Are you choosing a school for your child but feeling confused about which curriculum is best? This one-stop guide will help you decide!
When you’re choosing an international school in Singapore, it can be a difficult decision. Not only do you have to consider location, languages and what it costs, you also have to choose between the variety of school curricula. All those tongue-tripping acronyms – it can be confusing! To help you out, we’ve compiled a guide to the school curriculums on offer here in Singapore. Once you’ve worked out what’s right for your family, trot on over to our School Selector online comparison tool. It’s your one-stop shop for real research, testimonials and essential insights that will help you find the best school for your family.
Which school curriculum is right for my child?
Consider how your child learns best, or whether you plan to move to your home country or elsewhere abroad further down the line. If you all have key aspirations for a chosen career path or higher education institute, that can all affect your decision, too! Don’t forget to make use of the advisors at international schools too for handy insights and advice – they are the experts, after all.
International school curriculums in Singapore
Click to read more:
National curricula: American, Australian, CBSE (India), German, French, UK
Preschool and early childhood curriculum: EYFS, Montessori, Reggio Emilia, NEL Framework (MOE)
International curricula: IGCSE, International Baccalaureate, International Primary Curriculum
National curricula
American curriculum
The American curriculum isn’t just a top choice among US expats with children already in the American system. Many expat families also like the flexibility and academic rigour it offers. International schools that offer the American curriculum are supported by AERO standards, a framework for curriculum consistency from Kindergarten to Grade 12 that’s issued by the US State Department’s Office of Overseas Schools and the Overseas Schools Advisory Council. Some common themes found in American education are inquiry-based learning and student-centred planning. It offers an ‘a la carte’ approach to education at the high school level, where students can take on individual college-level classes called Advanced Placement (AP) courses. Students can continue making course choices that reflect their unfolding interests and strengths through graduation, without having to lock into set courses at Grade 10. Upon graduation, students receive the American High School Diploma that’s not just recognised by US and Canadian universities, but top universities worldwide too.
XCL American Academy (XAA) is an authentic international school in Singapore that follows the American curriculum. On top of directly aligning its curriculum with the AERO and US Common Core standards, the school also offers some of the best internationally recognised programmes such as Everyday Math from the University of Chicago, Inspired Science, MIT Scratch for coding/programming, and a balanced approach to literacy with materials from Scholastic. Aside from these, XAA offers a unique PioneerTown programme – an experiential, large-scale simulation of a town where students can engage in real-world learning, picking up concepts like economics, negotiation, innovation, and more. Their social-emotional wellbeing is looked into as well through the school’s Pioneer Spirit programme. Based on the Second Step family of social-emotional development programmes, XAA’s students can expect a holistic, coordinated, and community-wide approach to help them develop crucial life skills that are essential for success in school and beyond.
Some schools offering the American curriculum:
International Community School
Singapore American School
Stamford American International School
Australian curriculum
Like other country-specific curriculums, the Australian curriculum is suited to expatriates from and/or returning to Australia. The curriculum runs from Foundation to Year 10. Disciplinary knowledge is found in the eight learning areas of the Australian Curriculum: English; Mathematics; Science; Health and Physical Education; Humanities and Social Sciences; The Arts; Technologies and Languages. The seven general capabilities are Literacy; Numeracy; Information and Communication Technology Capability; Critical and Creative Thinking; Personal and Social Capability; Ethical Understanding; and Intercultural Understanding. Students are graded using levels A-E. Every year students in Years 3, 5, 7, and 9 sit the National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy tests (NAPLAN).
The end of senior secondary education (leaving school) exams for entry into tertiary education institutions (universities, TAFE) have different names in each state, but in international schools in Singapore students predominantly sit the Higher School Certificate (HSC) (New South Wales).
For more information on the Australian curriculum, visit: www.australiancurriculum.edu.au.
