SJI International School is one of the most established IB World Schools in Singapore, a coeducational Lasallian Catholic international school at Thomson Road in the Novena area. Founded in 2007, it draws on the heritage of St Joseph's Institution, which the De La Salle Brothers established in Singapore in 1852, while operating today as a fully international school open to all faiths. It features in our editorial pick of the best IB schools in Singapore on the strength of its academic record and values led ethos.
SJI International at a glance
| Detail | Summary |
|---|---|
| Curriculum and exam boards | International Primary Curriculum and Singapore Maths, custom Grades 7 to 8, Cambridge IGCSE, IB Diploma Programme |
| Stages | Elementary (Prep 1) to Grade 12 (ages 7 to 18) |
| Founded | 2007 (heritage from 1852) |
| Accreditation | IB World School; Cambridge IGCSE centre; Lasallian Catholic ethos |
| Fee band | Upper mid to premium |
| Campus area | Thomson Road, Novena, central Singapore |
Curriculum and academics
SJI International runs two divisions, an elementary school and a high school, with a clear academic spine. The elementary years build on the International Primary Curriculum alongside Singapore Maths, combining inquiry led topic work with the rigour Singapore is known for in mathematics. The high school then runs a custom curriculum in Grades 7 and 8 before moving into externally examined qualifications.
In Grades 9 and 10 students sit Cambridge IGCSE, and in Grades 11 and 12 they take the IB Diploma Programme, the qualification that anchors the school's university placement record across the United Kingdom, North America, Singapore and beyond. The Lasallian ethos runs through pastoral care, service learning and a strong programme of activities in sport, music and the arts, and the school is consistently among the names families shortlist when they browse IB schools in Singapore. As with any IB school, ask the admissions team for the most recent Diploma results and the spread of points rather than rely on headline averages.
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SJI International fees
| Stage | Annual tuition |
|---|---|
| KG2 / Grade 1 | SGD 37,874 |
| Grade 5 | SGD 38,060 |
| Grade 9 | SGD 39,808 |
| Grade 11 | SGD 49,052 |
| Grade 12 | SGD 41,722 |
Source: SJI International (sji-international.com.sg). Day-pupil fees, inclusive of GST. Boarding is charged separately. 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.
SJI International sits in the upper mid to premium fee band for Singapore. In our Singapore international school fees guide the upper mid band runs roughly SGD 35,000 to 48,000 a year and the premium tier above that, and SJI International publishes high school tuition that reaches into the premium range while the elementary years sit lower. Treat any single figure as indicative and confirm the current schedule with the school.
Beyond tuition, 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 IGCSE and IB examination entries in the senior years. Singapore schools raise fees ahead of general inflation, so plan for an annual increase across a multi year stay.
Admissions
The SJI International academic year runs from August to June, and the main intake is at the start of that year. The school is academically selective and popular, so entry at the start of elementary and into the high school fills early, and families relocating to Singapore should apply well ahead. Mid year places are offered where space exists, but they are less predictable at a school with strong demand.
Admission involves an application with recent school reports, an age appropriate assessment, and an interview. High school entry into the IGCSE and IB Diploma years depends on prior subjects and English readiness, so confirm subject availability before committing to a move.
Location and who goes there
The campus sits on Thomson Road in the Novena area of central Singapore, well connected by the Thomson East Coast and North South MRT lines and within easy reach of the central expatriate belt. Families cluster in Novena, Newton, Bukit Timah and the Thomson corridor, with others commuting from across the central districts. The community is genuinely international across many nationalities and faiths, drawn by the combination of academic rigour and a values led, service oriented culture. For a full view of how SJI International fits the wider market, including curriculum mix and fee tiers, start with the Singapore city hub.
SJI International reviews
We do not yet hold any verified parent reviews for SJI 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 SJI International fees?
SJI International sits in the upper mid to premium fee band for Singapore. Add a registration fee, a refundable deposit and optional bus and lunch costs, and confirm the current schedule with the school.
What curriculum does SJI International follow?
SJI International teaches the International Primary Curriculum with Singapore Maths in the elementary school, a custom programme in Grades 7 and 8, Cambridge IGCSE in Grades 9 and 10, and the IB Diploma Programme in Grades 11 and 12.
Is SJI International a good school?
SJI International is an established Lasallian Catholic IB World School with a strong academic reputation and a values led ethos open to all faiths. 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 SJI International applications open?
The academic year starts in August and the main intake is at the start of that year. Entry at the start of elementary and into the high school is competitive and fills early, so apply well ahead of a relocation.
Is SJI International only for Catholic families?
No. SJI International is rooted in Lasallian Catholic values but welcomes students of all nationalities and faiths, and only a minority of students are Catholic.
