• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Go to Expat Living Hong Kong
GET OUR NEWSLETTER

Expat Living Singapore HomepageExpat Living Singapore

Moving to Singapore and not sure where to start? Expat Living is the essential lifestyle guide to living in Singapore.

Menu
  • Living in Singapore
      • Living here
      • Neighbourhood Guides
      • Schools
      • Property
      • Work And Business
      • Finance
      • For Guys
      • Environment
        • V dayValentine’s Day gifts & date ideas
        • 28 HK drinkNew bars and nightspots to try!
        • La Panache bone inlay consoleGorgeous home décor gift shopping online
        • SentosaA guide to living on Sentosa
      • View all
    Close
  • Things To Do
      • Things to do
      • EL Events
      • Calendar
      • Competitions
      • Noticeboard
        • V dayValentine’s Day gifts & date ideas
        • Father and child bike and scooter where to go scooting in SingaporeWhere to go scooting in Singapore
        • feautureStreet Art in Singapore – spot the difference!
        • Divaagar, Render Tender Singapore Art Museum Singapore Art WeekDivaagar, Render Tender Singapore Art Museum Singapore Art WeekWhat’s on this week and beyond
      • View all
    Close
  • Kids
      • Enrichment
      • Kids Things To Do
      • Mums & Babies
      • Schools
      • Tots & Toddlers
      • Tweens & Teens
        • brain mappingThe benefits of brain mapping for your child
        • frequent urge to pee overactive bladderHow to treat that frequent urge to pee
        • kidsHelping our children deal with stress
        • Mark WenzelMeet the new Superintendent!
      • View all
    Close
  • Homes
      • Home Decor
      • Readers’ Homes
      • Furniture
        • La Panache bone inlay consoleGorgeous home décor gift shopping online
        • singapore interior designersNeed a bit of help with your home décor?
        • how to do a home makeover tips6 small changes for a big home makeover
        • Bungalow 55Having a party of eight?
      • View all
    Close
  • Travel
      • Asia
      • Australia & New Zealand
      • Rest Of World
      • News
      • Travel Offers
        • Glamping Time + Time NsoloGlamping: The best kind of camping!
        • The Fullerton Hotel kids room tent4 fun family staycays – with deals!
        • Merdeka - Where to stay in ThailandWhere to stay in Thailand, reviews & more
        • Covid-19 travel woman mask airportCOVID-19 travel: What to expect
      • View all
    Close
  • Wine & Dine
      • Asian Cuisine
      • Western Cuisine
      • Bars & Clubs
      • Groceries & Speciality Services
      • Recipes & Classes
        • Oh my goodnessHow to eat clean in Singapore
        • 28 HK drinkNew bars and nightspots to try!
        • Afterglow by Anglow vegan30+ fantastic vegetarian and vegan restaurants
        • LyresDry January: Alcohol-free drinks to try!
      • View all
    Close
  • Style & Beauty
      • Fashion
      • Hair & Beauty
      • Beauty Offers
        • Work wear singaporeWhat to wear to the office in 2021
        • jewelleryJewellery gift ideas for all budgets
        • PabloBlau_6AUG2020-02a5 facials for the new year!
        • mens shirts singapore10 of the best places to buy men’s shirts
      • View all
    Close
  • Health & Fitness
      • Dental
      • Fitness
      • Medical
      • Wellness
        • Oh my goodnessHow to eat clean in Singapore
        • nutritionist in singaporeRoot cause medicine
        • frequent urge to pee overactive bladderHow to treat that frequent urge to pee
        • kidsHelping our children deal with stress
      • View all
    Close
  • Shop
    • PRINT MAGAZINE
    • DIGITAL MAGAZINE
    • BOOKS
    • Close
Home » Living in Singapore » How to choose the right school

How to choose the right school

1st October 2020 by Expat Living 4 Min Read

https://expatliving.sg/how-to-choose-the-right-school-for-your-child-in-singapore/

Choosing the right school for your child is one of the most difficult decisions you’ll face as parents. Are the school’s previous academic results the best way to decide? What about your child’s friends; which school are they going to? Does the reputation of the school mean anything?

A good school will not only launch your child into a happy and fulfilling education journey, but it will also influence their friendships, interests and achievements for the rest of their life.

International Community School Singapore (ICS) is hosting a virtual open house with expert educator, Dr James P. Rader, and two of ICS Singapore’s new incoming principals on Saturday 10 October, where they’ll discuss “best practices” in choosing a quality education for your child. Here’s a taste of what you can expect to learn from the event.

choosing the right school

What’s the difference between local public schools and international private schools in Singapore?

