The state-of-the-art facilities at these international schools may make you wish you were back at school again! Student learning spaces include STEAM workshops, music and film studios, arts and sports facilities. Take a look at what kids, and parents, can look forward to at these top schools in Singapore.
Purpose-built facilities at Dulwich College (Singapore)
The Dulwich College (Singapore) campus was purpose-built around three main principles: 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
The building adopts industry-leading innovations and sustainability features. As a result, it 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. In it, students build prototypes from recycled items while seated on furniture crafted from upcycled materials. In the Working Kitchen, there’s a hydroponics system for growing different plants and herbs. Students will harvest these and experiment with making plant-based meals.
Building management data from The Greenhouse is also integrated within the Senior School curriculum across subjects including maths, science, design technology and business studies. It’s designed to remind everyone they have a responsibility of working together in creating a sustainable environment and solving global challenges for the future.
Hear from parents:
“As parents of three students across the school, we’re genuinely impressed by the outstanding facilities. These include 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.” – 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. 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 state-of-the-art 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 facility with student learning spaces dedicated to creative arts
Following its opening at the start of the academic year, the new Junior Arts Centre (JAC) has quickly become a dynamic hub for creative learning at Tanglin, perfectly complementing a curriculum designed to inspire, motivate and challenge.
The school says that the impact of the JAC on creative learning within the Junior School has been significant. The centre is a daily hive of creative activity, regular performances, expert masterclasses and creative workshops. It’s all made possible by these comprehensive state-of-the-art facilities:
- Light-filled art rooms equipped with digital learning technology, including ceiling-mounted cameras that project demonstrations onto large screens, enabling every student to follow the creative process
- A Junior Music Department centred around the J:Hub, an expansive performance space and home to regular open mic sessions
- A Junior Black Box Theatre and Dance Studio with a sprung floor
- A two-storey Junior Library featuring 10,000 new books, alongside dedicated spaces for reading, storytelling and author visits
- A Junior Athletic Development Suite with specialist equipment supporting physical development
These new spaces not only enhance student learning, but also build confidence, encourage self-expression and foster a strong culture of creativity across the Junior School.
Hear from a Tanglin educator:
“We teach artistic technique in Juniors. The new technology in the art rooms means that I can digitally share and celebrate students’ work. The students can also show and explain their creativity to their peers.” – Peter Hinckley, Head of Junior Art and Design
95 Portsdown Road
6778 0071 | tts.edu.sg
Learning in nature at UWCSEA
UWCSEA’s Dover and East campuses offer an incredible array of purpose-built outdoor education facilities designed to foster environmental stewardship and hands-on learning. The East Campus boasts nine distinct environmental classrooms that have been thoughtfully designed and actively integrated into the elements of UWCSEA’s learning programme, which include Academics, Activities, Service, Outdoor Education, and Personal and Social Education.
The Infant Rooftop Garden is a welcoming space featuring sensory texture walkways, raised movable garden beds, mud kitchens, sandpits and a water play area. The Infant Gardens around the perimeter of the playground further engage students with exploratory stepping stones, natural tunnels and wildlife-attracting plants. For more adventurous learning, Survival Island offers a wild, forested space where students can take on slacklining, shelter building and fire-making. Additionally, the Rain Garden provides a natural habitat complete with a pond for tadpole observation and wildlife surveys. Other unique outdoor spaces include a lush Herb Garden with a dedicated composting centre, a chicken coop, “bee hotels” by the bus bay and a rooftop rainforest tree nursery.
These and the other outdoor classrooms at UWCSEA provide consistent, accessible, safe, inclusive spaces for students to engage in real-world learning and interact with nature. This helps to build confidence, observation skills and systemic thinking – critical aspects of the high-impact experiences that are part of the UWCSEA learning journey.
