What is the best area in Singapore to live in?
Singapore is a small country, so newcomers may not realize how close and connected they will be when they live in Singapore. You can take a forty-five-minute drive and go from one end of Singapore to the other. Here are some popular neighborhoods: Orchard Road, Harbour Front, East Coast, Bukit Timah, and Jurong. You can select a neighborhood that feels right for you and your family, yet still choose a school that is located in a completely different area. The small size of the island coupled with excellent public transportation allows you to fit together a lifestyle that works best for your family in all aspects.
How to choose the best international schools in Singapore?
Choosing an international school in Singapore can be challenging. Some factors to consider include your child’s happiness, the curriculum, and the campus facilities. It’s important to think about short- and long-term happiness, the type of curriculum you want your child to follow, and whether the campus offers a variety of facilities. Additionally, smaller class sizes can lead to higher levels of engagement and participation, and a more cohesive class culture.
See more of our Singapore recommendations:
Best International Schools in Singapore
SJI International, a Lasallian Catholic school in Singapore, provides a comprehensive, values-centered international education to a diverse student body of over 2,000 students from more than 40 nationalities.
Today, the school celebrates a community of over 2,000 students across two schools on one campus. The High School admits both Singaporean and international students in Grades 7 – 12 (ages 12 – 18), while the Elementary School caters to expatriate children from pre-school Prep 1 - 2 (ages 4 turning 5 - 6) and Grade 1 – 6 (ages 7 – 12).
Chatsworth International School is an internationally-minded school offering an exceptional education to students from Kindergarten to Year 13 (Grade 12). Established in 1995, the Chatsworth mission to inspire, educate and enlighten forms the core pillars and education philosophy. As a three programme IB world school, we offer the International Baccalaureate (IB) PYP, MYP and DP curriculum to students. The IB Learner Profile is embedded into everything we do at Chatsworth and the entire school community is encouraged to recognise and support these attributes.
Chatsworth International School is very honoured to be awarded the Best IB School by WhichSchoolAdvisor (Singapore) in 2022 and 2024. A non-selective school, we are focussed on the holistic development of each individual student and preparing students to either enter universities around the world or to transfer to international and national system schools as their families move on from Singapore. Highly qualified and dedicated teachers come from all over the world to offer a truly international education. Chatsworth also won the Highly Commended Best School for the Arts award by WhichSchoolAdvisor in 2022 and the Best Art Programs award by HoneyKids Education Awards 2021. This is a testament to the value and importance of an arts education at Chatsworth.
Dover Court International School is an inclusive British international school in Singapore that is part of the Nord Anglia Education family. We offer a broad, balanced and differentiated programme operating within the framework of the English National Curriculum. Your family will join a caring, inclusive international community that welcomes everyone, celebrates individuality, and prioritizes wellbeing. Supported, inspired, and engaged in their learning, we’ll help your child shape their own journey to success.
We are located in the educational district of Dover in western Singapore.
The school is set on a spacious 12 acre campus which boasts extensive outdoor space embedded in greenery, swimming pool, sensory garden, and multiple playgrounds. We have specialist suites for science, music, design technology, art, drama, as well as a maker space, where our students can learn, make and explore through hands-on activities.
DCIS starts in the Lower Primary School with our Nursery and Reception years, for children aged 3 and 4, where we provide structured learning through play. Children then progress through Key Stages 1 and 2, Years 1 to 6, following a well-planned and tested programme of study in a range of core and extension subjects. Through the International Primary Curriculum, IPC, we are able to teach the National Curriculum in an interdisciplinary and thematic way.
In Primary school, collaborative learning is a key component of our lessons. We use Kagan Cooperative Learning structures in which our students work in smaller groups towards a learning goal. Educational research supports the notion that learning can be accelerated through this approach and the children gain a lot from this, not just academically but holistically.
DCIS Secondary School offers a balanced educational programme that spans across humanities, mathematics, sciences, arts, languages, based on the English National Curriculum. In Key Stage 4, Years 9 to 11, students sit examinations in a range of subjects, earning iGCSE qualifications, which are recognised worldwide.
Sixth Form, Years 12 and 13, at DCIS offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme and the International BTEC Diploma ins business in preparation for any future study options our students may follow. The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) is a two-year programme. In order to achieve the IB Diploma, all students study six subjects: three at Higher Level and three at Standard Level. In addition, students write an Extended Essay and follow a critical thinking course entitled Theory of Knowledge. Participation in CAS is also required. The IBDP is accepted by universities in the UK, North America, Australia and across the world. The BTEC is a vocational course that prepares students either for future study or for the first steps in the career.
Students who do not speak English as their first language can access additional support through our English as an Additional Language (EAL) programme up to, and including, Year 9. English levels are measured by using assessments that link to the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference For Languages) so that we can best meet the needs of each student. The students are assessed in their speaking, listening, reading and writing proficiency in English and the scores determine the level of support needed.
EAL students are taught in mainstream classrooms. In order to cater for all learners, we offer a fully differentiated approach in all curriculum areas. This means our lessons are already designed to meet the needs of all learners, including EAL students. Our teachers are trained in how to adapt lessons to ensure that all students are able to access the curriculum at the appropriate level and teaching assistants offer extra support. Students are making exceptional progress through this programme.
As we recognise that a student will require additional English support, the student will be attending EAL intervention lessons taught by an EAL specialist. These lessons are timetabled to take place twice a day during Mandarin and English, for approximately 1.5 hours per day. Where a student requires further support they will also be withdrawn for maths and IPC, allowing them to receive specialist support to enable them to access these areas of the curriculum. EAL support will continue until the student has acquired a level of English that allows them to access the curriculum without additional support.
Students who participate in the EAL programme are assessed at regular, specific points throughout the year. When the agreed level of proficiency is reached in all four areas, speaking, listening, reading and writing, the student will exit the EAL programme but will continuously be monitored and supported.
Our Department of Supportive Education provides an environment where students of all abilities flourish. It is our mission to nurture the potential of every single student in a dynamic and challenging learning environment.
As part of Nord Anglia Education, NAE, DCIS is also part of a global community of over 61,000 students who collaborate together through the Global Campus. Every Global Campus activity is designed to enrich learning experiences with opportunities beyond the ordinary. From expeditions to Switzerland to visual arts and creative writing competitions, the children are inspired to be ambitious in their learning and to collaborate globally. Nord Anglia Education takes an innovative approach to learning, particularly evident in the collaboration with MIT in developing real-world challenges across the subjects of Science, Technology, Engineering Art and Mathematics (STEAM). Our performing arts programme comprises music, drama and dance and is supported by Juilliard through NAE, with regular visits from Juilliard curriculum specialists.
At Dover Court we are proud of our strong parent community and we encourage parents to be actively involved. The Dover Court Association welcomes all parents and holds many events and social gatherings over the course of the year including orientation events, a Halloween party, parent quiz night, Christmas Fair, family movie night and sports day. DCA Class Parents also arrange regular social opportunities for parents.