Singapore has some of the best international schools in Asia. In fact, looking at a few of the facilities and programmes on offer, you’ll wish you were back at school yourself! There are Olympic-style aquatic centres, state-of-the-art music studios, and forward-thinking language and sports programmes – so much for kids to look forward to. Read on for our school-by-school breakdown.
Stamford American International School
If your kids are keen to dabble in Virtual Reality (VR), 3D printing, robotics and more, they can do just that at the Innovation Center at Stamford American International School, where classrooms are equipped with high-tech interactive Promethean boards and Apple TVs to help facilitate learning. Students can look forward to performing in the 500-seater theatre as part of the Performing Arts Programme, and trying out a wide variety of sports at the swimming pools, sports field and more through the Athletics Programme. Little ones (aged two months to six years) will enjoy the purpose-built Early Learning Village that has outdoor play spaces, a swimming pool and Reggio-Emilia inspired classrooms. And, for the even smaller ones, the Early Years’ Infant Care Programme is able to adapt to each child and family’s needs and preferences.
“As a parent, my favourite facility is the Reagan Theater as it is the place where students can nurture their self-esteem and express themselves with confidence. Be it a simple talent show or a full blown production, the atmosphere at the theater is always amazing.” – Simon Cariss, Parent
“My favourite facility in school is the field because we get to do a lot of different sports as well as CCAs there. The field gives us a lot of space to run around and play after school hours as it is really big.” – Ben, Grade 2
Woodleigh Campus: 1 Woodleigh Lane
Early Learning Village: 3 Chuan Lane, Gate 4
sais.edu.sg
Nexus International School
Students learn and get inspired through different ways. Nexus has designed its spaces to be dynamic and flexible, allowing for collaboration and uses the latest technologies to enhance learning. In 2020, the school will be moving to its new campus in Aljunied, which teachers and staff have helped to design alongside architects Broadway Malyan. Besides recording studios, jam rooms, mixing rooms and performance spaces for the Music Programme, there’ll also be an Aquatics Centre with an Olympic-sized pool with state-of-the-art time-keeping touchpads for the swim teams to practise in. Students who love art can also look forward to new spaces for exhibitions and a dedicated ceramics room and kiln. Furthermore, there’ll be Design and Technology rooms and makerspaces on most floors in the school to integrate STEAM into lessons.
“It’s easy to move between classrooms. With closed classrooms, you almost never collaborate with others. If you just work within your class, you don’t get as much diversity, and there are fewer personalities, ages and nationalities.” – Sem, Year 6
“The new pool will change the way we train; the long course will make us stronger and we’ll be able to train faster. There is also a gym that’s great for yoga. I’m excited about the new school, it’s going to be so different and nice.” – Carmen, Year 10
201 Ulu Pandan Road
6536 6566 | nexus.edu.sg
Singapore American School
Facilities are considered the structural cornerstone of Singapore American School – they support the school’s learning programmes and are constantly quoted as a highlight of being part of the SAS community. In addition to the robotics labs, makerspaces, recording studios and sports facilities that support the school’s athletics, arts and other activities, the school has recently introduced pathfinder spaces to allow staff and students to experience a new way of learning. These classrooms are connected and feature modular furniture so teachers have the ability to adapt the setting to best suit the learning objective. These flexible learning spaces have enabled teachers to test new learning models and collaboration strategies to enhance and personalise students’ learning.
“Our learning community allows for strong connections, and team teaching contributes to the successful implementation of personalised learning. There is a family atmosphere at SAS; students collaborate with students, teachers with teachers, and teachers with students. We do a lot of interdisciplinary learning and subjects become more easily connected through shared projects and themes.” – Brendan Riley, Grade 6 Science Teacher
“I like the fact that the school’s learning spaces have classrooms that are linked together and where walls can be removed. This allows for a strengthened sense of community.” – Benjamin Cheong, Grade 7
40 Woodlands Street 41
6363 3403 | sas.edu.sg
Dulwich College (Singapore)
Dulwich College (Singapore) continually upgrades its facilities with the aim of promoting the holistic development of students. The College has a state-of-the-art performing arts centre with three theatres and music rooms, three swimming pools, sports fields, roof-top gardens, gymnasiums, three dining rooms and two coffee shops. All students (Toddler to Year 12) take part in sports and use the fields, gymnasiums and swimming pools. The Mandarin programme is a huge part of the experience at Dulwich; in August 2019, the College will open its unique Mandarin Centre for Learning and Culture. There’ll be dedicated Mandarin spaces designed with contemporary Chinese architecture and even a Chinese water garden on the roof!
