{"id":2659,"date":"2022-06-22T14:44:16","date_gmt":"2022-06-22T06:44:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pacificprime.sg\/blog\/?p=2659"},"modified":"2022-06-22T17:48:26","modified_gmt":"2022-06-22T09:48:26","slug":"how-to-choose-the-best-international-school-for-your-child-in-singapore","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pacificprime.sg\/blog\/how-to-choose-the-best-international-school-for-your-child-in-singapore\/","title":{"rendered":"How to choose the best international school for your child in Singapore"},"content":{"rendered":"

Expat children in Singapore benefit from a multicultural upbringing<\/a>, broadening their horizons and becoming citizens of the world. Yet moving around a lot as a child does have its downsides, particularly when it comes to their education, which is why international schools are a lifesaver. No matter where in the world you move to, these schools ensure that there are minimal disruptions to your child\u2019s learning – in terms of language, syllabus, culture, and more.<\/p>\n

Overwhelmed by the sheer number of choices you\u2019ll have? Not quite sure how to choose the best international school in Singapore for your child? Don\u2019t worry – that\u2019s where this Pacific Prime Singapore<\/a> article comes in. We\u2019ll give you a complete rundown of the factors to consider when comparing international schools, and also point you to some popular international schools in the city-state while doing so.<\/p>\n

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\"Family<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n\n

Factors to consider when comparing international schools<\/strong><\/h2>\n

There are 64 international schools in Singapore, according to the International Schools Database<\/a>. Strictly speaking, there is no \u201cbest\u201d school in Singapore, as this will depend on your child\u2019s needs. To give an example, some may thrive with remote learning, in which case you may consider the homeschooling program<\/a> offered by Invictus International School in Singapore. For others, this may be a completely ludicrous idea.<\/p>\n

Given that you\u2019ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to international schools in Singapore, let\u2019s explore the factors that will help you determine your child\u2019s needs and evaluate your options. This will help you make a shortlist of potential international schools and compare them side-by-side. However, it goes without saying that you should ask for a school tour to actually get a feel for the place before making your final decision.<\/p>\n

Location<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Despite Singapore being a relatively tiny island, the location of the school is still important. Do you know which area you\u2019re going to live in<\/a>? If you\u2019re not familiar with the geography, check out the schools dotted on Google Maps. A shorter commute is always preferable – especially for the little ones! For example, Singapore American School<\/a> is at the north of the island, while Razum International School<\/a> is all the way at the southern tip.<\/p>\n

Fees<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Unfortunately, money matters (unless your employer will be paying for your child\u2019s tuition fees – be sure to negotiate this in your relocation package<\/a>). The fees of international schools in Singapore can vary massively. At Heritage Academy Singapore<\/a>, fees go up to SGD $8,754 per year, while Dulwich College Singapore<\/a>\u2019s goes up to SGD $49,310 per year.<\/p>\n

Curriculum<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Will you relocate back home at some point? Where will your kids go to university? As an expat family, these are important questions to consider when deciding on a curriculum. The most popular international school curriculums in Singapore are British, America, and the International Baccalaureate. However, you can also find others such as the Singapore Korean International School (Korean)<\/a>, DPS International School (Indian)<\/a>, and many more.<\/p>\n

Languages<\/strong><\/p>\n

As an expat, you may want to facilitate your child speaking their mother tongue. Therefore, you can select Singapore international schools based on the second languages on offer. This may change based on demand so it’s best to check with the school directly.<\/p>\n

Faith-based education<\/strong><\/p>\n

If your family is religious, you may consider faith-based international schools in Singapore such as Sir Manasseh Meyer International School (Jewish)<\/a>, St. Joseph Institution International (Catholic)<\/a>, San Yu Adventist School (Adventist)<\/a>, etc.<\/p>\n

Special needs<\/strong><\/p>\n

For children with special needs, a special needs school is recommended. There are a few in Singapore, including but not limited to Dynamics International School (British)<\/a>, Melbourne Specialist International School (International)<\/a>, and Integrated International School (Australian)<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Facilities<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Some international schools in Singapore boast state-of-the-art facilities, while others are more on the modest side. If you\u2019d like to give your child the best environment to grow in, the facilities on offer should be a priority. For example, the United World College (UWC) of South East Asia<\/a> has a number of sports facilities such as:<\/p>\n