Eligibility

Our diverse student body consists of students from countries and educational systems from all around the world. Each student's application is reviewed holistically by a selection committee and final grade placement depends on a variety of factors. Such factors include a student's prior school reports, academic assessment results, letters of recommendation, English proficiency, and special support services, if required; these factors are assessed to determine the grade level in which your student will be most successful.

As a general rule, students coming from a school system with a different academic calendar year (such as South Korea, Singapore, India, Japan, Australia, or New Zealand) continue in their current grade level when they enroll and are not allowed to skip ahead. Parents can request that their student be assessed to skip half a grade. However, we reserve the right to make the decision about final grade placement.

You may also refer to this age-based guideline to determine your child's likely grade level at the start of their school year.

All students must hold a valid pass to enroll at International Community School (Singapore). The following passes are accepted: 

• Dependent Pass
• Exemption Order or Diplomatic Pass
• Singapore Permanent Residency (PR)
• Singapore Ministry of Education (MOE) approval letter for Singaporean citizens to study at ICS
• Student Pass

It is the parent’s responsibility to keep all passes up to date and, upon renewal, to submit a copy of the renewed pass to the school registrar. Once a pass is found to be expired or invalid, the student is not allowed to enter campus or remain in school and may return only upon receipt of a valid pass. 

Singapore Ministry of Education (MOE) Approval for Singaporean Citizens
Students who are Singaporean citizens, seek enrollment in pre-kindergarten (K4) or kindergarten (K5), and are younger than 6 years old do not require MOE approval to attend International Community School (Singapore).

Students aged 6 or older must receive MOE approval to enroll at International Community School (Singapore).

Our Admissions Team will submit all necessary documentation to MOE before a place at our school is formally offered. Please allow 8 to 12 weeks for this process.

Student Pass
Students require a Student Pass if:

• Their parents are permanent residents of Singapore, but the student is not.
• The student is currently residing in Singapore on a Long Term Visit Pass (LTVP).
• Neither parent has an employment pass.
• The student is not eligible for a Dependent Pass.
• The student is transferring from another school in Singapore where they currently hold a Student Pass.

After your child has been accepted, our Admissions Team will assist you through the Student Pass registration process. Parents are responsible for completing and submitting all necessary information through the Singapore Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA)’s Student Pass Online Application & Registration+ (SOLAR+) system. Please allow at least one month for this process.

Your student will not be allowed to attend International Community School (Singapore) until they have received their Student Pass. Approval of a Student Pass is solely the decision of ICA. A Student Pass issued is not transferable and will expire once the student is no longer enrolled at our school. 

Student Pass Renewal 
It is the parent’s responsibility to request Student Pass renewal from the school at least six weeks before the student's current pass is set to expire. After a Student Pass holder’s passport has been renewed or changed, parents are required to submit a copy of the renewed or new passport to the school registrar.

English is the primary language of classroom instruction and community life at our school. If English is not your child’s native language or if they have not completed a significant part of their education in English, they may need to take a grade-appropriate English Language Proficiency Assessment (ELPA) before applying. Please review the following English language proficiency requirements.

Pre-Kindergarten (K4) and Kindergarten (K5)
Students entering pre-kindergarten (K4) and kindergarten (K5) are not required to take the ELPA. 

Grade 1 to Grade 8
Students who are applying for Grades 1 to 8 and whose native language is not English are required to sit for the ELPA. An intermediate level score or higher is necessary for application eligibility. Students who score at the intermediate level are required to participate in our English Language Learner (ELL) program. This program requires an additional fee (see Tuition & Fees) and enrollment is limited. 

Grade 9 to Grade 12 (and Part-Time Elective Students)
Students who are applying for Grades 9 to 12 and whose native language is not English are required to sit for the ELPA. A proficient level score or higher is necessary for application eligibility. The English Language Learner (ELL) program for high school students is designed to help students communicate in social settings, interact in the classroom, and develop academic English proficiency. 

The English Language Proficiency Assessment (ELPA)
To schedule your child's ELPA, contact our Admissions Team. The cost is S$280 payable at the time of testing. This fee is not refundable under any circumstance. All assessments are conducted on campus and take approximately two hours. The assessment consists of the following categories: reading, writing, speaking, and listening. If your child does not meet the minimum English requirements, they will not be eligible to apply and must wait six months before retesting.

Click here to learn more: 

English Language Learners

In accordance with the Singapore National Childhood Immunization Schedule by the National Immunization Registry, we require all students to be immunized for the following:

• Two doses: Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR or MMR-V)
• Four to five doses: Diphtheria, Tetanus and Pertussis (DTaP, DTP, DT or Tdap)

The original immunization record must be provided to the school prior to enrollment for verification.

It is mandatory for all children aged 12 and below who were not born in Singapore to provide evidence of the Singapore required immunizations when applying for long-term residency passes. For more information, please refer to the Health Promotion Board’s website which outlines the process and frequently asked questions. 
 

Our primary goal is to ensure all students succeed at International Community School (Singapore). Students who require additional academic, social or emotional, or behavioral support should inform the Admissions Team during the application process and provide proper documentation. We offer learning support services at an additional fee. As needed, our Admissions Team will share additional details about our Learning Support program. 

Click the link to learn more about Student Support Services at International Community School (Singapore).

Student Support Services

In order to provide a holistic assessment of your student's ability to succeed at our school, a computer-based academic assessment is required for students entering Grades 1 to 12. Academic assessments are held on campus and can be scheduled on school days at 9am or 1pm.

Students applying to Grades 1 through 8 will be assessed in math and reading.

Students applying to Grades 9 through 12 will be assessed in math, reading, and writing.

Our Admissions Team will contact you as necessary If there are concerns that your child is not prepared for the grade level they are applying for.

Students living with guardians must be aged 13 or older. Regardless of a student’s living situation, guardians or parents are responsible for ensuring all necessary paperwork for student passes is completed. 

Please contact our Admissions Team to discuss your student's unique situation. We will do our best to provide you with the information you need to make the right decision for your child.