Admission Team
At CIS, we understand that selecting a school for your child is a big decision. Our admissions team are extremely knowledgeable about our school and are here to help with any questions that you may have.
Welcome message from Canadian International School
Our vision
CIS will provide extraordinary learning opportunities for the globally connected student. A nurturing environment, an international curriculum, and a culturally diverse community will facilitate exceptional achievements. Together we will take action to make the world a better place.
Our mission
Engage. Enlighten. Empower.
Our core values
Values should be more than inspiring or beautiful words. Our values are a behavioural blueprint that shape who we are as a school community and as individuals. In all that we do, we ask ourselves – does this promote what we value most?
Collaboration, Curiosity, Creativity, Generosity, Respect, Excellence
Quick summary of key school information
CIS also offers possible bilingual Chinese-English programme for students from pre-kindergarten to grade 6, and bilingual French-English programme for students from senior kindergarten to grade 6. You can view programme fees here.
The school's life in pictures
School details
We have organised the information available for this school into 10 sections and 40 questions. Click or tap on the name of each section to read more.
| Number of students |
3,000 |
| Number of nationalities represented in the school |
More than 70 nations |
| Most common nationality |
We have no dominant nationality. |
| Native English, Chinese, and French speaking teachers |
Yes, they normally are. |
| Language support for students not fluent in English, Chinese, and French |
There is an English Language Learner (ELL) programme available for students who are not fluent in English. This is mandatory for students in Grades 1 through 10, if, after an English proficiency assessment, CIS determines that the student requires this support programme. |
| Additional language classes offered by the school |
Chinese, French, and Spanish 
|
| Max. number of students per class |
All classes are staffed to ensure our students enjoy an optimal learning environment, and sizes range from 16 to a maximum of 26 students. Full details can be viewed on the school's website. |
| Average number of students per class |
The average teacher to student ratio at CIS per grade is outlined below.
|
| Does the school employ teaching assistants? |
Yes |
| Use of technology in the classroom |
Students in Grade 4 through 6 must have an iPad to use at school every day.
|
| Do students practice religion at the school? What religion? |
No |
| How does the school accommodate non-religious students or students of a different religion? |
N/A |
| External examinations or assessments available |
MAP; International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
|
| Results in these examinations |
Class of 2024 International Baccalaureate Diploma results
|
| Do teachers assign homework to their students? |
Yes, homework is assigned daily. |
| Approximate hours of homework given |
It depends on the age of the student / grade. |
| Percentage of students who pursue further education post-graduation |
99% |
| Dedicated staff/programs for students with special learning needs |
The school offers limited Learning Support. Please speak with Admissions for details. |
| Learning support offered |
Please speak with Admissions for details. |
| The school supports gifted, able and talented students |
Please speak with Admissions for details. |
| Student access to education psychologist |
Yes |
| Entry evaluation for students |
Students must meet the CIS entry requirements in order to be eligible for admission to CIS. |
| Brief description of entry evaluation required |
Students must meet the CIS entry requirements in order to be eligible for admission to CIS. |
| Waiting list |
No |
| Deadline for registration (new academic year) |
There is no deadline for registration for Kindergarten to Grade 10, CIS accept new students throughout the academic year. Entry into the Diploma Programme is at the beginning of Grade 11 only. Queries regarding DP entry can be directed to the Admissions Department. |
| Students can join after academic year begins |
Yes, with the exception of Diploma Programme. |
| School start time |
8:30am |
| School finish time |
3:30pm |
| Supervised care before/after school |
CIS offers an extensive Activities programme to students school wide. The Activities programme is divided into five categories: Sports, Arts, STEAM, Languages, and Enrichment. |
| School bus service available |
Yes, CIS contracts with an independent, local school bus operator (Yeap Transport) to provide door-to-door bus transportation for CIS students. Yeap’s fleet consists of modern, air-conditioned buses, equipped with 2-way radios, CCTV and a GPS tracking system. |
| School provided lunches |
Yes |
| Food alternatives for special dietary needs (ie. vegan, kosher, halal etc) |
Food includes dishes that cater to the western palate, local taste and vegetarians. |
| Uniform required |
Yes |
| Extracurricular activities or clubs offered |
CIS offers an extensive Activities programme to students school wide. The Activities programme is divided into five categories: Sports, Arts, STEAM, Languages, and Enrichment. Programme examples include: Badminton, Basketball, Football, Pickleball, Skatboarding, Tennis, Table tennis, Wushu martial arts, Karate, Chess, Magic Club, Painting club, Clay modelling, Inline skating, Robotics, Cheerleading. |
| Sports activities included |
Badminton, Basketball, Cross country, Football (soccer), Netball, Rugby, Touch Rugby, Track and field, Volleyball are some of the school's core sports. |
| Sports teams or sport competitions available for students |
Yes, the school competes in the ACSIS league, and also the Community sports leagues. |
| Facilities at the school |
500-seat Theatre, Black Box Theatre, Outdoor Discovery Centre, 3 libraries, STEAM Centre, Makerspace, Science Labs, Bilingual Classrooms, Drama Studio, Visual Arts Studio, Recording Studio, Music Room, Dance Studio, Multimedia Lab, Nurses Station, Instructional Bakery, Rooftop Garden |
| Sports facilities at the school |
Olympic-length swimming pool, Tennis Courts, Junior Aquatic Centre, Aquatics Centre, Tennis Courts, Pickleball Courts, Elevated Playing Field, Fitness Centre, Gym, Basketball Courts. |
| Qualities and characteristics best defining the school |
The Canadian International School (CIS) has, for 35 years, provided a high-quality education to the international community living in Singapore. With approximately 3,000 students from more than 70 nations, CIS offers children aged 18 months to 18 years a truly international experience. In partnership with parents, we strive to equip each student with future-proof skills that will enable them to thrive and achieve ambitious and worthy goals in an increasingly globalised world. |
| Teaching approach of the school |
At CIS, we strive to develop students who are successful, well-balanced and responsible global citizens. We achieve this aim by modelling the IB Learner Profile, encouraging students to be: Inquirers, Knowledgeable, Thinkers, Communicators, Principled, Open-Minded, Caring, Risk-Takers, Balanced and Reflective. CIS students experience a standards-based, International Baccalaureate university preparatory education, that places them at the centre of all learning experiences. Our students are active learners, blending traditional academic subjects with real world “inquiry based” learning and investigation, and problem solving skills. CIS students go beyond learning facts and figures; they create new knowledge by using the array of tools available to them in today’s information age. |
A look into the school's facilities
Libraries
Our well stocked junior and senior libraries provide students with access to a wide range of resources, both print and digital. Our collection of foreign language books is vast, supporting several mother tongue languages, our language acquisition programmes, and our Chinese-English bilingual programme.
Arts
Arts’ spaces at our Lakeside campus include fully equipped visual arts, drama and dance studios, a 500- seat auditorium, a black box theatre, music rooms and an audio-visual suite.
Sports
Our students have access to a variety of outstanding sporting facilities. At Lakeside, this includes three tennis courts, a 50-metre swimming pool, a learn-to-swim pool, a gymnasium, indoor basketball courts, an aerobics room, a weights room and a football field.
Makerspaces
The majority of our STEAM activities are carried out in dedicated makerspaces and the secondary STEAM centre. Equipped with a range of state-of-the-art tools, these spaces encourage teamwork, collaboration and innovative design thinking through hands-on exploration.
