Discover 5 Things About International Schools in Singapore

International schools spread like mushrooms in Singapore. It has been a thriving business because of the positive feedback from the students, parents, and alumni. It is somewhat similar to the junior term abroad being offered by other universities because at an early age, the kids are focused on understanding their classmates’ culture, and individuality. So, what makes an international school? How is this different from the regular school? Do students really benefit from these schools? Here are the factors that make up the best international school.

1. The school should follow a local or an international curriculum from a specific country or has the IB Curriculum as its framework. Most of the international schools in Singapore follow the IB curriculum or the International Baccalaureate curriculum. This type of course acts as the school’s structure in cultivating the learners for every year level. International Baccalaureate offers different types of program such as PYP – Primary Years Program, MYP – Middle Years Program, DP – Diploma Program and CRP/CP – Career Related Program. Some international schools follow other countries’ curriculum (i.e American, German curriculum etc.) because they believe that these types of curriculum produce better results in teaching the young.

2.  The school should have a transition plan for students coming in at any time and date of the year. A transition plan best works for children of expatriates because even if they transfer from half way across the world, they are still able to continue their studies and move on to the succeeding grade level with or with minimal delay in timeframe. The students are able to catch up with the lessons without repeating what they have started in their homeland.

3. The school should have interracial faculties and students. An international school is not called an international school if they only cater to locals. The more diverse the culture is, the more your kid will grasp the concept of belonging and confidence in interacting to different kids from all over the globe.

4. The method of instruction is bilingual or in English. English is commonly used as the method of instruction in international schools because it is understood by many students even if they are of different continents and nationalities. Local dialect can also be used as a form of communication because these schools provide mother tongue programs for kids. 

5. It has a variety of activities related to international studies. Most international schools observe the holidays of each country in respect for individualism and cultural differences. They often hold programs in commemoration of these dates with the participation of other students from different nationalities. These programs help the students to identify and understand these different festivities by immersing themselves in the same.

6. The school has met the standards set by the International Association of School Libraries (IASL). When choosing an international school, parents should take into consideration the following criteria set by the IASL: A moving population (higher than in national public schools), an international curriculum, international accreditation, bilingual language instruction, non-selective student enrolment, multinational and multi lingual student body, moving population, and transferability of students.