The biggest differences between these two categories are affordability and curriculum. Depending on whether you’re a Permanent Resident or foreigner, the local school fees range from around S$200 to $1,000 a month. International school fees range from S$1,000 to $4,500 a month.

The local curriculum offers a rigorous academic focus that immerses the child in the Singaporean culture. International private schools cater to foreign families who are seeking a specific curriculum to help their child transition back into their home country’s school system or to try something that would best suit their child’s learning needs.

What are some of the key criteria parents should be looking for in a school?

  • Climate of the campus. (Is it warm and friendly?)
  • Academic programme. (Where do most former students attend university?)
  • Reputation of the school. (How long has it been in existence and how experienced are the faculty?)
  • Size of the school. (How many students are in a class?)
  • Proximity of the school to your home. (Is the commute manageable?)

How to choose the right school

How important are school tours?

School tours are incredibly important for prospective families as they help them get a first-hand experience of the school. Are the teachers friendly? Are the facilities well maintained? How do teachers and students interact with each other? These are all fundamental questions that can be answered on a school tour.

What are five questions every parent should ask before choosing a school for their child?

The top five questions that our Admissions Department get asked are:

  1. How much are the school fees and do they increase every year?
  2. Are the fees all-inclusive? (For example, do they include technology, stationary, field trips and so on?)
  3. Where are your teachers from?
  4. How many students are there in a class?
  5. How does your school deal with bullying?

Should extracurricular activities be taken into consideration when choosing a school?

Extracurricular activities are important in educating the whole child. These after-school activities help students gain new passions, bond with other students and teachers, and also develop skills that they can use in the real world. At ICS, we offer extracurricular activities such as competitive and non-competitive sports, bowling, Lego club, Little Readers Club, Minecraft, photography, SAT tutoring, taekwondo and robotics.

choosing the right school

What about core values and community?

The core values of a school reflect the essence of that school and are the motivating factors behind all of its policies, programmes and decision-making. At ICS, our core values are:

  • Biblical worldview
  • Caring community
  • Academic excellence
  • Personal excellence

We pride ourselves on infusing “community” into our core values; we care about our ICS family. Each and every student will experience this level of care from teachers, peers and administrators.

What distinguishes ICS from other schools?

At ICS, the curriculum is designed to grow our students into lifelong learners and critical thinkers who will engage the world from a perspective that is built on a Biblical worldview. This is embodied in the ten Expected Student Outcomes that we work toward with our students:

Interpersonal

  • Living Productively
  • Godly Self Image
  • Cultural Sensitivity

Curricular

  • Problem Solvers
  • Quality Communicators
  • Critical Thinkers

Spiritual

  • Appreciate God and His Word
  • Obeying Biblical Authority
  • Modeling Teachers
  • Imitating Christ

Our hope is that at the end of their time with us, each student will embrace these qualities as they move forward in their academic lives.

How has the pandemic impacted the way prospective parents evaluate schools?

Due to COVID-19, prospective families now tend to ask about online learning options. They also what to know the best practices schools are implementing to ensure their child’s education needs will be fulfilled from home and to prevent them from digital fatigue.

Finally, what can parents expect from the ICS virtual open house on 10 October?

At our ICS virtual open house, parents can expect to hear from Dr James P. Rader, Director at ICS, who will share his thoughts on how to choose the right school for your child. They’ll also hear from our two new principals, Mr Darryl Harding (Middle & High School Principal) and Mr Lance Kershner (Elementary School Principal), on their respective school divisions. There will also be a live Q&A session after each principal’s presentation where parents can ask any questions.

To find out more about ICS or to register for the virtual open house, visit ics.edu.sg.

 

 

 

Categories: Living in Singapore Schools Tags: International Community School International Schools in Singapore

Expat Living

Expat Living has everything to help you make the most of living in Singapore! We've got information on neighbourhoods, things to do and see, dining, entertainment, schools, travel, fashion, furniture, finance, health and beauty. And more!

You May Also Like

La Panache bone inlay console

Gorgeous home décor gift shopping online

Woman using phone mobile banking bank for expats

Which bank should I choose in Singapore?

