Your 12-Month Timeline for International School Applications

This article outlines a 12-month planning roadmap for families preparing to apply to international schools in Southeast Asia. Use it to organise your shortlist, book tours, gather documents, and apply with confidence - avoiding deadline pressure or missed opportunities.

Relocating internationally with school-age children often means building your moving timeline around school admission windows. In Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, and Brunei, international schools run on slightly different academic calendars—but most follow an August or September start, with applications opening as early as one year in advance.

Planning early gives your family the best chance at securing a place at your preferred schools, especially for competitive year levels or specialist programmes.

🧭 Want to start your school shortlist today? Try Doris – the free, independent tool that helps families compare international schools by curriculum, fees, and learning style.

Month 12: Define What Matters Most

Start here if you're relocating next academic year.

• List your priorities (e.g. curriculum, languages, fees, location)

• Think about your child’s learning needs or support requirements

• Decide on preferred curriculum types (British, American, IB, Montessori, etc.)

📌 Doris helps you filter schools by your preferences – no guesswork, no bias.
🎒 Get your customised list

Month 11: Research and Create a Shortlist

• Use school websites, forums, and tools like Doris to compare schools

• Look at admissions pages to understand entry points and deadlines

• Consider commute times and potential housing locations

🗂️ Tip: Shortlist 4 to 6 schools to keep your options manageable.
📍 Use Doris to see curriculum, fees, languages, and location side by side.

Month 10: Reach Out and Ask Questions

• Contact admissions teams to clarify application requirements

• Ask about current availability or projected waitlists

• Request virtual meetings if you're not yet in-country

✉️ Some schools accept rolling admissions, but others fill early. It’s worth asking.

Month 9 to 8: Book School Tours

• If you're visiting the region, try to tour schools in person

• If not, request virtual tours or video walk-throughs

• Ask about student wellbeing, transitions, language support, and community feel

🗒️ Need help knowing what to ask?
📚 Read our guide: Top 10 Questions to Ask on a School Tour

Month 7: Prepare Documents

• Common requirements include:

  • Birth certificate or passport

  • Recent school reports or transcripts

  • Immunisation records

  • Passport photos

  • Parent IDs or visas

• Some schools may ask for additional assessments or recommendation letters

Month 6 to 5: Submit Applications

• Submit to your top 2–3 choices

• Follow each school's specific process (some use online forms, others require interviews)

• Be prepared to pay an application fee

📅 Keep track of:

• Application deadlines

• Interview or trial class dates

• Payment timelines

📌 Doris helps families manage key dates and decision points with less stress
📆 Stay organised with your school search

Month 4: Attend Assessments or Interviews

• These may be academic, language-based, or informal classroom trials

• Some schools also interview parents

• Ask about preparation guidelines—many schools provide sample tasks

Month 3 to 2: Review Offers and Make a Decision

• Schools typically respond within 2 to 6 weeks of assessment

• Some may offer waitlist positions first

• Carefully read the offer letter for:

  • Acceptance deadlines

  • Enrolment deposits

  • Refund policies

🔍 Still comparing final options? Doris helps highlight differences in class size, language support, and values.
💡 Make a confident final choice

Month 1: Confirm and Start Transition Prep

• Confirm enrolment and submit deposits

• Arrange uniforms, transport, and supplies

• Let your child explore the new school website or attend orientation if offered

📦 Also start planning your move: visas, housing, and healthcare

🧸 Many schools offer buddy systems and transition support – Doris helps identify which ones do
👣 Explore schools with strong onboarding

Bonus: What If You’re Starting Late?

If you’re less than 6 months away from your move, it’s still possible to find great options.

• Some schools have rolling admissions or mid-year intakes

• Others maintain waitlists and may offer last-minute spaces

🏃‍♀️ Doris can prioritise schools based on current availability or flexibility
💻 Get matched fast

Final Tip

Use a tool like Doris to reduce the guesswork.
Instead of opening 20 tabs or building your own spreadsheet, Doris allows you to:

• Compare schools in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, and Brunei

• Filter by curriculum, budget, language support, and values

• Keep track of application timelines in one place

🎒 Start your international school search with Doris
It’s free, unbiased, and designed for families moving abroad.