When Does International School Start in Singapore? A 2027 Guide

Most international schools in Singapore begin their academic year in August, running through to June. Singapore's Ministry of Education schools follow a fixed calendar-year rhythm instead, starting in early January and finishing in November, with the 2027 school year confirmed to run from 4 January to 19 November 2027.

A smaller number of international schools deliberately follow the local January calendar rather than the August one, usually because they're closely aligned with the Singapore curriculum, so it's worth checking each school's own year rather than assuming every international school runs the same shape.

Why the dates are so different

Singapore's MOE sets one fixed calendar nationwide, changed rarely and confirmed well in advance. Most British, American and IB schools in Singapore ignore this and run their own August-to-June year instead, in step with their curriculum's home country. But schools built around the Singapore system, or with strong local pathways, sometimes run January to December on purpose, so the international-school picture in Singapore is less uniform than in most countries. For more detail on how this plays into fees and planning, doris's guide to international school admissions in Singapore is worth reading alongside this one.

Term dates and key holidays

Within the August-to-June international school year, you can generally expect:

• September break: A short break in early to mid September, roughly a week.
• October break: A similar week-long break in October.
• Winter break: The longest of the year, typically running from early December to early January.
• National Day: 9 August is a fixed public holiday every year, and schools close regardless of calendar.
• Plan ahead: International schools in Singapore don't follow a single shared calendar, so always confirm term dates directly with the school rather than assuming they match another school across town.

What to prepare, and from when

Five popular international schools in Singapore

1. German European School Singapore (GESS). IB continuum alongside a German curriculum stream, ages 1.5 to 18, around 1,750 pupils. SGD 30,735 to 43,990 a year (approx. USD 24,300 to 34,700).

2. Stamford American International School. American curriculum with IB, AP and BTEC pathways, ages 1.5 to 18, day and boarding, around 3,000 pupils. SGD 20,420 to 56,110 a year (approx. USD 16,100 to 44,300).

3. Dulwich College (Singapore). British curriculum to IB Diploma, ages 2 to 18, day and boarding, around 3,000 pupils. SGD 20,270 to 56,220 a year (approx. USD 16,000 to 44,400). Runs Whole College and Senior School open houses through September.

4. Canadian International School. Full IB continuum, ages 1.5 to 18, around 3,000 pupils. SGD 19,260 to 49,610 a year (approx. USD 15,200 to 39,100). Holds on-campus and virtual open houses regularly through September.

5. Middleton International School. IPC and Cambridge pathway to A Level, ages 4 to 18, around 1,300 pupils. SGD 21,215 to 27,945 a year (approx. USD 16,700 to 22,000).

Schools shown for informational purposes only. doris does not rank or promote any school.

Check school availability in Singapore on doris

Schools in Singapore may have waiting lists for certain year groups, so it helps to prepare well ahead of your preferred start date.

Start by exploring schools in Singapore on doris and opening the profiles of those on your shortlist. You can review admissions details and, where available, check availability or send an enquiry to ask about places, waiting lists and application requirements. Include your child’s age and intended start date so the school can give you relevant guidance.

Start your school search early to give your family more time to explore options and prepare your application.

FAQ

What month does international school usually start in Singapore? Most international schools start in August. MOE schools follow a fixed January-to-November calendar instead.

What are the term dates for schools in Singapore? MOE schools run four terms from January to November, set nationally by the Ministry of Education. International schools generally run August to June, though some follow the local January calendar deliberately, so exact dates vary by school.

Does the international school year in Singapore match the local school year? Mostly no, but not always. Most international schools run August to June, while a smaller number aligned with the Singapore system run January to December instead.

When should we start applying for a 2027 start in Singapore? Around 12 months ahead. Some of the most established international schools in Singapore run waitlists of a year or two for specific year groups.

Do international schools in Singapore observe MOE public holidays? Yes. Both systems close for Singapore's gazetted public holidays, including National Day, Chinese New Year and Hari Raya Puasa, regardless of which academic calendar the school otherwise follows.

doris is a free, impartial international school discovery platform designed to help parents find the right international school for their children worldwide. Every school profile includes fees, curriculum, admissions, pupil numbers and more. Parents can compare schools, contact schools directly, access expert parent guides, and connect with a community of parents around the world. Start your search at doris.school.

This guide was written by Aziza F, part of the doris editorial team. doris sources school data from institutions worldwide and speaks directly with parents navigating the school search process. Fee data reflects published and publicly available information for the 2026 to 2027 academic year and is reviewed annually. External sources: school academic calendars and fee pages, Singapore Ministry of Education.

Schools are listed for informational purposes only. doris does not rank or promote any school.