Hear from a teacher and a student:
“These aren’t just ‘green spaces’, they are pockets of nature. Our campus environmental classrooms – and they’re often the nursery grounds of Outdoor Education. They offer daily, authentic encounters with living systems, and we know these matter. They build curiosity, foster respect and cultivate appreciation, all of which empower students with a different perspective, long before they step foot on a mountain trail or kayak across a lake.” – Aloni Cahusac, Head of Environmental Sustainability K-12; Environmental Stewardship Coordinator G6-12, Service and Sustainability, UWCSEA East
“Leading the composting is so fun because it helps me to feel accountable and helpful.” – Everett, Grade 3, UWCSEA East, speaking about the Composting environmental initiative that connects to a unit of study on Sustainable Systems
Nature-provided facilities for outdoor learning at Marlborough College Malaysia
The campus at Marlborough College Malaysia (MCM) is a 92-acre outdoor classroom designed to bridge the gap between academic rigour and emotional literacy. Guided by the Flourishing@MCM model, the College says it utilises its vast landscape to ensure wellbeing is a lifelong journey embedded in the daily pupil experience.
The heart of this ecosystem is Barton Farm, a pupil-led initiative that has evolved into a vital hub for sustainability. From the Butterfly Boulevard designed to attract pollinators to the hydroponics systems, the farm teaches pupils the value of stewardship. The livestock enclosure, home to pygmy goats and chickens, serves as a classroom with a difference where lessons in animal welfare provide moments of calm and joy amidst academic life.
Beyond the farm, the College says the campus acts as a safe haven from digital pressures. Whether it’s Pre-Prep pupils building resilience in the Forest School or Seniors utilising the lake for Duke of Edinburgh training, the landscape fosters a powerful spirit of collaboration and mutual respect. By integrating activities like the Marlborough Mile for fitness and “Decompression Walks” around the lake for mental clarity, MCM ensures pupils develop the “roots” to belong and the confidence to navigate the world as balanced, compassionate individuals.
Hear from a student:
“On the farm, we have opened and separated beans, looked at the growing pineapples and planted different seeds. As a treat, we’ve also picked and eaten some mulberries! I really enjoy getting muddy and wet with my friends as we roam around nature. I also learned that some of the fruits and vegetables that we eat at school are grown on the farm!” – Year 6 pupil
Jalan Marlborough, Iskandar Puteri, Johor
marlboroughcollegemalaysia.org
North London Collegiate School (Singapore) – student learning spaces for specialist subjects
Facilities at NLCS (Singapore) are purposefully designed to support a culture of intellectual ambition. The school says the campus is one where students are challenged to think deeply, create boldly and perform with confidence.
The campus brings together specialist spaces that enable depth across disciplines. In Design & Technology and robotics laboratories, for example, students engage in complex problem-solving and engineering design, applying their learning in competitive contexts such as STEM Racing in Schools. Art studios, a black box drama studio and a 700-seat auditorium provide a professional environment for performance across the Creative Arts. These student learning spaces support a thriving Music programme, with the school’s orchestra progressing to external recitals at the Esplanade, alongside ambitious Drama productions that cultivate discipline and artistic excellence.
Sport is equally embedded within school life. A 50-metre swimming pool and AstroTurf pitch, along with dedicated facilities including a newly introduced long jump pit, support students in developing resilience, teamwork and competitive spirit.
With over 120 co-curricular activities each week, this top school’s state-of-the-art facilities extend learning well beyond the classroom, reflecting the commitment of NLCS (Singapore) in providing “floors, not ceilings” for every student.
Hear from a student:
“Our team, MercuriX Racing, has been able to utilise all the facilities in the NLCS Design & Engineering labs to test and refine our ideas to a professional standard. This provides us with a crucial advantage as we approach the STEM Racing World Finals.” – Samuel, Grade 10
130 Depot Road
6989 3000 | nlcssingapore.sg
Overseas Family School – international environment with state-of-the-art facilities
OFS says that the school isn’t just about education but also about helping families truly settle and thrive. For families relocating to Singapore, OFS offers a school environment where inclusion, community and academic success go hand in hand.
