One of the few countries to ever become independent involuntarily, Singapore has since become an economic powerhouse. While quite small geographically, it has a large, well educated, and well off population, many of whom are highly educated and highly skilled.
In order to continue promoting this, Singapore has a significant focus on their educational system, and indeed have some of the highest ranked students globally in math and science. They have an incredibly strong system of public education, and a large number of private institutions, which primarily serve Singapore’s large expat community. In this article, we’ll go through some of the best options for each, to give you a sense of the diversity of educational options in Singapore. Let’s jump right in!
The Best Public Schools in Singapore
Singapore has a large and well-funded public educational system. The highest level are the schools which prepare students for university; the junior colleges and technical institutes. There are also polytechnic institutes; these are intended for students who are seeking more industry focused jobs, such as communication, engineering, and nursing. You can get a great education at these, but they are less suited for students who want to pursue a liberal arts education in the future.
The primary language of instruction at all public schools in Singapore is English. Students also take courses and demonstrate proficiency in their “first” language, though these can be waived. All placement in pre-university education is based on students’ performance on competitive proficiency tests administered by the state: the GCE O-levels.
Junior colleges all provide two years of education, culminating in either the Singapore-Cambridge GCE A-Level or the International Baccalaureate diploma. All of these schools follow the same curricula. These schools often require school fees to attend. Some Junior Colleges are directly state-administered, while others are independent; all are however overseen directly by the Ministry of Education. Private schools must also register with the ministry, but have more curricular flexibility.
Raffles Institute
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Founded in 1823, this is the oldest school in Singapore, and regularly ranked as the most prestigious. It has a boys-only secondary school, and a coed junior college; it also has a sister school which it administers for girls as a secondary school, allowing students who enter either to pass directly to the junior college.
The school offers an A-Level education, and is known for the rigor of its curriculum. It has one of the highest scoring records on the A-Levels each year, and sees the most success of all junior colleges in Singapore in sending students to elite universities abroad, from Oxford and Cambridge in the UK to Ivy League schools in the US. A significant number of government ministers in Singapore were educated at Raffles.
Boarding is offered at Raffles, but is not mandatory, save for a capstone experience in year 3. Fees for Raffles vary based on both year in school and nationality. FInancial aid is available for Singaporean students specifically. Fees for boarding are assessed separately from school fees.
Admissions to Raffles is possible at several points; years 1, 3, and 5 (5 being the start of junior college). Singaporean students may apply for direct admission online. Admissions is based solely on academic performance, especially on national tests. International students may participate in public education in Singapore, but must do so through the Ministry of Education. Admissions requirements, once they have done so, are the same as for domestic students, though assessed fees are far higher for international students.
Hwa Chong Institute
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This is an independent secondary school and junior college; originally started as a school for Chinese students, it maintains a bilingual educational model and offerings, though all students still learn in English. It offers a boys-only secondary school, and a coed junior college; it has a partnered girls-only secondary school which functions in parallel with the boys-only one.
The school has a boarding complex to host international boarding students. It shares its campus with an International school (Hwa Chong International School); this is a partner school under the same umbrella, but maintains separate facilities and programs, though students at one school can take advantage of facilities of another.
The school offers Singapore’s standard A-level curriculum, but with a bilingual focus, where students learn in both English and Chinese. A majority of students at the school already speak Chinese when they enter. They have a number of special programs, including the opportunity for students to pursue independent research while at the school. Graduates frequently attend top colleges in the US, UK, and China.
Fees for the college depend on nationality; there is some financial aid available to help with these fees. There are various admissions paths, both direct admissions and the Joint Admissions Exercise. These are the standard admissions paths for all junior colleges in Singapore. International students may enter via one of these paths as well, but must meet Ministry of Education requirements.
Eunoia Junior College
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This is an integrated program school run by the ministry of education. It is a combined secondary/junior college which students attend for six years. Students in this school (and in other integrated programs) do not need to take the O-levels; as they are already in the school, they proceed directly from secondary school to junior college and the A-levels. Note that some students are still admitted through their performance on the O-levels, but others simply transition from a partner school directly to the college without having to sit for the test.
The college offers a full suite of advanced academic options, as is the case with many of the schools in Singapore. Students have access to a number of special programs outside of the core curriculum; these include ones for art and music, a leadership initiative, and one for students interested in pursuing STEM innovation. This is something many schools in Singapore offer and support, as the government sees a need for a new generation of innovators.
International students are eligible to apply and attend, but must meet specific admissions criteria, as set by the Ministry of Education. There are a number of prestigious scholarships available through the school for Singaporean students with high academic achievement in a particular subject of interest.
Victoria Junior College
This is a coed junior college notable not just for its strong academic achievement, but for its sports and artistic successes. It was the first junior college to offer theatre, and has very strong choral, band, and dance programs as well. Athletically, they are often one of the top junior colleges in Singapore.
The school is very strong academically, usually ranking in the top three junior colleges for A-Level exam results. They accept students through regular admissions, and also joined an integrated program, allowing some students to enter the school directly, without having to sit for the O-Levels. It is often one of the most competitive schools for admissions based on O-Level scores.
