Besides being known as the Garden City, Singapore is also renowned throughout Asia and globally for its rich educational resources. Many families with good financial standing choose to send their children to Singapore for their basic education, and the Australian International School Singapore (AIS) is a popular choice for many parents. However, before making a decision, it’s natural to have questions, such as “Is the Australian International School Singapore a good school?” Today, let’s take a closer look at this school to see what it has to offer!
Introduction to the Australian International School Singapore
The Australian International School Singapore was founded in 1993, initially with 32 students and 7 teachers. By the end of the same year, the student population had already exceeded 200. After nearly 30 years of development, the school now has close to 3,000 students and over 200 teaching staff, making it a very large-scale international school. Currently, AIS is located in a pleasant residential area in Singapore and offers facilities such as sports fields, a swimming pool, an indoor gymnasium, specialized visual arts, music, drama, and technology rooms, a library, and a performance hall. In addition to their studies, students can enjoy a rich variety of extracurricular activities.
Educational Philosophy of the Australian International School Singapore
Students at the Australian International School Singapore come from over 50 countries around the world, and the teachers are mostly from Australia, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada, making it a highly inclusive school. The school bases its teaching on the important value of a multicultural environment, educating students not only to acquire knowledge but also to respect themselves and others.
Curriculum at the Australian International School Singapore
The Australian International School Singapore offers a complete international education curriculum for students aged 2-18. This includes a curriculum from kindergarten to Grade 5, the Australian curriculum for Grades 6-8, the Cambridge IGCSE for Grades 9-10, and either the High School Certificate (HSC) or the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) for Grades 11-12. In kindergarten, teachers use the Reggio Emilia approach to teach subjects like art, music, physical education, and Mandarin. In primary school, the school guarantees 200 minutes of Mandarin instruction per week, and in addition to core academic subjects, there are also art, music, and physical education classes. Middle school students follow the International Middle Years Curriculum. High school students can choose between the IBDP or the Australian HSC. For both middle and high school, the core curriculum includes science, humanities, mathematics, and physical education.
At the same time, as an international school, it also caters to students whose native language is not English by providing an English as an Additional Language (EAL) program. This program is available to students in need from preschool to Grade 10.
In addition to core academic subjects, the school places great emphasis on the holistic development of its students. Whether your child is interested in visual arts, music, drama, or sports, they will receive equal attention here. The school offers London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA) lectures and Orff music literacy programs. Students are encouraged to join any music group they like, and each year there are four drama productions, three art exhibitions, and a music ensemble evening to showcase their talents.
In terms of sports, the school offers 100 competitive sports teams, covering a wide range from athletics and soccer to swimming and tennis—virtually everything imaginable. The school has also launched its first elite athlete development program in the secondary school to train athletes for university scholarships and competitive sports programs. Furthermore, from preparatory to Grade 10, the school provides an outdoor education program for all students, which includes camping, wildlife trips, weekend adventures, and jungle trekking.
Academic Year System at the Australian International School Singapore
• The academic year runs from the beginning to the end of the calendar year;
• Each academic year is divided into four terms, with each term lasting approximately 50 school days, or about two months;
• Typically, Term 1 runs from mid-January to late March, Term 2 from mid-April to mid-June, Term 3 from mid-July to mid-September, and Term 4 from early October to early December.
Application Process for the Australian International School Singapore
1. Gather student documents
2. Pay the application fee
3. Arrange for the entrance exam and interview (a Skype interview and written test, lasting about 1 to 1.5 hours)
4. Receive the letter of acceptance after passing the exam (2 weeks)
5. Pay the facility fee (non-refundable)
6. Apply for a Student’s Pass (4 weeks)
7. After the Student’s Pass is approved, book guardianship, homestay, or dormitory accommodation, and arrange for airport pickup and other follow-up services
8. Report to the school and pay tuition and miscellaneous fees
The above is the application process for the Australian International School Singapore. Please note that tuition fees vary depending on the student’s age.
After reading this article, we hope that parents now have a preliminary understanding of the Australian International School Singapore and its application process. We hope this information has been helpful to you! If you wish to learn more about the application process, the required documents, tuition fees, or other information, please feel free to consult us.
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