Overseas Family School, almost always shortened to OFS, is one of the oldest international schools in Singapore, founded in 1991 to serve the families of relocating professionals. Since 2015 it has occupied a large purpose built campus at Pasir Ris in the east of the island, designed for several thousand students across early years to Grade 12. It teaches a full International Baccalaureate pathway and has long been a natural choice for the city's American and wider international community.
Overseas Family School at a glance
| Detail | Summary |
|---|---|
| Curriculum and exam boards | International Early Years Curriculum, International Primary Curriculum, IB Middle Years and IB Diploma Programme |
| Stages | Early years to Grade 12 (ages 2 to 18) |
| Founded | 1991; Pasir Ris campus from 2015 |
| Accreditation | IB World School |
| Fee band | Mid to upper mid |
| Campus area | 81 Pasir Ris Heights, east Singapore |
Curriculum and academics
OFS runs a continuous International Baccalaureate pathway. The early years use the International Early Years Curriculum, the primary grades follow the International Primary Curriculum, and the school then moves into the IB framework through the middle years and on to the IB Diploma Programme in Grades 11 and 12. The result is a coherent inquiry led progression rather than a switch of philosophy partway through.
Because OFS has historically served a large American expatriate community, families who specifically want a United States system school sometimes compare it against the dedicated American curriculum options in the city. The honest distinction is that OFS awards the IB Diploma rather than a US high school diploma with Advanced Placement, so the right choice depends on where a family expects their child to apply to university. Ask the admissions team for the most recent IB Diploma results and the spread of points before deciding. The scale of the campus also supports a broad programme of activities beyond the classroom across sport, arts and languages.
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Overseas Family School fees
| Stage | Annual tuition |
|---|---|
| Nursery 2 / KG1 | SGD 28,400 |
| KG2 to KG3 | SGD 32,400 |
| Grades 1 to 5 | SGD 35,100 |
| Grades 6 to 8 | SGD 37,500 |
| Grades 9 to 10 | SGD 42,500 |
| Grades 11 to 12 | SGD 44,800 |
Source: Overseas Family School (ofs.edu.sg). Annual tuition (two semesters), inclusive of GST. Excludes one-time registration fee. 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.
OFS sits around the mid to upper mid fee band for Singapore. In our Singapore international school fees guide the mid band runs roughly SGD 24,000 to 35,000 a year and the upper mid band from SGD 35,000 to 48,000, and OFS publishes tuition that places it below the premium names while still offering the full IB Diploma. Treat any single figure as indicative and confirm the current schedule with the school.
Tuition is only the headline. Budget for a non refundable application fee, a registration or enrolment fee, a refundable deposit, and optional extras such as school bus, lunch, uniform and external IB examination entries in the senior years. Singapore schools also raise fees ahead of general inflation, so plan for an annual increase across a multi year stay.
Admissions
The OFS academic year runs from August to June, and the main intake is at the start of that year. Because the campus was built for several thousand students, places are often available across most year groups, which suits families arriving outside the usual August window. Early years and key transition points still fill faster, so apply ahead of a confirmed relocation.
Admission usually involves an application with recent school reports, an age appropriate assessment or readiness check, and a conversation with the admissions team. English language support is available, and entry into the IB Diploma years depends more on prior subjects, so confirm subject availability before committing.
Location and who goes there
The campus stands at 81 Pasir Ris Heights in the east of Singapore, close to the Pasir Ris and Tampines districts and within reach of the airport corridor. Families cluster in the eastern neighbourhoods of Pasir Ris, Tampines, Bedok and the East Coast, drawn by the space and the comparatively easier housing in that part of the island. The community spans more than 70 nationalities, with a notable American presence reflecting the school's history. For a full view of how OFS fits the wider market, including curriculum mix and fee tiers, start with the Singapore city hub.
Overseas Family School reviews
We do not yet hold any verified parent reviews for Overseas Family 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.
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Frequently asked questions
How much are Overseas Family School fees?
OFS sits around the mid to upper mid fee band for Singapore rather than at the premium top. Add a registration fee, a refundable deposit and optional bus and lunch costs, and confirm the current schedule with the school.
What curriculum does Overseas Family School follow?
OFS teaches the International Early Years Curriculum in the early years, the International Primary Curriculum through the primary grades, and the full International Baccalaureate from the middle years to the IB Diploma in Grades 11 and 12.
Is Overseas Family School a good school?
OFS is a long established IB World School with a large purpose built campus and a community drawn from more than 70 nationalities. We do not publish a rating without verified reviews, so we suggest you weigh curriculum fit, the latest IB Diploma results and a campus visit.
When do Overseas Family School applications open?
The academic year starts in August and the main intake is at the start of that year. The large campus keeps places available across most year groups, and mid year entry is offered on a rolling basis where space allows.
Where is Overseas Family School located in Singapore?
OFS occupies a purpose built campus at 81 Pasir Ris Heights in the east of Singapore, which opened in 2015 and was designed for several thousand students.
