GESS – International School

 

Address: 2 Dairy Farm Lane, Singapore 677621
Website: www.gess.sg
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: +65 6461 0881
Gender: Co-educational
Teaching language: English, German
Curriculum: International Baccalaureate and German
Ages: 2 to 18

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Background

Founded in 1971, GESS has grown from a German School Abroad to a well-known international School educating students of over 68 nationalities. The school has almost 20 years of experience offering the full-fledged IB Curriculum (PYP, MYP and DP) taught in English and 50 years’ experience in offering the German Curriculum.

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What the school says

"GESS is a not-for-profit international school where every child gets the freedom to grow through tailored academic and talent support within a caring community. We offer two main curricula: the International Baccalaureate (IB) programme and the German Curriculum. Many other languages are offered as part of the unique mother-tongue and language-enrichment programmes. The school caters to students of all ages, starting at 2 years all the way to graduation at 18 years."

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Curriculum

Students at GESS can opt for either the IB curriculum or the German school-leaving certificate. GESS is also the only school in Singapore to offer IB students the option of the German Language Diploma which opens many doors to German universities for them. Regardless of the curriculum, all students receive personalised attention and a holistic education that goes beyond the classrooms. There is also language support available to encourage mother-tongue education, especially for Dutch- and Danish-speaking students. 

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Fees

For the 2023/2024 school year, annual tuition fees vary according to curriculum and grades but generally range from SGD 25,400 to SGD 38,600.

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Location

GESS opened a custom-built K12 campus located on Dairy Farm Lane in August 2018. The campus is based on a school-within-a-school concept and has dedicated, age-appropriate spaces to create conducive learning environments for Pre-School, Primary School and Secondary School students while also giving them the benefit of being together under one roof.

With Bukit Timah Nature Reserve at its doorstep, the campus affords students ample opportunities to learn outdoors and see lessons come alive in the natural environment. 

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From the head teacher

"My philosophy towards education is centred on 'student-led learning' and empowering students to evolve into adults by their early twenties; adults who are mature and feel responsible for the world around them. I also believe that it is not difficult to teach young people as long as you succeed in showing them convincingly that the topics and themes you are teaching are of relevance to the world around them and their lives, and this is what we strive to do at GESS. 

"We are also adept at giving children the gift of languages and producing multilingual students who are strong candidates to work and study all over the world. Many of the parents who send their kids here welcome the strong sense of community that makes the school another home for their children and that we put in the effort to look out for each child’s development regardless of differing abilities."

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Quotes from parents

“GESS has a joyous approach to learning and a good balance between work and play. In addition, it’s a small school and, despite having grown, it’s still small enough for the teachers to know all the students. The school feels like an extended family and I think my two boys have felt very welcome and at home since their first day. I really like that classes open up for students to showcase their annual project to parents and there is always so much enthusiasm on their faces. You can tell that the children feel appreciated for their efforts and this enhances their sense of responsibility and self-esteem.”

– Elisa Bonzi and Antonio Bertoletti with Matteo (13) and Luca (6)