Singapore: International Schools and Local Schools, What to Compare

This article is for parents weighing Singapore's government schools against international schools while planning a move. It does not say which is better. It sets out what the official notes confirm and which questions to ask. Rules and amounts can change, so confirm the final details with the official bodies and the schools.

Government schools admit through a test

According to Singapore's Ministry of Education (MOE), international students who want a place in a government primary or secondary school sit the AEIS or S-AEIS tests in Singapore. The 2026 AEIS tests ran 1-3 September. S-AEIS applications open in early January 2027, with tests planned from late February to early March.

The AEIS application page (last updated 17 July 2026) says applications for 2026 have closed. Test dates are fixed, so look at them first when planning your move.

Application is online. You create a child account in the Candidates Portal, read the instructions, submit the application, upload documents and pay the fee. Documents include a birth certificate and a passport bio-data page valid for at least six months. Primary applicants also need a statement of results for a Cambridge English test taken from July 2025.

Fees and application costs

MOE's 2026 monthly fees for non-ASEAN international students are S$1,035 for primary and S$2,190 for secondary. ASEAN students pay S$595 and S$1,090. These figures were announced in October 2023.

The AEIS application fee is S$340 for primary and S$630 for secondary. It is non-refundable and attracts GST. The notes I have do not cover international school fees, so request each school's official figures and compare them yourself.

Family passes and your child's school

Your child's school is tied to your own visa situation, so look at both together. What follows only repeats the official guidance. It does not judge whether anyone qualifies.

• The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) Employment Pass page (last updated 27 August 2026) states that candidates must earn at least S$5,600 a month. Employers must advertise on MyCareersFuture before applying.
• MOM says EP or S Pass holders earning a fixed monthly salary of at least S$6,000 can apply for a Dependant's Pass (DP) for a legally married spouse and unmarried children under 21 (as of March 2024).
• ICA says DP holders do not need a Student's Pass for full-time studies within their pass validity. They must apply for one if the DP expires or is cancelled.

Thresholds and conditions can change. Always read the latest MOM and ICA pages.

What to look at in an international school

International schools differ in curriculum and operation. Accreditation is one clue. For example, NEASC's ACE Learning pathway for international schools runs on about a five-year cycle: application, foundation standards, a preparatory phase, 12-18 months of internal reflection, then an external review visit that decides the status. Schools falling short may receive warning or probation, and accreditation is withdrawn only if they still cannot meet expectations. If a school says it is accredited, ask which agency and what its current status is.

Think about university plans early too. The National University of Singapore (NUS) says May 2027 IB candidates apply with predicted results attested by their school, and the IB transcript must reach NUS by 6 July 2027. English must be one of the IB subjects, and an English test is needed if three or more subjects were taught in another language. It helps to know how a school attests predicted results.

Checklist

• I have decided which route to look at first, based on my child's age and grade.
• I have checked the AEIS or S-AEIS test and application dates on the MOE page.
• I have checked that I can gather the application documents (birth certificate, passport, English results).
• I have added monthly fees and application fees into a yearly budget.
• I have read the pass guidance myself on the official MOM and ICA pages.
• I have checked which agency accredits the international school and its current status.
• I have checked how my target university handles applications (predicted results, English requirements).

Ask the school

• Which curriculum do you run, and which qualification do students graduate with?
• Which agency accredits you, and when is the next review?
• What are the annual fees and the one-time costs at entry?
• What are the intake dates and the rules for mid-year entry?
• How do you attest predicted results, and how does university counselling work?

Always confirm your own situation with the official authority or an immigration professional.