What does it take to make the list of top schools in Singapore? It could be the programmes or the school facilities and learning spaces that make you wish you were back at school again. These Singapore international schools have both! There are state-of-the-art facilities such as music and film studios, STEAM workshops, and forward-thinking language, arts and sports programmes and even coworking spaces – so much for kids, and parents, to look forward to.
New state-of-the-art facilities at Dulwich College (Singapore)
The Dulwich College (Singapore) campus was purpose-built around the three main principles of a green urban environment, a supportive learning community and shared cultural values. Designed with a “student first” approach, it offers an array of state-of-the-art facilities and programmes for the school community.
In November 2023, The Greenhouse was unveiled as the final phase of the campus development. The seven-storey, net-zero energy educational building includes:
- a 400-seat multi-purpose auditorium
- a STEAM workshop
- a professional teaching kitchen
- film and media suites
- three black box theatres
- a vast IB library and workspace for pre-university students
Through the adoption of industry-leading innovations and sustainability features, the building generates energy from renewable sources that equals or exceeds the total energy consumed annually. It’s the first international school building in Singapore to be certified Green Mark Platinum Zero Energy by the Building and Construction Authority of Singapore.
The Greenhouse itself is a learning lab. It showcases engineering systems and sustainability features that challenge students to learn about their environment. For example, kinetic tiles at the entrance allow people to watch how much energy they help generate through movement. Living green pillars line the IB libraries. The STEAM workshop provides a space for hands-on experimentation and collaboration, where students build prototypes from recycled items while seated on furniture crafted from upcycled materials. In the Working Kitchen, a hydroponics system has been installed. It will be used to grow different plants and herbs. Students will harvest these and experiment with making plant-based meals.
Building management data from The Greenhouse will be integrated within the Senior School curriculum, across subjects including maths, science, design technology and also business studies. It’s designed to remind students, staff and visitors that everyone has a responsibility to work together to create a sustainable environment and solve global challenges for the future.
A word from parents:
“As parents of three students across the school, we’re genuinely impressed by the outstanding state-of-the-art facilities, such as the kitchen at The Greenhouse and the magnificent Alleyn Theatre with its awe-inspiring pipe organ. The music and dance programmes at the College are unparalleled, offering unique opportunities for artistic expression. Additionally, we greatly appreciate the emphasis on outdoor education, including the enriching forest school experiences. Each student’s individual journey is carefully crafted with clear goals in mind, making Dulwich a beacon of excellence in education.” – Stephan and Monica Tanaja
“My children have been at Dulwich for many years. My husband and I have witnessed the growth and development of this well-rounded educational institution. The school offers outstanding education as well as a broad depth of sport and extracurricular activities from bespoke classes in football to afternoon activities centred around the STEM programme. These focus on the child’s learning development in a fun and engaging way. What is self-evident is that the school continues to invest in its teachers, as well as the school and its facilities. It simply gets better and better.” – Mrs C. Hanna
71 Bukit Batok West Avenue 8
6890 1003 | singapore.dulwich.org
Tanglin Trust School – new immersive learning programme
As part of its Centenary in 2025, Tanglin will launch the Highlands Programme at the new Tanglin Gippsland campus in Australia. This is a five-week immersive programme designed as the pinnacle of a Year 9 student’s education. The experiential learning programme aims to nurture academic, interpersonal, emotional and physical growth. In addition to studying core academic subjects in line with the Tanglin 3-14 curriculum, students will engage in fieldwork studies, explore local history and geography, participate in outdoor education and engage in daily fitness. The programme will culminate in a Rite of Passage experience, challenging students to apply the skills they have acquired during their transformative time in Gippsland. Overall, the school says that the Highlands Programme offers a holistic way for Year 9 students to learn and grow, while gaining an unforgettable experience that will leave a lasting impact.
A word from a Tanglin educator:
“While I’m confident the Highlands programme will deliver many learning opportunities and outcomes, it is your child’s character where I believe you will see the greatest change and benefits. I believe a challenge like this can help students develop resilience, grit and perseverance, and expand their understanding of what they are capable of.” – Mark Cutchie, Head of Campus, Tanglin Gippsland
95 Portsdown Road
6778 0071 | tts.edu.sg
Australian International School’s purpose-built school facilities
The Australian International School (AIS) is a top school in Singapore that’s committed to fostering the holistic development of students aged two months to 18 years through purpose-built school facilities. The school prioritises creating a conducive learning environment where students have ample opportunities to explore, learn and thrive.