“This year, I took part in the College’s biggest drama performance in The Alleyn Theatre. Being on the stage in front of over 700 people was both thrilling and scary at the same time. I loved it.” – James Brooks, Year 8
“The sporting opportunities at the school are remarkable. Both of my children are in the competitive squads and it gives me a huge sense of pride knowing they are representing the College. There is a sport for everyone at the school, whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro. Dulwich caters for all abilities, which is something that I admire.” – Georgina Brooks, Parent
71 Bukit Batok West Avenue 8
6890 1003 | singapore.dulwich.org
Marlborough College Malaysia
Located less than 20 minutes from the Singapore-Malaysia border, Marlborough College Malaysia has four Senior Boarding Houses (13 to 18 years) and two Junior Boarding Houses (nine to 13 years), with supervised prep and planned weekly activities. All Marlborough students are encouraged to take part in the school’s extensive co-curricular programme, including sports and music. The campus has a wide range of facilities to accommodate these activities, such as a 50-metre swimming and sports complex with indoor netball, basketball, volleyball and badminton courts. There are also science labs, art studios and music rooms. The school has recently launched a farm and students are all involved. Preschoolers have gardening sessions and the Upper Sixth Form use it for classes such as Business Studies and Science.
“We have a large variety of facilities at MCM that enable the pupils to excel in their passion. A favourite of mine is the purpose-built gym. It helps us stay fit and is also used for school team trainings.” – Jackson McNaught, Upper Sixth
“I really like the art rooms at MCM; especially the equipment and different types of art we do, such as the kiln to make pottery. We are currently having a Big Draw activity, where we draw freestyle and even draw on objects as part of an art installation.” – Hailey Marshall, Year 6
Jalan Marlborough, 79200 Iskandar Puteri, Johor
marlboroughcollegemalaysia.org
GESS
Surrounded by the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, the new GESS campus adopts a school-within-a-school approach, where students can feel part of a bigger school community but can retreat to smaller tailored spaces that meet their age-specific needs. The school has a range of facilities to support its sports, arts and co-curricular programmes, including an Olympic-sized swimming pool, 400-seater auditorium, design and technology studio, maker space, black box theatre and grade-specific collaborative learning pods. These cater to students’ diverse range of interests and also offer spaces for students to refine their skills and pursue their passions.
“The Design and Technology studio enables both MYP and IB students to use more advanced tools. It gives us an understanding of how to operate different types of machines. The wide range of gadgets and machines allows us to be creative and choose a different approach when we construct something new.” – Marcus Norup, Grade 10
“Our daughter is enjoying the lovely new campus, which is easy to master as a new student. All the classrooms are big and bright. She also loves the indoor swimming pool and sports facilities. It’s so lovely to seeing her going to school happy.” – Mette Ohlsen, Parent
2 Dairy Farm Lane
6461 0881 | gess.sg
Tanglin Trust School
Tanglin Trust School’s campus comprises separate modern buildings for Infant, Junior, Senior School and Sixth Form students. To facilitate the school’s various learning programmes, each school has well-designed classrooms with age-appropriate facilities, set around common areas and outdoor spaces. Besides performance halls, art studios, laboratories, a new D&T suite and sports facilities, the Infant School has a playground with an outdoor kitchen and music shed. The Junior School also recently opened The Snug Sensory and Learning Room and the Personalised Learning Room. In the Senior School, there are well-resourced studio spaces where students can learn video editing, 3D animation, compositing and motion graphics, and graphic design as part of the film programme.
“The personalised learning room is an interactive, grown-up space where we can develop our ideas individually and as a team. The whiteboard tables and walls are great for problem- solving and presenting to others.” – Sam, Year 6
“My daughter is studying IB Film, so I find myself on the campus quite often to see her work. I have been thoroughly impressed with the facilities, which are comparable to those of universities. With state-of-the-art resources and a team of dedicated and experienced staff, the Tanglin film department is exquisite.” – Mary Goh, Parent
95 Portsdown Road
6770 3480 | tts.edu.sg
The Grange Institution
Students at The Grange Institution can look forward to taking part in fun and unique projects in addition to the regular curriculum. The school’s S.T.E.P. (Students’ Transdisciplinary Experiential Projects) initiatives include the Creative Expressions Project and Garden-to-Table Project. The Creative Expressions Project allows students to showcase their learning across different disciplines, by bringing in professional artists to inspire and guide them to create their own original works. Through the Garden-to-Table Project, students build their own sustainable garden and at the same time, learn about food, education and environmentally sustainable practices and lifestyles. Students also have the chance to use the creative studio where they can freely express themselves while being under the guidance of teachers and professionals.
“I remember my first visit with my daughter; she was really excited at the library and art studio. Since she started school, she has shown more interest in reading, became more confident and improving in her speaking.” – Dima Abbas, Parent
“The Grange has experienced teachers who are caring and nurturing. It’s also a great environment that develops creativity and focuses on sustainable practices. Our daughter looks forward to going to school every day.” – Family from Japan
449 Yio Chu Kang Road
6817 3630 | thegrange.edu.sg
Read more about living in Singapore:
International schools in Singapore: HUGE GUIDE
Fun things to do with kids around town
