Step-by-Step Process to Find the Best Private School

September 1, 2022 Sahil

Finding a great school in Singapore for your kid is not an overnight task. It is like a marathon that requires commitment and preparation. Whether an international primary school or a local high school, you must evaluate it thoroughly and follow a structured process to find the best school in Singapore.

Here is a step-by-step process to help you:

Consider your requirement wisely

When it comes to finding a private school in Singapore, the fit is fundamental. You cannot follow a one-size-fits-all attitude. What makes a school ideal for your brother’s child needn’t necessarily be the perfect choice for your kid. You need to have a more holistic approach and factor in elements like your family’s setting, individual needs, and strengths of your child, your philosophy on education philosophy, etc.

Many diverse private schools in Singapore offer excellent academic and extracurricular programs. Some follow a specific educational philosophy; some follow the curriculum of a particular country; some serve a particular religious community; some are arts-based schools; some are all-girls, all-boys, or special needs schools, etc. So, when you start adding schools to your consideration set, you need to consider each aspect and how the school fulfills it.

Things to consider:

Your child’s learning style, personality, special needs, and academic ability
Your family’s goals, values, and priorities
Your education budget
Ideal Academic setting and non-negotiable must-haves such as specific athletic or extracurricular facilities, small class size, and more

Research

It is the most crucial point and can never be enough. Do not skim on your homework. Make sure you have thorough knowledge and information about the international school in Singapore landscape to make the right choice for you and your child. A few tips to help with the research:

Start at least a year before, you may feel like you have time, but you don’t
Ask other parents for their reviews and opinions, but do not rely solely on that. Primary first-hand research is imperative.
Check the school website for curriculum, teachers’ profiles, vision, etc.

Visit the shortlisted schools

You may find a lot of information online, but nothing comes close to visiting the schools. Most schools in Singapore eagerly welcome parents. Don’t make a judgment on the first visit; revisit if you liked something. Be open with your questions. Always take your checklist so you don’t miss out on something important.

Check the following from the school, among other things

Their vision and philosophy
Their communication channels and methodology
School curriculum, teacher qualifications, and how they measure achievement and progress.
Student-to-teacher ratio and class size.
Additional fees and expenses

Make a pressing application to multiple schools

Now that you are well acquainted with numerous schools and have gathered reliable first-hand knowledge, start narrowing down on the top few schools of your choice. Make sure you have your priority list in front of you when you do this. At this point, you may have more than one ‘best’ school for your child, and that is fine.

Don’t overlook these points:

Submit your applications on time; if not before, check when schools complete their enrollment.
Check if an entrance exam is required – this will depend on the school and the grade where your child needs admission.
Check if the school has set entrance years on the school’s website.
Prepare for the interview, and do not stress your child out about the interview or exam.
Don’t pin all your hopes on one school.
Be truthful and transparent about your child’s needs and if the school can make room for the same. E.g., special learning requirements.
Consider the importance of extracurricular activities and be sure they fit your child’s interests.
Don’t push your child into a school where they won’t be able to cope; know their capabilities, so you do not set them up for failure.
Not only should the school be an appropriate fit for you and your family, but you must also be in sync with what the schools need.
Understand the school’s vision, expectations, and philosophy from the start – no one will change for you.
If the school has been a certain way, for instance, an academically focused school that is known to give a lot of homework every day – make sure you are ok with that as things will carry on the way they have for eons.

Stay humble and grounded while awaiting admission results

The finish line is near, and it is only natural to get anxious. You have done everything you could, so there is not much more you can contribute except ensuring that you can be calm and composed for yourself and your child.

There will be multiple schools where your child will get admission and a few where they may not. Do not be disappointed or give grief to the child. Once you accept a school, be confident about your decisions and feel proud that you have taken a decision that will be key to shaping your child’s future.