With over 65 nationalities represented, the campus is genuinely international environment where students quickly feel at home. The school’s non-selective approach means children are welcomed for who they are. Students are supported by a strong network of pastoral care and experienced learning support teams.
Academically, OFS continues to deliver impressive outcomes. Recent IB Diploma results averaged 35 points – well above the global average – alongside a 99 percent IGCSE pass rate. The school says it’s a clear reflection that it focuses on progress and personalised learning, rather than selectivity.
Beyond the classroom, students benefit from a wide range of opportunities that reflect the school’s diverse community. These include performing arts, sports and cultural celebrations.
Hear from a family and a student:
“We chose OFS for its languages and Mother Tongue Program. Our three children speak English, Mandarin and Dutch, so we were looking for a school where they could do all three languages.” – De Kam Family
“One of the most memorable academic experiences I’ve had at OFS was working on the IB Extended Essay. It was an incredible opportunity to delve deeper into my own interests and explore my curiosities in a meaningful way. This experience has truly been a highlight of my 10 years at the school.” – Vivaan, student
81 Pasir Ris Heights
6738 0211 | ofs.edu.sg
Stamford American International School – student learning spaces and programme for robotics
Stamford American’s VEX Robotics programme provides students with a hands-on way to learn engineering, coding and problem-solving through real-world challenges. Working in the school’s purpose-built Innovation Center, students design, build and programme robots to complete specific tasks as part of a global competition system. It’s a practical learning environment where ideas are tested, refined and improved through trial and error; just like real engineering. The school says that through these experiences, students learn skills that extend far beyond robotics – how to solve problems under pressure, how to learn from setbacks and how to contribute positively to a team.
This year, Stamford American students competed in both the VEX IQ and VEX V5 competitions. VEX IQ provides an entry point for younger students, while VEX V5 challenges older students with more advanced engineering and programming demands. Together, these pathways form a structured progression that builds confidence and technical skill over time. Students competed at national level events against other schools and specialist robotics teams. In the VEX IQ category, 83 percent of the school’s teams advanced to the National Championship rounds, an outcome that reflects the consistent effort students put into improving their robot designs over time.
Across the season, they demonstrated strong progress through persistence, iteration, and teamwork. Success at the national level underscores the value of Stamford American’s VEX Robotics programme in preparing students with the skills, mindset, and confidence needed to thrive in university and beyond.
Hear from a student:
“I’ve always liked robots and I used to make them from cardboard. Joining the VEX Robotics Club at Stamford American and seeing an actual robot up close for the first time was amazing. It wasn’t easy though – I had to keep trying until I could get the code right. The club isn’t just about competing or coding. It’s about empowering students to take risks, persevere through challenges and work together to bring their ideas to life.” – Shrenik, Grade 7
1 Woodleigh Lane
6653 2947 | sais.edu.sg
German European School Singapore – state-of-the-art facilities for STEM learning
The state-of-the-art facilities at GESS support both the academic and physical development of students. It begins with the certified Forest School Programme in Preschool, where learning is taken into the greenery of the nearby Dairy Farm Nature Park. This offers a “classroom without walls” where curiosity knows no bounds. Also in development on campus is a purpose-designed jungle learning area, offering more avenues for inquiring in nature.
A dedicated STEM and robotics laboratory supports ambitious project-based learning. Students also participate in VEX Robotics, FIRST Lego League, the MATE ROV Competition and STEM Racing programmes. These initiatives allow students to apply engineering principles, coding, teamwork and systems thinking in authentic competitive contexts. Laser cutters, multiple 3D printers and vinyl cutters are available at the school’s dedicated CAD/CAM suite. This allows students to move seamlessly from digital design to high-quality manufactured prototypes, developing real-world design and engineering skills.
