Expat Guide to the Canadian International School in Singapore

Moving to a new country often involves big decisions, especially when it comes to your children’s education. If you’re considering Singapore, the Canadian International School (CIS) might be on your radar. As a leading international school, CIS offers a global curriculum and a student-centric approach. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you understand what CIS has to offer.

The Canadian International School (CIS) in Singapore offers a comprehensive educational spectrum, enrolling students from 18 months to 18 years. This covers a range from Nursery to Grade 12.

Here’s a breakdown of the curriculum:

Overall Curriculum Framework

• CIS is one of the few international schools in Singapore to offer all three International Baccalaureate (IB) programmes, from Primary Years through to the Diploma Programme.
• The CIS curriculum is concept-based, focusing on “big ideas” and the application of knowledge to real-world situations, which promotes in-depth thinking and understanding. This concept-based approach allows for portability, enabling students to transfer knowledge between subject areas and other schools.
• The curriculum is benchmarked against national curricula globally, including those from the United Kingdom, Canada, the United States of America, and Australia. This allows for smooth transitions for students moving between schools or preparing for universities worldwide.
• Learning standards are concise descriptions of what students are expected to know and be able to do at each stage, from Nursery to Grade 12, ensuring a sequential development of concepts, knowledge, and skills.
• CIS adopts a student-centric approach, ensuring that program development, curriculum, and assessment are driven by what is best for children and their learning across the K-12 spectrum.

Primary School (Grade 1 to 6) Curriculum Details For students in Grades 1 to 6, the curriculum draws from global best practices and is delivered within the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) framework.

• Inquiry-Based Learning: The PYP is an inquiry-based, curricular framework that encourages students to take ownership of their learning by developing questions, researching collaboratively, presenting findings, and reflecting on the process. This approach challenges students to think deeply, work collaboratively, solve problems creatively, and communicate effectively.
• Essential Elements: The primary curriculum is built on the PYP framework’s five essential elements: knowledge, concepts, skills, attitudes, and action, designed to equip students for success.
• Units of Inquiry (UOI): Students engage in concept-based learning through Units of Inquiry, where different subject areas are integrated. Science and social studies are learned exclusively within these units.

Key Learning Areas in Primary School:

• Literacy: Develops effective communication through reading, writing, listening, speaking, and presenting. The program focuses on phonological awareness, alphabet knowledge, word mechanics, and automaticity. Teachers work with individual students through various instructional methods. Students learn to critically evaluate texts, make meaning, and use strategies to convey meaning.
• Mathematics: Taught within Units of Inquiry or as standalone units, the program is divided into five strands: data handling, measurement, shape and space, pattern and function, and numbers. The core focus is mastery, promoting higher-level thinking and connections, with instruction balancing written, mental, and estimation computation, and the use of mathematical tools.
• Languages: CIS is committed to promoting multilingualism.
  • Language Acquisition: All students in the English program can choose daily Chinese or French, placed according to proficiency.
  • Bilingual Programmes: CIS offers Chinese-English and French-English bilingual programmes in kindergarten and primary school. These provide equal exposure to both languages with native-speaking teachers. A critical component is learning about and appreciating the cultural heritage of both languages. The goal is to develop proficiency to allow students to move into bilingual subjects in secondary school.
• Social Studies and Science: These are delivered entirely within the Units of Inquiry, with specific standards and benchmarks for each unit.
  • Social Studies topics include human systems and economic activities, social organizations and culture, continuity and change through time, human and natural environment, and resources and the environment. It connects students with the local Singapore community for real-world application.
  • Science topics include living things, earth and space, materials and matter, and forces and energy. Students develop scientific skills such as observing, measuring, explaining, questioning, investigating, predicting, interpreting, and communicating.
• Physical Education (PE): Focuses on holistic wellbeing, promoting knowledge, skills, and attitudes for a balanced, active, and healthy lifestyle.
• The Arts: Including drama, music, and visual art, are essential for communication, expression, creativity, self-confidence, resilience, and adaptability, and are an integral part of the curriculum.
• STEAM (Science, Technology, Environmental Studies, Arts and Mathematics): An integral part of the curriculum, with a dedicated STEAM teacher and resources for innovation and design thinking. It offers project-based learning experiences and an interdisciplinary approach to foster innovative thinking and problem-solving.
• Digital Literacy: Integrated into the curriculum and classroom activities through the ‘One to World’ programme, preparing students to think critically and ethically while using technology safely and effectively, identifying important online information, and showcasing skills.
• Library: The library is a dynamic part of daily life, offering a vast selection of books, digital media, and online educational resources. Teacher librarians support classroom instruction and collaborate with teachers to foster research, information literacy, technology, communication, and critical thinking skills.