New Year’s Tech Resolutions

Primary Sidebar

Editor's Picks

where to buy furniture in singapore

Where to buy furniture in Singapore – online too!

royal albatross yacht singapore romantic dinner

39 Cool & Fun Things To Do In Singapore

kate marsden facial review iyac med spa aesthetic clinic

Best facials in Singapore: Our reviews!

brunch st regis singapore

Best Brunch Places in Singapore: Champagne Sunday Brunches

hair salon in Singapore before and after

Best Hair Salon In Singapore – Our Favourites

What's On

Singapore International Photography Festival exhibition

Singapore International Photography Festival 2020

Stone Stacks Stefanie Hauger solo exhibition Miaja Art Collections

Stone Stacks

ThisConnect - Threading Worlds

ThisConnect – Threading Worlds

#DrivingTomorrow pop-up exhibition by Porsche Singapore

#DrivingTomorrow pop-up exhibition by Porsche Singapore

Battle between Rama and Ravana Faith Beauty Love Hope Our Stories, Your ACM Asian Civilisations Museum

Faith Beauty Love Hope – Our Stories, Your ACM

Perfect Stranger by Dawn Ng asian civilisations museum exhibition

Perfect Stranger

Expat Living Singapore 🇸🇬

expatlivingsg

Open
Happy Friday! 

We love competitions and we have a fantastic 1-night stay in a Family Suite up for grabs with complimentary breakfast for 2 adults and 2 children at the InterContinental Singapore. 

To stand a chance to win, all you need to do is tag friends follow @expatlivingsg and @interconsin on Instagram, then click on the link in our stories to enter. 

We will choose a winner on 5th February, so hurry and enter now. 

Good luck!
Open
If the men in your life don’t like shopping around too much you can save your sanity by sending them the link to our article on the 10 best places to buy shirts 👔 

The link is on our stories
Open
Don’t we all love a home makeover! 

If you are looking for some easy, low-commitment ways to spruce up your home for the new year we have six tips on how to do a home makeover from Caroline Chin Geyler (link on our stories) she’s the founder and principal stylist of award-winning interior styling firm Arete Culture. 

The company is a four-time Gold Winner in our Expat Living Readers’ Choice Awards (2017-2020) in the interior design and home styling category so they certainly know their stuff. 

As well as some fab tips she’s offering a special Chinese New Year makeover offer, too. At last our homes can look as stunning as these do @areteculture
Open
Guys: did you know that your skin is structurally different from that of ladies? For most men, androgen (testosterone) stimulation results in skin that’s thicker and tougher than women’s skin. This also means you might need something more than just your wife’s, mum’s or sister’s moisturiser or face wash! 

Lumin was founded on this concept; this California-based online store offers simple yet effective skincare for men, tailored to different skin types and concerns. So, whether you’re looking for a good face cleanser or a moisturiser for men, this is one brand to check out.

To differentiate Lumin from other men’s skincare brands, founders Richard Hong and Darwish Gani flew to South Korea to work on formulas that benefit the thicker and more stubborn skin constructs of men. Most of the ingredients used are powerful plant-based extracts like ginger root, rosemary, coffee and shea butter. The paraben-free and cruelty-free brand also makes a point of avoiding unnecessary nasties commonly associated with popular off-the-shelf products.

If it’s your first time shopping for men’s skincare, you’ll be glad to know that the Lumin experience is simple and fuss-free. Just fill out a brief questionnaire and you’ll get a personalised skincare regime that’s suited to your skin type and lifestyle. You can choose to go with a one-time purchase or have your products delivered on a subscription basis. Alternatively, shop from the curated range of skincare sets catered to different budgets and preferences.

Read about our readers review on our stories
Open
We are completely in love with the new Bvlgari Parfum Allegra that lets you customise your own scent...how cool is that! 
 
Step 1 - select your base fragrance 
Step 2 - personalise your fragrance with a magnifying essence 

The bottles are so pretty we want them all 💕 
 
The Allegra collection is available online at bulgari.com/en-sg and in-store at the Takashimaya Department Store from 19th January and if you can’t wait they also have a pop up only for today at ION SKY
Open
Say hello to our latest Kids' Guide! Want a free copy delivered to you? Visit 👉 expatliving.sg/KG and place your order before 30 January.
 
🧸 The guide has everything from finding an obstetrician and caring for your newborn, to fun activities and choosing the right schools for your child. There’s also lots of useful advice from other mums and dads.
Open
We love finding cool places to check out at weekends.

The Whiskey Library at the chic Vagabond Club Hotel is a must for Whiskey lovers. 

