Children may find new customs unsettling, and teens often miss friends from their home. The responsibility for turning this potentially stressful situation into a pleasant one often falls on parents.
OWIS can help to make the transition a seamless one for your family when it comes to education. We provide a one-stop shop for families moving to Singapore and enrolling their children with us. Whether you are browsing for a school for next year or are working on a short timeline to get your child enrolled at the last minute, we can quickly help you find the right information and any forms you need.
International families can apply to schools directly by submitting an application form along with the appropriate fees and documents. Singaporean students need special permission from the Singapore Ministry of Education for exemption from Singapore compulsory education above the age of 6 years old.
Selecting a new school for an international student can prove more difficult than it might seem since the city is home to at least 40 international schools. When choosing a new school, parents need to consider issues such as school curricula, location, fee, after-school programmes as well as the school's values and philosophy. Each school sets its own policies and standards, so it's important to ask for detailed information when touring a prospective educational setting for your children.
There are more than 40 international schools in Singapore. These schools can be segmented on multiple criteria for example:
Age Group - Preschools, Primary Schools, K8, K10 or K12 schools
Curricula Offered - Nationality focused or International
Fee - Review all fees, many schools have ‘hidden’ costs for example Building levies or Technology fees.
Location - Central, East, West, North
Academic Year Start - January, April, August
Each international school in Singapore creates its own application form and process. At OWIS, we keep things simple for our families by providing a simple online form for families to complete before sending their application fee or school records. Families with questions can contact our admissions office for help at any point during the admissions process.
Some international families work with overseas educational consultants in Singapore to identify the right school situation for their children. These services can prove helpful, but ultimately, it is still up to parents to the vet their top choices against their family's unique criteria to determine the best educational setting for their children.
Katrina H.
Mother of Troy and Cassidy
We toured three other schools prior to OWIS. When we visited, Kristiina was our guide. Her demeanour, level of calm, extensive knowledge of the school, staff, teachers and curriculum was impressive. During the tour, our daughter let my hand go to walk with Kristiina (the first time that’s happened during a tour). Watching her level of comfort, greeting other kids and teachers and her smiles confirmed our thought that this was the school for our children. We brought our son a few weeks later and he too, was comfortable and seemed content. The facilities were commendable as well.
Katrina H.
Mother of Troy and Cassidy
Getting your children settled in a friendly, supportive school environment can go a long way toward making everyone seem more at home. Let OWIS help you make the transition easier by contacting our admissions office today.