Student Life and Experiential Learning:

• Extracurricular Activities (ECAs): An extensive program offers additional linguistic, recreational sporting, and enrichment opportunities, run by independent providers.
• Competitive Sports: Older primary students can participate in ACSIS sports, competing against other international schools.
• Outdoor Learning: All students engage in age-appropriate experiential learning outside the classroom.
  • Field Trips: Connect students with the local community and extend classroom learning.
  • Excursion Week: For Grades 4 to 6, offering challenging opportunities within Singapore (with an out-of-Singapore option for Grade 6).
  • Open Minds Programme: An innovative program that takes students in Grades 1 to 6 to various Singapore settings for up to four days to experience environments, artifacts, and experts firsthand.

Academic Excellence:

• CIS is an academically inclusive institution, meaning all students have the opportunity to pursue the IB Diploma.
• In the Class of 2025, CIS achieved an average IB Diploma score of 35, with the top score being 40.58, and 22 students achieving 40+ points. Additionally, 35 students earned a Bilingual Diploma.
• Graduates attend leading universities globally, including Ivy League schools, pursuing diverse disciplines such as Law & Medicine, Business & Economics, Science & Engineering, Design, Arts & Communication, and Humanities across Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Europe, Asia, Australia & New Zealand.The Canadian International School (CIS) offers education for students ranging from 18 months to 18 years, covering Nursery to Grade 12.

Here’s a comprehensive overview of their curriculum:

Overall Curriculum Philosophy and Structure

• CIS offers all three International Baccalaureate (IB) programmes: the Primary Years Programme (PYP), the Middle Years Programme, and the Diploma Programme.
• The curriculum is concept-based, focusing on “big ideas” and the application of knowledge to real-world situations, which promotes in-depth thinking and understanding. This also provides portability for students transferring between schools.
• It is benchmarked against national curricula globally, including those from the United Kingdom, Canada, the United States of America, and Australia, facilitating smooth transitions for students moving internationally or preparing for universities worldwide.
• CIS adopts a student-centric approach, ensuring that program development, curriculum, and assessment are driven by what is best for children and their learning across the K-12 spectrum.
• Learning standards are precise descriptions of what students are expected to know and be able to do at each stage, from Nursery to Grade 12, ensuring a consistent and guided development of concepts, knowledge, and skills.
• CIS is an academically inclusive institution, meaning all students have the opportunity to pursue the IB Diploma.

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Why Choose CIS? A Look at its Profile

The Canadian International School (CIS), established in 1990, is a prominent international school in Singapore, currently enrolling over 3,000 students from more than 80 nations. CIS is known for its academically inclusive environment, which means all students have the opportunity to pursue the IB Diploma, unlike many other schools in Singapore. The curriculum is benchmarked against national curricula globally, including those from the United Kingdom, Canada, the United States of America, and Australia, allowing for smooth transitions for students moving between schools or preparing for universities worldwide.

CIS offers all three International Baccalaureate (IB) programmes, from Primary Years through to the Diploma Programme. The school’s faculty adopt a student-centric approach, ensuring that program development, curriculum, and assessment are driven by what is best for children and their learning across the K-12 spectrum. Students are encouraged to think critically, connect ideas, collaborate, and develop strong communication skills. The school also aims to instill a sense of drive, purpose, and determination to achieve, preparing students for global success.