AIS state-of-the-art facilities are designed to support academic as well as athletic growth and innovation in Singapore. These include specialist classrooms with indoor and outdoor areas, a cutting-edge theatre, football pitches, swimming pools, libraries, gymnasiums, science laboratories, performing arts and visual art studios, design and technology workshops, tennis courts, and a high-performance Athlete Development laboratory.
A word from the school:
“Swimming is an integral part of the Australian curriculum at AIS. That’s why our school boasts two well-equipped swimming pools. We believe in instilling water safety skills from a young age. Our parent-assisted infant care school programme starts teaching swimming to children as young as two months. Starting early with swimming lessons allows our students to build confidence in water, develop essential motor skills, and foster a lifelong love for swimming and aquatic activities. It aligns with our commitment to holistic development, ensuring that our students receive a well-rounded education that includes physical fitness and water safety.” – Anna Ciezczyk, Assistant Head of Early Years
1 Lorong Chuan
6653 7906 | ais.com.sg
New language programmes at Stamford American International School
At the start of the new school year in August 2023, Stamford offered two new language classes, Japanese and Korean. The goal of these language programmes is to give native Japanese and Korean students the opportunity to continue developing their language skills. At the same time, it offers introductory courses to those interested in learning the languages. The school hired two experienced teachers, Noriko Nagatani and Dr Ha Na, to fill the teaching roles.
A word from a student and educators:
“Japanese is a language with unique sensibilities so there are many different opinions and ways of thinking. What I enjoy most about this class is sharing ideas with classmates.” – Amane, Grade 10 student in the Japanese language course
“We find ourselves embarking on an exciting journey with the unique responsibility of launching a new course. Even though it’s been only a few months since we started teaching, witnessing the sense of accomplishment and enjoyment that students experience in their Japanese and Korean classes fills us with anticipation” – Dr Ha Na, Korean language teacher
“Embracing Japanese and Korean aligns with our mission to prepare students for an interconnected world where cross-cultural communication is paramount. It equips our students with valuable linguistic skills. This enhances their global competence and opens doors to more opportunities around the world.” – Rena Brown, Director of English as an Additional Language & Bilingual
1 Woodleigh Lane
6653 2947 | sais.edu.sg
Campus facility upgrades at Singapore American School
After several years of planning and school community engagement involving thousands of parents, educators and student voices, the campus upgrade project at Singapore American School (SAS) is now in full swing and scheduled for completion in Fall 2026. Over the next few years, SAS will put in place support aimed at empowering educators to deliver high-quality experiences. These will be tailored to each student’s individual needs.
The campus facility upgrade project reimagines the role of classrooms and buildings in the learning journey. It will be a flexible campus with international school facilities that will meet the needs of current and future students as education changes over time. There’ll be more learning spaces and activities and also new school programmes. There will also be modular spaces that enable teachers to adjust learning spaces according to student learning needs. Parents can also expect innovative systems that not only support learning well into the future but also promote energy efficiency, meeting Singapore’s Green Mark Platinum standard and the WELL standard.
Learning communities at SAS are designed to create a sense of community, increase access to various types of learning spaces, promote student agency, and provide more opportunities for student and teacher collaboration. These new spaces enable educators and students to strengthen relationships and foster an inclusive culture. At the same time, they are focusing on high-quality practices to plan, learn, teach and assess.
A word from the school:
“One of my favourite parts of SAS is the learning communities. There’s a space for every learner and every situation. Whether it’s a beanbag in the corner as a ‘cave’ for independent learning, or comfy couches and cushions arranged in a circle as a ‘watering hole’ for group projects and social learning. Most of all, the learning communities foster collaboration and build community through the shared space that’s designed for learners to feel safe, comfortable and heard at SAS.” – Anna Bruce-Quark, seventh grade
40 Woodlands Street 41
6363 3403 | sas.edu.sg
Overseas Family School – a new university preparation programme
The team at OFS say they understand that the university application process can be daunting for any student. Especially when sights are set on admission to an elite university, where the complexity of application increases tenfold. To provide students with personalised support and guidance when navigating the university application process, the school launched a Prestigious University Program (PUP) and Oxbridge Program (OP). These aim to help students develop the critical knowledge and skills necessary to access the world’s leading universities.
