.edu.sg/ (Accessed: 21 April 2025).

International School Singapore | GESS International School (no date) GESS International School Singapore - English. Available at: https://www.gess.edu.sg/en/ (Accessed: 21 April 2025).

Organization, I.B. (no date) Diploma Programme (DP), International Baccalaureate®. Available at: https://www.ibo.org/programmes/diploma-programme/ (Accessed: 21 April 2025).

‘Visit Our Campus | Stamford American International School (SAIS)’ (no date) Stamford American International School in Singapore. Available at: https://www.sais.edu.sg/admissions/visit-stamford/ (Accessed: 21 April 2025).

This material is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. Additionally, you should consult with your Financial Advisor, Tax Advisor, or Attorney on your specific situation. The views expressed in the material are that of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of any market, regulatory body, State or Federal Agency, or Association. All efforts have been made to report or share true and accurate information. However, the information may become materially outdated or otherwise rendered incorrect due to subsequent new research or other changes, without notice. The author nor the firm are able to always verify the content from third-party sources. For additional information about the firm, please visit the MAS Website at https://www.mas.gov.sg/  and the SEC Website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov. For a copy of the firm's ADV Part 2 Brochure, please contact us at info@avriowealth.com.