Singapore local school guidance
Help your child get into a Singapore local school.
I help expat parents understand P1 registration, AEIS, S-AEIS, school culture, and what happens after their child gets in.
Does this sound like you?
We are not PR. I am not sure my child can even get a local school place.
The phases and tests have names I do not understand, and I am scared of missing a deadline.
Other parents give me different advice. I do not know who to trust.
I worry my child will struggle with English and the pace.
If any of these sound familiar, you are in the right place. Every week, expat parents in Singapore hear conflicting advice about local schools: register early, wait for Phase 3, book the AEIS test now, do not book it yet. The truth is that the right route depends on your child's age, your immigration status, and how long you expect to stay. Guessing wastes the one thing you cannot get back, which is time, because every admission route has a fixed annual window and missing it can mean waiting a full year.
The local school journey has three parts.
Getting a place is only the beginning. I help families understand the route, settle into the system, and make better choices after entry.
1. Getting in
P1 registration, the Indication of Interest, AEIS, S-AEIS, and the local versus international school decision. I help you identify the route that fits your child, understand what is within your control, and prepare for the steps ahead.
2. Settling in
The first months after entry: routines, confidence, English and maths foundations, and talking to teachers. I help you understand what is normal adjustment, where your child may need support, and how to work with the school.
3. Doing well
Subjects, co-curricular activities, opportunities, and the decisions that come after your child joins. I help you look beyond admission, so your child can grow inside the system without being pushed into everything at once.
What working together looks like
A clear first call. No pressure. You do not need to prepare a perfect list of questions.
1. Tell me where you are. The first call is free and takes 20 to 30 minutes. We talk about your child and your situation.
2. See your real options. I explain the routes that fit your family, including the limits and the risks.
3. Leave with next steps. You get a clear order of action, not a long list of information.
4. Get help after entry. If you need it, I can stay with you through the transition and the first months.
I entered Singapore’s local school system as an expat child.
I moved from India to Singapore, sat the PSLE, studied at Victoria School, completed O-Levels with 2 points, and later attended Raffles Institution.
Today, I use that lived experience to help families understand what the system looks like before entry and what it feels like after entry. I will tell you what I know, what needs an official check, and what nobody can promise.
Start with a clear guide.
Simple resources for families who want to understand the route before booking a call. Each guide is written in plain English and explains what actually happens, not just what the official pages say:
- Getting your child into a Singapore local school
- The P1 Indication of Interest (IOI) form
- Preparing your child for AEIS
If you want the formatted, printable version of any guide, each one is also available as a PDF from the MKB Academy shop.
Direct answers to common parent questions.
Rules can change. Where a question depends on a current MOE rule, I link to the official page.
Can my child apply to a Singapore local school if we are not PR? Yes. International students can apply, but a place is not guaranteed. For Primary 1, families first submit an online indication of interest before Phase 3. For later primary and secondary levels, the usual routes are AEIS or S-AEIS.
What are AEIS and S-AEIS? AEIS is the Admissions Exercise for International Students, for entry in the following school year. S-AEIS is the supplementary exercise for entry in the same school year. The available levels are different, so your child's age and current level matter.
Does my child need a Cambridge English result first? Primary school applicants need the relevant Cambridge English Qualification result before applying for AEIS or S-AEIS. The minimum score depends on the child's age and the level, so check the current MOE eligibility table before booking a test.
What if my child does not get a place? Keep a backup school ready and continue learning while you plan the next application window. A missed place is not a promise that the next attempt will work, but it does give you time to prepare with more clarity.
Read all of the questions on the FAQ page, or contact me when you are ready to talk about your own child.
What parents say after working together.
These are individual experiences, not a success rate. Every family starts somewhere different, and no placement can be promised.