Complete schools guide
Main guide
Singapore has over 80 international schools. Most expat families find a great fit — but only if they start early. Waitlists at the most popular schools stretch 12–24 months, and sibling priority means mid-year places are genuinely scarce. The guide below covers everything in one place.
⚠️ Start before you land. The most common mistake expat families make is waiting until they arrive to begin school applications. Start researching the moment you know you're moving.
Which curriculum is right for your family?
Key decision
The curriculum choice shapes which schools you can consider, your child's university options, and how disruptive a future move would be. Here's the quick version — the full guide goes deeper with school-by-school recommendations.
Quick rule of thumb: If you're unsure how long you'll stay in Singapore, choose IB. It's accepted by universities in 160+ countries and makes transitions between countries much smoother for children mid-schooling.
Waitlists & timing
Critical planning info
Singapore's most popular schools are significantly oversubscribed. UWC SEA and Tanglin Trust have waitlists of 18–24 months. Singapore American School runs 12–18 months. Even "moderate" waitlist schools like Dulwich and Canadian International School require 6–12 months lead time.
Fees & true costs
Budget planning
Tuition fees range from S$16,000 to S$52,000 per year. But the true cost is always higher — capital levies, bus transport, uniforms, books, and CCAs add S$5,000–20,000 on top depending on the school. If your employer is covering fees, confirm exactly what their package includes.
Preschool & childcare
Ages 18 months–6 years
For young children, enrolling in an international school's nursery or early years programme is often the most reliable route into the primary school later — sibling and feeder-programme priority is real. Singapore also has excellent MOE kindergartens and licensed childcare centres as more affordable alternatives.
Local MOE schools
For long-term residents
A small number of expat families — particularly PRs and long-term residents planning to stay permanently — choose Singapore's national school system. It's significantly more affordable, taught in English, and feeds into Singapore's strong university pathway. Non-PR foreigners can apply but places aren't guaranteed.
Related topics
School search underway — here's what families typically sort at the same time.
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