Schools offering the Australian curriculum:
Australian International School
Melbourne International School (mainstream and special needs education)
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) curriculum – India
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) is the board of education for the Union Government of India. The renowned pedagogy prepares students from Classes 1 to 12 for competitive examinations while facilitating entry into the world’s leading universities. Assessment for CBSE classes is based on the Continuous and Comprehensive Evaluation system.
CBSE offers a comprehensive curriculum which stresses on academic rigour within an environment of holistic development that enables students to focus effectively on academics, as well as pursue their interests in sports and extracurricular activities.
For more information on the CBSE curriculum in Singapore, visit: singapore.globalindianschool.org/curricula/cbse.
School offering the CBSE curriculum:
Global Indian International School
French curriculum
The French curriculum is arguably more popular with French expatriates in Singapore than say the Australian or American curriculums for their foreign nationals, largely because of the language factor. The system is secular and is split into two levels: Level 1 (nursery and elementary school) and Level 2 (lower secondary and upper secondary).
During Level 1 (before age six) there is an emphasis on the acquisition of the common core of knowledge and skills based on key competencies for education, lifelong learning, and success in later life. Priority is given to learning French and mathematics. Other key subjects are history and geography, science and information technology, art, sport, and foreign languages.
Students enter Level 2 at age 11 in Le Collège (Lower Secondary School), where the aim is that all students become proficient in the common core of knowledge and skills. Once students reach Le Lycée (Upper Secondary School) they may either follow the voie générale et technologique (general and technological path) or the voie professionnelle (vocational path).
For more information on the French system, visit: www.eduscol.education.fr.
Some schools offering the French curriculum:
La Petite Ecole
International French School (Singapore)
German curriculum
Once again, the German curriculum is favoured by German nationals not only because of the foreign language element, but also because of ease of transition from German schooling to Singapore and re-location to German university post-school. The education system varies from state to state.
Kindergarten (ages two to six) is optional, after which comes compulsory Grundschule (ages six to 10). Secondary education in Germany is relatively complex – involving five different types of schools: the Gymnasium (final exam, Abitur, is sat in Year 12/13), the Realschule, the Hauptschule (vocational education), the Gesamtschule, and Förderschulen/Sonderschulen. German universities as a general rule require students to have sat the Abitur examination. For those students favouring a vocational or apprenticeship route, the Duale Ausbildung is the preferred option. It is a relatively complex system.
Some schools offering the German curriculum:
UK curriculum
The National Curriculum has five Key Stages:
- Key Stage 1 – Foundation year and Years 1 to 2 (ages five to seven);
- Key Stage 2 – Years 3 to 6 (ages eight to 11);
- Key Stage 3 – Years 7 to 9 (ages 12 to 14);
- Key Stage 4 – Years 10 to 11 (ages 15 to16) (I)(GCSE)(IGCSE); and
- Key Stage 5 – Years 12 to 13 (ages 17 to 18) (A levels).
Core UK school subjects are English literacy, mathematics and numeracy, science, art, music, drama, and physical and religious education.
General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE)
At the end of Key Stage 4, students sit the UK-based General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE). GSCEs are for students who are preparing for UK leaving exams, A-Levels. Most schools offering A-Levels will offer GCSE courses as these are the best preparation for these next stage exams. The curriculum offers nine subjects including English Language, Mathematics and Science (Biology, Chemistry, and Physics) (core), and other subjects, which may vary including Geography, History, German, Business Studies, IT, and English Literature.
IGCSE (see International Curricula below for information) is also becoming more popular in England and some schools opt for IGCSE courses to provide more options for their students at the next stage of schooling.
A-Levels
Key Stage 5 is a two-year course, after which students take advanced level exams (A levels). A-Levels are not compulsory, but are taken by a high percentage of the student population (especially in international schools in Singapore). An alternative to A-level exams for international students at an IB school is the IBDP.