Be entertained by bespoke adventures such as specially curated (sung and told) Jazz stories, intimate theatre sessions, book readings, artist evenings, musical showcases, and even independent film premieres whilst enjoying delightful small bites. 

With a choice of over 1,000 rare and unique whiskeys you can even book a cool Staycation so you don’t have to travel home! @thevagabondclub
Open
So if you are still managing to cling onto dry January or still pondering whether to do dry February (like some of us here at EL), then you must check out our round up (link on stories) of alcohol free drinks to stock up on...we also spotted some pretty cool cocktail recipes on the links to help you out🍸🍹
Open
We are on the lookout for cute baby pics for our next issue. Have you or a friend just had a baby? Send over a baby pic with the date of birth and parents names to editorial@expatliving.sg and we'll feature them in our next issue (swipe to see an example of our baby noticeboard). Tag some friends in this post to share their news with us. 

All babies will receive a free personalised print from the gorgeous @hellosammyeve worth $150 (see 3rd pic). 

We just can’t wait to see the pics of those cute bubbas👶
Open
We are craving those pineapple tarts from @littlehouseofdreams packaged in a pretty eco-friendly canister with an engraved bamboo lid.

Check out their pretty gifts, hampers and roasts to help you usher in the year of the 🐂 

15% off regular items and 10% off gift sets until 31st Jan
Open
Hunting for new foodie places is a tough job but someone has to do it! 

Check out our stories link for a few new hot spots to try. There are more listed in our January print issue and others springing up next month!

Tag your favourite hot spots in our comments, we are always on the lookout 👀 🍽🍷🍻🍹
Open
We had some wonderful  celebrations today for our amazing Editor in Chief Rebecca. Happy Birthday and lots of love from all of the EL team ❤️ x
Open
We love cocktails in a can, what an easy start to kick off your weekend. Available in Espresso Martini, Margarita, Pineapple Daiquiri & Negroni - yum!  Order @curatif
Open
Time to get moving!

Our fitness experts share top tips helping to stick to those New Years resolutions 🏋️ 🧘‍♀️ 🏃‍♂️ 

Link in our stories
Open
The rain and cold winds getting you down? A warm beverage and maybe a good book to snuggle up to might just chase the blues away!

If hot chocolate is too mainstream for you, could we offer up this red velvet alternative? @littlefarms have a wide selection of oat milks, almond milks and soy milk options. 

Since it's #Veganuary, we recommend using dairy free milks to recreate this recipe....

2 cups non-dairy milk of choice
4 medjool dates (pitted)
1 tablespoon cacao powder
1/2 teaspoon beet powder

Add the milk and dates into a saucepan.
Heat, over medium, until it reaches a simmer. Add the warm milk with the dates and the remaining ingredients into a high speed blender.
Blend until completely smooth and creamy. Serve and enjoy! 

Image and recipe courtesy of @darngoodveggies
Open
Read our January issue on any device for free! To get started, visit 👉 expatliving.sg/digital/IG
In this issue, step inside a heritage shophouse, find out where our readers buy their carpets and dining tables, discover amazing glamping locations, plus find out how you can win a glamorous home decor prize worth over $7K!
Open
🎉 We're so pleased to announce the winners of our Readers' Choice Awards! Congrats to all the companies who were voted among the best in Singapore, and to the voters who won the amazing prizes. See the full results online now at 👉 expatliving.sg/readerschoice

.
#expatlivingsg #sgbusinesses #singaporebusiness #elsgreaderschoice
Open
What better way to choose movers than to get the inside scoop from happy customers themselves.

We hear from some individuals and families about their successful moves. 

Whether you’re relocating across the globe or just moving to the condo next door, you’re probably going to need some professional and reliable help to pack and transport for you so check out some recommendations in our stories
Open
Now, to start the new year off with a bang, @areteculture is excited to give one lucky winner a home décor essentials package to refresh their space!  Read more about this amazing giveaway here 👉🏻 www.expatliving.sg/comp-arete  #expatliving #singaporelife #areteculture #giveaway #expatsingaporelife #beinittowinit #homedecor #goodluck.
Open
Recently engaged? Check out our recent story on how to find a fabulous elegant dress plus wedding tips and details of some upcoming wedding trunk shows.

Congratulations from the EL team 💍🥂🍾
  • Competitions
  • Noticeboard
  • Subscribe
  • About
  • advertise
  • Contact
  • Privacy

© 2021 Expat Living Singapore, All Rights Reserved.