From its effective bilingual programme to the strong sense of community and support, read on for the Armstrong family’s full review of Canadian International School Kindergarten.
Known for its award-winning bilingual programmes and warm community, Canadian International School (CIS) has been widely recommended by many of its existing students’ families. That was how Anny Gao and Thomas Armstrong found out about the school, and eventually enrolled their son Leo in its Kindergarten since their move to Singapore last summer.
Within less than a year, Leo’s grasp of both English and Chinese has improved significantly, and is able to switch between both languages effortlessly. But most importantly, he enjoys attending CIS Kindergarten immensely. The HoneyKids team had a short chat with Anny and Thomas to find out more about their experience with CIS.
Hello Anny and Thomas! Can you tell us how you came to know about CIS, and what was the ultimate deciding factor that led you to enrol Leo in its Kindergarten?
We chose CIS for its Chinese-English bilingual programme, which is perfect for Leo’s language development as we want him to be truly bilingual. We’ve spoken to many CIS parents – with children from kindergarten as well as in secondary school – and they’ve all spoken very highly of the programme. Plus, it has a reputation of being one of the most experienced and trusted programmes in the region.
Besides that, we’re also drawn to the world-class facilities that the school has, such as the Outdoor Discovery Centre and pools. We felt that all of these make the school a fun and enriching place for Leo and kids his age to learn and explore.
Has the CIS Chinese-English bilingual programme lived up to your expectations?
It has definitely exceeded all our expectations! We are more than pleased with how much Leo’s Chinese has improved. He could only say a few words in Chinese when we moved to Singapore last summer. Now, he switches effortlessly between English and Chinese.
The Chinese-English bilingual programme at CIS is one of the first in Singapore that’s fully aligned to the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (IB PYP), which we like as it focuses on inquiry-based learning, critical thinking, and helps develop global citizens. We also appreciate how the school has thoughtfully selected the best elements from different education systems for its curriculum. The fact that CIS Kindergarten follows the IB makes it easier for us too if we decide to relocate in the future.
Tell us more about the facilities – did Leo get a chance to experience these?
Yes, and they are fantastic! Leo has always loved learning and exploring, so he particularly enjoys the Outdoor Discovery Centre, especially the pond with turtles, mud kitchen, and sandpits. There are so many things in there that spark his curiosity about nature as well as allow him to develop his motor skills through hands-on play. The best part is that these facilities are open before and after school, so he and his friends can start and end their day playing there.
As Leo loves reading as well, he looks forward to visiting and borrowing books from the library at CIS every Tuesday. And there’s also the pools where he has regular swimming lessons in school.
Is there a community for parents at CIS?
Yes, CIS has a strong community for parents. The school organises events, workshops, and gatherings that bring families together, creating opportunities for us to connect and share experiences with other families. One great example is the Parent Academy at CIS – this platform allows us parents to get involved and learn more about our children’s education and development.
What about the level of communication?
We get regular updates from the school via newsletters, teachers’ messages, and Parent Academy workshops. All these give us a better understanding of Leo’s daily life at school, which makes us feel more involved and connected with his overall learning journey.
What do you value most about CIS?
We value the strong sense of community and incredible support from everyone at CIS. From the principal to the teachers and the supporting staff; everyone is always approachable and welcoming. Every teacher we pass on the way to-and-from school greets us and remembers Leo’s name. It’s a really lovely, warm, and inclusive community.
This is especially so for Leo’s teachers – Ms. Zhang, Mrs. Baxter, Ms. Sue, Ms. Jasmine, Mr. Jose, and Ms. Jessica. We can tell that they love what they do and care deeply about each child. This makes us feel confident and reassured that Leo is in such a caring and supportive environment.
Any tips for parents who are looking for a school for their children?
Focus on what matters most to your family and your children’s needs. We highly recommend parents to visit the school to get a feel for the environment and talk to other parents. You should find a place where your child will feel happy, supported, and engaged.
Thanks for sharing, Anny and Thomas!
Wondering if CIS Kindergarten is a good fit for your child? The school is having weekly Open Houses for its Kindergarten this February, allowing children to have a taster of what it’s like to be a CIS Kindergartener for a day. Book your child a session at its Open House today.
This post is in partnership with Canadian International School.