Some schools offering the UK curriculum:
Dover Court International School
Dulwich College (Singapore)
EtonHouse International School
Marlborough College Malaysia
Tanglin Trust School
The Winstedt School
Preschool and early childhood curriculum
Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) is a set of standards for early learning, development, and care of children from birth to five years old, as set by the UK government. There’s a focus on three key areas of learning: personal, social, and emotional development; communication and language; and physical development. The four specific areas of learning are literacy, mathematics, expressive arts and design, and understanding the world. EYFS has a strong focus on interaction with children to advance creative and critical-thinking skills, as well as the early adoption of language. Parents with children in the EYFS curriculum enjoy high levels of parental interaction and involvement.
For more information on EYFS visit: www.gov.uk/early-years-foundation-stage.
Some schools and preschools offering the EYFS curriculum:
Tanglin Trust School
Dover Court International School
Montessori
Montessori is a method of education developed by Italian physician and educator Dr Maria Montessori. This school curriculum is based on independence, hands-on play, and learning through experience. Specialised Montessori materials support children to learn – the idea being that at each age the available activities should match natural interests. Students are allowed the freedom to choose their preferred activity, thereby learning free from strict instruction. Children are encouraged to explore, be creative, and work alone and in groups to acquire language, science, maths, communication, art, dance, and music.
Montessori-inspired
Montessori-inspired educators follow the general principles of the Montessori approach (self-directed learning through a choice of activities matching kids’ innate interests) but have not been accredited by the International Montessori Council. Montessori-inspired schools, therefore, have the freedom to adjust their framework to meet the needs of their student population, and are not required to use approved Montessori materials or methods.
Some schools offering the Montessori and Montessori-inspired curriculum:
Brighton Montessori
Global Indian International School (Montessori-inspired)
Reggio Emilia
The Reggio Emilia approach is a preschool and primary educational philosophy developed by teacher Loris Malaguzzi in Reggio Emilia in Italy. The ethos of Reggio Emilia is that young people form lifelong personalities during the early years, during which they are endowed with “a hundred languages” for self-expression. The program is very much hands-on and aims to inspire students to use symbolic languages (such as painting and sculpture) to learn day-to-day. Reggio Emilia focuses on values of community, responsibility, and respect by providing an encouraging and inspirational environment.
Reggio Emilia-inspired
Reggio Emilia-inspired schools follow the Reggio Emilia theory of education, but have not been officially accredited. As detailed above, the Reggio Emilia curriculum is at its core a hands-on, project-based group learning approach, which Reggio Emilia-inspired educators use as a basis for their programmes.
Some schools offering a Reggio Emilia-inspired curriculum:
Blue House International
E-Bridge Pre-School
EtonHouse International Preschool
GESS – International School
Odyssey, The Global Preschool
Singapore American School
Sir Manasseh Meyer International School
Singapore National curriculum
The Ministry of Education (MOE) has developed a Nurturing Early Learners Curriculum for children age four to six. It aims to nurture children’s curiosity so they can explore and discover the world, encourage active learning and foster their competence so they can develop their thinking and reasoning skills. You can find out more in this parent’s guide.
Some preschools offering the Singapore National curriculum:
Little Skool-House
My First Skool
PCF Sparkletots
The following curriculums also offer a preschool element:
American
Australian
French
German
IBPYP from age three
International curricula
International General Certificate of General Education (IGCSE)
IGCSE are internationally adapted certificate courses for high school age students. Originally based on the UK GCE O-Level examinations, the content of the course has been adapted to suit the needs of international students who are not studying in the UK, or will be taking a different course in their final years of school. IGCSE are considered to be excellent preparation for A-Levels and IBDP subject courses, which is why so many schools in Singapore offer them (as an alternative to the IB MYP).
Students sit exams in various subjects (see GCSE above) after a two-year course of study and certificates are issued by a number of examination boards – the most well-known in Singapore are AQA, Edexcel, and Cambridge (who provide the Singapore GCE O Levels).