Academic Excellence and Innovative Learning

CIS prides itself on its academic results, celebrating the Class of 2025’s exceptional IB Diploma results. In 2025, the school reported an average IB Diploma score of 35, with the top score being 40.58, and 22 students achieving 40+ points. Additionally, 35 students earned a Bilingual Diploma. CIS graduates attend leading universities globally, including Ivy League schools, pursuing a diverse range of disciplines such as Law & Medicine, Business & Economics, Science & Engineering, Design, Arts & Communication, and Humanities. University destinations span Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Europe, Asia, Australia & New Zealand.

The CIS curriculum is concept-based, focusing on “big ideas” and the application of knowledge to real-world situations, promoting in-depth thinking. The school’s Primary Years Programme (PYP), for Grades 1 to 6, is an inquiry-based framework that draws from global best practices. Students are encouraged to develop their own questions, research collaboratively, present findings, and reflect on their learning process.

Key learning areas in primary school include:

• Literacy: Developing effective communication through reading, writing, listening, speaking, and presenting.
• Mathematics: Focused on mastery across five strands: data handling, measurement, shape and space, pattern and function, and numbers.
• Languages: Beyond the core English program, CIS offers Chinese-English and French-English bilingual programs in kindergarten and primary school, providing equal exposure to both languages with native-speaking teachers. All students in the English program also have the opportunity to learn Chinese or French daily.
• Social Studies and Science: Delivered within Units of Inquiry, connecting concepts to the greater Singapore community for real-world application.
• Physical Education (PE): Focuses on holistic well-being, promoting knowledge, skills, and attitudes for a balanced, active, and healthy lifestyle.
• The Arts: Including drama, music, and visual art, are essential for communication, expression, creativity, self-confidence, resilience, and adaptability.
• STEAM (Science, Technology, Environmental Studies, Arts and Mathematics): An integral part of the curriculum, offering project-based learning experiences, makerspaces, and an interdisciplinary approach to foster innovative thinking and problem-solving.
• Digital Literacy: Integrated into the curriculum, preparing students to think critically and ethically while using technology safely and effectively.

Facilities and Student Life

CIS’s Lakeside Campus is located at 7 Jurong West Street 41, Singapore 649414. The school opened a new purpose-built Kindergarten Wing in January 2023, which houses children in Nursery to Grade 1. This wing features innovative learning spaces, including a spacious 2,600 sqm Outdoor Discovery Centre with areas for sound, art, and yoga, an instructional bakery, and large open grade-level pods. Other facilities for all ages include an indoor 25-meter swimming complex (with a learn-to-swim pool), a competition-sized gymnasium, and a 200-seat black-box theatre.

For primary school students, the school day runs from 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM. Many students participate in the after-school activities program, which ends at 4:30 PM. CIS offers an extensive extracurricular activities (ECAs) program, providing additional linguistic, recreational sporting, and enrichment opportunities. Older primary students can also participate in competitive sports (ACSIS sports) against other international schools. Community building is fostered through a house color system and a primary student council.

Beyond the classroom, students engage in age-appropriate experiential learning through:

• Field Trips: Connecting students with the local community and extending classroom learning.
• Excursion Week: For Grades 4 to 6, offering challenging opportunities within Singapore (with an out-of-Singapore option for Grade 6).
• Open Minds Programme: Moving students in Grades 1 to 6 to various Singapore settings for up to four days to experience environments, artifacts, and experts firsthand.

CIS also emphasizes student wellbeing, with teachers working in partnership with parents to help students develop skills for managing relationships and making responsible decisions. Support for emotional wellbeing is available from highly trained primary counselors, vice principals, and a school psychologist.

Admissions Process: Your Next Steps

The application process for CIS begins with the submission of an online application form, payment of a compulsory non-refundable application fee of S$1,000.00, and submission of supporting documents.