Both the PUP and OP are an extension of an existing support framework where every OFS High School student is assigned an Academic Advisor. Shortlisted candidates from as early as Grade 9 meet for these two programmes. They are then mentored on every aspect of their university applications throughout their high school careers. From suggesting appropriate extracurricular activities to boost their competitive profile to providing feedback on essays and coaching for interviews, the programmes work with students to maximise their chances of acceptance.
Despite being relatively new, they have already seen some impressive success. Of its Class of 2023, for example, two students achieved admission to Ivy League universities, with another student gaining a place at Cambridge.
A word from two students:
“The prep group exposed me to the extremely selective admissions process of prestigious universities and allowed me to put my situation at the time into perspective. This reality check made me understand the calibre of students that apply to these selective universities, driving me to better prepare for the SATs and my final IB exams while expanding my collection of extracurricular activities leading up to my application.” – Joshua Ho, who will be attending Brown University
“I found the overall environment to be highly motivating. Engaging in discussions with Mr Wailes and fellow students enlightened me about the importance of establishing a distinctive ‘spike’ in my application. Our initial activities, particularly those where we collectively analysed the characteristics of a successful Oxbridge entrant, proved instrumental in shaping my profile. These discussions provided valuable insights and guidance, helping me refine my approach to the application process.” – Ashwath Nerlekar, who will be attending Dartmouth College
81 Pasir Ris Heights
6738 0211 | ofs.edu.sg
XCL American Academy’s new school facilities and campus
XCL American Academy (XAA) has opened its brand-new campus located in Yishun, a 20-minute drive from central Singapore (depending on traffic conditions). The state-of-the-art facilities are designed to provide students with an immersive learning environment that nurtures a pioneering spirit and a lifelong passion for knowledge.
Key features of the modern facilities and learning spaces on the campus include:
- modern and bright classrooms
- multipurpose gymnasium
- art rooms
- music rooms
- a dance studio
- common collaboration spaces on each floor
The school’s facilities are also accessible to its neighbouring school, XCL World Academy (XWA), as part of their commitment to offering unique opportunities for XCL students. Students from both schools have timetable access to various facilities from an all-weather 50-metre Olympic-sized swimming pool to FIFA-sized outdoor sports fields. The school says this supports the holistic development of students and sets the stage for them to thrive academically and creatively.
Since its opening in 2022, XAA has been cultivating the next generation of leaders and pioneers. The school is committed to be at the forefront of educational advancements – the new campus learning spaces mark a significant milestone in the mission to provide an authentic American international education in Singapore. Through the new state-of-the-art facilities, the school says it hopes to provide the ideal setting for students to flourish, and it looks forward to welcoming them to the new campus.
A word from the Superintendent and a student:
“We’re thrilled to open our new campus, which represents a significant investment in the future of our learners’ education. At XAA, we are dedicated to inspiring the next generation of pioneers, fostering a challenger mindset, and empowering students to realise their full potential while upholding the fundamental American values of respect, honour and courage. Our new campus is a testament to this dedication. With cutting-edge facilities and a dynamic learning environment, we are confident that XAA will continue to provide a nurturing platform for students to excel academically and socially, preparing them for success in an ever-evolving world.” – Tammy Murphy, Superintendent of XAA and CEO of XCL Singapore schools
“The school has exceeded my expectations. It’s even better in reality than what I saw in the advertisements!” – Karen, Grade 7
2 Yishun Street 42
6230 4222 | xaa.edu.sg
School facilities at XCL World Academy – a new innovation hub
In March 2024, XCL World Academy (XWA) announced the grand opening of its new Innovation Hub. Three years in the making, this state-of-the-art facility represents the school’s dedication to educational excellence. Within its walls, learning will take on a new dimension through cutting-edge technology seamlessly blended with creativity and innovation. The school says that their black box theatre, esports arena, design centre and specialised labs are more than just state-of-the-art facilities; they’re platforms for exploration, collaboration and inspiration. It adds that the hub’s learning spaces represent XWA’s commitment to providing a holistic education that goes beyond traditional boundaries and that is shaping the next generation, now.
2 Yishun Street 42
6230 4230 | xwa.edu.sg
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International schools in Singapore: Our huge guide!
Kids’ rugby clubs in Singapore
