Expatriate families who are planning a move to Singapore have to make a lot of important decisions, and many of those decisions must be finalised before they ever arrive in their new home. This can be a frustrating and daunting task, especially when it comes to choosing a place to live and a school to send your children to.
Since many people making an international move to Singapore are coming from a place that is much larger than this island country, they often think that they need to find a school that is within a few blocks of their new home or apartment.
However, Singapore is a small country, so proximity is not always the most important factor in this decision. Here’s what you need to know:
The Size of Singapore
Sitting at just under 280 square miles, Singapore can be described as a small country. In fact, it only takes about 40 minutes to drive from one side of the island to the other, making nearly everything in Singapore within reach for its residents.
Factors to Consider When Selecting a School
Noting the size of Singapore, it’s important to minimize the importance of proximity. An expatriate family that lives and works in the east, can easily send their child to a school in the west. Here are a few factors that are more important than proximity:
- The school’s curriculum
- The school’s facilities
- The cost of the school
Public Transportation
Proximity also does not have to be a major issue because public transportation is readily available. Many schools in Singapore offer island-wide transportation. In addition, this is a safe community where children as young as 8 can use public transportation on their own.
Ultimately, you need to find a school in Singapore that will be the best fit for your child. That is not necessarily the school that is closest to your office or your home. For many expatriate children, an international school provides them with consistency during a time of transition. It also provides them with a high-quality education and an opportunity to fit in within their new community.
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