ISS International School is a full continuum IB World School in Singapore, set on a heritage hilltop campus in the Alexandra area. It runs all three International Baccalaureate programmes from the early years through to Grade 12 and adds an American style high school diploma in the final two years, so a child can move from kindergarten to a university ready qualification without changing school or system. Founded in 1981, ISS is one of the oldest international schools in the city and keeps a deliberately small student body, which gives it a more intimate feel than the larger campuses.
ISS International School at a glance
| Detail | Summary |
|---|---|
| Curriculum and exam boards | IB Primary Years, Middle Years and Diploma programmes; American style high school diploma |
| Stages | Kindergarten to Grade 12 (roughly ages 4 to 18) |
| Founded | 1981 |
| Accreditation | IB World School for PYP, MYP and DP; accredited by the Council of International Schools (CIS) and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) |
| Fee band | Mid to premium for Singapore |
| Campus area | Alexandra, southern Singapore |
Curriculum and academics
ISS runs the complete IB continuum. The IB Primary Years Programme covers the early and primary years, the Middle Years Programme runs through lower secondary and the Diploma Programme covers the final two years. Alongside the Diploma the school awards an American style high school diploma, a useful second credential for students applying to North American universities or wanting a broader graduation route than the Diploma alone.
The IB approach at ISS is inquiry led, with the Diploma core of theory of knowledge, the extended essay and creativity, activity and service running through the senior years. The small cohort means class sizes stay manageable and teachers know students well. See how the school sits among the city's IB providers in our guide to the best IB schools in Singapore, and read the wider programme on our Singapore IB schools hub.
Budgeting the full cost of a place?
Our fee calculator adds registration, deposits, capital levies and transport to the headline tuition so you see the real annual cost before you apply.
ISS International School fees
ISS spans the mid to premium range for Singapore. Our Singapore international school fees guide places the mid band at roughly SGD 24,000 to 35,000 a year and the premium band well above that, and ISS tuition climbs steadily with age, from around SGD 27,000 in the early years to the high SGD 50,000s in the final Diploma year. Treat these as guide figures and confirm the current schedule with the school.
Add the usual line items to the headline tuition. Expect a one off placement test fee, an enrolment fee and a refundable deposit, plus examination registration in the Diploma years and optional transport. Use our fee calculator to total the real annual cost before you apply.
Admissions
ISS admits on a rolling basis where places exist, with the largest intake at the start of the academic year. Admission involves an application with prior school reports, a placement assessment appropriate to the year group and, for older students, a check that prior study supports the Middle Years or Diploma programme.
Entry into the Diploma is the most selective point, since the six subject course sets expectations on prior attainment and English. Families aiming for the Diploma should apply early and confirm subject availability. Exact intake months are not published openly, so check the application window with admissions.
Location and who goes there
The campus sits on a green hilltop in the Alexandra area of southern Singapore, near Depot Road, on a site with colonial era heritage buildings that give the school an unusual character. The location suits families in the Alexandra, Telok Blangah, Queenstown and Harbourfront areas, all within a short commute. The small, internationally mixed cohort tends to attract families who want the full IB continuum in a less crowded setting.
To compare ISS with other IB and international schools across the city, including fee tiers and where families settle, start from the Singapore city hub.
ISS International School reviews
We do not yet hold any verified parent reviews for ISS International School. 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. We would rather show nothing than show an invented score.
If your family has attended the school we would value your account of admissions, teaching, pastoral care 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 ISS International School fees?
ISS International School spans the mid to premium range for Singapore, with published tuition rising from roughly SGD 27,000 in the early years to the high SGD 50,000s in the final Diploma year. Add a placement test fee, an enrolment fee and a refundable deposit, and confirm the current schedule with the school.
Does ISS International School offer the full IB?
Yes. ISS is a full continuum IB World School running the Primary Years, Middle Years and Diploma programmes, and it also awards an American style high school diploma in Grades 11 and 12.
Is ISS International School a good school?
ISS is one of Singapore's oldest international schools, accredited by the Council of International Schools and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges and authorised for all three IB programmes. We do not publish ratings without verified reviews, so weigh the latest results and a campus visit.
When do ISS International School applications open?
ISS admits on a rolling basis where places exist, with the main intake at the start of the academic year. Apply early for Diploma entry, which is the most selective point. Exact intake months are not published openly, so confirm with admissions.
Where is ISS International School located?
The school sits on a heritage hilltop campus in the Alexandra area of southern Singapore, near Depot Road, convenient for the Alexandra, Telok Blangah and Queenstown residential areas.