GESS’s Creative Arts programme offers innovative and experiential programmes that incorporate STEAM features. Students can choose from Studio Production, Stagecraft, Integrated Arts, Design and Creative Industry experiences in the academics, elective and CCA pathways. The school’s Artist-in-Residence programme offers students direct collaboration with creative industry professionals covering local and international artists, musicians and practitioners.
The school recently launched a new climbing wall suitable for both Primary and Secondary students. Rock climbing is now integrated into physical education lessons. Over time, the activity will be part of the school’s extensive range of co-curricular and after-school activities.
Hear from a student and a parent:
“I’m extremely happy about the climbing wall. This will allow many students to discover how fun climbing can be in a safe environment. I’m not a professional climber yet I love the sport, so I can’t wait to try the climbing routes.” – Alina, Grade 9
“The GESS campus is well designed for learning. The classrooms are bright with plenty of natural light. The shared spaces – like libraries, labs and sports facilities – are nicely designed and well maintained. Our youngest child loves the outdoor spaces and play areas in GESS Preschool. We’re also all excited about the forest school experience as it’s exactly the kind of nature-based, exploratory learning we value.” – Adhly and Musheera, parents of two kids at GESS
2 Dairy Farm Lane
6461 0801 | gess.edu.sg
Big school facilities, small school feeling at Nexus International School (Singapore)
At Nexus, every learner has access to state-of-the-art facilities, tailored to their individual interests and ambitions. From a FIFA-accredited sports field and Olympic-sized swimming pool with professional timing systems, to a two-storey auditorium with a full LED display, the facilities are actively embedded into everyday school life.
From Nursery age, all Primary learners are taught by specialist PE teachers. They also take part in weekly swimming lessons year-round to build confidence and essential life skills. A smaller training pool supports progress for younger children. A dedicated fitness suite enables older Secondary learners to balance academic study with high-performance training.
The Nexus campus also offers opportunities across the arts and sciences. Facilities include the following:
- The Mega Lab: A 65-metre-long space designed for collaborative, hands-on scientific exploration.
- Creative Hubs: Black box theatres, music recording studios, and dedicated ceramics and design spaces.
- Performance spaces: Hosting everything from large-scale musical productions and concerts to Science Fairs and Hackathons.
The campus continues to evolve, too. Recent developments include flexible learning environments across Years 1 to 6, enhanced Early Years play spaces and updated recreational sports areas. Future plans include redesigning senior areas to better support a growing IB cohort, with more independent and collaborative study spaces. These purpose-built environments enable Nexus’s expert educators to deliver teaching at the highest level, ensuring every space directly enhances the learning experience.
A word from a parent:
“Nexus stood out to us because of its open learning spaces, which feel innovative and reflective of modern collaborative work environments. It’s not an overly large school, yet it offers facilities comparable to much bigger campuses. Our daughters love spending time in the library and often tell us how wonderful it is.” – Ana Ortiz and Joe Azpurua
1 Aljunied Walk
6536 6566 | nexus.edu.sg
Purpose-built state-of-the-art facilities at XCL World Academy
Located approximately a 20-minute drive from Singapore’s city centre, XCL World Academy (XWA) sits within a quiet, family-friendly neighbourhood. Its modern campus is designed to prepare students for a rapidly evolving world. Known for its future-focused approach, the school blends academics with innovation, creativity and wellbeing.
Its purpose-built Early and Primary Years building reflects this philosophy. The campus features bright, flexible classrooms alongside specialist student learning spaces such as science labs and a junior design lab. The aim of the design is to spark curiosity by encouraging hands-on exploration and independent thinking. Outdoor play areas and communal spaces further support social development and a balanced learning experience.
Beyond early education, XWA’s extensive state-of-the-art facilities include an Innovation Hub with robotics, AI and maker spaces. It also houses comprehensive arts and sports programmes. A key highlight is the XLCerate Future Skills Programme where students engage in real-world learning through entrepreneurship, coding and emerging technologies. The programme equips students with practical skills for the future. XWA says these offerings reflect the school’s commitment to nurturing confident, well-rounded learners from their earliest years.