In addition to core academic offerings, Victoria has a number of special programs that students can take advantage of. These include STEM programs, which offer students a chance to network with industry experts and pursue scientific research. They also have a very strong Arts Program, one which offers students a chance to build their skills and create a portfolio of works should they wish to pursue their craft further through higher education.
International students may apply to the college directly. They note that admissions is based on number of available spaces, and is not guaranteed for international students. Financial aid is available for Singaporean students.
The Best Private High Schools in Singapore
In addition to their excellent public schools, Singapore is home to a large collection of excellent private high schools. These serve primarily expat students; indeed, many of them are forbidden from admitting Singaporean students, though recently a number of new private schools have opened which are permitted to do so, though they must follow Ministry of Education guidelines on curricular offerings and school administration.
We can’t go through every private school in Singapore, but we’ll give you a selection of some that are quite highly rated, so you can see what your options are, and what might fit your needs best.
Singapore American School
One of the oldest international schools in Singapore, SAS opened in 1956. It is currently host to slightly over 4,000 students in grades pre-K through 12. The school is coed, with slightly over half the students coming from the US. Over 65 different nationalities are represented however.
The school’s curriculum is set up like that of a standard American high school. Students pursue a broad, liberal arts based curriculum, and have 22 AP courses to choose from, including AP Capstone. A majority of the students who take AP courses at the school score a 4 or 5 on the exams. In addition to AP courses, they have their own Advanced Topic courses, which allow students to explore various subjects at the collegiate level.
Fees for the school vary by grade level; they are $53,860 annually for high school students at time of writing. Other fees may be assessed as well. Applications to SAS must be done online. Students may only enter the high school at the start of a new semester, but applications are accepted on a rolling basis. The application also requires a school report and recommendations from your former school. Singaporean citizens are only able to apply if they hold dual American citizenship.
St. Joseph’s Institution
This is an independent coed (sort of) Catholic school; founded in 1852, it is the third oldest school in Singapore. It houses both a secondary school and junior college; students may enter either the secondary school or junior college; or based on their results on O-Levels transfer to another school within Singapore. The school’s curriculum parallels that offered by other junior colleges in Singapore, culminating in the A-Levels. Note that female students may only enroll in the IB program; the IP program is for male students only.
Unlike pure public schools, however, SJI students may instead choose to pursue an International Baccalaureate diploma. Regardless of which path students take, the school focuses on providing a high level of academic rigor, and preparing students for university. They have a focus on leadership and service for their students. While the school is Catholic, students do not need to be Catholic to attend, though the religious values of the school do impact their educational philosophy.
Despite being a Catholic independent school, St. Josephs operates in many ways like a public school for admissions. Both Singaporean and international students may attend, and must meet the same admissions requirements; these are based on performance on competitive exams. Fees for the school depend on grade level and nationality.
Anglo-Chinese School
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Founded in 1886, this school began as boys only; it remains boys only for the younger years, but admits girls to the senior ranks. The school offers an International Baccalaureate curriculum, and is recognized as one of the top IB schools globally. Students in the secondary school prepare for and take the O-Levels, while students in the upper division all follow the IB curriculum.
The school is known for its academic prowess; students in the secondary school often earn top marks on the O-Level exam, while those in the IB Diploma program are often among the highest scoring globally. The school also has a strong athletics program, and its students go on to attend a number of top universities globally.
Fees for ACS depend on nationality; there are scholarships available for Singaporean students with financial need. Admissions for the school are done online. These open in May, and are based on your academic performance on your O-Level exams. Certain students may also enter through direct admit programs if they are enrolled in the IP pathway.
Invictus International School
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This school was founded relatively recently, opening in 2015. It offers education for students in grades pre-K through 12, and presents itself as an affordable option for international students in Singapore. It has a number of branch campuses in other countries in the region, all run and administered by a single corporate entity.
Invictus offers a Cambridge style curriculum, with upper level students taking the A-Levels. They offer a number of different course options here, allowing students to specialize somewhat. They offer instruction in English and Mandarin, though English is the primary language of the school. They have support for students for whom English is a second language.
Fees for the school depend on grade level; they do offer a sibling discount if multiple students from the same family attend the school. Applications must be submitted online; once you complete this form, you will be invited to take an in-person assessment. Admissions offers will be extended based on the results of this assessment, as they want to be sure you are able to handle the material presented by the school.
Final Thoughts
Singapore is a cosmopolitan metropolis, a hub of business and innovation. The government there has seen the importance of a skilled and well educated populace, and invested accordingly. There are many options for great education in Singapore, and we hope that this article has shed light on what that might look like for you and your student.
Of course, this is only a sampling of the schools available. If you are looking for advice specific to your situation, or help applying to one of these highly competitive schools, then Ivy Scholars can help. We’re masters of assisting students manage the transition to secondary education, and are always happy to help you on your educational journey. Schedule a free consultation today to learn how we can make your life easier.