Required Supporting Documents (Original versions, translated to English if necessary by a Notary Public, Translation Agency, or National Embassy):

• Last 3 years of transcripts, school reports, testimonials, and recommendations.
• Photocopy of all relevant psycho-educational or special education evaluation reports (if applicable).
• 3 passport-size photographs (JPEG format accepted).
• Photocopies of student’s passport(s) and birth certificate.
• Photocopies of student’s immunization records (Diphtheria and Measles immunization is compulsory in Singapore).
• Photocopy of each parent’s and/or legal guardian’s passport.
• Original deed, will, or court order to indicate guardianship/custody (if applicable).
• Fully completed representative’s form (if applicable).
• Fully completed caregiver agreement and a photocopy of caregiver’s passport (if applicable).

Admission decisions are based on a comprehensive review, including age, prior school reports, and student profile considerations such as behavior, social skills, work ethic, attitude, English proficiency, and additional learning support needs. CIS may also conduct assessments or contact teachers at the student’s current school.

Upon acceptance, the next steps include:

1. Signing the student contract: This legal document must be signed by both parties within 14 days to confirm enrollment. An updated contract must be signed annually for re-enrollment. The 2025/2026 Student Contract is available.
2. Paying the confirmation fee: An invoice will be issued after the contract is signed, and the fee must be paid by the due date to prevent the offered place from lapsing.
3. Submitting final documentation before school starts: This includes photocopies of the student’s Dependant’s Pass, Student Pass or NRIC (for Singaporean and Permanent Residents), parents’ Employment Pass, Dependant’s Pass and/or NRIC, and a Student Medical Form.

You can inquire online or chat with the Admissions team for more information.

Fees and Key Academic Dates : Expat Guide to the Canadian International School (CIS) in Singapore

Annual fees at CIS consist of tuition fees and, if applicable, support program or miscellaneous fees. CIS does not charge ongoing building and development fees or levies. Fee schedules for 2025/2026 are available.

Here are some key dates for the 2025/2026 academic calendar:

• New Student Orientation: Tuesday, 12 August 2025.
• Semester 1 Starts: Wednesday, 13 August 2025.
• School Holidays:
  • Saturday, 18 October – Sunday, 26 October 2025.
  • Saturday, 13 December 2025 – Sunday, 4 January 2026.
  • Saturday, 4 April – Sunday, 12 April 2026.
• Classes Resume / Orientation for New Students: Monday, 5 January 2026.
• Semester 2 Starts: Monday, 19 January 2026.
• Public Holidays (Non-school days):
  • National Day: Monday, 11 August 2025.
  • Chinese New Year: Monday, 16 February – Friday, 20 February 2026.
  • Hari Raya Puasa: Friday, 20 March 2026.
  • Good Friday: Friday, 3 April 2026.
  • Labour Day: Friday, 1 May 2026.
  • Hari Raya Haji: Wednesday, 27 May 2026.
  • Vesak Day: Monday, 1 June 2026.
• Last day for students (half day): Thursday, 11 June 2026.

Please note that CIS reserves the right to change these dates without consultation, and Singapore public holidays may also be subject to change by the Ministry of Manpower.

Important Considerations :  Expat Guide to the Canadian International School in Singapore

While CIS is a well-established school, some online discussions mention challenges related to enrollment projections and staffing changes. Reports from an online forum indicate that CIS’s enrollment projections were “way off” following the move to the new campus, leading to staff layoffs. Some online comments describe the situation as a “shitshow” and suggest that packages for teachers have gone down. There were also serious concerns raised about student welfare. It’s worth noting these are opinions shared in an online forum and not directly from CIS’s official sources.

Contact CIS

For further inquiries regarding admissions, the student contract, or general information, you can contact the Admissions team:

• Admissions Hotline: +65 6734 8088
• Lakeside Campus Address: 7 Jurong West Street 41, Singapore 649414

You can also book a tour or attend an Open House event to learn more about the school.

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