When your life crosses borders, your school decision often does too.
If you’re a parent living in Singapore or Johor Bahru—or thinking of relocating across the border—you’ve probably asked:
“Should we send our child to school in JB or Singapore?”
It’s not just about distance. It’s about fees, curriculum, commuting, culture, and finding the kind of environment where your child will truly thrive.
The good news? You’ve got solid options on both sides.
The tricky part? Figuring out which one is the right fit for your family.
That’s where Doris comes in. Whether you're in Singapore considering a cross-border move or based in JB and eyeing schools across the Causeway, Doris helps you explore schools in both countries based on your child’s learning needs, your family routine, and your budget.
It’s no secret that international school fees in Johor Bahru are more affordable than in Singapore. In 2025, you’re likely looking at:
JB international schools: RM 20,000 to RM 100,000 per year
Singapore international schools: SGD 20,000 to SGD 50,000+ per year
Even with currency conversion and occasional transport costs, JB often comes out ahead in terms of raw tuition savings.
But value isn’t just about cost. Ask:
What’s included in the fees?
How stable are the fees year-on-year?
What services or enrichment are offered?
Doris' comparison tool lets you compare schools by both tuition and what families actually get for it, so you’re not making decisions based on numbers alone.
Both Singapore and JB offer diverse curriculum options—IB, British (IGCSE + A Levels), American (AP), Canadian, and more. Here’s what families often notice:
Singapore has a strong concentration of IB and British curriculum schools, with more options at the upper tier.
JB has growing diversity, especially with British, American, and Canadian streams, and more bilingual offerings.
If your child is transferring between education systems or heading to a specific university region, this matters.
That’s why Doris asks what you want from the curriculum—not just where you live. Check out how Doris personalizes school searches to align with your child’s goals.
Many Singapore-based families cross the border daily for school—especially those living near the Tuas Second Link. Some JB families also choose Singapore schools for quality or specific curriculum access.
So how feasible is the commute?
Singapore to JB: Around 30 to 60 minutes depending on time, route, and immigration traffic
JB to Singapore: Doable, but expect early mornings and planning around congestion
Some families move closer to the border or arrange carpools. Others prefer boarding schools in JB to ease the daily grind.
Doris factors in commute preferences, so if you’re not keen on long daily rides, it won’t suggest schools that would leave you stuck in traffic twice a day.
Singapore’s international schools often mirror global campuses in diversity and offer strong bilingual tracks (especially English-Chinese). In JB, you’ll also find a mix, but with more locally rooted cultural elements.
Ask yourself:
What kind of cultural environment feels right for your child?
Is language immersion a priority?
Do you want a more expat-heavy community or something more grounded?
Doris highlights schools that match not just academically—but socially and culturally too.
Singapore schools often have more developed student support programs—from counsellors to learning support specialists. Some JB schools are catching up fast and offer excellent pastoral care in smaller, more personal settings.
Not all school websites go into detail, but Doris knows which schools stand out for emotional and academic support—and can flag them for you during a free chat.
There’s no blanket answer. But there is a best fit for your child—and it might not be where you first expected.
Choose Singapore if you want:
Robust support services
Top-tier curriculum options with global prestige
Shorter commutes (if you’re based in central SG)
Access to specialist programs (STEM, arts, dual language)
Choose Johor Bahru if you want:
Significant cost savings
Smaller class sizes and tight-knit communities
Quality education at a more accessible price point
A more relaxed pace of school life
Choose Doris if you want clarity—without hours of Googling or spreadsheet chaos.
Whether you live in JB, Singapore, or somewhere in between, your school decision should feel informed, not frantic.
Doris helps you compare schools on both sides of the border with a few clicks. It looks at your child’s learning style, your commute tolerance, your curriculum goals, and your family rhythm.
No bias. No pressure. Just honest, personalized guidance.
👉 Chat with Doris today and discover which schools—Singapore or JB—are worth your shortlist.