Schooling in Singapore: A Guide for Families Considering the Move

Singapore's education system is world-renowned, but for most expat families, the path forward runs through its international schools. Here's what to consider as you begin your search.

Singapore has invested heavily in education since its founding, and the results speak for themselves. The local school system is one of the highest performing in the world, rigorous, well-funded, and deeply competitive. For Singaporean families, it's an extraordinary resource.

For expat families, however, the picture can look quite different. While international students do technically have the right to attend local public schools, getting a place is far from guaranteed, and the system itself may not be a natural fit for most children arriving from abroad. The reality is that roughly 90% of expatriate families in Singapore use the international school system, and for good reason. Understanding why, and knowing what to look for in the international landscape, is the first step in making a confident school decision.

At Bennett International, our team of consultants has extensive experience helping families navigate Singapore's education options. Here's a closer look at what families moving to Singapore should keep in mind.

Why Most Expat Families Choose International Schooling in Singapore

The Singaporean public school system is structured around a clear set of national priorities, and access is allocated accordingly. The Ministry of Education (MOE) gives placement priority to Singaporean citizens first, then to permanent residents, and only then are remaining spots made available to international students. For expat children, admission isn't automatic. They must apply through the Admissions Exercise for International Students (AEIS), which is held in September and February, and they're required to pass English proficiency and mathematics assessments.

Even for families whose children are assigned a spot, the local system presents a cultural consideration. It's an exam-driven, fast-paced environment built around national benchmarks, particularly the PSLE (Primary School Leaving Examination), which students sit at the end of Primary 6. The PSLE determines which secondary school a child is eligible to attend, and it's one of the most high-pressure academic milestones in any education system in the world. While Singapore has taken steps in recent years to reduce the intensity (replacing the old T-score ranking with a broader Achievement Level system), the competitive culture remains firmly in place.

For an expat child arriving mid-year from a different education system, stepping into this environment can be a significant adjustment, not just academically but culturally. It's one of the reasons our consultants often guide families toward the international school landscape instead, where the pace, the structure, and the expectations are designed for a globally mobile population.

The International School Landscape: Rich, Varied, and Competitive

Consequently, Singapore has developed one of the richest international school landscapes in Asia. Families will find schools offering curricula from all over the world: British, American, Australian, Canadian, IB (International Baccalaureate), and more. Some are traditional, mission-driven international schools with long histories. Others are newer, for-profit institutions. The range is genuinely broad.

What families should know is that many popular international schools in Singapore can have waiting lists, and if you have a confirmed relocation date, it's worth applying as early as possible. Registering your interest with a school's admissions team, even before your move is finalized, is a good idea.

Tuition at international schools in Singapore sits at the higher end for Asia. As a general guide, at the time of writing this article, families can expect annual fees ranging from approximately SGD 25,000 to SGD 38,000 at the primary level, rising to SGD 42,000 to SGD 53,000 for the IB Diploma years. Most schools also charge one-time registration fees or capital levies that can total in the thousands. Many international employers in Singapore include a school fee allowance as part of the relocation package. Given the cost of international schools, be sure that you understand your employer's policy and whether tuition is your (or their!) responsibility.

The academic year for most international schools in Singapore begins in August or September, which is worth factoring into your relocation timeline.

Can Singaporean Families Use International Schools?

This is a question that comes up more often than you might expect, and the answer is nuanced.

Singaporean citizens are not automatically eligible to attend international schools. Under the Compulsory Education Act, Singaporean children of Primary 1 age (typically age 6 or 7) and above who wish to attend a foreign system school must obtain a waiver from the MOE. The school initiates this application on behalf of the family, and it's assessed on a case-by-case basis, with processing times of around four to twelve weeks.

For children under the age of 7, no waiver is required, and they can attend an international school freely.

There are also a handful of "local" international schools, sometimes called privately funded schools, that occupy a unique position in the landscape in that they offer a blend of an international curriculum (typically IGCSE or IB) with a more Singaporean culture, and attract both Singaporean and international students. For Singaporean families who want an international education without fully leaving the local system, these can be a compelling option.

What About Singaporean Children Who Aren't Thriving in the Local System?

The Singaporean education system does well by many of its students. But just because a child holds a Singaporean passport doesn't mean that they're constitutionally suited to the intensity and pressure of the education system or that it's the right fit. Some children have learning differences like dyslexia or autism. Others may not have a diagnosis but simply aren't suited to the local academic environment.

For these families, there are alternatives worth exploring. Depending on the child's needs and the family's circumstances, options could include a local international school (subject to the MOE waiver process), a private school with a different curricular approach, or even a boarding school abroad.

This is an area where careful, individualized guidance makes a real difference. Our consultants can help families think through what's best for their child, both for the immediate and the longer term.

Special Educational Needs: Good Provisions, But Plan Ahead

For families relocating to Singapore with a child who has Special Education Needs, the international school landscape is generally well resourced. Many of Singapore's international schools have strong provisions for learning support, including dedicated SEN coordinators, in-class support, and tailored learning plans.

Within the Singaporean public system, there are also supports for students who are not neuro-typical learners. However, for children with more significant needs, such as severe autism, the local schools that provide specialist support tend to be full, with waiting lists, and spots are assigned first to Singaporean children. Some local special needs schools will accept expat children, but they typically charge fees in keeping with those of private schools.

For families with a child who has additional needs, it's particularly important to start the school search early and to be transparent about your child's requirements from the outset. Our consultants can help you understand which international schools have the strongest learning support programs and will liaise with school admissions and learning support coordinators on behalf of your child.

University Planning from Singapore

For both Singaporean students attending local schools and expat students in international schools, university options around the world abound! Singapore is an increasingly popular base for families with older children approaching university age, and the education pathways from international schools here are strong. Students completing the IB Diploma, British A-levels, or American AP programs at Singapore's international schools routinely gain admission to leading universities worldwide, including top institutions in the US, UK, Australia, Europe, and across Asia.

For international families who are considering university options outside Singapore, or for Singaporean families whose children may want to study abroad, our consultants can support with everything from explaining an application process to guiding a student through it.

How We Work with Families in Singapore

Our process in Singapore follows the same approach that Bennett uses globally. It starts with the intake interview: a detailed conversation to understand your family, your children, and what they need. Are you an expat moving in for a fixed amount of time? Are you localizing? Do you have more than one child and they are suited to different kinds of schools? Is boarding school worth considering? Every family has a slightly different story, and that first conversation is where we begin to understand yours.

From there, our consultant puts together a personalized list of recommended schools based on research, availability checks, and a thorough understanding of each child's academic profile and learning style. They'll arrange school visits, help with applications, ensure the correct documentation is in place, and liaise with schools on your behalf throughout the process.

Our consultants walk with families through the entire process, from that first conversation all the way through to enrolment.

For families who don't need full-service support, we also offer one-off consultations. If you simply want an hour with an expert to get your bearings, to understand the difference between the IB and British curricula, or to talk through your options as a Singaporean family considering alternatives, that's available too. Get in touch with our team of school placement experts for an hour of clarity.

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Bennett International's Singapore team supports families with school placement across the island, from a child's very first school through to university planning. Whether you're relocating to Singapore, already based there and considering a change, or a Singaporean family exploring alternatives, our consultants bring extensive knowledge of the education landscape and strong relationships with schools across the international and local systems.

Bennett International Education Consultancy works directly with hundreds of families each year across the globe. We support families by helping them make informed decisions about the best-fit schools for their children; with our guidance, they secure placement in preschools, private day schools, public/state schools, boarding schools, colleges and universities, including schools with particular programs, such as special needs support.