With more than 5,000 International Baccalaureate schools worldwide, it’s easy to see why the IB is a favourite of expat parents around the globe. Not only is it well respected and widely acclaimed, but it makes for seamless transfers between schools, wherever jet-setting families may be headed next.
Singapore has a plethora of IB schools to choose from, a fact that can be both exciting and somewhat daunting to expat parents moving to Singapore. To help make the choice easier, here are our picks for the best IB schools in Singapore, as well as some background about how the programme works.
What is the IB (International Baccalaureate)?
A highly respected curriculum with a rich history dating back more than half a century, the International Baccalaureate consists of three main programmes for students ages 3 to 19:
• Primary Years Programme (PYP) – 3 to 12 years
• Middle Years Programme (MYP) – 11 to 16 years
• International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IB DP) – 16 to 19 years
There is also a newer fourth programme that can be taken in place of the Diploma Programme, known as the Career-related Programme.
IB Diploma grading system
The IB Diploma is graded on a points system. There are six subjects, each of which earns between 1 and 7 points depending on performance. The maximum score is 45. For 2024, the worldwide average IB Diploma score was 29 points. The average across Singapore was 38 points.
Top IB schools in Singapore
Chatsworth International School
Ages: 3 to 18
Average IB Diploma score for 2024: 34 points
Highest IB Diploma score for 2024: 44 points
Curriculum: Offering the full range of IB programmes, Chatsworth provides international students in Singapore with an inquiry-based education that includes the Primary Years Programme, the Middle Years Programme and the Diploma Programme. Teaching is fully in English, with a robust English as an Additional Language (EAL) programme to support those with limited English proficiency. Read the full review.
Website: www.chatsworth.com.sg
Global Indian International School
Ages: 2.5 to 18
Average IB Diploma score for 2024: 36 points
Highest IB Diploma score for 2024: 45 points
Curriculum: Global Indian International School has a wide range of curricula available. The Global Montessori Plus Programme is taught in Kindergarten, while Grades 1 to 5 are covered by the IB Primary Years Programme. In Grades 6 to 10, the school offers Cambridge Lower Secondary and IGCSE, with the IB Diploma Programme concluding schooling in Grades 11 and 12. The CBSE curriculum, originating in India, is also available from Grades 1 to 12. Read the full review.
Website: singapore.globalindianschool.org
Tanglin Trust School
Ages: 3 to 18
Average IB Diploma score for 2024: 39 points
Highest IB Diploma score for 2024: 45 points
Curriculum: Primarily a British school, Tanglin offers the English National Curriculum from Nursery through to Sixth Form, including the Cambridge IGCSE in Grades 10 and 11. For Sixth Form, students have the option of choosing either the International Baccalaureate Diploma or A-Levels. Tanglin has one of Singapore's best IB Diploma track records and comes highly recommended. Read the full review.
Website: www.tts.edu.sg
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