Hear from a teacher and a parent:
“I really love the open areas within the building – the expansive areas allow us to work in group projects. It also allows for collaboration with other primary school classes to help build soft skills like communication and teamwork, which are so useful for now and later life!” – Simon Wernick, Grade 5 teacher
“What stands out most to me is how the school celebrates courage and the willingness to try. Unlike systems that focus only on high achievers, XWA embraces differences in ability, background and ambition. Children are encouraged to share their ideas and teachers truly listen, often shaping lessons around them.” – Yukako Nunokawa, XWA parent from Japan
2 Yishun Street 42
6230 4230 | xwa.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. Until then, 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 state-of-the-art facilities that aims to meet the needs of current and future students as education changes over time. There’ll be more student learning spaces and activities and also new school programmes. There will also be modular spaces that enable teachers to adjust learning areas 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 student 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.
Hear from a student:
“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, however, the learning communities foster collaboration and build community through the shared student learning space that’s designed for learners to feel safe, comfortable and heard at SAS.” – Anna Bruce-Quark, ninth grade
40 Woodlands Street 41
6363 3403 | sas.edu.sg
Modern facilities and STEAM programme at One World International School
Across its campuses, OWIS offers well-equipped, purposefully designed learning environments that support both academic and co-curricular development. Classrooms are tech-enabled, complemented by well-equipped science, STEAM workshops and IT labs, libraries, studios for music, dance and art, and indoor and outdoor spaces for sports, play and creative pursuits.
The Nanyang campus spans over 30,000 square metres, with nature gardens, dedicated early childhood play areas and extensive sports facilities. The Digital Campus features specialised skills studios, performance venues and adaptable sports facilities. Meanwhile, the Newton campus provides bright, flexible student learning spaces tailored for younger learners.
STEAM is a key programme at OWIS, delivered as a hands-on and problem-solving approach within the Primary curriculum. In dedicated labs and guided by a dedicated coach, students work in teams on design challenges linked to their IB PYP Units of Inquiry.* They plan, build, test and refine their ideas through experimentation. They have access to Robotics kits and coding stations, as well as 3D printers and laser cutters. Projects are varied and practical, ranging from building spaghetti bridges and designing floating structures using recycled materials to coding Lego robots and creating simple electronic games. Many tasks integrate art and design, encouraging students to think across disciplines while solving real-world problems through experiential learning.
* OWIS Nanyang and OWIS Digital Campus are accredited for the IB PYP, Cambridge IGCSE and IBDP. OWIS Newton Campus will align with the same curriculum and is pursuing authorisation for the IB PYP.
Hear from two students:
“I like the lab for STEAM workshops, where I can code and make really cool robots. With my team, I made a Pong-style game and a controller. We also make block-based coding games using the Scratch platform, and we compete in competitions like the FIRST Lego League and Global Robotics competition held at the OWIS Digital campus.” – Shloka, Grade 5
“I take part in four sports on the Sports Programme and lead the girls’ basketball team at OWIS Digital Campus. The sports facilities are extensive. I enjoy playing on the indoor basketball court and badminton courts – I can focus on getting better at my game without worrying about the weather. We frequently play inter-school matches on the indoor courts as well; it can accommodate several teams at a time.” – Anushka, Grade
- Nanyang campus: 21 Jurong West Street 81
- Digital campus: #01-02 Global Campus Village, 27 Punggol Field Walk
- Newton campus: 99 Bukit Timah Road, Alfa Centre
Liked reading about the state-of-the-art facilities at Singapore’s international schools? Our Schools section has more articles about education in Singapore and student learning spaces. Or see our Kids Things to Do section, with ideas on the best things to do in Singapore with kids. Plus, find stores for kids’ clothes and shoes!
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