Hillside World Academy is a bilingual English and Mandarin IB World School in Singapore, founded in 2006 and built around a genuinely dual language education. Families researching it should note the name up front: the school relocated to Marina Square and now operates as HWA International School, so a search for Hillside will lead to HWA. It runs the IB continuum from Nursery to Grade 12 and is one of the more affordable international schools in the city, which is why it appears in our guide to the cheapest options rather than among the premium names.
Hillside World Academy at a glance
| Detail | Summary |
|---|---|
| Curriculum and exam boards | IB continuum, the Primary Years Programme, Middle Years Programme and Diploma Programme, taught bilingually in English and Mandarin |
| Stages | Nursery to Grade 12 (roughly ages 3 to 18 or 19) |
| Founded | 2006, originally as the Chinese International School; now HWA International School |
| Accreditation | Authorised IB World School for the full continuum |
| Fee band | More affordable for Singapore |
| Campus area | Marina Square, central Singapore (previously Hillside Drive) |
Curriculum and academics
Hillside is one of the few schools in Singapore offering the full IB continuum, the Primary Years Programme, Middle Years Programme and Diploma Programme, for ages three to around nineteen. What makes it distinctive is the bilingual model: up to Grade 6 all subjects are taught in both Mandarin and English, so children build literacy in both languages rather than treating one as a foreign language lesson. From Grade 7 onward subjects are taught in English, with Chinese offered as a strong second language alongside options such as French, Italian, Spanish, Japanese and Korean.
The school's stated aim is to value the dual use of Mandarin and English while still supporting each child's native language, which makes it a strong fit for families who want their children to be genuinely comfortable in Chinese without sacrificing an English medium IB pathway. For the wider value picture, our guide to the cheapest international schools in Singapore sets out where it sits against the rest of the market. As always, ask the school under its current name for its most recent IB Diploma results.
Weighing two or three bilingual schools?
Put your shortlist side by side with our compare tool, from fees and curriculum to language model and location, so you can see the trade offs at a glance.
Hillside World Academy fees
Hillside World Academy sits toward the more affordable end of the Singapore international school market rather than at the premium top, which is why it features in our guide to the cheapest international schools in Singapore. Our wider Singapore international school fees guide shows how that compares with the premium tier, where tuition runs far higher. Because the school now trades as HWA International School, confirm the current schedule under that name rather than relying on older Hillside figures.
Beyond tuition, budget for the usual additional costs, an application fee, a registration fee, a refundable deposit and optional bus fees. The bilingual programme is part of the core offer rather than a paid extra, but it is still worth confirming what is included when you request the fee schedule, since the more affordable positioning is a key reason families shortlist it.
Admissions
The academic year runs from August, and the main intake follows it, with rolling entry where places allow. Admission involves an application with school reports, an age appropriate assessment and a conversation about the child's language background, which matters here because of the bilingual model and the Mandarin literacy expected as children move up the school. The school will want to place each child on the right language footing from the start.
Entry into the bilingual pathway can be more involved where Mandarin literacy is part of the assessment, so early application helps. Confirm the current intake points and requirements with the school under its present name before accepting a place.
Location and who goes there
The school is now based at Marina Square in central Singapore, having previously occupied a site on Hillside Drive, the address that gave it its original name. The central location puts it within reach of the downtown and eastern districts and suits families who want a bilingual IB education without a long commute. The community mixes international families seeking real Mandarin for their children with locally based and returning families who value the dual language model, a blend that suits households planning a future connected to Greater China.
To weigh Hillside, now HWA, against the other bilingual and more affordable options in the city, including fees and where families live, start with the Singapore city hub.
Hillside World Academy reviews
We do not yet hold any verified parent reviews for Hillside World Academy. GlobalSchoolGuide is an independent guide and no school pays to be listed, so we publish a rating only once we have collected enough verified first hand accounts to be fair to both the school and to families reading them. Given the school now operates as HWA International School, we are careful not to attach a score that could mislead about the current provision.
If your family has attended the school, under either name, we would value your account of admissions, the bilingual programme, teaching and value for money. Share it through our school reviews hub and we will add verified contributions to this page.
Frequently asked questions
How much are Hillside World Academy fees?
Hillside World Academy sits toward the more affordable end of the Singapore market rather than at the premium top, which is why it appears in our guide to the cheapest international schools in the city. Add a registration fee, a deposit and optional bus costs, and confirm the current schedule with the school under its present name, HWA International School.
Is Hillside World Academy the same as HWA International School?
Yes. The school was founded in 2006 and was known as Hillside World Academy before relocating to Marina Square and renaming as HWA International School, so families searching for Hillside will now find it as HWA.
What curriculum does Hillside World Academy follow?
It is a bilingual IB World School running the IB continuum, the Primary Years Programme, Middle Years Programme and Diploma Programme, with subjects taught in both English and Mandarin up to Grade 6 and in English with Chinese as a language thereafter.
What ages does Hillside World Academy take?
The school runs from Nursery to Grade 12, an IB continuum spanning roughly ages 3 to 18 or 19.
When do Hillside World Academy applications open?
The academic year starts in August and the main intake follows it, with rolling entry where places allow. Apply early for the bilingual pathway, especially where Mandarin literacy is part of entry.
