Canadian International School Singapore

What the school is

From six students in 1990 to a single Jurong West campus

CIS was established in 1989 and opened at Toh Tuck in November 1990 as Canadian Overseas College. It began as an Ontario-system university-preparatory school with six students and adopted the Canadian International School name in 1992. The school later expanded into the younger years. Its official fee document records Canadian International School Pte. Ltd., registration number 199002243H, with a registration period from 8 June 2023 to 7 June 2027.

China Maple Leaf Educational Systems acquired CIS in June 2020 in a reported S$680 million transaction. A 2026 independent review continues to name Maple Leaf as the owner, so CIS operates within a commercial education group. Teaching, school culture and programme quality since the acquisition are covered by the evidence in the sections below.

The school’s leadership page names Jared Nolan as Head of School from 2026, succeeding Dr Allan Weston, who joined in 2022. Families can use an admissions meeting to discuss the leadership team’s priorities for the relevant division.

The campus story

Two campuses became one: the 2023 consolidation

The Tanjong Katong campus opened in 2008 on the former Tanjong Katong Girls’ School site. It closed in June 2023 after the Singapore Land Authority did not renew the lease, and pupils transferred to Lakeside that August. The current school location is Lakeside rather than a choice between west and east campuses.

The Junior Wing opened at Lakeside in January 2023 for Kindergarten to Grade 6. Its facilities include a 2,600-square-metre Outdoor Discovery Centre, 25-metre and learn-to-swim pools, a gymnasium, learning bakery and 200-seat black-box theatre. The wider Lakeside site opened in 2012 and covers roughly 43,000 square metres. Other listed facilities include a 500-seat theatre, an Olympic-sized pool, STEAM maker spaces and a two-storey library.

Lakeside is in Jurong West, near Chinese Garden and Lakeside MRT stations. From Katong, Marine Parade or Siglap the school run is a cross-island journey, so school-bus routes and the child’s daily timetable matter before committing to housing.

Academics in practice

IB programmes, bilingual teaching and senior choices

The IB continuum provides a sequence from PYP through MYP to Diploma, but transfers to another curriculum still require attention to subjects, age placement and timing. The Chinese-English and French-English programmes sit within the PYP and are described as using two teachers and both languages for subject teaching. Chinese-English bilingual tuition is higher than the English programme, while French-English fees match it; the current grade coverage, language balance and entry requirements should be checked together.

An independent review reports a 2025 IB Diploma average of 35 points, with the top 30% averaging 39 and 35 pupils receiving bilingual diplomas. The whole-cohort average and the top-group average describe different populations. Secondary reporting also describes an Extended Pathway introduced in 2025 that combines AP and IB Diploma Programme courses. Selected DP and AP courses do not automatically meet the full IB Diploma requirements; confirm the qualification awarded and available subject combinations.

The school reports that graduates have received offers from more than 500 universities worldwide. That is not a current graduating-class destination count. Directory listings identify IB programmes, WASC and Cognia accreditation, and EduTrust certification, which are distinct designations. English-language and learning support are assessed individually. The 2026–27 schedule bills these separately: English Language Learner support costs S$4,620–4,750 a semester, and learning support S$2,070 (Tier 2) or S$4,250 (Tier 3) a semester.

Fees and the real cost

Tuition, joining charges and payment terms

The official 2026–27 schedule quotes fees in Singapore dollars, including 9% GST. Its non-refundable application fee is S$1,000. The confirmation fee is S$5,500 for the first child and S$4,500 for the second, with a waiver for the third and subsequent children. A one-time facilities fee of S$4,500 is also listed. For a first child, these three initial charges total S$11,000 before tuition and other applicable costs.

The official 2026–27 schedule sets annual English-programme tuition at S$20,780 for half-day Nursery and S$30,280 for full-day Nursery, S$40,760 for Pre-Kindergarten to Senior Kindergarten, S$41,840 for Grades 1–3, S$45,520 for Grades 4–6, S$51,240 for Grades 7–10 and S$53,500 for Grades 11–12. The Chinese-English programme costs S$42,520–50,020 and the French-English programme matches English-programme fees. Payment is in two equal semester instalments in advance (due 15 May and 30 October 2026), with whole-month proration for mid-semester joiners, including vacation periods. Obtain the exact grade, stream and start-date quotation.

The school’s sibling rules distinguish confirmation-fee reductions from tuition discounts. Tuition discounts begin with the third child and cannot be combined with other discounts. A pupil who leaves and returns must submit a new application and application fee; the rules do not say every other joining charge is payable again.

Admissions and the family experience

Year-round applications and limits on senior entry

CIS accepts applications year-round, with waiting lists for full year groups. A review reports entry to Grades 9–10 only before February of the school year, entry to Grade 11 within the first two weeks, and no new entry to Grade 12. Rolling applications do not mean places are available or that a mid-course transfer is suitable.

An independent review describes a limited boarding arrangement with a local boarding house for pupils aged 12 and above. The provider, capacity, cost and current terms were not publicly available; this should not be assumed to mean accommodation on the Lakeside campus. The school also describes Open Minds outdoor learning, STEAM and music activities. Families can ask which programmes are available for the child’s grade and how they fit around transport.