Canadian International School Singapore

Overview

Canadian International School Singapore, known as CIS, is one of the city state's established international schools. Founded in 1990, it is an IB World School offering the full International Baccalaureate continuum from the Primary Years Programme through the Middle Years Programme to the Diploma. It operates two campuses, the larger Lakeside campus in the west and a campus in Tanjong Katong in the east, which lets families choose a location to suit their home.

CIS is distinctive for its bilingual programmes, which immerse younger students in English with Chinese or French alongside the IB framework. For families comparing systems, our IB curriculum guide explains how the three IB programmes connect, and the Singapore city guide sets out the wider international school landscape across the island.

The school appeals to parents who want a committed IB education with a genuine bilingual option and a choice of campus location. It is one of several full continuum IB schools in Singapore, so families often weigh it against other IB and British providers when shortlisting.

Curriculum and programmes

CIS delivers all three IB programmes. The Primary Years Programme runs through the early and junior years with an inquiry based approach, the Middle Years Programme continues into the senior school, and students finish with the two year IB Diploma. Because the school offers the full continuum, children can progress through a single coherent framework rather than switching systems.

The bilingual programmes are a defining feature, with English Chinese and English French immersion available in the younger years so children can build genuine fluency in a second language. English is the main language of instruction across the school. Families weighing the IB against the British system can see how a British pathway compares in our British curriculum guide.

Fees

Source: Canadian International School Singapore (cis.edu.sg). English programme, inclusive of 9 percent GST. Annual (two semesters). Application, confirmation and facilities fees extra. Fees are the most recent published figures and exclude one-off costs such as registration, deposits and capital levies. Always confirm current fees directly with the school.

Fees rise with each stage and are highest in the Diploma years. The ranges below are indicative and should be confirmed with the school, as tuition is reviewed annually. Families should also budget for a one off enrolment fee, an annual facilities or building levy and extras such as lunch, transport and uniform.

These figures are indicative only. For a full city view across all curricula see our Singapore school fees guide, or estimate your costs with the fee calculator.

Admissions

Admission is by application and assessment, with the main intake in August and additional entry points where places allow. Families provide recent reports and references, and applicants may complete age appropriate assessments, including for the bilingual programmes where a placement check helps match a child to the right level. As with all Singapore international schools, places are primarily for expatriate and foreign passport holding families.

Popular year groups and the bilingual streams can fill early, so applying six to twelve months ahead is sensible, particularly for Diploma entry where subject combinations may be limited.

Campus and facilities

The Lakeside campus in the west is the larger of the two, with extensive facilities for science, the arts, sport and early years, while the Tanjong Katong campus in the east serves families on that side of the island. Both are designed around the inquiry led IB approach, with flexible learning spaces, laboratories, libraries and performance and sports areas.

Provision differs between the two campuses and continues to develop, so a visit to the relevant campus is the best way to confirm facilities for your child's year group.

Location and where families live

With campuses in both the west at Lakeside and the east at Tanjong Katong, CIS lets families choose a school close to home. Lakeside suits families in Jurong, Clementi and the western districts, while Tanjong Katong serves the east coast neighbourhoods popular with expat families near Katong, Marine Parade and the East Coast.

For the wider relocation picture including visas and cost of living, see our relocation hub.

Other schools to consider

If you are weighing up options, these Singapore schools are worth shortlisting alongside CIS Singapore. Details are illustrative and should be confirmed with each school.

Frequently asked questions