Schools offering the IGCSE and/or GCSE and/or (I)GCSE:
Australian International School
Dover Court International School
Dulwich College (Singapore)
Global Indian International School
Marlborough College Malaysia
Nexus International School (Singapore)
One World International School
Sir Manasseh Meyer International School
(International) General Certificate of Secondary Education: (I)GCSE
(I)GCSE with a bracketed (I), means that the relevant school has cherry-picked some GCSE and some IGCSE certificates in a combination to best support the students and prepare for the final school-leaving courses. Many schools in Singapore use the (I)GCSE as preparation for the IBDP.
International Baccalaureate (IB)
Founded in 1968, the International Baccalaureate (IB) is a highly regarded educational foundation (considered by many to be the gold standard). It aims to provide a truly international education by developing academic, personal, emotional, and social skills students require for success in today’s increasingly interconnected world. The IB is the most widely offered school curriculum in Singapore. It receives high recognition among higher education institutions, often resulting in a better chance of admission to high-ranking universities (and potential course credit and scholarships). Also, it has a focus on producing caring world citizens who are able to think independently. Therefore it’s a great choice for any family wanting a global education.
The IB Continuum has four programmes:
- The Primary Years Program (PYP) for students aged three-12.
- The Middle Years Program (MYP) for students aged 11-16.
- The Diploma Program (IDBP) for students aged 16-19.
- The Career-related Programme (CP) for students aged 16-19.
International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (PYP/IBPYP)
The PYP is the first stage of the IB programme (but is not compulsory for entry to the MYP) designed for students aged three to 12. The PYP has the overarching IB directive of developing internationally minded, independent students with strong academic and social values. Subjects include maths, science, technology, arts, language (including a second language), social studies, and physical education. Students benefit from the study of transdisciplinary themes: ‘who we are’, ‘where we are in place and time’, and ‘how the world works’.
International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (MYP/IBMYP)
The MYP is the second stage of the IB intended for students aged 11 to 16. The complete programme runs for five years and can be carried out in a partnership between schools. Shorter programmes (two, three, or four years) formats are also available. The MYP is a challenging curriculum that inspires learners to make practical connections between theory and reality. The framework consists of eight subjects: language acquisition, language and literature, individuals and societies, sciences, mathematics, arts, physical and health education, and design.
International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (DP/IBDP)
The DP is for students aged 16-19 and aims to produce students with exceptional breadth and depth of knowledge. The curriculum is made up of the DP core (theory of knowledge (TOK); a 4000-word self-directed extended essay (EE); and creativity, activity, and service); and six subject groups: studies in language and literature, language acquisition, individuals and societies, sciences, mathematics, and the arts. Most courses require written examinations at the end of the DP, but also involve internal assessment. Transcripts are provided for university applications.
International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme (CP/IBCP)
The CP is a programme of career-related education intending to lead to further education, apprenticeship, or employment.
For more information on the IB program, visit www.ibo.org. Additionally, if you’d like to know how the IB is recognised internationally, visit www.ibo.org/university-admission.
Some schools offering the IB curriculum:
Australian International School
Canadian International School
Chatsworth International School
Dulwich College (Singapore)
EtonHouse International School and Preschool
GESS – International School
Global Indian International School
HWA International School
ISS International School
Marlborough College Malaysia
Nexus International School (Singapore)
One World International School
Overseas Family School
Stamford American International School
Tanglin Trust School
UWC South East Asia
XCL World Academy
International Primary Curriculum (IPC)
The International Primary Curriculum (IPC) is a rigorous, global-minded curriculum for three to 12-year-old students. It has a skills-based approach with specific learning goals for every subject. Many view IPC as having similar features to the PYP IB program. Students are supported to achieve strong research skills, interpersonal skills, and adaptation skills, which are crucially important for international students (often moving home and country during their education).
Schools offering the IPC curriculum:
Sir Manasseh Meyer International School
St. Joseph’s Institution International
The Windstedt School
Right, got all of that school curriculums advice? Want to compare the schools on your shortlist and access all the info you’ve been wanting on fees, facilities and see what parents have to say about their schools? We’ve made it easier than ever for you at our dynamic preschool and international school comparison tool, School Selector.